The swiftness with which they rode was too great for mortal endurance, coupled with the fatigue which the Bohemian monarch had already experienced. His eyes waxed dim, and the rapid and loud pulsations of the horses' hoofs sank less shrilly and distinctly on his ear. He breathed thickly and heavily; his lips were black and parched. He ceased, at length, to see or to hear; he ceased even to be sensible to the dismal jolts on the crupper, which had hitherto so much annoyed him. Yet, at intervals, his senses were, for a moment, aroused by the fearful bark of the hounds, and the rushing voice of his companion, reiterating the fatal word, as a new victim was added to his burden.

At length, he was sensible of the cold night breeze whistling around him, and slowly recovered from his lethargy. His steed moved smoothly along, over a path which seemed to be of the closest and most even turf. He looked aroundthe night was dark and chill;-two or three lonely stars seemed shivering mournfully in the sky. The Black was visible by his side, in a dim outline. The load he carried was fearfully increased.

The king mustered up all his courage. "Wretch that thou art!" he exclaimed," whither are we going, and wherefore?"

"Thou wilt presently know." "Tell me, then, who thou art." "I have already told thee. I am Reichter Brand; by some, I am called the Swift Riderby some, the Red Huntsman-by none aright!" "Tell me, then, that right name by which I may call thee."

"For why? Thou seest yon dim stars-yon dimmer hills-dost thou not?"

"The stars I see-the hills, hardly."

"Enough! The earth we ride on-it is fine, is it not?"

"So it seems ;-but what is this to the purpose?"

"Listen!-Hearest thou the roar of the cata

ract?"

"I do ;-but, once again"

"Peace! The stars should drop from yon sky -the hills should be rent-the firm ground be shaken to its original atoms-the cataract should stay in the midst of its fall, to hear-though but in a whisper, too light for thine ears to catchthe name of him that rides by thee! Peace!— the Red Huntsman rides with thee. Ply whip and spur, our course is scarcely half done."

At every word the blood of the Bohemian king ran colder and colder. "Would," said he, "that my vow were unbroken!-and, oh! would that my saddle were stuffed with somewhat softer material!"

On a sudden, the king discerned, through the gloom, not half a bow-shot from them, a seemingly perpendicular rock. "Stay-stay!" he cried, "we shall be dashed to pieces against"

As he spoke, his horse sprung forward into .the solid rock, as if it had been the unresisting air. Two bounds more, and they stopped, with a suddenness that threw the monarch from his seat. He sprung to his feet;-for awhile his eyes were dazzled.

He found himself in a cave of vast dimensions. Its sides and lofty arch were decked with sta

lactites, that flamed like the diamonds of the east. In the centre of this strange apartment stood a table, furnished with costly dishes and loads of food. Around it were placed twenty and one stools-nineteen of which were occupied.

The company were habited in the garb of huntsmen. They rose to receive him, and the president pointed to one of the vacant seats. The king took it; and his companion, tossing his burden from his left shoulder, sat down on the other.

"Eat!" said the Black, helping the king to a slice of venison, "or drink!”—handing him a flagon.

"It is too new," said the king, as he replaced the vessel on the table.

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"Better shall be got," said the president; Iwe have waited long to fill our number, and shall not grudge the best bin to a welcome comer. But eat!-thou must, perforce, hunger, after such a ride."

"I thirst more," said the king, recurring to the flagon. Then, seizing his hunting knife, he applied himself to the repast. It was delicious; and the king forgot, for a time, all that had passed. At length his appetite was satisfied. He rose from his seat, and approached a fire, which blazed from a pile of logs,-when his eye rested, for a moment, on the load which Reichter had cast down. He shuddered, and looked, with a horrid suspicion, at the dishes he had quitted.

"Fear nothing," said the president, "thou hast eaten, in truth, the flesh of deer. The game thou loathest so we keep for our betters."

The king was satisfied. But soon he grew sad. "What do here," thought he, " with beings whose natures I dare not guess? Oh, Bohemia !-Oh, palace of Prague !—when shall I revisit ye?"

"Never," said a voice, in a whisper that thrilled through his frame. He started,-turned, and beheld the president, standing by him,—a tall thin man, worn with time, and pale as death. "How," exclaimed the king, "remain here for ever!"

"For ever. Yet, there is one condition to which all who come hither are entitled, ere the cavern's walls are sealed for ever."

"What, what is it, for heaven's"

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"Peace!" interrupted the conjoint voices of all around. Speak not the word again or perish!" "Listen!" continued the president. "Thou

shalt mount again;-Reichter Brand, thy friend, shall ride away-thou shalt follow. If, in four and twenty hours, thou canst overtake him,thou art free."

“I would willingly delay for a day this trial," returned the monarch, "especially if the roads are rough in this country."

"Not an hour!-not a minute!-See, thy friend is mounted!-Away, Reichter!-mount thee, king, and follow!"

As he spoke, the Black sprung through the side of the cavern as they had entered. The king was not slow in mounting;-not a moment, and he was again galloping in the midst of darkness, tracking Reichter by the sound of his horse's hoofs. Indeed, the latter seemed disposed to

yield him every advantage; for, ever and anon, he laughed aloud, and the laugh directed the pursuer. Sometimes he turned his head; and the king saw his eyes gleaming, in the night, bluely and fearfully, like sepulchral fires.

Over hill, valley, and plain,-through stream and flood, the one fled, and the other pursued. Darkness fled, and day broke. The king found himself in a desert and uncultivated region. Above a mile before him, on the summit of a hill, he saw the accursed Black. He spurred his steed, he arrived at the summit of the hill. Beneath him lay the waves of a tranquil sea; in the middle of which he perceived the Black, whose horse bore him stoutly through the waters. The king did not hesitate a moment in following. He plunged into the sea, and urged the pursuit.

waves.

Suddenly, the sky darkened; the surface of the water began to crisp into a gentle foam; and the wind arose, with a low moaning voice. The storm was nigh-it came nearer and nearer, till it burst in its rage. The loud laugh of the Black rose above its fury, and directed his pursuer. A gallant vessel was beaten to and fro by the She stemmed their fury; when a flash of lightning kindled her, in a moment, from prow to stern. The king was near the vessel,-he saw the crew lower a boat, which was instantly filled. In a moment more he saw the Black, who spurred his horse into the overladen boat. It overturned; and the yell of agony was drowned again in the exultation of the destroyer. But, in glutting his appetite for death, Reichter had forgotten his pursuer. The monarch sprung forward, and

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