Washington telegraph., 1851-10-29
MALCOLM OR A NIGHTS RIDE
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

IL,
mon , us in all its fury before we reach
shelter; and if I mistake not, we are not
sar s from the Black Forest Inn.
10 ave. Sir Knight" replied the page
u,bo rode by the side OF the first speaker,
,rho was powerful knight. mounted on
,n,oe war horse, IL have heard strange
" ,o,,es Of this same inn, and how many
. weary traveller has sought refuge under
:. roof but has never been heard ct at
~, Methinks should tear to tarry there
over night.
Talk st thou of fear, boy. to me. NAL
,,, surnamed the fearless; | who have
-, known what it is to fear, L who
10 fonoht hand to hand with score
Of Saraceu dogs on the bloody fields OF
palestine. But, my patron Saint. made
,bem bite the dust,--then talk no more
ol fear to me"
Nov, methinks see light gllmmer-
;,o faiutlv through the lofty trees and II
nemher right, it is near the inn, re-
piled the page.
We'll my faith, l am right glad, for |
,nould break our fast, which has tasted
since early dawn" 10
What, my noble knight. if the inn
10 foll and we find no accommodation,
bu, have to continue our journey!
"By the head Of St. Peter, will tarry
there over night. If Helderbrand the ter
r;bIe and his band are quartered within
its walls.
AT this moment the travellers role up
90 the door of the inn. Dismountlng,
thew gave their horses 10 the groom and
entered The house, where, seated before
2 large fire, sat two men in close CONVEX
sarion. The first was the landlord, who
had all expression not the most faVorao'e;
the second was man OF large proper
,ious dressed as hostier, but there was
7 lofty daring in his face aud appearance
which Selied his dress and calling. The
landlord rose to receive Them, and with
a sycophanlic smile. welcomed them 10
the Black Forest Inn.
"Will YOU tarry here tonight, or VIII
YOU pass through the forest! said the
landlord.
mo, by the mass, no. | have ridden
far enough to-day, and require rest aud
entertainment. ...
"Talk'st thou of riding through the
Black Forest on such night as tins,
Bernard. / wager a thousand thalers
that there is not Knight In Germany
would run the hazard. No. not even
were the life of his lady at stake, intest-
ed as it is by the terrible Heldetbrand
,h a
look OF indignation at the knight.
IT'S false thou craven coward, l cast
the lie in thy teeth" said Malcolm, 'and
if | thought you had half the sum you
have named, l would accept the chal-
leuge, ride through the forest, return and
give YOU a lesson III courtesy which thOu
standest much i'll need OF.
A fash of passion passed over the face
of the hostlcr, and it was deathly pale
with rage, but quickly regaining his
comuosure, he said TO the Knight
MANY years have | toiled for the sum
which [ have named; but | will, never
theless place it in the hands of my mas
ter here, the landlord, all honest man, If
YOU will do the same with like amount,
and then ride through the forest TO the
inn of The W'ithered Tree and pass
TIE watchWord Of the lnu which L Will
give you; receive the signal of the house
and return before light in the morning,
the whole SUN is yours. What say you,
Sir, brave knight, will you accept l
wait your answer"
81 WILL on three COnd!tlOns.
Name them"
"Thc first, that may have bottle of
wine and my supper. The second is
dark lantern, ard the third Is that l may
have a fresh horse. for mine is ]aded
with long days journey" replied the
knight.
"The three requirements are granted.
answered the hostler.
In short time Malcolm and the page
ha! finished their repast, and the horse
being already at the door he mounted.
Come, boy, to your saddle. said he.
May, Sir Knight, you're to ride alone,
said the hostler.
"As you will. Landlord, bring me my
pistols and dark lantern.
They were brought aud he was on the
point Of starting, when he discovered
that there was no oil in the lamp.
How now, landlord, what is the use
of body without head!" exclaimed
he.
"None at ALL" answered the landlord
IN surly tone.
"Ihen what were the use OF this lamp
without oil!'
With a disconnected air the landlord
took the lamp. and returned it filled
with the remark-''ls there anything
ese!"
Yes"
Name it,"
"The watchword to be given at the
Inn at the other end Of the forest
"Ho Ho"'
"Ho. Ho.' repeated the knight-"not
ko nd 10