Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-07

the aid of slum ber-that is to say. by
pretending to DO unconscious himself he
hopes to induce his enemies to give
themselves up to sleep. This trick has
probably been related ten times oftsner,
especially Of cap.ivcs in the hands OF
Indians. than it has ever occurred.
All the same, could think Of moth
Ing else and s,raigbtway began farming
IL over i'm my mind.
The single window 90 which / have
alluded ha,, no p.rtain, and II 1t pos
sessed shut ~ they were fastened open.
II was q the old fashioned kind, and. 20
far rs could judge from a visual in
spC c;ion, tine lower sash was not fasten
cd in place. IL would have been n relief
80 raiso II aud admit air. but / dared
no, suggest it through fear OF awaking
suspicion II my motives.
As IL tho room was not already suffi-
ciently stuffy, Cy Walters brought out
q corncob pire, which ne proceeded 10
I'LL, light and smoke with the delibera-
tion of IN old soldier who knows how
to enjoy his nicotine. His son did not
seem To use tobacco in any form. which
was unusual
After tie words that have recorded
neither ! nor my captors exchanged q
word a. the slow hours wore away, but
il there were ever three wide awake in
dividuaIs they were ourselves on that
memorable October night in Mississippi.
When Jim DUNCAN announced that
was granted respite until morning and
had surrendered my pistol, my intGn-
tion was to remain quietly in the hotel
without move toward escape, unless
1t should prove too tempting TO be re-
sisted. had scarcely doubt that after
what he said he would become convinc-
ed of his mistake or ut least his doubts
would be- increased To that extent that
he woGld investigate further. with my
quick freedom as the inevitable result.
But his las. remark crushed that
hope. He had no doubt ut all that |
was Hank Beyer, and the hours OF grace
that be had granted were simply to give
ME time 10 make preparation for death.
There was thought which at first
gave some consolation. Ii seemed that
among the 10 or more men who had de-
mandcd my life there must be one or
two into whose minds doubt bad
thrust itself, but reflection made II
clear that IL snch were tho fact they
would have declared themselves at the
time Of Dungan's dispute with his
friends But all remained mute, and the
only one besides myself who knew the
whole truth was the real criminal, and
little fear. after what had occurred, Of
his coming 10 my assistance.
So far rs could figure out after two
hours thought, there was no earthly
hope for me unless it should come with
some wbm Of the mob on the morrow.
During the interval named neither OF
my captors made the slightest change
Of position or showed the first inclina.
tion 60 sleopiness, Cy Walters finished
his pipe aud showed it into the pocket
of his ragged coat The rank fumes Of
the tobacco lay in thin stratum about
midway between the floor aud ceiling,
absolutely motionless and just far
enough above my head to relieve me OF
the sickening odor. Not once did he un.
cross his legs or move ono Of his huge
feet. His son held corresponding pos.
ture with tho same iron rigidity.
II was impossible for me TO do like.
wise. l iidaeted in my chair until 1t be.
came too irksome TO be endured. Final
ly rose 20 my feet.
''If you Will permit me, remarked,
walking across tho room. picking ny
another chair and placing it in front Of
me, go as 10 allow mo to extend and rest
my feet upon 1t.
Those two pairs of eyes followed my
movement, and fancied that each man
grasped his weapon little closer, but
neither spoke or moved.
The repose tn my feet was most well
come. sat sideways in one chair, with
it, back under my shoulder. and felt
for time that / could remain thus
without Inconvenience for several hours.
That night was one which will re-
main vivid to the end of my life. The
air outside continued crisp and cool.
Most Of the men who had swarmed into
the dining room after my life remained
drinking at the bar, whence their voices
came to me, muified by the intervening
walls and doors. heard singing. ex-
carnations and the shuffling Of feet
then partial silence. with the racket
gradually dying ont, until somewhat
past midnight ii ceased. Probably II
was the heavy tread of Landlord Bul
finch which shufiled through the hall
without pausing in front Of the door
In the stiffness l could hear him climb
ing the stairs; then came the slammlng
Of a door and stiffness again. \ half
hour later the only persons in the ola
inn who were awake were myself and
my two guards.
From my position on the two chairs ]
could look at the window without
either of the sentinels observing any