Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-07

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'f lay wager that he found the print OF
clovcn foot I' said one of the hunters
Didn't you smell sulphur !" >
''What does it matter what smelt
found the track of long moccasln; without
that, should have been convinced that i
had seen supernatural being. think II
was some madman living IN the wilds. :.
"A strange animal, whatever 1t may oe'
singular adventure l' murmured they
around the table.
"Hear me to the end!" said Henry. At
ter this incident, / continued to follow the
snuosites of this road, which in less than
an hour turned to the four points OF the
compass so my patience was on the point
of being exhausted, when, after the sun had
gone down, finally entered on a pralrle
that thought | remembered. / stopped,
and whilst | was surveying the landscape
around me, to assure myself that | was not
mistaken, there suddenly darted horse
from The thicket behind me and crossed the
plain wildly. He neighed furiouslY, his
head was turned back, and the stirrups were
flying in the air,"
"W hat sort of horse was it :"
"What was the colour of it :" demanded
some, painting with impatence.
1T was twilight, from all that | could see
of it in the distance, it was dark colour,
much like my horse"
"Stover's was brown bay" said some
one in low voice, whilst all moved unea-
silly on their chairs and looked at each 9TH
er with unquiet faces.
After pause of few seconds, the
squire arose and looked ont of the window,
then turning to Henry he observed serious
ly: -.
"Your story is very curious one, and if
did not know you so we'll, would suspect
YOU we're Joking with US. Did you hear
the sound Of a gun after the disappearance
of this tall slim fellow of whom you speak ?
81 thought heard one distinctly, but the
sound was so far off, and I was so uncer-
tain whether it was the noise of a gun, that
was not willing to risk losing myself a Sc
cond time to eulighten my doubts"
"Dld this happen about quarter of an
hour before sunset :" asked the Huntsman.
"Yes."
"Ah we'll about that time heard the
sound of gun fIom your side, but thought
it was fired by some one of your company
at is possible that this madman, or who
ever he may be. may be dangerous" re-
marked the squire. "As 10 the wlndings
of this road which puzzled you so much, !
can explain 10 you. 1t is trail marked
out to enable me to find number of trees
that we had sawed into plank on the spot.
They were scattered here and there, but
none very far from the route, so that you
always found yourself near the same place
where you first came upon it. Friends, II
is worth while for US to take turn to see
after that creature
81 expected the horse would be found a.
gain here he galloped this way" said Hen
"No," replied the squire; "stover's
horse is farther off," Henry then seated
himself at the table; and great as was the
uncertainty, from all they had heard, res
pecting the fate of Stover, these men were
too much accustomed to the vlcssitudc OF a
hunters life on the frontiers to be long at
fected; and very soon jests and bursts oil
laughter passed around the table with as
much unconcern, and cheerfulness as il
nothing extraordinary had happened.
In the midst of this good humour was
heard the sound OF horses feet in rapid
gallop.
The squire rose up in all haste and went
out.
An oppressive silence reigned in the hall.
At the expiration Of few minutes, he re-
entered with pale and serious face.
"Stover's wife has sent her servant to
inform us that her husbands horse has re-
turned, the bride upon its neck, and the
saddle spotted with blood. Gentlemen,
Slower has been killed"
AT these words we all instInctively rose
to our feet, and looked at each other pale
and amazed.
"The madman!' said an oppressed voice,
breaking the gloomy silence.
"Henry's bearded phantom n" said an
other.
YES" cried several, "phantom or de-
mon, he is the murderer J"
Listen to me, Henry" said the squire.
"When you had concluded your story. the
idea entered my mind that that singular
creature was watching for Slower. As you
rode with your head stopped, one unac-
quainted with you, would at once have ia
ken YOU foI him, for there are several points
of resemblance between you two, your fig
ure, the colour of your hair, &C.. but he
mast have found out his mistake while he
was looking at YOU so fixedly.
"Having turned to the left after quitting
YOU, he must have met Slower as he was
returning, and have killed HIM. But Sto-
yer Is one of the Regulators, and Hinch is
a famous blood hound. | will cntreat him
to be here in the morning with his men /;
they will find your phantom though it
should be The devil in person and to-mor-
row before the sun goes down, this death
shall be avenged.'
This appeared 10 us the most reasonable
explanation of few OF the most mysterious
circumstances of the affair; and as it Vas
too dark to think of doing anything this e.
vening, we were obliged to content our
selves with good sleep to prepare US to
act the following day.
At dawn, we were awakened by the
noise of tumultuous voices in front of the
house. was sure that Hinch and his
troop had arrived and looking out of the
window, saw the Regulators dismounting
their horses, and forming themselves into
groups in the yard. Recognised the voice
of our host, engaged in a spirited alterca-
with some one whose rude and arrogant
tones revealed him to me as the chief of the
band.
| listened with uneasiness, and heard him