The Princeton union., 1896-07-09

tired. I fell into doZe, from which /
was aroused with a start by what
seemed to be the ticking of the sound
er. It said as clear as if some one had
spoken, Beware; danger threatens I
sat up in bed. The moon was shining
brightly through the window. I gazed
intently at the sounder. It made not
the slightest motion, yet the message
came again, this time even more start
lingly distinct than before. What
could it possibly mean? thought /
was dreaming at first; but when the
mysterious message was repeated for
the third time came to different
conclusion. l don't believe in spirit
ualism, yet I am at loss now to as
cribe that ineXplicable communication
to any other source.
AT any rate, upon hearing the third
message my mind instantly reverted
to the huge box in the freight corner.
The partitioning of my little apart
ment did not extend as high as the
roof, but merely to distance of about
five feet above the level Of my bed,
and by standing on the bed could
peer over the top and see all parts Of
the interior of the station. I rose
stealthily to an erect position and look
ed over the edge of the partition. The
first thing I saw was the box, stand
ing on end near window in the ex-
treme end Of the station; and as I look
cd saw it's top slowly rise and
mans head protrude itself.
1t was thick, brutalized face, with
grizzleled whiskers. Instantly it
flashed across my mind that it be-
longed to Grizzly Bill.
'"The sight sent my heart into my
throat witlla bound, for realized only
too well that the outlaw would stop at
nothing to get the money which he
knew was in my possession. ToNhim
murder was child's play. But, after
the first emotion of fear, felt perfect
ly calm. In truth, I felt as though fate
had thrown this desperate in my way,
so that might conquer him. l don't
know why I felt thus; probably I ex-
perienced the same emotions that a
soldier does who goes into battle with
fear and trembling, yet who, when act.
ually III the midst of danger, feels as
cool and collected as though he We're
out Of reach Of all possibility of harm.
II got out of bed, picked up the coal
shovel and scuttle ard made as much
noise as possible. AS the night had
been an unusually cool one, a fire was
grabbed my revolver and thrust it into
my right coat pocket. Into my left
pocket thrust some nails and ham
mer. Then, Whistling as loudly as pos
sible to mislead the despeIado in the
box, left the little Office and walked
across the floor of the freight part of
the station. When Immediately in
front of the box I sprang at it with
tie fury Of mau fighting for his life
and overturned it. 1t fell to the floor
top up, with a resounding crash. In
stantly I was astride the box driving
nails into it as hard and sst as man
in terror for his life could do. And all
the while I was yelling at the i,npris-
oned outlaw at the top Of my voice,
telling that if he so much IS breathed
l would instantly kill him.
"But my threats did not appear to
Tighten him much. From the interior
of the box came volley of muff1ed
oaths that would have astonished a
Ligger Indian. | never heard such
horrible profanity. l fired my pistol
twice in the air, to let him know I
meant business. After a Willie he be-
came quiet. I carefully examined the
box and found there was nu danger of
suffocating, for at the upper cd We're
numbe,' of tiny perforations which
freely admitted air:
81 sat astlide that box until my as
sistant came, at o'clock. 1t was a
long and trying vigil, but the nlagni-
tude OF my victory buCyed ME uD. NV