Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-08-22

stdi tcu IKE Tue Wluu III Cue wake vi tue
flying guide t o-aos
The strangers horse being much su-
perior to the others, the race was a
short one, and terminated by the guide
being nearly thrown from his saddle by
a heavy hand that was laid upon his
bride. stopping him. .s f7e
He turned in his seat, beheld the
strangers face, dark and frowning, and
tremtled violently as be felt the smooth
cold barrel of pistol pressed against
his cheek
"This cursed beast almost ran away
with me-" cried the guide, composing
himself as we'll as he could under the
circumstances.
Eyes, l know" said his companion
dryly, "but mark my word, young man
Iif your horse plays such tricks again,
he'll be the means of seriously injuring
his masters health"
They both turned and cantered back
to the road. When they reached it
again, and turned the heads of their an
imals in the right direction, the stran-
ger said to his guide, in tone which
must have convinced his hearer as to
his earnestness 9's 5s
snow, friend Wilhelm, 1 hope we
understand each other for the rest of
the journey. You are to continue on
ahead of me, in the right road, without
swerving to the right or left. If I see
you do anything suspicious, I will drive
a brace of bullets through you without
word of notice. Now push on.'
The guide had started as directed,
but it was evident from his mutterings
that be was alarmed at something be-
sides the action of his follower.
In the meantime the thunder had in
creased in violence, and the flashes of
lightning had become more vivid.
For mile the two horsemen rode on
in silence, the guide keeping up to bis
directions to the letter, while his follow
er watched his every movement as cat
would watch mouse.
Suddenly the guide stopped and looA-
ed behind him. Again be heard the
click Of the strangers pistol and saw
his uplifted arm.
"Have mercy, meinheer, he groaned,
dare not go on"
81 give you three seconds to co." re.
piled the stranger, sternly. Gone !'
"In heavens name spare me!' i'm
plored the guide, almost overpowered
with fear. "Look before you in the
road and you will not blame me-"
The stranger looked. At first he
saw something white standing motion
less in the center of the road, but pres
emily fash of lightning lit up, the
scene, and he saw that the figure was
indeed ghastly and frightful enough
looking to chill the blood in the veins
of even the bravest man. If his blood
chilled for moment, tharefore, it was
not through fear of his ghostly inter-
cepter, for the next instant he set his
teeth hard while he whispered between
them just loud enough to be heard by
his terror stricken guide:
"Be it man or devil-ride it down
I'll follow. Two p'
With cry of despair upon his lips
the guide urged his horse forward at
the top of his speed, quickly followed
by the stranger, who held his pistol
ready in his hand.
In another instant the guide would
have swept past the dreadful spot, but
at that instant the report of pistol
rang through the dark forest, and the
stranger heard horse gallop off through
the woods riderless.
Finding himself alone, the stranger
raised his pistol, took deliberate aim at
the ghostly murderer, and pressed his
finger upon the trigger.
The apparition approached quickly,
but in no hostile attitude. The stran.
ger stayed his hand. At length the
ghost addressed him in voice ANYTHING
but sepnlchral
"Here, Wilhelm, ye move out of yonr
perch this minute and give ME help
ing hand. I've hit the game while on
the wing, haven't I ?"
The stranger was nonplussed for
moment, but recovering himself he
muttered something unintelligible and
leaped to the ground. One word to
his horse and the noble animal stood
perfectly still. By the snow-white trap
pings on the would-be ghost, he was
next enabled to grope his way in the
dark toward that individual, whom be
found bending over the black mass
about the size of man, on the road.
As the tiger pounces upon his prey,
the stranger leaped upon the STOPPING
figure before him, and bore it to the
ground.
|. 81 arrest you in the Kings name,"
cried the stranger, grasping the prison
er by the throat, and holding him tight.
Stir hand or foot until l have you prop
erly secured, and I'll send your soul to
eternity"
This was such an unexpected turn of
affairs that the would-be ghost could
hardly believe his own senses, and was
handcuffed and stripped of his dagger
and pistol before he could find breath
to speak. @
fare you not my Wilhelm J" gasped
the prisoner.
"No, landlord" replied the individ-
Iual addressed, 81 am not. But am
an officer of the King, at your service,
on special duty, to do what have to-
night accomplished. Your precious