The court appointed a celebrated lawyer as our guardian, to settle my father's property. Instead of being a father to us, he proved to be a villain of the darkest kind. After cheating us out of more than half of the property that was left to us, he seduced both of my sisters, under promise of marriage, and then deserted them, leaving them the only alternatives--death or the house of ill fame. When I learned this, I was in such misery that I neither ate nor slept for three days. I became almost a raving maniac. I was the miserablest of the miserable, and swore revenge, let it cost what it might. For days and weeks, I thought only of revenge, and how to accomplish it,--"there was the rub." From the noble and generous youth, I became a misanthrope. By night and by day, I thought only of blood--blood! At last I thought that I would decoy the villain out, some dark night, and finish him. When I had come to this conclusion, I felt more ease in my mind, weighed the matter carefully, gave it a candid and sane investigation, perused it, and balanced it in my mind, when I hit upon the following plan: I wrote him a note, disguised in a female hand, (that of a mistress of his,) requesting him to meet me on the corner of Rosevelt and Water streets, at ten o'clock the next evening, as I had something of grave import to communicate to him, and that I did not wish him to come to the house, as the landlady and I had had a quarrel, &c. I dispatched this note by the hands of a trusty negro, and bade himbring me an answer on the same slip of paper. I also instructed him to tell the lawyer that a lady sent him with it, &c., if he was questioned. In about an hour, the negro returned with an answer, that he would be punctual at the time and place appointed. In the meantime, I had prepared myself with a sticking plaster, and a bowie knife. At precisely half-past nine of the clock, I sallied out to meet my victim. I soon arrived on the ground, and found that I was there first. I reconnoitered all around, to see if there was any watchman prowling around, and on becoming assured that none of those guardians of the night were in that vicinity, I took up my position on Rosevelt street, behind a lamp, so that I could see all that was passing, whilst I remained secure from observation. I had not been in this position long, before I saw a figure, wrapped in a large cloak, approaching stealthily down Water street. As the figure approached me, I saw as he passed under the lamp that it was him, although he had his face mostly concealed under the cloak. As the object of my deep, dire hatred and revenge approached in close proximity to me, my bosom, that was before swelled with passion, ceased heaving as a tumultuous sea, my heart began to palpitate, my sinews seemed to grow old and weak for the moment, and I felt more like the victim than the victimizer. A thousand thoughts rushed through my brain at once. Fear took hold of me and I saw, in my mind's eye, a gloomy and loathsome dungeon, and myself incarcerated there; again, I saw a court room, the judge, jury, and a scoffing multitude; I heard the judge charge the jury, and call me a cool-blooded murderer; the jury retired for a short time, and then returned into the court room; the foreman handed forth a sealed verdict, the clerk of the court opened it, and read aloud--GUILTY! The judge bade me stand up, and sentenced me to be hung by the neck until I was dead. I saw the gallows, felt the rope around my neck, the sheriff raised his hand to sever the small cord that sustained the weights, when I would rush before the "Judge of the quick and the dead." I say I saw all this in my mind's eye, in a few moments, as I stood contemplating my intended victim. Conscience was beginning to make a coward of me, when he came near enough for me to put my hand upon him. That instant, all my better feelings vanished. I thought only of the many wrongs that I had suffered at his hands, the thoughts of which tore me with malignant passion, and made me firmer in my purpose of revenge.

I watched him for a few moments, as a cat watches a mouse, when he turned his back to me and peered through the gloom up Water street. Now, thought I, my chance has come. I spread the plaster out in my hand, and crept stealthily up to him, and as he turned to look down the street, I slapped him on the mouth with my right hand, which held the plaster; the plaster adhered fast to his lips, so that he could not cry out. I then seized his arms from behind, and slipped a running noose over them, and drew it tight around his wrists; thus I had him completely in my power. I then tore the mask off my face, and looked sternly at him: "Now then, comtemptible and treacherous villain!" whispered I in his ear--for I did not dare to speak loud--"prepare to meet your doom, for you shall die as a dog. Think of your perjured oaths; think of the widows and orphans you have robbed; think of the many drunkards, thieves, and assassins you have made, by defrauding and robbing them of their just dues! Think of the many innocent females you have ruined, both soul and body, and whose blood now calls for vengeance, louder than the blood of Abel cried against the unnatural brother Cain! Think of me, whom you have brought to be a murderer, and God only knows what else, when I might have been an ornament to society! Think, I say, of all this mass of evidence against you, and let that coward soul of yours suffer, with bitter foreboding, an eternity of mistery in a moment, as a foretaste of what is prepared for you in hell, you obdurate, adamantine, calcined wretch, as you pass 'to that bourne from whence no traveler returns,' for you are a stranger to mercy, and shall receive none!"

