, 1863-06-04
Legend Of The white HorSo.

IN the reign OF Queen Elizabeth, ihE0u1 ifeo.
boctef infested the isle Of Sheppey IN tie coda.s
81 Kent, and made frequent iheursicn. into the
interior Of the country; A noblemAn By birth,
and probably under sentence Of outlawrS, Be b.
trenched himself in bis stronghold, where be Do.
posted al the contributions which bis successful
levies on the travellers purses bad obtained. By
adopting the ofteD-pTactised ruse Of shoeing bic
horses feet the wrong way, Be frequently escaped
detection; and even when hoty pursued, the heet-
ness and sagacity Of the noble animal be rode
preserved him from bis enemies, and carried hin
toplaces 0f security. Thus the horse nearly rivaed
the fame Of is rider, whose exploits became 90 ne
quent and daring that the whole country rose up
against him, offering such large rewards for bic
apprehension, that 1t lehgth be found himself 80
closely beset III lis iSlEhd, that; hopeless q exif
cation or relief, be was compelled 70 surrender at
discretion, and to implOre the mercy Of Queen
Elizabeth, then on . visit on board the adniraFs
ship at the Great More. The Queen was not dis
inclined 70 show favor to man whose personal
valor determined perseverance, and iertility Of ~
source were qualities highly estimated 10 thos4
semicivilized times, and interested BY the elg e
ROMANCE that characterized bis adventures, olered
TO grant his life upon terms ii keeping with The
wild tenor Of bis lawless career These conditions
were, that be should swim three times round The
ship which the admiral commanded; and, should
be escape the perils incident to such trial, hn
sentence Of ou lhwry should be reversed, and .
general pardon extended 10 eli his offences. Gu.
Fiosity to zee the ieats Of tits celebrated horse ard
Q cRleHlStiOh Of the chances which, in all pFobaf
bility, would save the hangman his labor, and give
the Knight Of Sheppey q les ignoble death, pro.
bably induced the virgin Queen to make this pro
poeal to the daring freebooter. II was Instantly
mounted bis faithful steed, whose spirits be lnrg
GRATED with copious dFaught Of brandy. PlunRl
ihg dt Office into the foaming tide, the steed and
hOrseman swami gtllAhtly round the destined shipi
the second extraordinary evolution was performed
with equal bravery and resolution but, At the
third little more than the heads Of the horse and
its rider could be seen buieting with the welleink
waves, which seemed At every instant to threaten
their mutual annihilation. Stmining every nerve
and sinew to the utmost, the gallant animal eeased
not to struggle with the restless waves until fhe
last painful pilgrimage was eompleted. and biz
weary hooB rested on the solid shore. The plnc8
Of landing was wild and desolhte; lolly cliR
overhung the narrow beach, and concealed every
human habitation.
The moment the exhausted courser gained fri
footing On his parent earth, WitheTed and decrepit
bag, whose tangled elflochs and tattered weeds,
streaming 10 the wind, III concealed the hideou9
deiosmity of her sqnAlid form. started from t.
cumbent attitude, and raising the shriveled finger
With which she had traced unhallowod spells upon
the sand, shrieked out an ill-Omened prophecy,
Beware Of that horse r cried The bedam, with
. triumphant laugh Of malice. : Although hs
has now saved your lie, be shall Be The cana q
your DEATH" ggb1
@ThOa liest, aend Of mischiefF cried he
Knight Of sheppsyl Thus flsiit Thy predici
ton"
Actuated BY superstitious fears, the naturIl
ierociiy Of bis temper oEercame every sentiment
Of gratitude and election Hastily dismounting,
be plunged bis sword into the heart Of The painting
animal.
Restored TO the favor Of his sovereign, and per-
mitted the quiet enjoyment Of his lgotten wealth,
the Knight Of Sheppey lived iof several years ID
uninterrupted prosperity. One morning, anxious
to show friend the scene q his most wonderful
adventure, be descended 10 the beach, The Dkeleg
ton Of the Slaughtered hofAe beakhed bt The storms
Of successive winters still lay extended on tbs asd
Repeating the prophecy Of the witch, he spurnod
the head with his foot and severed Il IRON the BODY
BY the stroke At ffst ~ did h0l rsrtiyo that
10 the act small sharp bone had penetrated bis
buskins The wound was incohsi9erable and dis
regarded, but, becoming more serious, Il ended ii
modification which speedily carried him 70 bib
grave. .'e5
ancestors, and over them was mised q monumet.s
in which the rude sculptor Of the times attempted
to delineate his history. Il Is still to Be seen in
the church Of Minister A warrior clad IL amor
lies extended on the tomb, and at bis FEET Is a.
posted the head Of . horse. The yane o. the
Weathercoch on the church steeple Is likewise
formed Of . horses head which renders II proha-
ble that the story, though no doubt exaggerated
into the marvellous, had some foundation