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Show 172 I{I(;JIAHD II UJWIB. only these Lut a Uozcn otl1cr cle::;pcratcs like them, to au nttem~t, however unfavorable the aspect, to possess themselves of tt. Besides, we had surely heard the trampling of more horses than one w}1cn the newcomer was approachi ng. Had he companions 1 Where were they 1 These thoughts began to annoy nnd make me suspicious, and 1 turned :o \V~lli am . Never was unquestioning confidence so clearly dcp1cted ill any countenance as in his. lie looked on the strnnger with, perhaps, no le ss disgust than myself, but suspicion of foul play he lwd none .. I dctcnninod that he should be awakened, and was aboLtt to nsc and suggest tho conclusion of our business, in such a nmnncr as to make it absolutely impossible that he shoultl not sec that I was placing myself aga in st the wall, when 'Vebber of himself proposed the adjustment of the debt. E,·erytl1ing seemed tu be unequivocal and above board. The stnmgcr pulled forth his wallet, and sitting down to the table, on the side next to Carrington, proceeded to count out the money before him. The amount was in small bills, nnd having completed his count, which took him an uneasy time, lte pushed the bundle toward '\Vebber, who slowly proceeded to go through a like examination. I grew impatient at the delay, but concluCled that it wouiU be better to say nothing. To show temper at such a moment migl1t h:.we been to defeat the purpose wbich we l1:H] in view; and send us off with a satisfaction, essentially different from tl1at for which we came. \V ebber's face grew more grave than usual as he count· ed the money, and I could observe tl1at his eyes ·were frequently lifted from the bills, and seemed to wander about the room as if his thoughts were elsewhere. But he finished at length, and handing the required sum over to V\7 illiam , he begged him to see that all was right. The latter was about to do so-had actually tnkcn the bills in his hand s, when I l•card a slight footstep behind me-before I could turn, under the influence of the natural curiosity which prompted me to do so, I heard a sudden exclamation from my companion, mul in the very same instant, felt something falling over my face. Suspicious of foul play before, I leaped, as if' under a natural instinct to my feet, .but was as instantly jerkecl down, and falling over the chair bcluud, dragged it with me upon the floor. All this was the work of a moment. Striving to ri se, I soon discovered the full extent of lN TilE Sl'HRF.. 173 my predicament, nnd the wny in which we were tnken. l\Iy nrms were bound to my side-almost drawn behind my backby a noose formed in a common plough-line, which was cutting into the flesh at every movemetlt ·which I made. That I struggled fur iously for release neml not be said . I was not the man to submit quietly to martyrdom. But I soon fonncl my exertions were in vain. 'rho cords were not only t ightly clrnwn, but securely fastened behind me to 011e of the :;leepers of the cabin-n. vacant board from tl1e floor enabling my assailants to effect this arrangement with litlle dilliculty. Added to this, my struggles brought upon me the enti re weight of the two fellows who had cfl'ccted my captivity. One sat upon my body as indifferently as n. Turk upon his cushions; while the other, at every movement which I made, thrust his sharp k nees into my breast, :mel almost deprived me of the power of breathing. Rnge, for the moment, added to my strength, which surprised even myself as it surprised my enemies. More than once, without any usc of my arms, by the mere writhings of my body, did I throw them from it i but exhaustion did for them what their own strength could not, and I Jay quiet at length, and at their mercy. 'l'he performance of this affair took far less time than the telling of it, and was over, I mny sny, in an instant. \Vith 'Villiam Carrington the case was different. He was more fortunate: I thought so at the time, at least. H e effected his escape. By whnt chance it was, I know not; but they failed to noose him so completely as they had done me. The ~lip was caught by his l1aml in descending over his should ers, and he threw it from him ; and, in the sarnc moment, with a blow of his fist that might have felled an ox, he prostrated the r u!Tian who had brought the money, and who stood most convenient to his hand. 'Vithout stopping to look at tl10 enemy behind, with that prompt impulse which so frequently commands success, he sprang directly over the table, and aimed a second blow at 'Vebber, who had risen from his sent and stood directly in the way. VVith a fortunate alacrity the fellow avoided the blow, and, darting on one side, drew l1is dirk, and prepared to nwnit the second. l~y this time, however, 1 was enabled, though prostrn.ted and |