With this, I drew forth my well-tempered bowie knife, and raised it above my head, in my right hand. Such a woeful and dejected visage, such agony as the coward endured in that moment, as the rays of the light shone on the burnished steel, I never shall forget, as he writhed in his bonds, and tried to speak. To see the villain thus tormented, filled me with the most pleasurable emotions; I was doubly repaid that moment, for all that I had suffered, and was doomed to suffer at his hands, and through his instrumentality. Without more ado, I plunged the fatal knife up to the hilt into his black heart, and as I drew it forth again, the warm life blood of a crimson hue flowed copiously. He gave a few struggles, and all was over--what, a few moments before, was one of God's noblest creatures--man--all life and animation, was now a lifeless corpse!

I caught him up in my arms, bore him to the river, and plunged him in, and then threw the fatal knife in after him, and hurried from the spot. That was my first deed of blood, and the commencement of my terrible career of crime. Strange as it may seem, I had no remorse of conscience, no frightful dreams, but on the contrary, I felt that I had "done the state some service," in ridding it and the world of such a villain. I walked deliberately to my lodgings, and retired to rest with an easy mind, where I soon fell to sleep, and had delightful dreams. I awoke refreshed and happy. After breakfast, I sauntered out, and went down to the scene of the late murder, where I saw many people collected around the blood that had flowed from the stab that I had given the lawyer, and which was traced down to the water's edge. But who was the victim, or who was the victimizer, none knew or could even guess; so I was certain that I would not be detected.

Soon after this, I began to be morose and melancholy. I wanted action. I had never done anything like work, and my money began to go fast. I took to drinking, to drown my sorrow. My father and mother were both dead; my sisters--I will not speak of them--and I had spent nearly all that I had received of my father's property. I began to lounge about the porter-houses, billiard saloons, ten-pin alleys, gambling hells, &c. I drank deep, played high, and associated with low company, so that I soon contracted very vicious habits.

Such a state of things was doomed to work my utter ruin. One night I happened into a gambling hell, in Canal street, with twelve hundred dollars in my pocket--the last I had on earth. I drank deep, and played monte, faro, &c., until I lost every dollar. I became desperate, took off my coat, vest, and hat, and played them away too. Fortune was against me, and I was a beggar. I became frantic, tore my hair, stamped my feet, and cursed all that was in the place, and my Maker too. I began to loathe and despise myself.

I noticed a tall, handsome, noble-looking man, with an imperial and moustache, dressed in the height, of fashion, sporting a heavy gold watch and chain, &c., who was winning all the time I was losing. He came up to me in my distress, spoke kindly to me, asked me where I lived, &c., and then coaxed me to leave the place peaceably, and not create a row. Through his persuasion, I was induced to leave, and when we got out in the street, he persuaded me to go home, and that he would call and see me the next morning. I went home with a heavy heart, and threw myself on the bed, without taking off my clothes--I was too drunk to do that,--and slept soundly.

The next morning I was aroused by the servant, who informed me that there was a gentleman below, that had been waiting an hour to see me. I roused myself up, and bade the servant show him up. As soon as he entered, I recognized the man I had seen in the gambling hell in Canal street, the night before. I welcomed him with the best grace I could command at the time--for I felt very miserable, to think that I was not worth a cent in the world. He looked pleasantly, and bade me look upon him as my friend; he had seen the bad luck I had the previous evening, and hearing me say that was my last dollar, he had determined to befriend me. I thanked him kindly, and said, "I can't see what there is prepossessing in me, that has made you determine to be a friend of mine, seeing I am an entire stranger to you."

