The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-04

agreed Murphy, casting an uneasy glance over his shoulder as he spoke.
 Well, true or false, for one thought little enough of them when was young through the Devils Panniken on the 3Ist of October, that special night I'm going to tell you of wasn't alone either; perhaps if had been, shouldn't have felt so jolly for, not to speak of the loneliness of the place, with its great black rocks towering up on either side of yon, and almost shutting out the sky, except for narrow strip overhead, the place had an ill-name both with the In- juns and with miners. Many queer tale was told round the camp-fres, and folks said the place was haunted that miners had lost their way there many a time, and had never been seen or heard of again.
 had been working all that season at a claim-a new un then, h;. worked out and forgotten now-which we used to call Cherokee Dicks, because Cherokee In- jun first showed us the place. There was perhaps dozen of us all told: but chummed and worked from the first along with chap they called the Flying Dutchm ,n' When we had been together goodish bit, he told me his real name was Cornelius Vermudyn; and ac- quainted him with mine and where hailed from. He was Dutchman, sure enough, but had travelled half over the world, used to think from his talk: and he could speak as good English as you or me-or any here"
 A dubious smile hovered for an in- stant on Gentleman Jacks lips at this naive statement. but nobody observed him they were all intent on Old Grizzly and his yarn, and that worthy continued {: We began to find our claim about cleaned out, and we-that's me and Yer mudyn-reckoned to make tracks before the winter, and get down 'Friseo-way. Well, we each had good horse and a nice bit of gold, and we was sworn mates come what might-so we started, riding as far as we could by day and camping out at night, if we weren't able to reach a settlement or diggings by nightfall.
 On this night it seemed as if we'd DO luck from the beginning. We lost our way for a goodish bit, and were some time finding the track again: after that, night seemed to ccme on us suddenly like. Wed rode and rode that day with out ever a sign of man or beast, and when VIC came to this place, Vermudyn says: This mus, be the f...or. Devil. Panniken, old boy had been almost falling asleep on my horses neck; but woke with start and answered all in a hurry: Of course it is.' It seemed somehow as if knew tha, place well, and began to ride on quickly.
 Stop" hollered Vermudyn, unless you want to lame your horse or break his knees among those rocks As he came up with me he put his hand on my arm and drew rein.
 Anyhow said, let's ge; out of this, and then we'll camp for the night. I'm as tired as dog, and can hardly stick in my saddle
 Why not camp here 2 said Yer. mudyn with laugh. Who's afraid.
 I'm motif that's what you mean answered but I'd rather camp outside
 ''' A good two miles of bad riding said he quietly. Why shouldn't we content ourselves with snug corner of the rocks, where we can shelter from the wind! As far as can make out. there's brush and litter enough for a fire, and we've got bait for our horses
 While he talked and argued grew more and more tired, exactly as if I had ridden hundred miles withou, drawing rein. It seemed then sas if didn't care what came next, so long as could roll myself up in my blanket and snocze. so l answered short enough: Have your own way. The place IS ours. reckon. as much as 1t is other folks
 The pixies and demons, you mean laughed Vermudyn. T know all the tales never fear. I dare wager we shall see nothing worse than our selves if we stop for month of Sundays. Did you ever hear he went on. of the 1 White Witch of the Panniken She should meet us hereabou,s, if all tales be 1 true. She waits for lonely travellers and i shows them gold in the rock where gold | never was in daylight; and if a man is for the gold's sake or hers. to spend the nigh, with her, he's never seen i or heard of in this world again. She | feasts him with the sight of big nuggets | and her own beauty, while she sucks his i hearts blood like the vampire and when | his body is drained to the las, drop. he | IS flung aside among the rocks or dropped i In some dark gully; and she comes back | to watch the road for a fresh prev
 I've heard of the White Witch | many a time; but never knew the rights | of the story until tonight said I. But witch or no witch, we'll have to stop the road grows harder, and my horse 1 seems to stumble at every step. It's SO | dark, too, can hardly see my hand be- fore my face; yet it seemed almost day light when we rode into the gorge
 '" The pair of us will be too many for the White Witch, anyhow said Yer mudyn. Too much human society don't agree with her ghos,ly constitu- tion.'
 "We had stopped together, and was just going to get of my horse, when Yer mudyn sang out in a hurry: I see light .-there to the left. Let's ride up. We may find a party forced to camp out like ourselves; or they may be lnluas