In the Haag, between Old Ferrette and Bisel, there haunts a spirit that is often heard laughing loudly and that has led many a belated traveler astray throughout the night. A man from Old Ferrette, known as the Shepherd, had once gone to Bisel on business and set out for home again after the evening bell. As he was walking through the Haag, it seemed to him that a branch brushed his hat from his head. He bent down to pick it up, but could not find it. As he stooped again and groped about to right and left, he heard loud laughter two steps in front of him: “Ha! Ha! Ha!”
He turned around, but the same laughter rang out before him once more; and whichever way he turned, it always laughed in front of him. Then fear came over him, and he tried to make off without having found his hat; but he lost his way, and twice he waded into the water above his knees in the Niederweier. In short, the laughing spirit led him about all night long. When the man came home the next day, he fell ill, and a fortnight later he was dead.


