The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-17
49,. !. .he roadside robbed Of every

! !gisg By 3 the roadside robbed Of every.
'n, " iindeed." calculated the stranger, look
ing abstractedly at the raisers 10 tne cell
inc. as though he was more intent upon
coSunting them than ne was interested in
the landlords story.
The inn-keeper looked at him in astonish-
ment. Such perfect GOODNESS he had not
witnessed for long time.
"You will remain, thenf" suggested
the landlord, after waiting some time for
his guest to speak.
GIT" cried the stranger, starting from
his fit Of abstraction as though he was not
sure that ne was the person addressed.
"Oh, most certainly not. I'm gong
straight ahead, ghost or no ghost TO-
night" - (,
Half an hour later the stranger ana
guide, called Wilhelm, were out on tne
road, going at pretty round pace to"afu
| Nanstadt.
During a flash of lightning the stranger
observed that his guide looked very uneasy
about something, and was slackening JUS
horses pace, as though he intendeo 70 oiop
/
lead on" cried the stranger "don''
be afraid" roa 4ho nor
son addressed. continuing to hold his horse
~ until he was now at least a length be-
hi,d his companion. My horse is cow
ardlv and manageable in thunder
storm. If you will go on, though, think
T can make him follow close enough to
point out the road.'
The stranger pulled up instantly. A
strange light cleaned in his eyes, while ms
hand sought his breast-pocket, from when
he drew something. The guide saw the
movement, and stopped. ;.
"Guides should lead, not follow" said
the stranger quietly, but with hrmness
which seemed to be exceedingly unplea-
SAINT to the person addressed.
"But," faltered the guide, "my horse
won't CO."
"Won't he ?" quericd the stranger, with
mock simplicity in his tone.
The guide heard sharp click, and saw
something CLEAN in his companions right
hand. He seemed to understand per.
fectly, for he Immediately drove his spurs
| into his horses TANKS and shot ahead o.
his companion without another word.
He no sooner reached his old position
however, than the stranger saw him give
sharp turn to the right and then disappear
as though he had vanished through the
foliage of the trees that skirted the road.
He heard the clatter Of his horse as he
galloped off. Without waiting another in
slant he touched his horse lightly with the
reins, gave him a prick with the roWels
and off the noble animal started like the
wind in the wake of the flying guide.
The strangers horse being much supe
rior to the other, the race was short one
and terminated by the guide being thrown
nearly from his saddle by heavy hand
which was laid upon his bride, stopping
him.
He turned in his seat, beheld the stran-
gers face, dark and frowniDg, and trem.
bled violently as he felt the smooth, cold
barrel of pistol pressed against his
cheek. .,
"This cursed beast almost ran away with
me,n cried the guide, composing himself as
we'll as he could under the circum-
stances.
eyes, 1 know, said my companion,
dryly. "but mark my words, young man,
if your horse plays such tricks again he'll
be the means Of seriously injuring his mas
ter's health"
They both turned, and cantered back to
the road. When they reached it again,
and turned the heads of their animals in
the right direction, the stranger said to his
guide, in tone which must have convinced
his hearers as to his earnestness:
"Now, friend Wilhelm, hope we un-
derstand each other for the rest of the
Journey. You are to continue on ahead
of me, in the right road, without swerving
either to the right or left. If 1 see you
do anything suspicious, will drive q
brace of bullets through you without
word of notice. Now push on"
The guide had started as directed, bu
it was evident from his muttering that be
was alarmed at something besides the
action Of his follower.
| In the mean time the thunder had in
creased its violence, and the flashes o
lightning had become more frequent ant
more binding.
For awhile the two horsemen rode on il
slence-the guide keeping up his direc
tions to the letter, while his followe
watched his every movement, as ca
would watch mouse.
Suddenly the guide stopped and looke'
behind him. Again he heard the click G
the strangers pistol and saw his uplifte'
arm.
"Have mercy, Meinheer," he groaned
81 dare not go on"
81 give you three seconds to go on" re
piled the stranger sternly: Gone ]"
SIN Heavens name, spare," implore
the guide, almost overpowered with fear
"look before ME in the road and you Wi
not blame me-"
The stranger looked. At first he SAY
something white standing motionless in tn
centre of the road, but presently flash {
lightning lit up the scene, and he saw tina
the white figure was indeed CHASTITY an
frightful enough looking to chill the bloc
A.