The story begins one when one night Tom Potter was headed home over the ridge. He had been working late down in the Valley and was making his way over the mountain. By the time he got to the top and started around the ridge it was dark. No moon was shining that night.
Tom had to go by the old cemetery on the ridge. It was a spooky place and everyone avoided if they could. As he neared the graveyard he thought he saw a movement there among the stones. Tom sped his horse to a trot.. But just as he was passing the gate he felt something grab him around the waist. He tried to look behind him, but it had him so he could not turn around. His horse took off at a gallop. Tom was trying to hold the horse and trying to look around .but he could do neither. He felt that strong arms were around his waist, but there was no hands or arms that he could see. The horse was going insane. It was flying down off the ridge. Whatever was on behind Tom, the horse was terrified of it.
Suddenly Tom felt the grip loosen around his waist. It was then that he looked back behind him. What he saw caused him to scream in terror. There on the back behind him was a skeleton with a hooded cloak on. It was still riding with him . but just as the horse came off the ridge, Tom felt the weight of the thing lift from him. It was gone. the horse slowed on its own. Coming to a dead stop. It would not move. Finally Tom got off and sat down to rest and think about what had taken place. He finally calmed down enough to climb back on his horse. He rode on to his home, still shaking from the terrifing experience.
When he got home he told his family what had taken place. They believed him, for Tom was an honest man.
Since then many riders on the ridge have had this experience if they dare to go through the old cemetery at night. so beware if you are ever riding on Cemetery Ridge at night. Try not to pass by the old graveyard, if you dont want company