The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-01-31
A.. WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 81. 1894.

taken a few steps, when suddenly ] stop
ped as though my feet were rooted to th'
ground.
Directly in front of me, in the brigh
moonlight, stood the same ghOstly rider
His long black hair hung loosely around
ghastly face. The eyes were sunk deeI
in their sockets. The mouth was wide
open and the thinner of white teeth
could be seen behind the black beard
in his left hand be held the rein while
the right hung Imply by his side. lii
sat in the saddle as though hewn out o
stone, without the slightest emotion.
had the same feeling as jim. l want
ed to cry out, but could not; only I
hoarse whisper came from my throat
but instinctly my hand sought therevolv
er at my side. l slowly raised my six
shooter and covered the frightful appari
ton. 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 ant
bones, jumped to one side, and bott
horse and rider went off at a breaknecl
gallop, the bullets which l sent sftel
them taking no effect. distinctly hearC
the peculiar rattle of which Jim haC
spoken and which gradual grew DINNER
and DINNER, until nothing could be dis
distinguished but the far of clatter o
horses hoofs on the rocky ground.
My heart was beating violently as re
entered the hut.
Not one of US closed an eye that night.
1 tossed to and fro, in vain specializing
what was to be done if the uneanny
thing reappeared. When at last morn
ing dawned, | resolved 70 rile over tc
the trappers at the creek and get theil
advice.
Soon after sunrise l started, and after
two hours ride saw the shanty of any
friends at some little distance ahead.
They came to meet me with their guns
in their hands u shoot.
''Lucky for you that our eyes are ac-
customed 10 long range and that the ali
is clear to-day, else either you or your
horse would have bullet between his
bones now" said the elder of the two
trappers, as / reached them holding cut
his hand in friendly greeting.
That's so, acquiesced the other, also
shaking hands, but with very solemn
air. Charley is right. We were ready
TO shoot, out luckily saw our mistake in
time"
"Since yesterday We have been on the
watch. We've been fooled long enough,
and mean to make an end TO this Internal
nonsense sAid the first trapper.
HAS a singalar-lOOking rider also paid
you visit?" 1 cried eagerly.
The friends looked at each other in
astonishment.
"DO you know the beggAr?" asked
JACK quickly.
Il don't know him, bet il is on his ac-
count that I'm here" And | related our
adventure, to which both listened atten-
lively.
NO doubt. it's the same tellow who
got the best of us, )" said Charley shaking
his head. Day before yesterday We
saw him for the first time. He took no
notice Of US and seemed to be deaf 10 our
shouts. About noon lie and his misera-
bic old horse stood there, just opposite
our shanty. Halo, what do you want ?
called out No answer. A minute af-
terxards he was gone. In the evening
he drew ruin up there on the hill again.
Is he wouldn't answer ine. L lost patience
and got out my shooter, but before l
could raise it, the fellow again disappear
ed. But I'm not going to be fooled to-day.
I'll send a bullet through him or MS
horse"
l willingly accepted the trappers' inyi-
tation to stay Sith them during the day.
Oar conversation turned almost exclu-
siyely on the mysterious stranger. In
the afternoon accompanied them TO
their traps, and while they were setting
them l walked up and down with my
gun in my hand. We had resolved, as
s1on as the rider should Teappear, to
shoot his horse, and in that way get this
creature into our hands.
The day was drawing to close and
the peaks OF the mountains were dyed in
the sunlight.
The fellow has a notion we're going
for him" said Jack. Il shouldn't be sor-
~ if he slipped by US now, for Pm anx-
ious to see what sort Of"
He stopped Suddenly and the words
seemed as iffrozen to his lips as he stood
staring at the rocks opposite the hut
There, on the top Of the hills, clearly
outlined against the led sky, WAS the
ghostIy rider. also stood staring, spell
bound, at the spparition. Then a shot
rang out, and the horse fell forwards.
"Come on, and don't let the fellow
crawl from under and get out" cried
Charley with the smoking gun still in
hand, and pulling the revOlvers from our
belts, We all scurriad over the frozen
creek than ran in front of the shanty,
aud up the decliyily.
Jack Was the first to reach the top.
With one bouGd he stood next to the
rider, who lay mOtiOnless on the quiyer-
ing hcrse, Of which he was still as.ride.
"Hold him" yelled Caarley, wish
whom vas close on Jacks heel.
"It's not necessary" slii Jack bewil-
dered, "for you've shot the beygar dead"
Nonsense" said Charley sngrily.
Il know exactly where my bullet hit. l
aimed at the horses left eye" he added.
There il is"
Meanwhile Jack was examining the
idsr closely.
"What's this?' be cried astonishei.
THE fellow is bounl fast 70 the horse
look here-eTen with chain" Horrifsd
he sprang back. Look! Toe man has
a mark around his neck. Great Go1i
he's been han ging-been lashed to the
horse, and the poor beast has been car
rying around lifeless burden"
Filled with astonishment and horror,
we saw that Jacks suspicions admitted
of no doubt. The rope had snnk dsep
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