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

shouldn't be sorry II he slipped by Us
now. for I'm anxious 10 see what sort
Of"
He stopped suddenly, and the words
seemed as IL frozen 10 his lips as he
stood staring at the rocks opposite
the hut. There, on the top OF the
hills, clearly outlined against the red
sky, was the ghostly rider. ! also
stood staring, spell bound, at the APP
pIrition. Then a shot rang out and
the horse fell forward.
"Come on. and don't let the fellow
crawl from under and get out" cried
Charley, with the smoking gun still
in his hand, and pulling n revolvers
from Il belts we all scurried Ove
the frozen creek that ran in front OF
the shanty and up 10 the declivity.
Jack was the first 10 reach the top.
With one bound he stood next 10 the
rider, who lay motlonless on the
Q%uiveriug horse, OF which he was still
astride.
Hold him" yelled Charley, with
whom l was close on Jacks heels.
''it's not necessary" said Jack be-
wildered, ''for you've shot the beggar
dead"
Nonsense, said Charley angrily.
II know exactly where my bullet hit
1 aimed at the horses left eve" he
added. There II isn
Meanwhile Jack was examining
the rider closely.
What is this?" ne cried. aston.
ished. The fellow is bound fast 70
the horse-look here-eyen with o
chain" Horritied he sprang back.
Look, The mar has q mark around
his neck. Great God. he's been hang.
ing-he's been dashed TO the horse,
and the poor beast has been CARRYING
around a lifeless burden"
Filled with astonishment and nor.
ror we saw that Jacks suspicious ad
mitted OF no doubt The rope had
sunk deep into the mans muscular
throat and the knot was still at
tatched 10 it.
Charley then raised the dead mans
head.
why, it's Black Sam" he ex.
claimed. He was d wild fellow,
but he got his deserts. His gun was
always ready, and he has sent many
a good fellow 10 pass in his checks.
Who knows how long IL is that he
has been astride this horse? Corpses
do not decompose up here in the
mountains, but dry up; I've often
noticed that in dead animals" Shud-
dering, he turned away. The dead
...yL ks, ,.tInaA1 Enc ,.y
staring eyes, had a truly horrifying
appearance.
"Whatll we do with him." asked
Jack, after a short pause.
Charley considered a moment, then
answered. while he unfastened the
bands which tied the dead man 10
the dead horse.
Lend "a hand here, boys 1t is
our duty to give him a Christian
burial. Let's put him in the gully"
In a few moments the dead man
was released; Charley took him by
the shoulders, Jack and l by the legs.
and so we carried him TO the place
indicated, and by united efforts
o had a grave dug, In which he
was laid. After this had been filed
in we rolled stones and small rocks
over il TO prevent the wolves from
disturbing the dead.
1t was night before we had finished
our work. A solemn stiffness reigned
over all; nc sound was 70 be heard,
and with uncovered heads we uttered
a short prayer. God be merciful 10
this poor sinner" added Charley.
Then we silently returned to the
hut
We retired that night earlier than
usual. and even in my dreams the
ghostly rider appeared TO ne. ]
awoke several times bathed in per
splration, disturbed by the loud
howls piercing the stiffness OF the
night. Wolves were eagerly fighting
over the bones OF the dead horse.
Next day / returned home and re-
lated TO my astonished friends the
end OF the ghost rider, Home and
Country.