"If you will listen with a little patience," said he, "I will explain why I am interested in you. First, then," said he, "I have taken great pains to inquire who and what you are, and I have learned, that, of late, you have associated with very low company, and run through all your means. Secondly, that you are not one that will lay idle, when you have no money, but will have money, whether you get it honestly or dishonestly. I have learned all this from your two sisters, who are living at Nancy L---'s, in C--- street, therefore you can't deny the impeachment. I see that you are a very smart, shrewd, and bold young man, and if you will join your fate with mine, I will help you out of your dilemma."

I told him that I could not make up my mind until I knew who and what he was; that he was inclined to be my friend, I had no doubt; still, I must have a sure thing of it.

"You are of the right stripe," said he, "and I will tell you who and what I am without any circumlocution. My name is Birchead, and I belong to an order that call themselves the 'Banditti of the West,' and our business is nothing more nor less than counterfeiting, horse-stealing, negro-stealing, house-burning, highway-robbing, burglary, larceny, &c., as the law terms it, although we term it different. No species of crime, no ingenuity of plan, no want of means for our purpose, is left unknown. If you want to travel and live a life of ease and comfort, at the expense of the rich, I am the man that can and will initiate you; for you suit me to a charm, and if I have rightly heard of, and judged you, you will accept of my friendship and purse.

"I will now give you a short sketch of my life," said he, "and, if after hearing that, you choose to close with my offer, I shall be glad.

"I was born in the city of London. My father was a celebrated banker, in Lombard street. As I was the only child, my parents doated on me to idolatry, and every thing I craved or desired, was freely given. The best teachers in the United Kingdom were engaged as my tutors, and brought into the house to instruct me. At the age of seventeen I was sent to the university in Oxford, where I graduated with the highest honors; which was a gratification to my father and mother, as they had designed me for the church. Shortly after my return home, I became acquainted with a nobleman's son who used to come and borrow money of my father. That acquaintance begot friendship of the strongest kind. He was a kind and affectionate young man, but rattlehead and dissipated; as most all noblemen's sons are. He became my boon companion, and would go no where, nor do anything, unless I was with him, and, as a consequence, he led me into many vices and excesses that I had before been a stranger to. He took me around to the different theatres, the opera, billiard saloons, gin-palaces, gambling houses, such as Crockford's, Almack's, &c., and initiated me into all the vices and follies of the age. You may think, and that justly, that such a life quite unfitted me for the clerical robes, and I began to feel an aversion for that profession, as it was not congenial to my feelings. My father saw at last the vicious course I was pursuing, and tried to reclaim me; but I was lost too deep in dissipation to be easily reclaimed. The seeds of vice had been sown in a fruitful soil. I loved the bacchanalian's life too well, to eschew it and take to the sacred desk. The idea of such a thing I would not harbor for a moment. My father took it to heart, which soon laid him on a sick bed, from which he never rose; for he died with a broken heart in less than six months, and my mother soon followed him to the tomb. I was glad when he died, for I then came into possession of all his property. Friends and acquaintances multiplied very fast, as soon as it became known that I had succeeded to my father's property. They stuck to me like leeches, and invented thousands of plans for enjoyment, always at my expense. I took a large establishment, fitted it up in the most expensive style, kept a mistress, joined the clubs, drank deep, played high, and gave costly dinners to my friends every day. For two years I carried on this state of things, when, one morning, my steward requested an audience, and informed me that I was not worth a shilling in the world, but, on the contrary, was in debt over five hundred pounds. Here was a state of things that I had never dreamed of, and, what to do, I did not know. I resolved to keep up appearances a little while longer, and to tell some of my warmest friends the state of my finances, and see if they would not help me in my dilemma. But I soon found that I had 'reckoned without my host,' for, no sooner was the state of my finances known, than my friends deserted me on every hand, my creditors presented their bills, and demanded payment, and, finally, to close the scene, I was thrown into prison, for debt. Not one of all my numerous friends came to see me. All had deserted me, and left me to rot in prison.

