The Kelpie

The Kelpie by Herbert James Draper

Syaffolee doesn't provide any pictures with her stories, and I got to wondering just what kind of supernatural creature the census taker's assisstant, a Kelpie, was. Wikipedia provided the picture and this explanation: "In mythology, the kelpie is described as a strong and powerful horse. Its hide was supposedly black (though in some stories it was white), and appeared as a lost pony, but could be identified by its constantly dripping mane. Its skin was said to be like that of a seal, smooth but as cold as death when touched. Kelpies were said to transform into beautiful women to lure men into their traps. They created illusions to keep themselves hidden, keeping only their eyes above water to scout the surface."