The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-06
A MYSTERIOUS HuRSEMAN.

: the present century. / was travelling frol
Bala, in Machynlleth, in the neighbour
county of Montgomery, in order to attend
religious meeting l left B la about p. II.
and travelled on horseback and alone. M,
journey lay through wild, desolate part Q
the country, and one which at that time wa
almost uninhabited When l had performed
about half my journey, as | was emergin:
from a wood situated at the commencement
OF long, steep decline. observed com
towards me man on foot BY his appear
ance, Judging by the sickle he carried
sheathed III straw over his shoulder, he was
Doubtless reaper in search OF employment
As he drew near, | recognized a man whom
had seen at the door of the village inn OF
Llanwhellyn, where had stopped to bait my
| horse.
On cur meeting, he touched his hat and
asked if I could tell him the time OF day. I
| pulled out my watch for the purpose noticing
| al the same time the peculiar look which the
man cast at its heavy silver case. Nothing
| else. however occurred to excite any sus-
picion on my part. 50, wishing him a good
afternoon ] continued my Journey
When had ridden about halfway down
the hill, noticed something moving, and in
the same direction as myself, on the other
side OF a large hedge, which ran nearly paral-
lel with the road and ultimately terminated
at gate through which I had to pass At
first | thought it an animal OF come kind or
other, but soon discovered by certain dopres-
sionS in the hedge that It was a uau running
in q STOPPING position.
| continued for short time to watch his
progress with some curiosity, but my curios-
ysoon changed to fear when | recognized the
reaper with whom l had conversed o few
minutes before, engaged i'll tearing off the
straw-band which sheathed his sickle. He
hurried on until he reached the gate, and
then concealed himself behind the hedge, |
within few yards OF the road.
did not then doubt for moment but that I
he had resolved to attack-perhaps murder
me for the sake of my watch and whatever
money / mieht have about me- | looked /
around III all directions, but not single lu-
man being could be seen, so, refining in nv
horse, | asked myself in alarm what | could I
10. Should | turn back? No; my business
was OF the utmost importance to the cause for
which was journeying, and as long as there
existed the taintest possibility Of getting
here, | could not think Of returning
Should / trust to the speed Of my horse
md endeavor to dash by the man at full
peea? No; for the gate through which h
lad to pass WAS not open. Could leave the
DAD and make my way through the fields I;
ouid not, for | was hemmed in by rocky
banks or high hedges On both sides. The
dea OF rlsking personal encounter could not
10 entertained for a moment, for what chance ,
ouid weak, and unarmed have against .
powerful man with dangerous weapon in his
and? What course, then, should pursue
could not tell; and at length, il despair |
ather than in q spirit of humble trust and /
onfdence, bowed my head and offered up I
lent prayer.
This had soothing effect upon nv mind. .
~ ,f. l,f.I, I
/ anew to consider the difficulties OF nv
osition. Al this juncture my horse growing
inpatient at the delay, started Off; [ clutched
le reins, which l had 1t fall on his neck,
" the purpose OF checking him, when hap
enln5 to turn my eyes, | saw to my utter as a
that was no longer alone There. =
Y my side, beheld lorseman in a dark $
ress, mounted on a white steed. In intense '
nazement gazed upon him; where could =,
J have come from? He appeared as sudden u
as II ho had sprung from the earth. lie {,
ust have been riding behind and overfaken =
e. And Yet [ hal not heard the slightest II
un'; t pas mysterious, inexplicabie. Bat -
G JOY Of being released from my perilous
'sition soon oyercame my feelings Of wor- ;"
r. ana at once began to addreS, my com L,
MON.
| asked him if he had seen any one, and d!
en- described to him what had .ken place, ~
d how relieved felt at his sudden appear
ce, which now removed all cause of fear. 80
be made no reply, and, on looking at his W
'e, he seemed paying but Slight attention 81
my words, but continued intently gazing pe
the direction OF the gate. now about a Il, II
arter Of q mile ahead. followed his gaze. II
saw tie reaper emerge from his conceal y,
mt and cut across field to our LETT, re- LII
.athlng his sickle as he hurried along. He IN
evidently seen was no longer alone, and liz
rtlinqulshed his intended attempt. Al IA
Is OF alarm being gone, ! once more sought IN
enter into conversation with my deliverer. c93t
again without the slightest success. Not ldt
ord did he deign to give me in reply. ! , 1ol
thued talking, however, as we road on ilS'
way toward the gate, though [ confessed Wy
lnS both surprised and hurt a. my com
lon's mysterious silence. Once however, aIt
only once, did hear bis voice. ,lol
LAYING watche the figure of the relner hoi
appear over the brow of a neighborino STU
, L turned to my companion and said re '
IN it for moment be doubted that nv ISM
yer was heard, and that you were sent to VII
dellverance by the Lordr" Then it was me
thought I heard the horseman speak, ,nrl
that he uttered the single word, "Amen. .he
another word did he give utterance to- NY
Ugh tried to elicit from him replies to oI
questions, both in English and Welsh. mere
were now approaching the gate, which ] ihci
ened to open, and having done SO with Cup
stick, waited at the side of the road for s $40
t. pass through; but he came not; 7 'ih'
ed my head to look the mysterious oi
eman was gone'-"-1 ppariion" A Narya- SOU tii
e faet$, by Tie Rec. Boaychief Hray 1
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