Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-09-02
Geltgt Calc.
MALCOLM, CIR A NIGHTS RIDE.
A TIariissng Adventure.
nr VI r. HAYDEN.


Come boy put spurs to your horse and
ride fast Or the gathering storm VIII be upon.
us in all its fury before we reach shelter; aud
il ! mistake not, we are not far from the
black Forest Inn
Aye. Sir Knight, replied The page who
rode by tie side Of tie first speaker, who was
a powerful knight mounted On d large war
horse, i have heard strange stories Of this
same I'm, and how many weary traveller
has sought refuge under is roof bat have ncy
er been heard Of after Methinks | should
fear to tarry there over night
Talk st thou Of fear, hoy, to me- Malcolm,
snsnamsd the fearless, / who have never
known what it was to iear---I who have
fought hand to baad with a score Of Saracen
dogs on the bloody fields Of Palestine But,
BY my patron Saint, ! made them bite the
dust-then talk no more Of fear to me
New, methinks see a light glmmering
through the lofty trees. and il ! remember
right, it is near the Inn, replied the page
"Well my faith. am right glad for
would break our fast which has lasted since
early dawn.
"What, my noble knight, IL the i'm be
full and We find no accommodation but have
to continue Gun journey
by the head Of St Peter | will tarry
there over night, if Hildelbrand the terrible,
and bis band be quartercd within its walls
At this moment the travellers rode up TO
the Inn Dismounting they gave their horses
to the groom aud eutered the house, where,
seated before large fire sat two men in close
Z Nh, {,-k Al j
who had an expression not the most favora.
bic; the second was man Of large proper
tons, dressed as hestler; bat there was a
lofty daring in his face and appearance which
beied his dress and calling, The landlord
rose 20 receive them. And with a sycophan-
tic smile, welcomed them to the Black Forest
Inn
W;ll you tarry here tonight, or will you
pass Though the forestg said the landlord.
NO, by the mass, no. | have ridden far
enough to-day and require rest and enter
tainment'
'Talk'st thou Of riding through the Black
Forest on such a night as this, Bernard. |
wager thousand thalers that there is not a
knight in all Germany would ran the haz-
ard No. not even were the life Of his lady
love at stake, infested as It is BY the terrible
/ Helderbrsnd and his band, said the hostler.
| with look Of scorn at the Knight
'4is false. thou craven coward. ! cast the
lie in thy teeth said Malcolm, If thought
you had half the sum You have named, /
would accept the challenge and ride through
the forest, return and give you lesson in
4 courtesy which thou standest much in need
Of.
A fash Of passion passed over the face Of
The hostler and it was deatbly pale with rego,
( but quickly gaining his colnposura be SAID to
the knight
Many years have toied for the sum
which have named but ! win, nevertheless.
place it in the hands Of nay master here, the
\ landlord, an honest man, ii you viii Co the
same with like account and then ride
through the forest to the Inn, of"The With
cred Tree and pass the watehword Of the
Inn which | viii give you; receive the signal
Of the house and return before light in the
morning What say you Sir 6rare Knight,
will you accept? wait your answer
i will on three conditions
Name them
The first IS that | may have bottle Of
wine and my supper The second is dark
lantern. aud the third is that | may have a
fresh horse, for mine is jaded with long day 8
journey replied the knight.
The three are granted answered the
hoster.
In short time Malcolm and the page had
finished their repast, and the horse being al
ready at the door be mounted
Come, boy to your saddle, said be