Over the fearful objections of his companions, the boy decided to try it out. He put his lips to the ancient instrument and blew. The sound that issued from the horn was an eerie, unearthly groan. The sound by itself was enough to make the three friends turn and flee, but when the horn was sounded, there came a far better reason to take flight.
In response to the horn's call, a terrible shout from deep in the woods rang out and the sound of hunting hounds in pursuit of their prey could be heard. Two of the boys instinctively ran as fast as they could to the forest edge. The one who had sounded the horn stood frozen with fear for a moment before he regained his senses and took off after his companions. Behind him he could hear footsteps closing quickly. Frightened and stumbling, his legs never stopped moving as he raced from the dark figure that followed him.
In the meantime, the two boys who were ahead emerged safely from the wood. They ran to the first dwelling they could find. A temple that sat just outside the forest. There they shut the heavy door and waited for their friend.
Huddled behind the door, the boys could hear their friend nearing, and they could hear his pursuer close behind. Just a few steps from the door they heard the Hunter stop. They heard a swish of an arrow cut through the night air.
Quickly they opened the door and saw their friend lying face down on the steps dead. There was no arrow, no wound, no hounds or no Hunter-just the full moon shining brightly over her beloved woods.
The antlered shadow of Herne the Hunter can still be seen in the forest when the moon is full. Perhaps it is the light of Diana, the ancient Roman lunar goddess, that gives life to the oak spirit. In any case, it is possible to see the dark silhouette of the Hunter among the oak branches by moonlight-even if you would prefer not to encounter the shadowy figure.
From Moon Lore: Myths and Folklore from around the world
by Gwydion O'Hara
