'
"'But you died by your own hand,--did you not?' demanded King Richard.
"'Yea,' replied Herne; 'but I was driven to the deed by an infernal spell
laid upon me by the malice of the wretches I have denounced. Hang
them upon this tree, and I will trouble these woods no longer whilst
thou reignest!'
"The king looked round at the keepers. They all remained obdurate,
except Roger Barfoot, who, falling on his knees, confessed his guilt,
and accused the others.
"It is enough,' cried the king to Herne; 'they shall all suffer for their
offence.'
"Upon this a flash of fire enveloped the spirit and his horse, and he
vanished.
"The king kept his word. Osmond and his comrades were all hanged
upon the scathed tree, nor was Herne seen again in the forest while
Richard sat upon the throne. But he reappeared with a new band at the
commencement of the rule of Henry the Fourth, and again hunted the
deer at night. His band was destroyed, but he defied all attempts at
capture; and so it has continued to our own time, for not one of the
seven monarchs who have held the castle since Richard's day have
been able to drive him from the forest."
"Nor will the present monarch be able to drive him thence," said a deep
voice.
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