"Without heeding them further, the spirit darted round the tree, rattling
its chain, and uttering appalling imprecations. It then stopped, and
turning to the terrified beholders, bade them, in a hollow voice, bring
hounds and horses as for the chase on the following night and
vanished.
"Filled with dread, the keepers returned home, and the next day Old
Osmond again sought the forester, and told him what had occurred.
"'You must obey the spirit's injunctions, or worse mischief will befall
you,' said Urswick. 'Go to the tree, mounted as for a hunting-party, and
take the black steed given to Herne by the king, and the two black
hounds with you. You will see what will ensue.' And without another
word he dismissed him.
"Osmond told his comrades what the forester had said, and though they
were filled with alarm, they resolved upon compliance. At midnight,
therefore, they rode towards the tree with the black hounds in leash,
and leading Herne's favourite horse, saddled and bridled. As they drew
near, they again saw the terrible shape stalking round the tree, and
heard the fearful imprecations.
"His spells ended, Herne called to Osmond to bring him his steed; and
the old man tremblingly obeyed.
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