There were times when travelling the country lanes in Herefordshire were quite dangerous particularly at night. Whether on horseback or by carriage you had to be constantly on the lookout for highway men or blaggards that were out to rob you of your possessions or indeed kill you for the riches that you carried upon your person. It wasn’t wise to travel alone but sometimes there wasn’t an option. Once such evening a young man set about for home, he had travelled the route many times alone but the threat of danger was ever present. With his senses heightened, a sense of dread in his stomach and his cloak wrapped tightly around him, he sped off into the night.
Before long he could hear the sound of a galloping horse behind him drawing nearer and nearer. Fearing the worst he braced himself for an attack and surely as he anticipated a masked man was upon him grabbing at his horse’s bridle. Without thinking the man drew his sword and lashed out at his attacker. In a split second the reins had been released and the robber yelled out in pain. Not waiting for a second attack, the man checked that his money bags and possessions were still about his person and rode like the wind home.
With his heart racing and his mind replaying every moment over and over, he continually looked over his shoulder to make sure his attacker wasn’t hot on his heels. As he saw the lights of home, he sighed with relief. Once dismounted from his horse though he made a grim discovery. Tangled in his reins was a bloody hand. As the bile rose in his stomach at seeing the hand, he hurried to discard it but something stopped him in his tracks. There was a ring on the hand. A ring that he knew very well and had seen many times over the years. Surely this could not be true.
Still repulsed by the sight of the severed hand and in disbelief he removed the ring for closer inspection. It was the very ring that belonged to one of his closest friends. He had known Edward for most of his life. Sadness washed over him, Edward too must have been a victim of this robber. He decided to set out the next day and return the ring to his friend who he knew would be delighted to see it again.
Early the next morning the man set out for Edward’s home. When he arrived he was greeted by Edward’s elderly servant who informed him that his master wasn’t well having met with a serious accident the night before.
As the man entered Edward’s bedroom, he saw his ailing friend propped up in bed, his arm bandaged at the stump of his severed wrist. His was overcome with sadness, it was dawning on him just what had happened the night before. But before he could speak Edward spoke, “My friend please forgive me, I have done a terrible thing against you and have been punished for my actions.” The man regained his composure and said, “It was you.” Edward replied, “Yes my friend and I am so very sorry. I have bad gambling debts and I had no way of repaying them, my reputation and honour were at stake. Knowing that you were carrying a large sum of money, it seemed the only option. I was not thinking clearly. Please forgive me.” The man sat beside Edward and said, “Of course I forgive you, desperate men do desperate things.”
The man could see that Edward was severely ill and not long for this world. He had lost a considerable amount of blood, after a short while Edward lapsed into unconsciousness and died. And even though his friend had forgiven him Edward’s spirit could not rest. The ghost of Edward was seen many times roaming the countryside riding his horse. Finally at the request of the local villagers, twelve clergymen gathered to lay his guilty spirit to rest and Edward’s ghost was seen no more.
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