Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-07

A famous Freebooter, in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, infested the island of
Sheppey, and made frequent predatory IN
cursions into the interior of Kent.
This daring marauder was represented
TO have been nobleman under the sentence
of outlawry, who entrenched himself in a
stronghold which he possessed on the
island, where he despOsited all the con-
tributions which his successful ievies on
the purses of travellers had obtained.
BY adopting the often practicld stratagem
of shoeing his horses feet the contrary
way, he frequently escaped detection; and
even when hotly pursued, the fieetness and
sagacity OF the noble animal he rode, pre-
served him from his enemies, and carried
him into n place of safety.
Thus the fame of the horse nearly rival
led that of its rider, whose exploits at
length became so bold and frequent that
the country rose up against him; and find
ing himself too closely beset in his island TO
hope for eXtrication, he was compelled to
surrender at discretion and to mpore the
mercy of Queen Elizabeth, then being on
board the admirals ship at the More.
The Queen, it is sald, not disinclined to
show favor to man whose personal valOr.
determined perseverance, and fertility of
resource were interesting, on account of the
air of romance which characterised his ad-
ventures, offered 10 grant his life upon terms
in keeping with the wild tenor of his law
less career
The conditions were, that he
oh
round the flag ship and should he escape
the perils incident To such trial, his SEN
tence of outlawry should be- reversed and a
general pardon extended to all his offences
The knight of Sheppey agreed TO the
terms.
Armed at all points, he bestrode his ia
vorite companion whose spirit he invigor-
ated by copiols draughts of brandy, and
plunging at once into the foaming tide, the
steed and his master swan gallantly round
the flag ship.
The second extraordinary evolution was
also performed with equal skill and brav-
cry.
AT the third little more than the heads
of the horse and his rider could be per-
ceived, butfeung with the weltering waves,
which seemed at every instant TO threaten
their instant annilation.
Straining every nerve and sinew to the
utmost, the gallant animal ce lsed not TO
struggle with the interninable pillows until
the painful task was completed, and his
wearied limbs rested on the shore.
The place of landing was wild and desc
late; lofty cliff overhung the narrow
beach, and concealed every human habi-
tatiOn from view.
No friend or relation hasteued to meet
the successful adventurer with congratula-
tious on his safety, and no sound could be
heard, save the harsh croak of the raven
from his eyrie, answering the dull murmur
of the sweeping waves below.
But at the moment that the exhausted
charger gained a firm footing on its parent
earth, withered and decrepid hag, whose
tangled elf locks and tattered weeds stream
ing in the wind, lll-concealed the hidcous
deformlty of her squald form, started from
a recumbent attitude, and raising the shriv-
eled finger with which she had traced un-
hallowed spells upon the sand, shrleked
out an i'll omened prophecy:
''Beware of that horse! Although he has
uo" sdHeu your LIc, He Sudll NC lne cause
of your DEATH"
''Tis false, fiend of mischief" cried the
brutal and superstitious knight; ''thus |
falsity thy dark predlction;" and drawing
his sword plunged it into the body of the
faithful animal, who fell dead upon the
beach.
Several years of uninterrupted prosperi-
ty passed away; but at length being acci-
dentally led to the scene of his most extra
ordinary adventure, he pointed out to
friend the skeleton of the slaughtered
horse, which, bleached by successive
winters, still lay extended on the sand
Repeating the prophecy of the witch,
he laughed derisively. and turning the head
with his foot, separated it from the body
by the stroke.
He did not perceive, that in the act
SMALL sharp bone had penetrated his bus
kin; the wound was inconsiderable and un-
guarded; but, becoming more serious, it
ended in modification, which speedily car
ried him to his grave.