The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02
AARON in THE Wild WOODS.
The Story Of q Southern
Swamp.
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
Copyright. 1897. ov Joel Chandler Harrt,.
XIII.
XIII.
THE APPARITIoN THE FOX HUNTERS SAW.

sport OF fox hunting. They used no guns. but
pursued Rcynard with horse and hound In
the English fashion. The foxes In that region
were mostly gray. but tho red ones had begun tc
come in. and as they camo the grays began &c
pack mp their belongings las the saying isl and
seek homes elsewhere.
The Turner old fields. not far from the A5cr
crombio place, and still closer to tho Swamp
were famous for their f~oxes-nrst for the grays
and afterward for the reds. There seemed to
be somc attraction for them in these old fields.
The scrub pines, growing thickly together, and
not higher than a mans waist, and the brier
patches scattered about, afforded a fine covert
for Mr.. Fox, gray or red, being shady and cool In
summer time, and sheltered from tho cold win.
ter winds. And IL 1t was fine for Mr.. Fox 1t was
finer for the birds; for here Mrs. Partridge
could lead her brood in safety out Of sight of
Man. and hero tho sparrows and smaller birds
were safe from the blue Falcon, she of the keen
eye and swift wing.
And Mr.. Fox was as cunning as his nose was
sharp. He knew that tho bird that made its
home In the Turner old fields must roost low;
and what could be more convenient for Mr.. Fox
than that-especiaIly Mt the dead hours of night
when he went creeping around as noiselessly as
a shadow. pretending that he wanted to whisper
n secret in their earsi Indeed that was the main
reason why Mr.. Fox lived in the Turner old
hciun, VI went tncTc hU night, LOT ne was no tree
climber. And SO 1t came to pass that when those
who were fond OF fox hunting wanted to indulge
in that sport they rose before dawn and went
straight to the Turner old fields.
Now, when George Gossett and his patrolling
companions ceased for n time to go frolicking
about the country at night on the plea that they
were looking after the safety OF the plantations,
they concluded that it would be good for their
health and spirits to so fox hunting occasionally.
Each had two or three hounds to brag on, SO that
when all the dogs were brought together they
made a pack Of more than respectable size.
One Sunday, when the fall was fairly ad.
vanced, the cir being crisp and bracing and the
mornings frosty. these young men met at a
church and arranged TO inaugurate the fox hunt.
ing season the next morning. They were to go
home, get their dogs, and meet at Gossctt's, his
plantation lying nearest to the Turner old fields.
This programme was duly carried out. The
young men stayed all night with George
Gossett. ate breakfast before daybreak. and
started for the Turner old fields. AS they set
out a question arose whether they should go
through the Abercrombie place-the nearest
way-or whether they should go around by the
road. The darkness OF night was still over wood
and field. but there was a suggestion OF gray in
the east; II the hunting party had been com.
posed only OF those who had been in the habit of
patrol!ing with George Gossett, prompt choice
would have been made of the public road: but
soNhS No'oSNt hou IhNlltl al acquaintance
from another settlement to Join them-a gentle
man who had reached the years OF maturity, but
VINO was vigorous enough TO enjoy a cross-coun-
Thi? gentleman had been told Of the strange
pasture LOT. some OF the details had been sup
pressed: For one thing. the Young men had not
ened. They s sim told hiu him men eno nni of to a aT;Sn.,
his cn5iosity: When. therefore. the choice of
routes lay between the pubic road and the short
tlenian. was eager to go by way of the pasture
where his young friends had beheld the wonder
ful vision that has already been described.
matter. he rallied them smartly on their
going the nearest way. George Gossett. who
had no lack Of mere. physical courage. CON
close behind him. Dat none OF them except
the gentleman who WAS moved by curiosity. and
S %ns t' riai's to M ihe FFyfiIIsITy Of ' stili H fons to b 5Gsi
any stomach for The journey through the pas.
tire ti, for not even George Gossett desired 10 in:
through which they had passed on that memoir
AS they came to the double gates. the young
man who had insisted that Timolcon was
Beelzebub concluded 10 leave an avenue by
rode forward. dismounted. and opened the
gates; Then he made a great p%rctcnce of shut
stead: This operation left him somcS'iint be-
hind his companions, MS he intended 4 should.
and run for it il he heard any commotion ahead
OF him. In that event the delay he purposcly
maze WOnlu leave MIN nearest the IatcS,
Seeing that the young man did not como up as
quickly as he should have done. George Gossctt,
in whom the spirit OF mischief had no long
their horses and give their companion a scare.
This suggestion was promptly acted on. The
commotion his companions made caused the
young man to pause n moment before putting
spur to his horse to ~reioin them. This delay
placed several hundred yards between him and
the party with Gosse,t. He realized this as he
rode after them, but was consoled by the fact
that. in the event of any trouble, he had a better
Opportunity TO escape than they did.
But he had hardly gone dfty yards from the
in that direction. lie half turned in his saddle
and looked behind him. The vague gray Of the
mGirning h%d h ,So 50 inextricably mixed and
such light as there was seemed to blur the vision
rather than aid i; But when the young man
turned in his saddle he saw enough TO convince
him that he was likely to have company in his
ride after his companions;
into a more, rapid gait. he wanted TO see what
u might he that was now so vaguely outlined.
black and shapc!css mass, which seemed to be
following him. He could see that it was moving
so dim and gave such shod ! sy' shape frnS " gwen wt to
objects close ~ hand that he found 1t impossible
So he settled himself firmly nj s"i in the ms sadie iddfs.
clapped spurs to his horse, and rode after his
companions. He looked around occasionally, but
Inc black mass was. always nearer. The faster
Each time he looked back his alarm rose
looked: At last his alarm grew to such proper
tions that he ceased to look back. but addressed
himself entirely to tho work OF urging his horse
to higher speed. Presently he heard quick,
fierce shorts on his right. and his eye caught
sight OF the Thing. Its course was parallel with
his own. and not more than twenty yards away.
He saw enough for his alarm TO rise 10 the
height OF terror. He saw something that had
the head and feet OF "a black horse, but the body
was wanting. No! There was n body and a
rider, but the rider wore n long, pale gray robe.
and he was headless! II this was tho Black
Demon that the young man had seen in this pas
ture on n former occasion, he was now more ter
rible than ever, guided by q headlcss rider!
The Young man would have checked his horse.
hut the effort was in vain. Tho horse had eyes.
lie also had seen the Thing, and had swcrved
away from II, but he was too frightened 10 pay
any attention TO bit or rein. The Black Thing
was going faster than the frightened horse, and
II soon drew away. the pale, gray robe OF the rider
fnttcring about like n fierce signal OF warning.
The young mans horse was soon under control.
and in a few minutes he anne up with his com
panions. He found them huddled together like
80 many sheep. this manruyrc having been in
stinctivcly made by the horses. The dogs, too.
were acting quecrly.
The men appeared to be somewhat surprised
40 can thntr ,n.,t ,.,.,. ,llnytI 80, a.