Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-11-26

hdu DoOOLuS S0uuenly ldule' OlSLuOuHI-
ing, he examined the horse's feet, and
found small nail drove into the centre
of the hoof of one of his fore feet.
'Hol HOP said he, as he extracted the
nail with his knife. He again mounted
into his saddle, and taking his pistols from
his belt he examined them and found that
the charges had been withdrawn.
'Hoi hol No oil in the lamp, nail
in the horses foot, and no charges in my
pistols Now by st. Jupiter, methinks |
smell rat and rr-loNding his pistols he
rode on.
No sooner had Malcolm rode out of
sight of the Inn, than the page was lock-
ed in his room and the hostler said, in a
| tone of command :.
Barnard, put Hunting Deva under the
saddle, and lose notamoment, for would
myself try the courage of this rattle brain
cd Knight, though he will not travel far
before our trusty men bring him to a halt
and throwing off his frock, he leaped up
on his horse and was off at full speed in
pursuit of Malcolm, who had not pro-
cceded far when his attention was called
to the report of musket, and ball
whistled past his head.
'Ho hol That music-fre again
for this road is lonely one, and require
something to amusc me but the. words
had hardly escaped his lips, before sec
ond report greeted him. and his horse
reeled and fell beneath him.
'Ho hop said he, this is warm work
but my horse is dead and 1 must be
content to go on foot;' and as he5started
off, man sprang up from behind ia tree,
and pointing a pistolat his head, s.denan-
ded his money or his life. 4
Whichever you please,' cooFy replied
Malcolm, but the first left at the Inn,
and the latter l have Brought with me
thus far and if it is of moro value to you
than it is to me, you are welcome to it,
provided you are the best man ofthc two; :,
with deXtrQus movement he knocked
the pistol from the dcsperadoe's hand.
'Now,. yon blaek-henrted villain, draw
and defend yourself, for your moments
are numbered
Say you so? then here's at you! and
the bright fire flashed from their swords
as they met, but with sudden plunge
Malcolm sent his sword rocking through
the body of IFS. adversary. e
'Ho ho! What neXt?' AT this mo-
ment he heard. the Gathering of Il horse's
feet, and looking in the direction from
whence it proceeded, Il bright flash OF
lightning revealed ia him horse and ri-
der.approaching at arapid rate.
'Ho'l 'hop. repeated the Knight, Il
thought l was to travel alone. but this is
travelling in company with a vengeance
By this time the pursucr had nearly
gained the spot where Malcolm stood
He called to him to halt, or he would send
him out Of the world quicker than he
'Ho! no y. said the Knight. art thou not
coward to sit on thy horse to fight man
''.tSSS Nay, from whence came you. and
"nItner do you bend yourstePs" said the
unknown horscman. -,
From the Black Forest Inn, since the
shades of night-fall, and am on my way
to the Inn of the Withered Tree F.:
'Thc tnn of The Hahered Tree re-
piled the other; 'you must be fool !
, Knowcst thou not that the Inn of the
Withcred Tree is the rendezvous of the
terrible Helderbrand and his band, and
that this is his fair domain and all mnst
pay a tax who pass this way? Will you
run the risk of being hung on a'tree as
warning to other presumptuous knaves
, If you would escape death, and live re-
turn by the way you came.
'Hol hol replied Malcolm, if thou
wilt but dismount' from thy horse and
meet me hand to hand, will make thee
eat thy words, and curse the day that thor
vast born; and let me tell the that vii
, not return till 1. have accomplished m!
, Journey. No not if the rascal Helder-
, brand and his hired cut-throats stood II
the way. Now art thou answered.
, AT this taunting rebuke, his opponelt
became enraged, and throwing himsdf
) from his horse, he rushed upon Malcolm,
exclaiming-
; 'Boasting idiot Know that thou stan
dest in the presence of Helderbrand =
He and the hostler are one. Now 'ay
thy last prayer and prepare for thy Ing
/ Journey
: 'Ho! no! Come on, and we shall le-
eide who shall travel the road first, ,'-1,nd
their swords met for the dreadful contict,
Long and desperately they fought AMI 1t
was doubtful for time which would be
, the victor, as both were powerful bnen,
and we'll skilled in the use of weapols.-
The fight was now for life or deah.-
With the desperation of a tiger, Hlder-
brand pressed upon the Knight, bit he
maintained his ground by his smerior
, coolness and presence of mind unit Hell
derbrand, by heavy blow, bEoie the
sword of Malcolm, and as he die so a
loud laugh of scorn rang out upn the
midnight air Nov thou VOLTS whelp'
, now thy time is come,
,Ho! hop said the Knight, lrawing
one of his pistols from his belt, ind pre-
sonting it to the breast of Heldrbrand ;