Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-03-09
OUR PHANTOM GUIDE

"Blest If | know" answered Hugh,
wading his way out of mudhnle and
shaking himself Ike hugh New
ioundland dog.
Gents, can guide YOU to a place
of shelter" said a deep, hollow voice
beside Us. We both sprang back, for
there, but few feet away. stood Il
horse and his rider. the dark mass
being partially disiinguishable from
the darkness OF the night around.
That horseman should be in Il
place where il was difficult for a pc ;.
estrian TO get a secure footing was
strange enough in all conscience, but
that he should have apparently risen
up among us without warning whatso-
ever was stranger still.
How did YOU ever steer your horse
down here :" queried in a tone that
| tried to make one OF surprised pleas
ure, but miserably failed in the al
tempt.
II have lived on the borders of this
moor all my lie replied the voice,
and my horse knows every foot OF the
way since he was foal."
This explanation was satisfactory
enough for men in desperate circum-
stances. Hugh and | thanked him
for his protfered services and request
ell him to lead the way We sought
to obtain a glimpse OF his features,
hut they were wrapped in the invul-
nerable gloom OF the night.
As he p >sed noticed that his
horse W. very tall one and that lis
eyes shone through the darkness like
the eyes of Il gigantic cat. but with
far more unearthy and ferocious light
than thar oi the docile grimalkin curl.
ed up before the fire, speculating pro-
foundly on the rise and fall of stock in
the rodent market.
The horseman rode short distance
in advance, holding in his beast occa-
sionally to enable us to catch up. 1t
was hard task To do 50. Til. rain
was decending in torrents. The wind
howled and whistled across the moor.
At every step We sank above our boot
tops and often almost to our knees.
a vivid flash of tightening shot
across our way. For an instant the
features of our mysterious guide and
the form of his steed were revealed.
He was half turned in his saddle and
was glancing back at where we were
tioundering behind. His face was
like the face of skeleton covered
over with tightly drawn skin. through
which two malicious eyes CLEANED with
Il vindicliveness that was startling in
its intensity. Over his foam and over
that OF his horse were cast some long
robes that looked like the trappings
Of Il funeral car, the horses head be-
ing also envcloped, save for two eve
lets, through which it surveyed us
with the blazing eyes of an unbroken
mustang. The rider wore a tall hat
like those worn by our foreiathers 100
years ago and with something tasten-
ed around the brim that could have
sworn was bow Of Grape
For Gods sake, stop, Hugh |
cried, holding his arm. Did YOU see
that fellows face do believe he is
no living man. Not Of our world
anyhow"
Hugh Mcclure was as practical Il
Scotchman as ever failed 10 appreciate
a joke or pass an examination in Ed
inburgh university.
Through the opaque night | could
feel his whitening glance of scorn as he
made answer, "If you want to talk OF
ghosts in the middle of this God for
saken spot in this heaven condemned
weather, YOU can do 50, Percy. but
you shan't have me for an audience =
and he forged on, calling to our
guide:
In the name of the first pilot, how
long will it be before you can steer us
to the world again p
The hollow voice came echoing
back
"One mile to the right is cottage
where we can find shelter. Come onr'
"A mile OF this y walled Hugh,
ooh, my sins have been many, but
what | suffer 10 night should atone ior
all -
We had. however, passed the worst
portion of our iourneying, and the
footing now became more secure.
Still the rain deccnded in sheets. aud
the wind blew with Il force that oft
times threatened 10 sweep us off our
feet.
Like far distant star we II, length
saw light ahead. II appeared, then
disappeared, then appeared again.
There is the cottage" said our
guide I'VE will reach il soon now. -
What u mean fellow mol to offer
us lift on his horse :" grumhled
Hugh. i certainly have enough
trouble To keep my own iooting not To
have to guide II horse over these bot
ton.less holes. but he might have been
civil enough to make the offer any.