The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-02-17

~
pened 10 your"
c cabin, and as l sprang from the sad
die, Jim pointed with trembling hand
10 the ground.
Here, look at this; YOU can see
the prints OF the ghostly horses
hoofS" said he, in a voice full OF ex
element Il was cleaning up things
in the cabin. when l suddenly heard
a noise on the outiide. i thought
you fellows had returned, and went
out O. doors u meet you. Horritied,
i sprang back; before me, on a horse,
nothing but skin and lones, vas a
man without a hat, with long black
hair. He sat holt upright in the
saddle: he had a thick black beard;
his :ace was ashen gray, and two
eyes, wide open, stared at me in a
CHASTITY way as only a spectre's can 1
wanted 10 cry out, but my tongue
seemed glued 70 my mouth felt
my hair standing on end. Then the
ghost turned his horse started of at
a gallop-l could plainly hear the
rattling OF the riders and the horses
bones"
Jim shuddered again at the remem
brance of the horrifying spectacle.
That was the same fellow that we
followed" cried Anderson; and l
could only agree with h III.
We then told Jim OF our adventure
and Quoted him by reasoning that
il could not have been a ghost, but
/ ~ In, rlu IN human hninn nnScihtu GnnAn
lunatic.
1t was my custom before going TO
bed TO look after the horses. | left
the hut that evening as usual, but
hardly had l taken a few steps, when
suddenly / stopped as though my feet
were root d 10 the ground
Directly in front Of me, in the
bright moonlight, stood the same
ghostly rider. His long black hair
hung loosely round a CHASTITY face.
The eyes were sunk deep in their
sockets. The mouth was wide open,
and the glimmer OF the white teeth
could be seen behind the black beard:
in his left hand he held the reins,
while the right hung Imply by his
side. He sat in the saddle as though
hewn out OF stone, without the slight
est motion.
l had the same feeling as Jim. l
wanted TO cry out, nut could rot;
only a hoarse whisper came from my
throat, instinctively, my hand sought
the revolver at my side. l slowly
raised my siY-shooter and covered the
frightful apparition. Then | found
my voice.
"Who are you? Answer or I'll
shoot" | said.
At the sound OF my voice the
horse, which consisted of nothing but
skin and bones, jumped TO one side,
and both horse and rider went of at
a breakneck gallop, the bullets which
/ sent after them taking no effect.
l distinctly heard the peculiar rattle
OF which jim had spoken and which
gradually grew DINNER and DINNER.
until nothing could be distinguished
but the far-off clatter Of horses hoofs
on the rocky ground.
NV heart vas beating violently as
/ re entered the hut.
Not n OF us closed an eye that
night. / tossed TO and fro, in vain
specializing what was TO be done il
the uncanny thing reappeared. When
at last morning dawned, l resolved
10 ride over To the trappers at the
creek and get their ad vice.
Soon after sunrise started, and
after two hours ride saw the shanty
of my friends some little distance
n hnnH FNhnxy ~ II, m pannt tnn -tfn
thei: guns in their hands ready to
shoot.
Lucky for you that our eyes are
accustomed To long range and that
the air is clear to-day, else either you
or your horse would have a bullet
between his bones now, said the
elder OF the two trappers, as |
reached them, holding out his hand
in friendly greeting.
That's So, " &C u esced the other,
also shaking hands, but with a solemn
air Charley is right. We were ready
TO shoot, bat luckily saw our mistake
in time.
Since yesterday we have been on
the watch. We've been fooled long
NiiOblb oiiN iItdh W many ai NV ~
this Internal nonsense" said the first
trapper.
HAS a singular-looking rider also
paid you a v sit9" ] cried eagerly.
The friends looked at each other in
astonishment
''Do you know the beggar::" asked
Jack quickly.
II don't know him, but il is on his
account that I'm here" And l re-
lated our adventure, to which both
listened ~attentively.'
mo doubt, it's the same fellow
who got the best OF US, y said Charley,
shaking his head. DAY before yes
terday we saw him for the first t me.
He took no notice Of us aud seemed
To be deaf TO our shouts. About
neon he and his miserable old horse
stood there just opposite our shanty.
Halo, what do you want ! called
nut. No answer. A ninute after
1871 - " ~. nw.uan,