Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-07
MISC l. AN Y
sack Long, the Phantom Hunter.
By c. w. WEBER.
Translated for the "Specta,Or" from the Courier ds'
Eiats Unis.

Transated for Tie "Spcctat0r'' from the Courier ds'
Eats Unis.
(CoNTINUED.)
GA few minutes after, superb deer came
bounding in front Of me, and | fired upon
him. He fell on his knees, but rose again
and fled. knew that he must he seriously
wounded and quickly mounted my horse
to pursue him."
lit was quite imprudent for you to have
done that" interrupted the squire.
Eyes, perceived it myself too late
After pursuit of some twenty minutes at
a grand gallop, the idea occurred to me
that ran the risk of losing myself in the
woods, and | made halt. But it was too
late. was already lost. How | cursed
that deer when beheld his white tail in
the distance, disappearing behind the bush
es! retained my reasoning powers suf-
ficiently to prevent me from gong far in
any one direction. followed, by turns,
the different radii of circle whose CEN
tre was the place where first stopped
BY this means, hoped to find the tracks
of some one engaged in the hunt. Finally,
to my great satisfaction, met with road,
which, it is true. looked as il it had been
abandoned for long time; and though its
turnings did not promise to lead me 10 any
particular place, yet they proved to me that
| could not be very far from some habIta-
ton.
81 followed this way through a dense
thicket tangled with briars and weeds; and
leaning on the shoulders of my horse, was
looking attentively on the ground, when all
at once a violent start Of the animal made
me raise my eyes; aud by heavens there
was what would make whole regiment OF
horses leap.
'ln front of me, little to the right, one
foot on the path as if he had stopped at the
moment of crossing it, stood tall, gaunt
figure of skeleton clothed ia the skins of
animals, the hair turned out, with beard
of extraordinary length, and eyes it is inn
possible to describe them. They were as
immovable in their deep and hairy sockets,
as if they were congcaed there; aud the
looks that they darted forth were of an icy
coldness My nerves were so strangely
Affected, that was upon the point Of letting
my gun fall, though the spectre was taking
sight at me with his long carbine."
"Why did mt you shoot::'
"Ah you ask ne why? | did not
dream Of defending myself, but those eyes.
The carbine was pointed at me; but those
eyes were fixed upon my face, in such a
manner that felt as if my blood was free
zing in my veins, whilst they slowly dis
sected all my features. The fact Is, that !
was surprised 10 find myself shiyering. 1t
was so strange After regarding me thus,
for about ten seconds, he appeared satis-
fed the carbine slowly returned TO lis
place on his shoulder; his bony fingers i'm
patiently stroked his long and terrible
heard one stride carried him 10 the other
side of the road, aud he plunged into the
midst of the bushes without having said one
word.
al reused myself provoked at my stu
nidity. and began to shout after him. He
did not turn his head. Furious then, !
gave the spur to my horse, and followed
the strange thing into the thickct as far as
/ could penetrate it but had lost sight OF
it in an instant. was as much troubled
as if had seen the devil in person. and re-
turned to see if there was any trace Of It's
steps.
Each one drew long breath.