Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-09-06

dark lantern and the third is that may
have fresh horse, for mine is jaded with
long days journey" replied the Knight.
"'rhe three requirements are granted,
answered the hos,ler.
In tRort time Malcolm and the page
had finished their rcpast, and the horse be-
ing already at the door, he mounted.
"Come, boy, 10 your saddle," said he.
"Nay, Sir Knight, you're 10 ride alone,"
said the hoster.
Gas you will. Landlord, bring me my
pistols and dark lantern.
They were brought and 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
a body without head % he exclaimed.
''None at all," answered the landlord in
a surIy tone.
"Then what were the use of this lamp
without oil %
With a Disconnected air the landlord
took the lamp, and returned it filled, with
the renark-''is there anything else ?"
eyes"
Shame it.''
"Tbe watchword TO be given at the inn
at the other end of the forest"
"Ho. Hol"
"Ho Ho!" repeated the Knight-"not
name to be forgotten," and rode away
The rain was falling fast, and the thunder
rolled through the arched vaults of heaven,
and burst in deatening peals, but the knight
Needed it not. He had not ridden far be-
fore he discovered that his horse had be-
come lame. Dismountng, he examined
the horses feet, and found a small nail
drove into the centre of the hoof of one of
the fore feet.
"Ho! ho!" said he, as he extracted the
nail with his knife. He again mounted in
the saddle, and taking his pistols from his
belt he examined them and found that the
charges had been drawn.
"Ho ho No oil in the lamp, nail in
the horses foot. and no charges in my pis-
tolls. Now by St. Jupiter, methinks smell
rat y and re-loading his pistols he rode
| on.
No sooner than Malcolm rode out of
sight OF the inn, than The page was locked
! into his room and the hoStler said in a tone
OF command
"Bernard, put Hunting DerH under the
saddle, lose not a moment, for ] would my
self try the courage of this rattle brained
knight, though he will not travel far before
our trusty men will bring him to, halt ~
and threwing off his trock, be leaped upon
his horse and was of at full speed in pur-
suit Of Malcolm, who had nct proceeded
far when his attention was called to the re-
port of mUsket, and ball whisted past
his head.
"Ho ho! That's music-fre again
for this road is lonely one, and require
something to amuse me :" but the words
hardly escaped his lips, before second re-
port greeted him, and his horse reeled and
fell beneath him,
''Ho no !" said he, s:this is warm work
but my horse is dead, and | must content
to 60 on foot and as he started off, a man
sprung up from behind tree, and pointing
| a pistol at his head, demanded his money
or his life.
"Whichever you reas-," coolly replied
Malcolm, "but the first left at the inn, and
the latter have brought with me thus far;
and If it is Of more value to you than it is
to me, you are welcome to it, provided YOU
are the best man OF the two with a dex-
ferrous movement he knocked the pistol
from the desperado's hand.
Snow, you black hearted william, 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 a sudden plunge NAL
colin sent his sword reeking through the
body of his adversary.
"lIo no! What next % At this mo-
ment he heard the Gathering of horse.
feet, and looking in the direction from
whence it proceeded, a bright flash of light,
ming revealed to him horse and rider ap.
preaching him at most rapid rate.
"Hol ho !" repeated the knight, 81
thought | was to travel alone, but this i,
travelling in company with a vengeance
, BY this time the purSuer bad nearl,
gained the spot where Malcolm stood
He called to him to halt, or he would senc
him ont OF the world quicker than he came
in.
''tlo! no :" exclaimed the knight, car
| thou not coward 10 sit on thy horse tc
t fight man on foot %
"Nay; from whence came you, ant
$ whittier do you bend your steps % said The
: unknown horseman.
> "From the Black Forest Inn, since tht
e shades of night-iall, and on my way to th,
inn of the Withered Tree"
/ 'srhe inn Of The Wilhered Tree,~ re-
I peated the other, "yeu must be fool
e Know'St thou not that the inn Of the With
Z cred Tree is the rendezvous of the terribl,
a Helderbrand and his band, and that this i
It his fair domain, and all must pay tax wh,
pass this way2 Will you run the risk O
e being hanged on tree as caution to 9th
b er presumptuous knaves? II you woul,
e escape death and live, return by the wa,
you came"
n "Ho ho !" replied Malcolm, "if tho
: wilt but dismount from thy horse and NEE
:, me hand to hand, will make thee eat tn
u words, and curse the day thou vast born
d and let me tell thee that / will not reur
n till have accomplished my Journey. No