Jezdec in nočna prikazen

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Jezdec in nočna prikazen

During the Huangchu era of the Wei dynasty, a man was riding at night through Dunqiu when he saw a creature in the road, as large as a hare, with two eyes like mirrors. It leaped about in front of his horse, preventing him from going on. The man took fright and fell from his horse, whereupon the specter seized him as he lay on the ground. In terror, he fell as though dead. After a long while he revived, but the specter had vanished, and he had no idea where it had gone. He mounted again and rode on. Several miles farther along, he met a man. After they had exchanged greetings, he told him what had just happened and said how glad he was to have found a companion. The man replied, “I too have been traveling alone. Words cannot express how pleased I am to have your company. Your horse moves quickly, so go ahead, and I shall follow behind.” They went on together. His companion asked, “What was that creature like, that it frightened you so?” He answered, “Its body was like a hare’s, and its two eyes were like mirrors. It was hideous to behold.” His companion said, “Turn and look at me.” The rider looked back, and there was the very same creature. The specter sprang onto the horse, and the man fell to the ground, senseless with terror. His family, alarmed when the horse returned alone, went out to search for him and found him beside the road. Only after a night had passed did he revive and tell them what had happened.