The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-09-26
MAIc0E1, 0R 4 FIGHT,s RIDE.
rHRnIlNe ADvEaruRE.


ride fast. or the gathering storm will be upon
us in all its fury before we reach shelter,
and. II mistake not, we are not far from
(, the Black Forestto ss8s r
AYE, Sir Knight replied the page who
rode by the side Of the first speaker, who
was powerful knight, mounted on o large
horse. 4 have heard strange stories OF this
same inn, and how many weary traveller
has sought refuge under its roof, but has new
7er been heard Of after Methinks should
fear to larry there over night
1alkest thou Of fear, boy, to me. Malcolm
surnamed the fearless, ! who have never,
known what il was to fear--I who have
fought hand to hand with score Of Saracen
dogs, on the bloody fields Of Palestine; but
!. BIZ my patron saint, made them bite The
dust--then talk no more to me Of fear
Now, metbinks l see light glimmering
family through the lofty trees, and, if re
4 member right, it is near the inn,' replied
the page.
VI We'll, by my faith, l am right glad, for
! would break our fast, which lasted since ear
ly dawn '
9 hsWhat, my noble knight, il the inn be full
and we find no accommodation, but have to
continue our journey.
.By the head of st. Peter, will tarry
there over night, il Helderbrand the terrible,
and his band, are quartered within its walls.
At this moment the travellers rode up to
the door OF the inn. Dismounting, they
gave their horses to The groom and entered
the house, where, seated before large fire,
sat two men in close conversation. The
first was the landlord, who had an expression
not the most favorable; the second was a
man of Urge proportions, dressed as host
Ter, but there was lofty daring in his face
and appearance, which belied his dress and
calling. The landlord rose to receive them,
and with sycophantic smile, welcomed
them to the Black Forest inn.
.Will you tarry here the night, or will you
pass through the forest? said the landlord.
mo, by the mass, no have ridden far
enough to-day, and require rest and enter
tainment.'
'Talkest thou of riding through the Black
Forest on such night as this, Bernard?
wager a. thousand thalers that there is not
knight in all Germany who would run the
hazard. No not even were the life of his la
dy-loye tstake, infested as it is by the ter
rible Helderbnnd and his band,' said the
hostler, with look of indignation at the
knight. 4
sTis false, thou craven coward, cast the
lie in thy teeth said Malcolm, 'and if |
thought you had half the sum you have
named, would accept the challenge, ride
through the forest, return and give you les
son in courtesy which you stand much in
need Of
A flush of passion passed over the face OF
the hoster. and it was dea thly pale with rage
but quickly regainins his composure, he said
to the knight
Many years have toiled for the sum that
Ihave named, but will, nevertheless, place
it in the hands of my friend here. the land
lord, an honest man, If you will do the same
with like amount, and then ride through
the forest to the inn of the 'Wilhered Tree
and pass the watchword Of the ion which
will giveyou, receive the signal of the house
and return before light in The morning, the
whole sum is yours. What say you, sir,
bravc knight, will you accept? wait your
answer
twill on three conditions.
Name them
The first, that may have bottle of wine
and my supper. The second is, a dark Ian.
thorn, and the third is that may have
fresh horse, for mine is jaded with long
days journey replied the knight.
The three requirements are granted, an
swered the hostler.
In short time Malcolm and the page had
finished their repast, and the horse being al
ready at the door. he mounted,
Come boy, to you're saddle said he.
NAY, sir knight, you're to rile alone,' said
the hostler.
AS youf will. Landlord, bring ma my
pistols and dark lanthorn. .1-
They we've brought, and he was on the
point Of starting, when he discovered there
was no oil in the lamp.
'How now, landlord, what's the use of
body without headq he exclaimed.
None atall, answered the landlord, in
surly tone.
Then what were the use of this lamp
without oilY
! With a disconnected air The landlord took
the lamp, and returned it filled, with the re-
mark-'is there anything else?'
yes
Name it,
The watchword 10 be given at the other
end of the Forest
'Ho! Hop
'Hol hop repeated The knight, mot name
to be forgotten, and rode gway.
The rain was falling fast, and the thunder
rolling through The arched vaults of heaven,
and burst in deafening peals, but the knight
needed it not. He had not ridden far before
he discovered that bis horse had suddenly
become lame. Dismounting, he examined
the horses feet, and found small nail drove
into the center Of the hoof Of one Of the
fore feet.
'Ho hop said he, as he extracted the nail
with his knife. He again mounted into sad.
die, and taking his pistols from bis 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 nv pistols!-
Now, by Jupiter, meth;nks smell rat;
and reloadiag his pistolshe rode on.
No sooner had Malcom rode out Of sight
OF the inn, than the page was locked into
his room, and the hostler said in tone of
command
Bernard, put Hunting Devil under the
saddle, and lose not moment, for | would
myself try the courage Of this rattle Drained
knight, though he will not travel far before
our trusty men will bring him to the haIt;'
and throwing off his frock he leaped upon
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