"I remained in Bridewell twelve long and dreary months, with thieves, counterfeiters, burglars, and assassins for my companions. There I learned to be what I am this day. I came out swearing vengeance against those who had robbed me of my substance, and then left me in poverty and disgrace. I determined to care for no man, nor no law. I was without money or friends, the two worst things that I could be guilty of. I had one good suit of clothes left, and a good trunk. I put on my good suit, and put about fifty pounds of stones into my trunk, to make it weigh heavy, and then took rooms at one of the largest hotels in London. I changed my name, and resolved to practice what I had learned in prison. I commenced picking pockets at the railway depots. I found that I was an apt scholar, and could pick pockets with the greatest ease, as I stole systematically, over three hundred pounds in one week. I then became acquainted with a locksmith, who I employed to make me false keys, from impressions I had taken in wax. With these keys I entered the rooms of the boarders, &c., at the hotel where I was stopping, and stole several hundred pounds from their trunks, &c., and then I threw the keys down the vault, for fear of detection. I then took an impression, in wax, of the lock of a large jewelry store, and had the same locksmith make me a key to fit that. The night of the queen's birthday, I entered the store, and robbed it of a large number of gold and silver watches, diamond rings, &c., which were worth over five thousand pounds.

After this bold robbery, I thought it best to lie still a week or two, and then take a tour on the continent. I took my departure from London, and went to Paris, where I soon joined a band of counterfeiters, who were counterfeiting on the Bank of England, and the Bank of France. I undertook the sale of these counterfeits, and traveled through Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, Poland, Austria, Turkey, and Greece. I traveled as an English nobleman, and stopped a few weeks in Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Vienna, Warsaw, Constantinople, Athens, Naples, &c. My tour was a successful one, and, after two years, I found myself again in London, where I had come for the purpose of taking leave of that city forever, as I intended to go to Liverpool, and take passage for America, which I did, after a stay of a few weeks in London. I arrived here in New York three years ago, and soon found boon companions, and have been with the order--of which I am now second in command--for the last two years. We are reaping a rich harvest, and enjoy ourselves to our heart's content, at the expense of others. Now, if you prefer a free and easy life, the same as I enjoy, you have only to say the word, and I will take you as my protege."

As the reader will perceive, Birchead knew his man. He had become acquainted with my history, and knew, before offering me what he did, that I would only be too happy to accept of such a flattering offer. It was just what I had long desired. My mind was just enough vitiated and depraved to accept, with gratitude, such a chance, and I did accept. I thanked him for taking such an interest in me, and swore to be his to command forever. He had but lately returned to the city, from the west, in order to get up some burglar's tools, press, &c., for counterfeiting, and was to return west as soon as he had got those things all right.

After swearing to be his, he pulled out his pocket-book, and gave me five hundred dollars, and told me to enjoy myself. I recollect well with what pleasure I took that first installment for purchase of a career of crime. That five hundred dollars sealed my fate. I mentally swore that I would have as much as he had, and make myself as famous. How I followed that resolution, will be seen by the reader, anon.

First, I determined to murder my two sisters, who were living a life of shame in a house of ill fame in Church street. Every time I thought of them I was in agony, and I determined to cut them off, "root and branch." I sent a negro to a drug store for half an ounce of strychnine, two ounces of laudanum, half an ounce of corrosive sublimate, and half an ounce of arsenic, and bade the negro tell the druggist that I wanted them for chemical purposes. I thought that I would get a large quantity of these poisons, so that I could murder systematically when I felt like it. I also purchased some prussic acid and chloroform, so I was pretty well supplied with deadly messengers. After thinking over the most feasible way of murdering both of my sisters, at once, I resolved to use prussic acid. I went and purchased some fine peaches, and injected prussic acid into some of them, and then I waited until evening, when I went to the house of ill fame where my sisters were, and when all were engaged in talking and drinking below, I slipped up stairs to their rooms, and left the poisoned peaches--after which, I hurried down stairs, and joined the crowd below. After stopping a couple of hours, I took my departure. I never saw my sisters alive after that. They ate the peaches that night, and both were found dead in their beds the next day. An inquest and post-mortem examination was held on them the next day, and the coroner's jury brought in a verdict of suicide by prussic acid.

