Year: 1877

uedTcT IO Hle tnan llles aUu LIlouSu IOl me the bottomless pit was yawning, would have it!''

 saw it was useless to appeal to this man, and 1 sullenly waited for wha, seemed fate.

 At his command the ruflians searched me. One of them, who appeared to be a kind of treasurer for tbe gang, SC. cured my watch and pocketbook.~ Then they tied me with stout ropes to a chair Somers did not address me again, but sat upon the floor and grumbled with the rest. Presently he rose, and saying he would return by daybreak, left the room. He evidently felt was in his power, and seemed in no hurry to com. plete his revenge. ,.

 When he had gone, the card-playing was kept up for couple of hours Then they all stretched themselves upon the floor and slept. The dool opened inward, and across it was the burly foiSn of the treasurer. In spite of the apparent hopelessness of the trial, I set about devising some plan oi escape.

 The first thing to do was to free my. self. I have large wrists and small hands. In tying me they had not taker this into consideration. Without much difficulty liberated my hands; then oi course it was the work of but few seconds to entirely liberate myself from my bonds. | To hn ko k1, ropes in such a position that, should any of the gang awaken, would still appear to be bound, 1 thought upon my chances of escape. They certainly appeared very few and small. The fact of the men upon the floor being asleep, seemed little in my favor. | could not move the ruffian at the door without awakening him. As have be- fore stated escape by the window was impossible. Every plan that had sug- gested itself had insurmountable ob- iections to it. l had almost given up my scheming in despair, and concluded to adopt some hopelessly desperate measure, when l thought of the con- tents of bottle had in my pocket. In searching me, the ruffians had not disturbed it, thinking it of no import ance. It contained chloroform. I also had sponge in my pocket. In mo- ment I had resolved what to do. Draw ing the bottle from my pocket, soaked the sponge thoroughly with its contents.

 Slowly, painfully, q could hear my heart beat,) with all the caution that a man uses when his life may depend on the slightest noise, 1 stepped to the side of the nearest ruffiiap. I placed the saturated sponge to his nose. I saw him quickly yield to the influence of the vapor. From man to man to man I stepped. One by one they were made senseless, helpless. .....4 .5..

 The man at the door was the last. I drew him away, first securing my watch and pocket-book. Ialso found i'll his possession blackjack, which took the liberty of appropriating. Then, opening the door, stepped out in the hall.

 l still moved cautiously feeling that all danger was not past. I thought there might be watcher there, but to my relief saw no one. I descended the first flight of stairs, and reached the second story in safety. -u .- .

 had gone about half way down the second flight. My heart stood still, for I heard some one enter below, then in the muttered oath, recognized Somer's voice. I crouched down upon the stair next the wall, hoping he might pass me. But as he came up his hand brushed my face.

 In moment he had me by the throat. l knew him to be by far the most pow erful man, and it was not a time for scruples. Quickly, it being so dark he could not see the action, raised the blackjack-I had held it since I left the room-and brought it down heavily upon his skull.

 His hand left my throat, and lifeless mass he rolled down the stairs. found him at the foot, quite still. made good my escape, not stopping to see if I had killed him. I do not know to this day whether he is living or dead. I never saw or heard of him again.

 When I returned home I found a very frightened little woman, but did not tell her till long afterward the his- tory of that night. I have never since been in such fix, and if discretion and a reasonable supply of cowardice carr4| prevent it, never will be in the future.