The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-02-14

stopped also.
Guides should lead, not follow, said
the stranger, quietly, but with q firm
ness which seemed to be exceedingly
unpleasant to the person addressed.
But faltsred the guide, my horse
won't co.
Wont hep queried tho stranger,
with mock simplicity in his tone.
The guide heard q sharp click and
saw something CLEAN in his compan-
ions right hand. He seemed to un-
derstand perfectly, for he Immediate
ly drove spnrs into his horses aanks,
and shot ahead of his companion
without another word.
No sooner had he 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 of. Without waiting an
other instant, he tapped his horse
lightly with the reins, gave him q
prick with the rowels, and off the no.
BILE animal started like the wind in the
wake of the Aging guide.
The strangers horse being much su-
perior to the others, the race was q
short one, and terminated by tho guide
being nearly thrown from his saddle
by heavy hand that was laid upon
his bride, stopping him.
He turned in his seat, beheld the
strangers face, dark aud frowning,
and trembling violently as he felt the
smooth, cold barrel of pistol pressed
against his cheek.
This cursed beast almOs. ian away
with me- said the guide, composing
himself as best he could under the
circumstances.
sYes, know said his companion
dryly, 'but mark my words young
man, if your horse plays any such
tricks again, he will be the means of
seriously injuring bis masters health ,
They both turned and cantered back
10 the road. When they reached 1t
again and turned the heads of their
animals in the right direction, the
stranger said to his guide, in tone
that convinced his hearer as to his
earnestness:
Now, friend Wilhelm, I hope we
understand each other for the rest of
the journey. You are to continue on
ahead OF me, in the right road, with
out swerving to the right or left. Ill
see you do nything suspicious, will
drive brace of bullets into you with
out moments notice. Now, push
on.
The guide had started as directed,
bat it was evident from his mutterings
that he was alarmed at something be-
sides the action of his follower.
In the meantime the thunder had
increased it's violence, and the flashes
oflightning had become more frequent
and more binding.
For while the two horsemen rode
on in silence; the guide keeping up
his directions to the letter, while his
follower watched his every move
ment, as q good cat would watch for q
mouse.
Suddenly the guide stopped and
looked behind him. Again he heard
the click of the strangers pistol and
saw his uplifted arm.
'Have mercy, meinheer,' he groaaed,
Il dare not 60 on
Il give you three seconds to go on
replied the stranger, steadily. sOne!'
sIn heayen's name. spare,' implored
the guide, almost oyerpowered with
fear. Look before me in the road,
and you will not blame me-
Tho stranger looked. AT frat he
| saw something white standing motion
less in the center of the road, but
presently a fash of oflightning lit up the
scene, aud he saw that the white figure
was indeed CHASTITY and frightfnl
enough looking to chill tine blood in
the veins of even the bravest man. 1t
his blood chilled for . moment, there.
fore. it was not through any fear for
his ghostly intercepter, for the next
instant he set his teeth hard, while he
whispered through them just loud
enough to be heard by his terror
stricken companion:
BE it man or devil-ride it down
I'll follow. TwoP
With a cry of despair upon his lips,
the guide urged his horse forward at
the top of his speed, quickly followed
by the stranger, who had his pistol
ready in his hand.
would kave swept past the dreadful
spot, but at that instant the report Of a
pistol rang through the dark forest,
and he heard a horse gallOp off through
the woods riderless. 81
Finding himself alone, the stranger
raised his pistol, took deliberate aim
at the ghos.ly murderer, and pressed
his finger upon the trigger.
The apparitiOn approached quickly,
but in no hostile attitude, the stranger
stayed his hand. AT length the ghost
| addressed him in voice that was any
thing but sepulchral:
Here, Wilhelm, ye move out Of yer
perch this minute and give me help
lug hand. I've hit the game while on
the wing, haven't I!'
The stranger was nOnplussed for q
moment, but recovering himself he
grumbled something uninteliigible.
and leaped to the ground. One word
to his horse, and the brave animal
stood perfectly still. By the snow
white trappings on the would-bs