I had now accomplished all I desired to accomplish in New York, and was desirous to take my departure for the Far West. Birchead, having got his burglar's tools all made, nothing remained now to keep us in the city, so we packed up our baggage for our departure. We took passage on one of those floating palaces, on the Hudson, for Albany, on the 14th of August, 1840. There was any quantity of passengers, and all was merry. I recollect well that trip to Albany. The passengers were about equally divided, half being Harrison men, and half being Van Buren men. Log cabins, hard cider, and the sub-treasury being the themes with old and young, rich and poor. We passed off ourselves as gentlemen's sons, from England, who had lately come to this country to make a tour through it, &c. As we were neutral, each of the admirers and supporters of the respective candidates, Harrison and Van Buren, were loud in extolling their respective claims, and merits to their suffrage, and, as we followed the advice of Shakespeare, who says, {smaller text, verse}

"Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice, Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement,"

Among the passengers were two southern gentlemen, going to Saratoga for their wives and daughters, who pressed us stongly to leave our route awhile, and go there for a few days. After a good deal of persuasion, we allowed ourselves to be persuaded to go. After that was settled, I thought the chances were good to relieve some of the rich passengers of some of their valuables; so I whisperd my mind to Birchead, who concurred in my opinion, and, without more ado, we went to work systematically, and stole over $2000 from the pockets of the passengers, and hit it among the freight, well knowing that they would find out their loss before they reached Albany, and that a general search would ensue. We then joined a group of some dozen or more, and entered into conversation with them for an hour or so, and then retired to our state-rooms.

We were the first astir, in the morning, and went direct to the Captain, and informed him that we had been robbed. This was soon noised about, and those who had been robbed by us, came to the Captain, with woful countenances, and told their loss too. The boat was stopped, all the passengers collected together, and a general search ensued, we undergoing a search the same as the other passengers. As a matter of course, nothing was found, and the boat proceeded on her way. In due time, we arrived in Albany, and, according to our arrangement with the southern gentlemen, we took passage for Saratoga, first securing our plunder. Without delay, we arrived there, and took rooms at the United States Hotel, with our southern friends. We stayed there two weeks, enjoying ourselves beyond measure. To show our gratitude to the gentlemen that brought us there, and introduced us to their wives and daughters, Birchead seduced one, and I the other gentleman's daughter, under promise of marriage, and, not being satisfied with that, we entered the rooms of the boarders and strangers, with skeleton keys, and broke open their trunks, and rifled them of everything valuable, which we buried about a mile from there. The entering of the rooms, and breaking open of the trunks, caused a great commotion in the house, but suspicion was never directed towards us, as we were very careful how we proceeded.

At this time, there arrived a rich gentleman from Quebec, L.C., who was very prodigal of his money, and made a great display. He wanted us to make two of a party that was going to Lake George, to hunt and fish. Birchead and I canvassed the matter over, and resolved to accompany him; and we also resolved to murder him too, and possess ourselves of his money, of which he had over three thousand pounds, in a belt around his body. After coming to this resolution, we prepared ourselvesfor the journey to Lake George. In due time, we all arrived there, and hired boats for sailing and fishing. We managed to have the rich Canadian in our boat, which was all we desired. We hoisted our sail, and put out into the Lake, distancing all the other boats, so that in half an hour none were to be seen. After sailing about another half hour, I pulled out a flask of brandy, in which I had put a large portion of strychnine, and presented it to the Canadian to drink, which he took and drank a large draught from, and returned it to me, which I skillfully changed for another just like it, but containing no poison, which I drank from, and Birchead also. After awhile I presented the bottle containing the poison again to the Canadian, which he took, and drank heartily from again. In a little while the poison began to work, and he reeled over and fell into the bottom of the boat. We then unloosed his clothes, and removed the money-belt, from which we took the money, and then replaced the belt, buttoned his clothes as before, and plunged him into the lake. We then steered in the course the other boats took, and hoisted a flag of distress. We soon came in sight of the other boats, and when they saw our signal, they steered for us, and when near enough we informed them that the Canadian had fallen overboard, and was drowned before we could rescue him. We told our tale in such a sad and mournful way, that we carried conviction at once that we told the thing just as it was. This put a damper on our spirits, and as we knew there was no use of trying to regain the body, we determined to return to Saratoga. When there, we pretended to be bowed down with grief for the melancholy end of our friend, who had found a watery grave. We stayed a few days longer in Saratoga, when we announced to our southern friends the necessity of our departure for the west. We had before made all things right with their daughters, whom we had seduced, by promising to see them on their plantation near Nashville, Tennessee, in a few weeks, and make them our brides, and they had promised secrecy in relation to what had occurred. Having thus arranged everything so nicely, we left Saratoga for Schenectady and the west.

