The Legend of the Phantom Highwayman by Tom McCaughren Page A

‘Hurry.’
    Dashing across a narrow road, they climbed over a low ditch and scrambled up a steep grassy slope. Behind them they could hear Whaler and Scamp close on their heels. Fortunately Whaler wasn’t built for climbing steep slopes. A wet patch gave way under his enormous weight, and he went sliding back to the bottom. Scamp, anxious as always to please him, made his way down to help. Panting for breath, Tapser and Róisín reached the top and raced across the fields for dear life.
    â€˜Where do you think we are?’ asked Tapser.
    The mist had closed in about them again, and knowing they couldn’t be seen they had slowed down to catch their breath.
    â€˜Well, if they were heading for Ballycastle, we’re probably somewhere along the coast from it.’
    Stumbling into a small sandpit, they looked back. There was no sign of Whaler and Scamp, and they walked on across the grass.
    â€˜I hope Rachel and Cowlick are all right,’ said Róisín.
    â€˜So do I,’ said Tapser. ‘If only we could get to a phone and raise the alarm. Come on, there must be a house around here somewhere.’
    If there was, the mist kept it from their view, but a short time later they came to a road. It was still very early in the morning and there was no sign of any traffic, so they set off down the hill. They came to several houses, and knocked urgently on the doors. There was no reply, and afraid to delay too long they continued on down the road in the hope that it would take them into Ballycastle.
    They were wondering where Whaler and Scamp had got to when they came to a car parked in off the road. It seemed to have broken down and a man was working at the engine. Delighted to have found help at last, they ran over to him.
    â€˜Thank goodness,’ panted Róisín. ‘We thought we’d never find anyone. The smugglers. They’re after us. You must help us to raise the alarm.’
    Lifting his head from the engine, the man suddenly turned and grabbed Róisín by the wrist. ‘Now why should I help you to raise the alarm?’ he sneered.
    â€˜Whaler!’ cried Tapser.
    Having followed the narrow road up from the seafront to where it joined the main road, Whaler and Scamp had got ahead of them and were now in the act of stealing a car.
    Startled, Róisín struggled to free herself.
    â€˜Leave her alone,’ shouted Tapser. Rushing forward, he pounded Whaler with his fists, but the big man just laughed and caught him by the scruff of the neck.
    In desperation, Tapser kicked out. One of his kicks connected. With a howl of pain Whaler released them and grabbed his shin. Out of the corner of his eye, Tapser could see Scamp getting out from behind the steering wheel.
    â€˜Run, Róisín,’ he shouted. ‘Run.’
    A few minutes later they flung themselves behind a ditch and listened for sounds of pursuit. There were none, and Tapser peered over the ditch to make sure.
    â€˜Look!’ he exclaimed.
    â€˜What is it?’ asked Róisín, easing herself up.
    â€˜Look,’ he said again, pointing to a spot where the road rose above the mist. ‘Coming over the hill.’
    Róisín could hardly believe her eyes. From the swirling mist a coach drawn by four white horses had emerged. It was gliding down the road towards them, and it was plain to see that even the driver, who sat hunched over the reins, was a ghostly white.
    â€˜The phantom highwayman!’ she gasped.

9. THE SPIDER’S WEB

    Fearing that the phantom highwayman and the poteen smugglers would soon be upon them, Tapser and Róisín ran away from the road and climbed over a stone wall.
    â€˜Oh, no,’ cried Róisín, as they found themselves among headstones, ‘we’re in a cemetery. This is like a nightmare.’
    Beyond the graveyard, they came to the ruins of an old church and took refuge behind its walls. Wreaths of mist were still swirling up