The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-06-24

where you like.
"And look at that box" broke in the
Youngest child; ''who ever saw such a
box as that for a man to travel with.
He has no other baggage but that little
bit of box, and Just feel how heavy 1t
is.''
You're Just about right, young 'un,"
assented her father; sit amt got clothes
in it. 1t might be chock full OF sover-
eigns by the weight, and he's precious
sharp in looking after it, too" and he
glanced at a small but strong wooden
trunk that stood by the piano.
"And did you remark" said NINE
hostess, 'that he talked as if he had
learnt Dutch amongst the lowest Kaffres
rather than amongst the BoersT
YES" said her husband; "but he has
a queer foreign or affected way OF talk
ing as well. -
II believe he is a Colony Boer, and
has been working at the diamond fields,
and has been in very low company, mix
ing great deal with the Kaffres there.
You can see he is nasty sort of fellow, ="
said the wife; land that he is shamming
He did not expect to meet any one here
who could speak French, and so he
thought he could safely say he was a
Frenchman. You may depend on it
that he has got something he wants to
conceal"
With this we all retired to rest. My
bed was made up ON sofa in the sitting
room.
Early the next morning the so-called
Frenchman spanned his horses in, and,
placing his box under his seat, departed.
He had small Hottentot boy with him
as his only attendant. He was very
careful to ask his way, and very much
obliged for all the kindness he had re-
ceived. l babe my kind entertainers
goodbye shortly after, and resumed my
journey.
Not very long after this occurrence, l
happened to be paying flying visit to a
Boer family, whose farm was at no great
distance from one of the numerous roads
that lead to and from the diamond-felds,
| had arranged to pass the night at this
house, and we were rather alarge party,
as all the different members of the family
gathered in the common sitting-room.
Pipes ard coffee were in full swing, and
Sc was the ponderous conversation about
oxen and rates OF transport, diversified
with the puzzle-headed politics which
are common in Boer houses.
A diversion. however, was suddenly
caused by one of the youngsters saying,
apropos of nothing
Father, the spook is stillin the poort''
the ''spook'' meaning the ghost
"What?" | exclaimed upon which
the youngster repeated his remark, and
| learned that for some time past ghost
had haunted a certain poort through the
neighboring hills. He did not seem to
be visible ghost, but several of the
assembled company averred that they
had, on various nights, heard unearthly
noises in the pass, and that no horse
could be induced to go through it.
My curiosity was aroused, and | de-
clared my determination to go and inter-
view the spook if possible.
A BOer is not generally truly brave at
heart, but no man can enjoy seeing
what he considers bravery exhibited by
another more than a Boer does, hence
me by those assembled.
My horse was forthwith saddled, and
my host himself offered to show me the
way to the haunted poort.
The night was pitch dark; there was
not even a star to be seen through the
heavy canopy of clouds that overhung
us, and we could not attempt any pace
faster than walk; but my guide knew
the veldt well, and our nags were sure
footed and alive to the necessity of being
on the lookout for holes, so we got on
better than might have been expected,
until the hills, which at first seemed
like a black wall in front of us, began
to take shape, and heard the gurgling
of the river which made its way through
the poort. There was no road, only a
bridle-path but little used, and the horses
slipped and scrambled as they dipped to
the sharp descent which was to lead us
to the only ford, at the other side of
which a narrow and stony path wound
along through thick brushwood and
under overhanging rocks and trees.
At that moment most unearthly cry,
something between moan and Il yell,
rang through the silence of the night.
"You hear it!'' gasped my companion,
with difficulty mastering his horse, who
had swerved and tried to turn sharp
round. Il can go no farther!''
AT the same instant his horse wheeled
and in doing so struck mine The ami
NAL, already startled, reared, and when
| had mastered him | found myself
alone
Inow bethought me of what was to
do. My horse was thoroughly frightened,
and did not like the idea of forcing
him down the steep bank into the stony
bed of the river, only to have him pos
sibly still further terrified when his foot
ing would be insecure at the opposite
side. There was evidently something
mysterious about the cry, for it was not
the cry ofany wild beast, and thought
l should be likely to find my poor horse
rather in my way if wished to fathom
the mystery. | therefore determined to
take him little way back, and if could
not find the Boer who had accompanied
me to leave him to his own devices whilst
engaged in my adventure. hallooed
aloud, and presently heard response.
My friend had got long way off, but
after some very loud conversation, he
was induced to approach the dreaded
spot and take charge of my horse, He
told me that if was determined to go
on, he would fetch some of the men
from tho hOusat an1 thaf tbo,, ,,.a..l