George saw Spot crouching in fear under a bush and choked out a low call to the dog.
Spot was mortally afraid, but in answer to his master's command
he hurled his body against the old woman, his jaws closing on
her skinny arm. For a second the ghost retained her hold, then
turned her attention to the dog. In an instant she threw the dog
backward, but in that time George was up and running for his life.
He heard Spot yelp with pain. Soon the dog was panting at his
side.
The great figure of the ghost hovered behind them and George could hear the swish of the wind around her. But still he plunged on by the garden fence and across the yard. He forgot the old uncovered well, and ran straight into it. The stale water closed over him.
When George came to the surface he felt blindly around in the darkness of the well and found a jutting stone to cling to. He called his mother as loud as his hoarse voice would allow. It was some time before his mother hear him and answered his call from the ground above.
Learning of his plight, Mrs. Jones got a rope and tied it to a post which once held up the well shelter. George was very weak after holding to the ledge for so long, but he was able to climb slowly to the top. As Mrs. Jones helped him away from the well, George collapsed. Unable to carry him into the house, Mrs. Jones went to a neighbor's house and returned with the neighbor and his two sons.
George was still lying by the well but he had regained consciousness. The men took him into the house where he told the story of the attack by the ghost of Harriet. He grew weaker during the night and had difficulty in breathing.
Not long before dawn, Mrs. Jones went to the new well to get some fresh water for her son. When the neighbor heard cries and horrible shrieks from the outside, he ran out and saw the monster ghost disappearing into the air. He found Mrs. Jones lying on the well curb, he face white, her eyes glaring and the print of bony fingers on her throat.
George died just after dawn and was never told of his mother's death. A doctor, who examined both bodies, said death resulted from strangulation.
Adapted from a story told by Fannie E. Boon of Kinston and Clinton, NC.