The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-13

fences, he felt abashed.
~.
Undisturbed by such reflections and
ignorant even of the history of the
building, Tom and his companions en-
tered and rapidly, but surely searched
it by the light of the moon which free
ly entered the great mullioned windows.
No trace of occupancy was found, ex-
cept that in one of the vestry rooms
was a lot of dried grass, which per-
haps some wayfarer had used as
temporary couch. The boys selected a
large pew near the center of the
church and made themselves as com
Portable as possible. One of them had
a watch which they frequently consult
ed. but at II o'clock no sound had come
to break the silence. A few moments
Thereafter, however, they heard a loud
noise on the outside, and running
to the door saw the old mule
rearing and plunging at the halter
which broke before they could inter-
fere and the animal rushed into the
road at a furious rate and for some
time the cart could be heard thunder
ing down the road in the direction of
home. The boys were indeed dismayed.
No cause was apparent to account for
the Generalization of the mule, and
he had been long considered as inca
pable of speed faster than walk. The
distance home was at least six miles,
and the prospect of an all night tramp
back was discouraging.
They returned to the pew and began
to gather the things they had brought
with them, when a sudden exclamation
uttered by one of them concentrated
the attention of all to scene none of
them will ever forget. In the direction
of the ruined chancel, and on the first
incline in front of it, stood a tall fig
ure enveloped in a flowing white sheet
or shroud, making slow motions to the
boys with its long arms. Low means of
fear arose from that pew, and then
and there were more fervent prayers
calculated in it than it ever knew in
all its pious history.
Toms voice was not in the chorus,
however, for as soon as he saw it he
turned to the figure. with his gun at
his shoulder, and loudly challenged it
to speak or he would shoot. No word
was given in reply, only another wave
of the arms, and Immediately the WIN
dows shook at the report Of the guI.
and the woods echoed the heavy sound.
Slowly the smoke lifted and then the
boys saw the figure standing in the
same place as before, unframed, while
a rattle behind them sounded as If the
buck-shot had been caught by it and
thrown over their heads.
Tom then called to the boys to charge
and they rushed forward close behind
their reckless leader. The figure re-
treated and quickly darted into the
vestry room and closed the door, and
when the boys hurled themselves
against 1t il was immovable and resist
ed all their efforts. Daunted but for a
moment, Tom and one of the boys
jumped through the nearest window to
the ground, intending to attack the
vestry room from the rear door behind
the church, but when they recovered
from the leap they perceived the fig
ure running silently but with incredi-
BILE swiftness towards a narrow creek
some fifty yards away, at right angles
TO the ridge upon which the church
stood. The boys followed as fast as
they were able but the creature soon
gained the bank of the stream and
plunged at full length into the water
and disappeared. The creek banks were
clean cut and, at this point, free from
underbrush and open to view in the
moonlight for many yards.
The boys watched the water
Tor half an hour for some
sign of the strange creature. but fail
ing to see anything rise they started
home completely mystified and yet ex-
ultant beyond expression at the result
or the supreme test their courage had
withstood. They had proceeded about
mile when they were met by a large
cavalcade from the town. who greeted
them with shouts, and forced them to
repeated recitals of their strange ad-
venture. 1t seems that the two boys
VINO ran home when frightened by the
OWL mad alarmed the town upon their
arrival, declaring that they had been
attacked in fha hxy a -
frightful demons. and that Tom and
his companions were in the greatest
danger. Lights had flashed from house
to cottage and soon a score of armed
men had set out for the rescue.
After hearing the story told by Tom
some of the men were in favor of
going on to the church that night 20
drag the creek for the body, but this
was deferred until the next day, when,
as may now be said, it was thoroughly
done without result. The boys were
duly praised for their bravery. and
the ghost was never heard of again,
the old stage road regaining its old
time popularity as a thoroughfare.
The mystery as to the individuality
of the ghost and it's disappearance re-
manned unsolved for years, until dur
ing great drought, the church creek
dried up entirely, and party of tour
ISIS happening to visit the church, saw
skull ana a few bones in the mud
at the bottom, which they caused to
be removed and decently buried in the
grave yard, and later it was known
that the records of the State Asylum
in Columbia showed that lunatic had
escaped in the summer of 1892, who
had been committed many years be-
fore from St. Luke's parish.
Doubtless, the poor unfortunate had
sought his old home, and for a while
had taken possession of the deserted
church. His death was probably a
happy release from a miserable exist
ence. Tom, by his poor marksman-
ship, excusable under the circum-
stances, had been spared the shedding
of the poor mans blood, and the rat
Ting noise heard by the boys wher
the gun was fired in the church was
no doubt caused by the falling of par
ticles of the ancient ceiling displaced
by the conclusion.