Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-01-22
A Mysterious Horseman.
a LEGEND OF THE stf ERNaTUR1L5

There is tale reported by Lord LittIetou.
1--WE mean, of course, the younger Of that
namc,) which shows the tendency in the minds
of even the shrcwest men Of the world TO give
respectable audience to the marvellous and
supernatural. 1t may be found IN the tWeaS
ty.first Of Lord Lyttleton's letters.
lie says that in the carly part Of the NE
Of ---, ono Of his friends, he attended
hunting club, when a well mounted stranger,
of gcntecl address, Joined the Cub md E06e
with courage and address that ast0nished
everybody. The animal he rode is described
as one OF amazing powers and endurance the
huntstnan who was left far behind swcre that
tho man and horse were devils from hell. AZ
ter the sport he was invited to diunss, and
astonished the company as much by ~ en-.
vcrsational powers and the elegance Of his
manners as by his equestrian prOweaG
lie was, says Lord Lyttleton, an orator,
poet, painter, musician, lawyer, and adj
vine; in fact, he was everything, and the
magic Of his discourse kept the drowsy sports-
men awake long after their usual hour. At
length they retired, but had scarcely closed
their eyes when they were awakened BY The
most terrible shrieks resOmding through
the house. Inquiring of the servants, they
were told that these horrid sound BRO
ceedcd from the strangers chamber end ON
approaching his room, deeper gToans of des-
pair, and shriller shrieks Of agony, astonhish-
ed and terrified them. After knoeking at the
door, he answered them as Just awaked fkom
sleep, declared he had heard no noise, and In
rather fierce tones, desired not to be disturb
ed.
The company accordingly retired, and had
scarcely began to communicate their senti4
mcnts to each other. when repetition Of the
hOFriA C0unho OYPa SVN NRanen
vcrsation; yells, screams and shricks, which
from the horror of them, seemed to issue from
the thrOats Of damned spirits. They imme.
diately followed the sounds. and traced them
to the Strangers chamber, the door Of which
they instantly burst open and I1und him
whipping himself with the most unEelontinx
severity, his body streaming wieh blood.
On their scizing his hand tostOp the strokes.
he begged them, in the most wYineinR tone
Of voice, as an act Of mercy, that they wonld
retire, assuring them that the cause offho d..
turbanccs was over, and that IN the mosulnw
he would acquaint them with the reasons 81
the terrible cries they had heard, and tie
melancholy sight they saw. After q ropoGi.
tion OF entreaties, they retired, and In the
morning some Of them went to his 4chamaber.
but he was not there and on examining the
bed, they found it to be one gore Of blped.-
Upon further inquiry the groOmsman aAids -
it was light tho gentleman came to his stable
booted and spirred, desired his horse mighk o
saddled and appeared to DO extremely 1mbkp
tient till it was done, when no YahIted ito
his saddle. and rode ont of the yard "a al
speed. Servants were Immediately dinpAteA.
ed into every part Of the surrounding 60.
try, but not single trace Of him cUtsa b
found; such person had not been sen kv
any one, nor has he since been heard a.