132 HOUSE ATTACK. 



by a providential oversight, forgotten in the old man's 

 chamber. 



" Some hours after he had retired to bed, he was alarmed 

 at hearing a window lifted in the outer apartment; his 

 chamber-door was ajar, and the moon shone brilliantly through 

 the open casement, rendering objects in the parlour distinct 

 and perceptible to any person in the inner room. Presently a 

 man leaped through the window, and three others followed 

 him in quick succession. The old gentleman sprang from 

 his bed, but unfortunately there were no arms in the apart- 

 ment. Recollecting, however, the forgotten supper- tray, he 

 provided himself with a case-knife, and resolutely took his 

 stand behind the open door. He had one advantage over the 

 murderers they were in full moonlight, and he shrouded in 

 impenetrable darkness. 



" A momentary hesitation took place among the party, who 

 seemed undecided as to which of them should first enter the 

 dark room ; for, acquainted with the localities of the house, 

 they knew well that there the devoted victim slept. At last 

 one of the villains cautiously approached, stood for a moment 

 in the doorway, hesitated, advanced a step not a whisper was 

 heard, a breathless silence reigned around, and the apartment 

 before him was dark as the grave itself. 'Go on, blast ye ! 

 What the devil are ye afeerd of!' said the rough voice of an 

 associate behind. The robber took a second step, and the 

 old man's knife was buried in his heart ! No second thrust 

 was requisite, for, with a deep groan, the villain sank upon 

 the floor. 



" The obscurity of the chamber, the sudden destruction 

 caused by that deadly thrust, prevented the ruffians in the 

 outer room from knowing the fate of their companion. A 

 second presented himself, crossed the threshold, stumbled 

 against his dead associate, and received the old man's knife in 

 his bosom. The wound, though mortal, was not so fatal as 

 the other : and the ruffian had strength to ejaculate that he 

 was ' a dead man !' 



" Instantly several shots were fired, but the old gentleman's 

 position sheltered him from the bullets. A third assassin 

 advanced, levelled a long fowling-piece through the doorway, 

 and actually rested the barrel against the old man's body. 

 The direction, however, was a slanting one; and, with ad- 



