The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-09-26

ss--s es .'s.s.e
Say YOU SO, then here's at youg and the
bright FIRE flashed tiom their swords as they
met, but with sudden plunge, Malcolm
Isent bis sword reeking through lhe body ol
bis adversary.
He ho! what nextY Atthis moment be
heard the clattering Of horses feet, and look
ling in the direction from whence it proceed
led. q bright fash Of lightning revealed TO
him horse and rider approaching him at a
most ra9id,rate.
fHo!ihor repeated the knight, 4 thought
was TO travel alone, but this Is travelling
in company with vengeance aat
By this time the pursuer had nearly gained
the spot where Malcolm stood. I He called
to him 10 halt, or he would send him out Of
the world quicker than he came in. =,
'Hol hoP exclaimed the knight. art thou
not coward to sit on thy horse TO fight a
man on footf slkes4 at
NAY; from whence came you, and whith-
er do you bend your steps! said the unknown
horselnan. 700
From Black Forest Inn. since the Shades
Of night fall, and on my way to the Inn Of
the Withered Tree
The inn Of the Withered Tres,' repeated
the other you must be a fool. Know'st
thou not that the inn of the Withered Free is
the rendezvous oil the terrible Heldebrand and
his band, and that this is his fair domain,
and all must pay a tax who pass this way
Will you run the risk of being hanged OF, a
tree, as caution to other presumptious
knaves? Hyou would escape death and live,
return by the way you came
Ho! ho replied Malcolm, il thou wilt
but dismount from thy horse and meet me
hand 10 hand, will make, thee eat thy words,
and curse the day thou vast born land let me
tell thee will not return until have ac-
complished my journey. No! not if the ras-
cal Heldebrand and his hired cut-throats
stood in my way. Now, art thou answered
AT this taunting rebuke his opponent be-
came enraged, and throwing himself from
his horse, rushed upon Malcolm, exclaiming,
Boasting idiot Know that thou standest
in the presence Of Helderbrand2 2 He and the
hostler are one! Now say thy last prayer,
and prepare for thy long journey
Ho no! Come on, and we shall decide
who shall travel this road first; and their
swords met forthe dreadful conflict.
Long and desperately they fought, and it
was doubtful for time who would be the
victor, as both were very powerful men, and
well skilled in the use of their weapons
The fight was for life or death. With the
desperation of a tiger, Helderbrand pressed
upon the knight, but lie sustained his ground
by his superior coolness and presence OF mind,
until Helderbrand, with powerful blow.
broke the sword of Malcolm, and as he did
so a loud laugh of scorn rang out upon the
midnight air. Now, thy VOLTS whelp, know
thy time is come
Ho no = said the knight, drawing one
Of his pistols from his belt and presenting it
to the breast of Helderbrand. Now, by my
good fortune, hast thy time come, and to-
morrow ! will claim the ten thousand thalers
which the government has set as price upon
thy head p
Tomorrow thou wilt never see-so fire,
and know that thy weapon is powerless, and
that at my command the charge was with
drawn.
Ho no So we will try then and see if
thou liest p and firing the ball shattered his
arm, and lodged into the brigand's side. He
gave one leap into the air and fell but quick
ly raising himself on his knees, he attempted
to put signal whistle to his mouth.
Ho ho! said the knight, as with dex-
ferrous movement he knocked the whistle from
his hand.
Curses on the rascal Bernard. He has
played me false; but will not die till have
my revenge
Nay-you can spare your curses for he did
your bidding but too well. discovered your
villany too soon for your purpose. Now if
youwill suffer yourselfto be bound hand and
foot ] will take you back to the inn. If not
| shall only trouble you for your head, and
that is all that is required fer the ten thou
sand thalers.' 7
The last hope but one had fed and that was
that some of his men might rescue him.
The once powerful robber suffered himself
to be bound and placed up,n his once favor.
ite horse, Hunting Devil, and, with Malcolm,
returned to the inn, which they reached about
daylight, just as party of soldiers arrived
at the inn, on their way through the Black
Forest, as an escort, whom Helderbrand and
Bernard were given in charge. Within three
days from that time they were tried by pub.
lie tribunal, condemned and shot. The band
was broken up and dispersed. Malcolm re-
ceived the ten thousand thalers, which had
been set on Netherlands head, and ten more
for Bernard the landlord, second in command.
With the money, Malcolm erected magnif-
cent dwelling, called Ho, Ho, or Black For
est Castle by which name it is known to the
present day.
Thus ends the adventure ofa Nights Ride