We took passage from Schenectady for Buffalo, where we arrived without delay, and put up at the American Hotel. Here we met two of the gang, who had come on from Cincinnati to join us here. After holding a consultation, we decided to stop in Buffalo awhile, and see what could be done to advantage. The two who had just joined us, had brought on considerable counterfeit gold coin, and about five thousand dollars in counterfeit bills on the State Bank of Ohio, which they were disposing of very rapidly. One of these two men was a locksmith, and he went to work and made some false keys to a bank and dry goods store, the locks of which I had taken an impression of in wax. When everything was prepared, we waited until one stormy night, and then two of us robbed the bank, whilst the other two robbed the dry goods store. We then divided our booty, and went and buried it.

A few nights after that, as Birchead and myself were walking down Rock street, we saw a gaudily dressed stranger in the bar-room of the Buffalo Astor House, and that the frail women (of whom there was a goodly number in the bar-room) were plying him with liquor, preparatory to robbing him. We stopped, and coquetted awhile with the women, and talked to the stranger, until we lured him out, and took him down Rock street to Erie street, and thence along to the beach, where we robbed and murdered him, and threw him in{illegible} the lake. We then returned up town, via Erie street. We made seven hundred dollars only that time, which was hardly worth murdering a man for. We thought we would not stay much longer in Buffalo, so Birchead decided that we should go directly on to Cincinnati, and leave the other two men behind, to go east as far as Boston, and dispose of what counterfeit money they had on hand, before they returned to Cincinnati.

So we started with our booty for Cincinnati, via Erie and Pittsburgh, and then down the Ohio River. We arrived in Cincinati the last of November, with about seventeen thousand dollars a-piece. Here we went on a spree, which lasted five weeks, and in that time I spent nearly all of my money. By hard spreeing for so long a time, I was laid up with a fit of sickness that lasted five weeks longer, so that the month of February found me very weak and nearly penniless. In gratitude to the young lady that watched over me in my sickness, and ministered to my wants, I promised to marry her, and then, on the strength of that, I seduced her, and then got her to pass some counterfeit bills on the Yates County Bank, N.Y., which brought her to the penitentiary, where she died.

As I began to get about, Birchead, (who had kept by me all the while I was sick,) suggested that it would be a good idea to to take a trip down the Ohio and Mississippi, and play poker, eucher, &c., and fleece the green ones that are always to be found there in abundance. He thought it would be good for my health, as well as quite lucrative too. So we took passage on the Circassian for New Orleans. Our trip was a pleasant, and profitable one, too, as we made over seven thousand dollars in the six days we were going down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. We separated in New Orleans, Birchead going to the St. Louis, and I to the St. Charles Hotel. The city was full of strangers from the northern states, who come to New Orleans to spend the winter, for pleasure and profit. The trip down the river had acted like a charm on my health, as it completely restored me to health and vigor. My health having returned, I was quite spirited, and began to look about for some active business in my line. I walked daily through Charles, Canal, Old Levee, Poydras, &c. streets, every day, looking for something that I could turn my hand to, for the space of a week, without finding anything that I thought would pay. This inactivity I could not endure much longer, when I resolved to go to a masquerade ball the next Sunday evening, and see what I could find there in the way of business. So, as soon as the idea came into my head, I went to the St. Louis Hotel and engaged Birchead to go along with me. This was Saturday. Sunday evening came, and with it Birchead and I to the ball. There was "as motley a crew as ever a person knew." We had secreted our bowie knives back of our neck, between our shirt and vest, so that the officers at the door could not find them, as they searched all who entered, and would not allow any one to carry {illegible}ns in the room. Birchead was dressed as a bear, and I as a lion; and our costume attracted a good deal of attention. There was a very large crowd, and all dressed differently, in dominoes, &c. This was the first time I had ever been in a masquerade ball, and I enjoyed it very much.

