The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-07
THE Knight or ,heppey.

A id'IWuS fICcDoOtcI, Ill Iuc reign OF
Queen Elizabeth, infested the island of
Sheppey, and made frequent predatory ln-
cursions into the interior of Kent.
This daring marauder was represented
TO have been nobleman under the sentence
of outlawry, who cntrenchcd 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 practic d stratagem
Of shoeing his horses feet the contrary
way, he frequently escaped detection; and
even when hotly pursued, the feetness and
sagacity OF the noble animal he rode, pre-
served him from his enemies, and carried
him into place of safety.
Thus the fame of the horse nearly rival
led that Of It's rider, whose exploits at
length became 80 bold and frequent that
the country rose up against him; and find
ing himself too closely beset in his island to
hope for extrcntion, he was compelled to
surrender at discretion and to lmplore the
mercy of Queen Elizabeth, then being on
board the admiral's ship ut the More.
The Queen, 1t Is said, 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 to grant his life upon terms
in keeping with the wild tenor of his law
less career.
The conditions were, that he
shonld swim OH horseback three times
round the flag ship; and should he escape
the perils incident to such q trial, his sen.
tencc of outlawry should b. 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 copioIs 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 BRAY
cry.
At the third. little more than the heads
of tho hose and his rider could be Der.
ceived, buffelmg with the wcltering wavcs,
which seemed at every instant TO threaten
their instant annilation.
Straining every nerve and sinew to the
utmost, the gallant animal ceased not to
struggle with the interninablc 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 ovcrhung the narrow
beach, and concealed every human habi-
tation from view.
No friend or relation FASTENED to meet
the successful advcnturcr with coDgratula
tions Oh 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 it's parent
earth, withered and decrepid hag, whose
tangled elf locksand tattcrcd weeds, stream
ing in the wind, lll-concealcd the hidcous
deformity of her squalid form, started from
a recumbent attitude, and raising the shriv-
elcd finger with which she had traced un-
hnllowed spells upon the sand, shrlcked
out an i'll omened prophecy:
''Beware of that horsc Although he has
now saved your life, he shall be the cause
OF your DEATH"
''Tis false, tiend of mischief" cried the
brutal and supers titious knight; slhus I
falsify thy dark pvedlction;" and drawing
his sword, plunged it into the body of the
faithful animal, who fell dead upon the
beach.
ScVcral years OF uninterrupted prOspcri-
ty passed away; but at length being acci-
dentally led 10 lhe 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 derisivcly. and turning the head
with his foot, separated 1t from the body
by the stroke.
Hc did not perceive, that in the act n
small, sharp bone had penetrated his bus
kin; the wound was inconsiderablc and un-
guarded; but, becoming more serious, it
ended III modification, which speedily car
ricd him to his grave.