Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-14


wh..l had bloody appearance in the
funeral glow of the tallow dip: it pre-
scented many fantastic images in the
mellow light. The mesonero, after a
moment, lighted the glass lamp and
hesitated to leave. as if actuated by
some unsatisfied curiosity.
Il wish you a pleasant sleep, senior, :"
he said.
Thank you" l replied~indifferently,
and then, 1--WE would like our team at
| daybreak, l added.
Il understand you go to Bisbee once
month";" said the mesonero with a
stimulated cough.
/ Quite true / answered.
| you used to have guard before
the railway came, senor?"
/ Il am never without one" I answer
ed, throwing my belt and pistols on
the bed and removing my coat. The
600 of the Copper Jack Company's
money was in a hand satchel which
| had dropped on chair. knew the
landlords thought and it seemed
| could read the greed in his unsteady
eyes.
Good night, senor," he said, and he
! bowed low with a sidelong glance at
the bag.
Good night" I replied, "and remem-
Der, senior, we leave at daybreak"
l placed the yalise of money under
my pillow, closed the door, proped a
chair against it-for there was no key
in the lock-and got into bed. The
room was close, since there was no
ventilation, and had it not been for the
Copper Jack Company's money would
have left the door open, for was ac-
customed to fresh air and bunk in
the sand and nothing above me but
| the heavens and the stars.
For some time / lay thinking of
many things; l could family hear the
noise in the cantina and the courtyard
below, but l was weary from the jour-
| AlCy anu oOOH SlCpI cOuHuiy.
l was awakened by an impreceptible
| movement of the pillow under my
head. Instantly l seized a wrist and
received blow, which was misdirect-
ed-a forearm fell across my chin and
l felt sting in my shoulder as if a
knife had touched and prieked the
skin. Then l grasped the other wrist
and a desperate struggle ensued. 1t
was pitch dark. Not a word was
spoken. We wrenched one another's
arms like madmen. | was at a disad-
vantage, for / lay upon my back The
robber sought to press down my arms,
but the mental vision of a deadly dag
ger gave me strength. Once, twice,
more than that l thought the point of
the weapon was at my throat and
would perish. But l held his wrist
with vicelike grip, meanwhile striv-
ing to gain my feet.
Presently l threw him to one side of
the bed. got my feet upon the floor
and sat beside him. Then we stood,
but l tripped in the loose bed cover
ing and fell to the floor, pulling my
assailant down with me. | felt his
knees upon my chest, and once or
twice the chill of the steel was on my
arm Finally l gained my feet, for |
was stronger, and this gave me hope
! VII cta Inv he
ceased to struggle. He stood still. His
respiration was short and audible. But
in moment he made a desperate
| lunge, and freed himself from my grasp
AS he broke away the weapon he held
Changed upon the floor.
found my pistol, and with to and
fro motion of my left hand l sought
the robber. A death-like stiffness fol-
lowed the struggle. Momentarily | ex-
pected a renewal of the assault. and
continued to move my hand in the
darkness as if l would grasp him at
the onset. l listened for the sound OF
his breathing, but l could hear only
my own respiration and the beating
of my own heart.
Five minutes more or less passed,
and still all was silent in the darkness
round me. | stepped a pace or two
and stopping moved my hand back and
forth near the floor. / imagined the
robber before me, then behind, and
then crouching near the wall with up
lifted poniard, and / knew not what
| moment he would attack me and sheath
his weapon in my breast or back. |
kept my pistol pointed to the front,
and my finger upon the trigger and
/ resolved IL die | must would XIII
my enemy while he murdered me.
Each step | took was with caution ana
each was slow. | moved my arm
here and there quickly. Then / stood
still l know not haw many seconds.
Then advanced another step and NOV
ed on my hand again.
At length I CROPPED my way to the wall
I followed ii, moving slowly, for I knew
not II / went to the left nor to the right
from the bed. l came upon the table.
I STRUCK match Ioof,oa