Year: 1859

=


Take seat, stranger. said burly,
thick set man, as he handed me chair,
which groaned pileously with It's infrmi-
ties. AS cast glance upon the group
before me, seemed to hesitate, which was
instantly noticed, and the officiating man,
who seemed to be landlord, came forward
and in a conciiatory tone, and style as
gentle as could be expected, said:


Sorry we can't accommodate you bet
ter, stranger; but make yourself at home,
we'll do the best by you we kim.


A significant glance passed among the
men as the host concluded his hospitable
invitation, which did not escape my no.
tice.


AT length supper was served, consist
ing of corn bread and bacon, and for this
meagre fare abundant apologies were offer
ed.


After listening short time to their dis
gusting conversation, l informed my host
| would like to retire.


.Will you leave your saddle bags?. said
he, with bland smile, as he extended his
monstrous hand to take them.


No SIR l replied, while heavy frown
gathered on my brow.


\ have a very safe place 10 keep them,'
he rejoined, while his blood shot eyes stab
bed me to the heart


No doubt said with meaning nod.
but would prefer taking them with me-


This conclusion was received rather
cody, and as prepared TO leave the room
one of the men espied the handle of my
revolver protruding from beneath my over
coat.


Hello, stranger! he exclaimed in a
quick tone, let's see that ERE pistol, will
you?'


So sudden had been the demand, and in
such seeming innocent curiosity, that put
my hand back TO give Il to him. But a
second thought decided me. and replied,
that it was no great curiosity. and l would
show it to him in the morning.


By this time the men had gathered a.
round me, and seeing things looking rath
er peculiar. backed myself through q
door. followed by the host. When the
door was closed, could bear loud mur-
muring. and an oath or two uttered in ve-
hement tones.


The landlord hurried up feeble pair of
stairs, and few yards from the landing.
pushed open door and bade me enter l
glanced around the apartment, and showed
by my action that | was dissatisfied with
its appearance.


1T Is the best can do for you, stran-
GER said he. 'and yon needn't be afraid of
them fellows down stairs, they won't hurt
you


i shall not be alarmed ] replied, as he
closed the door and descended the steps.


was somewhat annoyed at the appear
ance of things. and determined to place
myself in the best possible position of de-
fensc. l examined my quarters closely,
and found The door had no fastening what
ever. nor was there anything convenient
with which it could be secured.


Determined not to be baffled. tore a
strip of board from the wall, and with nv
knife cut piece sufficiently long to make
a brace from the lower cleat OF the door to
the floor Then with my knife l bored
holes in the casting at the upper end, and
drawing several nails from the wall drove
them in with the handle of my long knife.
Having examined the walls. and apprehen-
ding no treachery from them, l secured
the window and then turned my attention
to the floor. Beneath the bed | discover
ed a trap door. and It's discovery made my
hair stand on end found 1t opened
downward and the possibility of securing
1t strongly seemed hopeless.
Once thought of removing the bed.
and then watching. as the trapper does a
hole IN the ice for game. But that would
not do for should | succeed In repulsing
the first iatruder--for had no longer a
doubt of being in Robbers Roost--il
would leave hole open which would ox-
pose me to their fire. AT length plan
came to my relief moved the bed from
orer the door and taking the clothes off,
threw The chaff bed upon the floor. and di-
rectly over the suspected trap. But oh,
horror! what discovery | made. The
bed was saturated with blood, and in many
places. hard from the gore which had dried
in It.


i Having thus fortified myself. | took a
seat on one end Of the bed, with my sad
die bags close to me, my knife in one hand
and my revolver in the other. and my am
munition convenient. in case should need
it | blew out my light and in darkness


Il