Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-09
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
THE BLACK HORSE
BY CHARLES SHEPPARD.

that steep cliff. Is it not a magnificent
sight to see that strange soldier and
that noble black horse dashing like a
meteor down the long columns Of
battle?
Let us look for moment into these
dense war clouds. Over this thick
hedge burst band Of American militia
men, their rude farmer coats stained
with blood, while, scattering their arms
by the way, they flee before that COM
pany of redcoat hirelingS who came
rushing forward. their solid front Of
bayonets cleaning in the battle light.
In this moment of their flight a horse
came crashing over the plains. The
unknown rider reinS his steed back on
his launches right in the path OF a
broad-shouldered militiaman.
Now, towards! Advance another
step and I'll strike you to the heart!
shouts the unknown, extending a pistol
in either hand. What! Are you
Americans, men, and fly before British
soldiers? Back again and face them
once more, or I myself will ride you
down."
This appeal Is not without its effect.
The militiaman turns. His comrades,
as if by one impulse, follow his example.
In one line, but 80 men in all, they
confront 30 sharp bayonets The Brit
ish advance.
Now upon the rebels-charge"
shouts the redcoat officer.
They spring forward at the same
bound. Look! Their bayonets almost
touch the muzzles of their rifles. At
this moment the voice of the unknown
rider is heard:
Now let them have it! Fire!"
A sound is heard, a smoke is seen.
Twenty Britons are down, some writh-
ing in death, some crawling along the
soil and some speeches. as stone. The
remaining 10 start back.
Club your rifles and charge them
home!" shouts the unknown.
| That black horse springs forward,
| followed by the militiamen. Then a
confused conflict, a cry for quarter,
and a vision of 20 farmers grouped
around the rider of the black horse
greeting him with cheers.
Thus it was all the day long. Wher-
| ever that black horse and his rider went
/ there followed victory. At last, toward
the setting of the sun, the crisis of the
conflict came. That fortress yonder on
BenniSs Heights must be won or the
American cause is lost!
That cliff is too steep-that death is
! JOO GET llc CdllIlOt pei
suade the men to advance. The Ameri-
cans have lost the field. Even Morgan
! that iron man among iron men, leans
on his rifle and deSpairS of the field.
But look yonder! In this moment
when all is dismay and horror, here
crashing on, come the black horse anC
his rider That rider bends upon hi:
Steed, his frenZied face covered with
sweat and dust an l blood. He lays hi:
hand upon that bold rif1eman's Shout
der and as though living fire had beer
poured into his veins seizeS his rifle anc
starts toward the rock.
And now look! Now hold your
breath as that black steed crashes W
that steep cliff. That steed quivers, HI
totterS, he fallS No, no! Still on
fortress! The rider turns his face anc
shouts:
come on, men of quebec! Conn
on"
That call is needless. Already tn,
bold rifiemen are on the rock. Nov
British cannon pour your fires and la.
your dead in tens and twenties on TIT
rock! Now, redcoat hirelings, shou
your battle cry If you can!
For look! There in the gate of thu
fortress as the smoke clears away stand
, the Dlack morse ana It's rlder. ina
steed falls dead, pierced by hundred
balls but his rider, as the British or.
for quarter, lifts up his voice and shout
afar to Horatio Gates, waiting yonde
in his tent:
Saratoga Is won!"
AS that cry goes up to Heaven h
| falls with his leg shattered by can
non ball. Who was the rider of tn
black horse? Do you not guess hi
, name?
r Then bend down and gaze on tina
shattered limb and you shall see tina
, It bears the mark of former wound
/ That wound was received in the sotrm
! ing of Quebec That rider of the blac
.heFse was Benedict Arneld!