THE TRAVELLER'S STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 189, 17 August 1870, Page 2

THE TRAVELLER'S STORY.

A PABTY of travellers were seated around a blazing fire, in a tavern upon the Alleghany mou tains. The coach had broken down, and perforce we were detained there until next morning. We had finished a substantial Virginia supper, and each one, with his feet on the fender, and a cigar in his mouth was ruminating upon the storm without, and the warm cozy comfort within. Each one in his turn told a story, or related an anecdote ; and at last the joke came round to, a hollow cheeked individual, who, until then, had remained silent.

" Gentlemen," said he, fixing a piercing grey eye upon one of the company —a Spaniard— who uninvited had drawn his chair up near the fire, ' some ten years ago, I came very near being murdered in this very house."

At this moment the Spaniard got up to leave, when the narrator arose, and locked the only door in the room, took the Spaniard by the arm, and leading him to an old picture surmounted by the English coat of arms, in gilt woi-k, ran his finger along the motto ; " Honi soit gui maly pense," and said, displaying at the same time the butt end of a large pistol, " Evil be to him who evil thinks."

The Spaniard smiled and said he did not feel well, but the stranger swore that no man should leave the room until he had finished the story. Requesting us not to be amazed at his conduct he proceeded :

" Some years ago, (said he) I was travelling over these| mountains on horseback and I stopped at this very house. The landlord was extremely obsequious in attending to my comfort after supper, he requested me to join him in a bottle of wine. loth I consented, and before midnight' four empty bottles stood on the table end, and he was acquainted with all my business.

" I very imprudently remarked in the course of my conversation, that I had a large sum of money in my valise, and he politely informed me that he would take care of it till morning. Although somewhat intoxicated I did not approve of leaving it in his charge, and I took my valise in my hand and retired to bed. After I had undressed, I placed my pistol under my p How, and carefully, as I thought, examined the room. I had laid myself down, and sunk in a fitful sleep.

" I suppose it must have been two hours after when I awoke, and collecting my scattered senses, I endeavoured to think what I had been about.

Suddenly I detected a noise under my bed. What was my horror when I observed a small piece of carpet, stretched along my bedside, move as though something was under it. A cold perspiration started from every pore ; but thank God ! I had pre ence of mind enough to prepare for the worst. Grasping a pistol in my right hand, and hiding it under the bedclothes I feigned to be asleep.

" In an instant afterwards I saw a trapdoor which had been concealed by the carpet, cautiously lifted up, and I beheld my land • lord with a dark lantern in his hand, directing his glittering eyes towards me —Still I move not; but as he turned his back to put his lantern on the floor I fired and—

" You killed him, did you !" shrieked the Spaniard, almost jumping from his seat.

Silence ! till I have finished it! said the stranger, and again he touched the end of his weapon. The instant that I fired, the villain fell. I started up, and merely pulling my overcoat on, snatched up the lantern that he had dropped and crept cautiously down with my valise in my hand, to the stable. It was a bright moonlight night, and I soon saddled my horse. I galloped ten miles, when I met a party of wagoners, and in their company I returned to the house ; but despite our rigid search, not even as much as the villain's body could be found. But if I can once put my hand upon him, if he cost me my life, he shall die the dog's death."

The stranger rose, and Caught the Spaniard by the throat. Tearing open his shirt collar, he showed the mark of the* wound on his neck. We need not say any more. Three weeks after that Joseph Comez was hanged in the city of Cumberland, upon his own confession of having murdered no less than five travellers in that very room.