The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-08-14
From Chambers Journal.
THE MOONLIGHT RIDE,

THE MOONLIGHT RIDE.
\ number Of wears ago, gentleman in
Clydesale offered me situation As head
groom, which accepted. He has one horse.
which was kept in stable hv himself and was
the most savage animal of his kind had ever
seen. There was not a single point of stronr
or fast horse about HIM He was AS black
as charcoal; he was named Satan. and richly
did he deserve the name He would tlv at
Won like dog, with his teeth, attempt TO beat
Won down with hi, fore feet. and strike roun1
a corner at yon with his hind ones. lie had
beaten of all the rough riders. "room~. and
Jockeys in that part of the country.
After being i'll the place for few DAYS. |
wa> asked by the Gentleman ii thought
could make anything Of Satan | replied.
that # he beat me he would be the only horse
which had ever done 50; but still consider
ed him to be bv far the most Savarc had
ever seen. ''Irv him Tomorrow at one
o'clock" said he As he turned to 90 away. II
will have few friends with me to see how
vou >u"crcd."
| determined, however, to try him that
ni.ht, and without any witness to sec wheth-
rr >uccrc'led or not Nv room was over
tn" >tah"S, and As me moon did not rise till
eleven O'Clock, | threw myself on the bed
"l"th">, and contrary to my intention. fell
asleep When awoIlr it was twelve: the
moon was shining brightly, and rendering
everything a> visible As if it were dav.
went down to the stable with a bridl,
prepared for the purpose, and heavily load
ed win ~ nv hand l--.,.,- 49,. IL
hc impossible to saddle him: and. indeed.
should be safer on his bare back. in the even
Of his THROWN" himself down. opened tn,
stable door gently. and there he was prou,
on his side. his legs and neck stretched out
As have often seen horses living after sor,
fatigue. clappcd my knee upon his head
looscd the collar that bound him. slipped th
bit into his mouth huckled the throat-banG
raised him to his feet backed him ont. an,
lraped upon his back before he had time +
get eyes well opened. But open them no,
he did, and that with a vengeance He paw
ed, and struck the walls with his fore fee
till the fire flashed from the stones and the
he reared till he fell RIGHT back upon tn
!! pavement. was prepared for this, and SliI
ped off him as he went down. and then lcav
ed on him again as he arose. had not As V,
touched him with whip. birdie or spur; an
now gave him the curb and the spurs at II
same instant He gave one mad bound. ar
: then went off at rate that completely erlip
; ed the speed of the fcetest horse had ev,
| ridden He could not trot. but his gallo
1 was unapproachablc, and consisted in a su
h cession Of leaps, performed with prccisio
: velocity. and strength absolutely bewildcrin
= He fairly overturned all my preconceiv'
e notions of fast horse. On he thundere
+ till we came under the shadow of a fir-woo
and then, whether ont of mischief or DIRE
r of the darkness. he halted instantaneous
II his fore-fcet 50 close together that YOU mic
y have put them into a bucket. Owing to t
= depression of the >houllers-for he had
n more witherS than an aS>-thc way that
It irrkcd down his head, and the Suddenn,
d of the stop, a monkey. although he had be
is holding on with his teeth, must have been L
e. seated For me- was pitched a long W
= over his head but alighted upon spot
D. soft and mossv, that it looked as if some ki
a hand had purposcly prepared it for me. ii
h. been in the slightest degree stunned. or |
'S able to regain my feet, that instant he wol
IL have torn me to pieces with his teeth. a
t. beaten my man@led body into the earth W
Is his hoofS But at once Spran@ to my f
ID and faced him | could have escaped
O. leapinr into the wood but my blood was
lc nv brain clear and my heart gave not
ne extra pu>ation. There he stood upon
II hind leg>. nearly upright. beating the AR
III hi, fore feet. his mouth open. his upper
he curIed. his under one drawn down. his la
by white teeth glancing like ivory in the m"
We liuht. As soon az he saw me upon my II
ok he gave veil such as had never he
he from horse before. save once. and whI'
sct believe is never elected from that animal
". cent when under the domination Of fra
nd rare or fear
rp- This unearthlv cry reused every living
ler ing within hearing. An army OF rookS'star
ed from their encampment in the WOOL
tie wheeled between us and the moon' Sha'
ing hec light, and filling the midnight air
led their tiiscordant screams. lhls a'tra'
nal the attention of Satan. and, bringing
re; tore-frct to the ground. he prickeo ul
on ear and listened | sprang forward s.
'er. him by the name. and vaultet. upon hI' To