The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-03-13

ucISiUiiHs Al JOa VIII ~. oi, 1io
think l can make him follow close
enough to point out the road l' i
The stranger pulled up instantly. A
strange light cleaned in his eyes, while
his hand sought his breast pocket from
which he drew something. The guide
saw the movement, and stopped.
sGpides should lead not follow said
the stranger quietly, but with a firm
ness which seemed to be exceedingly
unpleasant to the person addressed.
'But,' faltered the guide, my horse
won't CO. ia asgatg t
asWon'the ?'queried the stranger, with
mock simplicity in his tone.
The guide head a sharp click, and
saw something CLEAN in his con'pan-
ions right hand. He seemed to under
stand perfectly, for he Immediately
drove his spurs into his horses ianks
and shot ahead of his companion with
out another word. say =
He no soonerreached 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
instant he touched his horse lightly
with the reins, gave him 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 su-
perior to the other, the race was short
one, and terminated by the guide being
thrown nearly from his saddle by a
heavy hand which was laid upon his
bride, stopping him,
He turned in his seat, beheld the
strangers face, dark and frowning, and
tremblcd violently he felt the smooth,
cold barrel OF pistol pressed against
his cheek.
sThis cursed beast almost ran away
with me-, cried the guide, composing
himself as well as he could under the
circumstances.
Yes, 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 in
juring his masters health
They both turned and cantered back
to the road, When they reached it
again and turned the heads of their ami
mails in the right direction, the stran-
ger said to his guide, in a tone which
must have conyineedhis hearers as to
his earnestness.
Now, friend Wilhelm, 1 hope we un-
derstand each other for the rest of the
journey. You are to continue on head
of me, in the right road, without
swearing either to the right or left
If / see you do anything suspicious, I
will drive brace of bullets through you
without word of notice. Now push
on. fA = ~ o. 7h
The guide had started as directed,
but it was evident from his muttering
that he was alarmed at something be-
sides the action OF his follower.
In the meantime the thunder had in
creased its violence, and the flashes of
lightning had become more frequent
and more binding. -.
For awhile the two horsemen rode on
in silence-the guide keeping up his
directions to the letter, whilel his fol-
lower watched his every movement, US
cat would watch mouse. euss
Suddenly the guide stopped and look
ed behind him. Again he heard the
click of the strangers pistol and saw
his uplifted arm. a.s5 5
Have mercy, Meinheer,' he groaned,
Il dare not so OBJ ~
4 give you three seconds to go on,
replied the stranger; 'Oae j
in Heaven S name, spare .mplored
the guide, almost overpowered with
fear; 'look before me in the road and
you will not blame me-
The stranger looked. At first he
saw something white standing motion
less in the centre ofthe road, but pre-
sently flash OF lightning lit up the
scene, and he saw that the white figure
was indeed ghastly and frightful enough
looking to chill the, blood in the veins
of even the bravest man. 1t his blooc
chilled tor moment, therefore, it was
not through any fear that he felt for bis
ghostly interceptor, for the next instant
he set his teeth hard while he whispered
them just loud enough to be heard by
his terror-stricken guide !: st
BE it man or devil !-rlde it down
I'll follow. Two y
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 a pistol
rang through the forest, and the stran-
ger heard horse gallop offthrough the
woods riderless.
Finding himself alone, the stranger
raised his pistol, took deliberate aim at
the ghostly murder, and pressed his
finger upon the trigger. hss
L