Eastern times., 1854-09-28

ONSS 10
well to examine the loading of my pistols
He returned with the landlord to the house
and both were not little pleased to find the
butcher gone. Lethwaite continued chatting
some time with the landlord.
i do not like this ghost story of yours he
sald If such spectre has really been seen,
depend upon it tina, il is some deep coutrivance
to hide worse danger. | wish for the good
of the community, that may be lucky enough
TO fall in with the ghost
All Mr.. Lethwaite, sir, you are only
tempting providence when you talk in that
careless way. The ghost is real ghost for
though it has frightened many, and myself
among the rest, never heard of any person
being robbed. Old Dodson, the lame beggar,
lost his senses but then he was always a
half-witted creature, and mans reason is not
his money. Did not see the horrid thing
myself; /, who, God forgive me had made
game of il, and those who believed in it, just
as you do at this moment saw the monster
with my own eyes and how escaped from il
never could tell ran so fast that | never
felt the ground under my feet, while it pursued
me with the most frightful yells. l kept my
bed for week after, aud have taken good care
never to tread that road by night again.
1t is strange!' said Lethwaite, mnsing
some truth must be mingled with this fantas-
tic error! What time of right does this spec
ter generally appear 2
1t has been seen at all hours, from twilight
until the gray dawn OF day. 1t was about nine
o'clock in the evening when it appeared TO me.
1t is near eleven now, sir. You will just
reach that black, crooked turning in the road
which winds round the foot Of the hill, BY mid
night That lonely spot is the demons ia
vorite haunt
know the place. said Lethwaite, Yes,
It's frightful gloomy spot, with steep banks,
and high rocks on either side. Dark almost
at MONDAY, but doubly dark at noon Of night.
Then, whistling an old border song, to keep
mp his courage, the veoman dashed the spurs
into his fine horse, and rode offat quick pace;
and in few minutes was out of sight The
landlord listened for few minutes TO the click
ing Of his horses hoofs, striking against the
frozen ground, and, thinking him a confounded
fool closed the door and went to bed
Lethwaite sped merrly along. The moon
shone bright and high above him in the cloud
less sky, and the sharp cold wintry wind
whistled in his hair, and chilled his manly
cheek. An hours riding brought him to the
brow of the steep crooked hill, which had
been pointed out to him as the favorite haunt
of the ghost.
AT the foot Of this hill, the road took an ab-
rupt turn, and the high rocks projecting on
either side hid the open space, and presented
to the traveller the appearance Of huge cavern,
until he reached the bottom of the glen, when
the delusion vanished. Stunted hoIly-trees
had sprung up among the crevices Ofthe rocks,
and their close dark foliage cast a sepulchral
gloom into the deep hollow below.
1t is an ugly spot thought Lethwaite, as
he checked his horse to tread at football the
steep descent. Murder may have been com
mitted here in the olden time, but pooh, pooh,
there are no such things as ghosts; but if ever
there was spot more capable Of inspiring
such dread than another, it is surely this
The side of the road to his left was in deep
shadow. The very spirit Of darkness seemed
to brood over the gloomy recess, while the
moon gilded with wan and spectral light the
opposite wall Of rock Lethwaite, in spite Of
his boasted courage, felt sudden chill creep
through him as he approached the awful spot
God Of heaven!' he murmured, in tone
below his breath, what can that bel' as hor-
rid shape slowly and distinctly rose before him,
and became stationary in the centre Of his path.
1t was not the form of man, and certainly
it was not beast, but appeared shocking
compound Of both. Imagine a creature up
wards of six feet high, covered with shaggy
black hair, the head that oc bull, with huge,
white, widely extended horns. The sinewy
bare arms of man extended above this ghastly
head, grasping a burning brand, which emitted
a thin cloud of pale blue smoke. The lower
part of the BODY was SO envelOped in shade,
that it only presented dark underlined shape
less mass.
Lethwaite, who never expected to behold a
real edition Of the Windemere ghost, felt his
hair stiffen, and his teeth slightly chatter, as
he reined his horse, and forced himself to look
steadily upon the ghastly phantom. The horse
possessing less self-reliance than his master,
plunged, snorted, and reared, as with a hid
eous yell the apparition advanced, brandishing
his fiery weapon in threatening manner.
Steady, boy-steady,' cried his master, in
a soothing tone shamed out Of his own fears BY
the terror of his steed. If this be the devil,
stand still, and let thy master face him like a
man.
Reassured by the well-known voice, and the
carress of the well-known hand, the noble ami
NAL did as he was commanded but he shook
and shivered in every limb.
Lethwaite had by this time drawn pistol
from his belt; aud riding towards the spectre
he cried out in stern voice, Miserable i'm
postor throw off your disguise, or you are a
dead man; for, by the God that made me, |
will see your body is proof against leaden
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