The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-04
GHOSTLY HORSENAN
OF The BIG HORN.
From lac New York Herald


for nearly a year
One day l was out hunting with Ander-
son Picket. We had Iust sighted an an
telope ana were occupied in stalking the
animal. when suddenly we heard the
nelghlng OF horse near US. Surprised
at such an unusual sound in neIghbor-
hool where very few human beings were
to De encountered we looked up and saw
hardly 800 PAGES from US. a rider whose
head was unco cred and his long hair
toa ing IN the wind that blew across the
nils De was a white faced, hagCard
man, mounted on thin horse
or few seconds he remained motion
less, and then disappeared as suddenly as
he had come.
"A highwayman," whispered Picket.
What should marauder be doing
herep replied, doubJfullY. For dis
lance of 800 or 400 miles no one, with the
exception of you, myself and the yrappers
upon the creek can be 70 md. Not sin
gle soul to hold up. Let US see who the
fellow is"
Quickly mounting our horses and drop
ping our game for the time being, we gal
Hoped up the hill, following the stranger,
who was slowly riding
TOWARD THE NORTH.
That animal hasn't had much fodder
or rest lately" laughed my companion.
IN WAGER he hasn't ten pounds of hesh on
his bonesn
I'D like to know who the man is and
what he is doing alone in these solitary
hills" said I, inquisi,ively. Come, Get
gait on the horse; let's get our game
and follow the fellow"
After acting upon this suggestion we
returned to the pursuit, and were hardly
a hundred PAGES behind him when /
shouted:
Hello, my man! Where are you bound
The horse turned his head toward us,
but the rider did not move, and immedi-
ate!y started off at breakneck gallop.
Although we were well mo lnted and en-
deayored to follow him, he soon disap-
peared in path thickly overgrown with
brushwood, We consequently lost scent
OF the fugitive, and my companion very
seusibly observed that we had better not
follow him, as he might easily blow out
our brains, under shelter Of the rocks or
hidden behind the brushwood, before we
were aware of his presence. We, there
fore, retraced our steps toward our cabin,
which we reached an hour later
My second companion, who, in conse-
quenCe of a slight wound, had remained
at home, came toward US in great excite
ment.
cried.
Heavens! man, what has happened?"
| asked anxiOusly
He was as white as a corpse and sighed
as if relieved when we reached him.
1T was awful, l tell you, awful In all
my life shall never forget what has
happened to me-"
Come along, stop your quaking, and
tell us what's wrong. Seen any suckers
1r a ghostf" said l smilingly, while An
1erson added impatiently
you've had visit, haven't youl A
on an old gray nag
How do you know thatl" stammered
Jim, quickly interrupting him. come
)ne was here, but it wasn't roadman.
IT WAS GHOST"
While he said this he shivered from
head to foot and looked around anxiously
on all sides.
Don't be fool" laughed. Tell us
4 straight story. What has happened TO
your"
Meanwhile we had reached the cabin,
and as / sprang from the saddle Jim
pointed with trembling hand to the
yround,
Here look at this; you can see the
prints of the ghostly horses hoofs," said
le in a voice full of excitement. II was
cleaning up things in the cabin when |
heard a noise outside / thought
you fellows had returned, and went out o
loors to meet you. Horrifed, | sprang
BACK; before me, on horse, nothing bat
skin and bones, was man without hat,
with long black hair. He sat bolt up
light in the saddle; he had thick black
leard his face was ashen gray; and two
yes, wide open, stared at me in a
chastity way, as only spector's can. !
wanted to cry out. but my tongue seemed
glued TO my mouth felt hair sanding
N end. Then the ghost turned his horse
0 I at a gallop-I could plainly
rear the rafting of the riders anu the
lorse's bones"
Jim shuddered again at the remem-
)rance of the horrifying spectacle
THAT was the same fellow that we fol-
owed." cried Anderson; and | could |
My agree with him.
We then told jim Of our adventure, and |
Iuieted him by reasoning thatit could not |
AVE been ghost, but simply human |
icing, possibly some lunatic
1t was ny custom before going to bed to |
Ook after the horses. ! left the hut that |
vening, as usual, bat hardly had l taken |
few steps, when suddenly stopped as |
hough my feet were
ROOTED TO THE GROUND.
Directly in front of me- in the bright |
moonlight. stood the same ghostlv rider |
lis long black hair hung loosely round |
hastily face. The eyes were sunk deep in !
heir soc let's. The mouth was wide open
nd the glimmcr OF the white teeth could
'e seen behind The black beard in his
eft hand he held the re MS, while the
light hung Imply by his side. He sat in
he saddle as though hewn out of stone,
Without the slightest motion.
had the same feeling as Jim. / wanted
o cry out, but could not only hoarse
whisper came from my throat, but, in
tin lively, my hand sought the revolv yer
/ my side. | slowly raised my six
hooLer and covered The frightiGl appari-
ion. Then | found my voice
who are youl Answer or I'll shoot"
said
At the sound of my voice the horse,
yhich consisted OF nothing but skin and
ones, jumped to one side, and boJn horse
nd rider went 0 ( aJ a breakne:k gallop.
he bullets which / sent after them
lking no effect / distinctly heard the
ocular rattle of which i'm had spoken,
nd which era iually grew DINNER and
INNER. I'm il noohing ould be dis in
uishcd out The far-Of clutter of horses
90 on the 70 ky ground.
My heart was OeatlnC violently as | re-
ntered the hut. Not one Of US closed an
ye that night. l tossed to ana tro in
ain, speCulating what was to be done IL
ne IN amy thing reappeared. When at
tst morning dawned, l resolved TO ride
yer TO the trappers at the creek and get
heir advice.