became darker, there was something appalling even to the incredulous, in

the lonely spectre, whose gambols, if they hardly accorded with spiritual

dignity, were beyond human powers. Now it leapt right up in the air, now

sheer over a high hedge, and was again the moment after in the road before

us. By the time I came up, the fright experienced by the spectators of this

ghostly exhibition, began to manifest itself in the flight of some, and the

close huddling together of the rest. Our goblin now perceived us; he

approached, and, as we drew reverentially back, made a low bow. The sight

was irresistibly ludicrous even to our hapless band, and his politeness was

hailed by a shout of laughter;--then, again springing up, as a last

effort, it sunk to the ground, and became almost invisible through the

dusky night. This circumstance again spread silence and fear through the

troop; the more courageous at length advanced, and, raising the dying

wretch, discovered the tragic explanation of this wild scene. It was an

opera-dancer, and had been one of the troop which deserted from

Villeneuve-la-Guiard: falling sick, he had been deserted by his companions;

in an access of delirium he had fancied himself on the stage, and, poor

fellow, his dying sense eagerly accepted the last human applause that could

ever be bestowed on his grace and agility.

At another time we were haunted for several days by an apparition, to which

our people gave the appellation of the Black Spectre. We never saw it

except at evening, when his coal black steed, his mourning dress, and plume

of black feathers, had a majestic and awe-striking appearance; his face,

one said, who had seen it for a moment, was ashy pale; he had lingered far

behind the rest of his troop, and suddenly at a turn in the road, saw the

538

The Last Man