"Luckily, the king had quitted the castle, but they felt certain they
should be dismissed on his return, if not more severely punished. At
last, after taking counsel together, they resolved to consult Urswick,
who they doubted not could remove the spell. Accordingly, they went to
Bagshot Heath, and related their story to him. When they had done, he
said, 'The curse of Herne's blood is upon you, and can only be removed
in one way. As you return to the castle, go to the tree on which he
destroyed himself, and you may learn how to act.'
"The keepers would have questioned him further, but he refused to
answer, and dismissed them.
"The shades of evening had fallen as they quitted Bagshot; and it was
midnight as they entered the home park, and proceeded towards the
fatal oak. It was pitchy dark, and they could only distinguish the tree
by its white, scathed trunk. All at once, a blue flame, like a will-o'-the-
wisp, appeared, flitted thrice round the tree, and then remained
stationary, its light falling upon a figure in a wild garb, with a rusty
chain hanging from its left arm, and an antlered helm upon its head.
They knew it to be Herne, and instantly fell down before him, while a
burst of terrible laughter sounded in their ears.
Pages:
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363