I soon became at home, and went to flirting with this and that domino, when I finally got to flirting with a little fairy-like from that had a most melodious and silvery voice, which at once interested me, and I led her away to the recess of a window, and began to pour forth a tale of love into her willing ear. I knew from the tones of her voice, although I could not see her face, that she was one that moved in the highest walks of life. I became eloquent as Demosthenes or Cicero, and soon was as deeply smitten by her musical voice as was Cæsar or Antony by Cleopatra, the serpent of the Nile. By pressing my suit with vigor, I made her come to a truce, and tell me who she was, where she lived, &c., and a permit that I might see her the following day.

We had scarcely got through with this, when a large man, dressed as a wolf, approached, and demanded in stern tones what I wanted? I gave a fierce roar, and told him none of his business; with that he seized hold of me, and attempted to bear me to the floor. The next instant, I drew forth my bowie knife from behind my neck, and plunged it into his throat. He gave a convulsive shudder, and fell to the floor. I sprang back, hoisted the sash, and leaped out on the ground below, and made tracks for the levee, and divesting myself of my domino, done it up in my handkerchief, and went to the St. Charles, and retired at once to my room, but not to sleep; I was filled with fear and dread, lest I was known to the individual that I had stabbed, and as I did not konw whether he was able to speak after falling, and thus divulge who it was that stabbed him. All my fears, however, were groundless, for, at an early hour, Birchead made his appearance, and informed me that I had nothing to fear, as the man that I had stabbed never spoke after falling, and no one knew who or what I was. He also informed me that the man I had murdered, was a gambler that traveled on the Mississippi, and that the woman was a Creole that the gambler had fallen in love with, and had learned, through her servants, the costume she was to appear in at the ball; and futhermore, that the Creole hated and despised the gambler, and was glad that I had finished him. All this pleased me very much, and I felt quite joyful again.

Seeing that I had nothing to fear, I went boldly out, as before, and called on the Creole, whose acquaintance I had made at the masquerade ball. My killing the gambler had raised me in her estimation, and I found her all smiles when I came into her presence. She was reclining on a sofa, in a small, but gorgeously furnished boudoir. As I entered, she bade me take a seat on the sofa, beside her, a command that I was not slow in following. I found her one of the most bewitching little Psyches that I had ever seen. {smaller text, poem}

"Such around her shone The nameless charms, unmasked by her alone; The light of love, the purity of grace, The mind, the music, breathing from her face, The heart, whose softness harmonized the whole, And oh! that eye was in itself a soul!"

"Faultless was her form as beauty's queen, And every winning grace that love demands, With mild, attempted dignity was seen Play o'er each lovely limb, and deck her angel mien."

I bent my way to the St. Louis hotel, where I found Birchead, and told him of my success with Creole. He then informed me that he had a job in view, that required my immediate cooperation, and that was, to go in and divert the attention of the clerks in an exchange office, whilst he carried off a box containing forty thousand dollars, that had just come to down the river from Vicksburg; and, without enlightening me further on the subject, he led the way to the exchange office, and I went in ahead of him, and present some notes to be exchanged, and commenced talking to the clerks about the solvency of some of the banks in New Orleans. Whilst I had their attention attracted, Birchead slipped in and bore off the box containing the very forty thousand dollars. I kept the clerks busy talking, about ten minutes, and then, as I was taking my departure, the clerks missed the box, which made them turn pale. I noticed their look of blank amazement, and, inwardly chuckled, as I thought how we had "done" the money shavers. They were not long in making their loss known, and soon had the hounds of the law started in every direction, to find the perpetrator of this bold deed. I sauntered away slowly to the St. Louis hotel, where I found Birchead, all right, enjoying an iced lemonade, and, of which he invited me to partake, after which, we adjourned to his room and counted over the spoils.