"Well, friend Weasel, in consideration that you contended single handed last night with a whole score of devils, and bore thee gallantly; and, moreover, as it is such heavy odds against thee in this matter of Dame Dorothy--for, of a verity, I know she is in a devil of a passion at thy contumacy, and not less at mine, I'll be sworn--why we will make a muster of it and breathe our defence in solid column. Arnold will go with us. And mark me, Vintner, at the fitting time, we shall regale." "On the best in cellar or larder at the Crow and Archer," replied Garret. "You have the word of a man and a soldier for it." "I wot of a woman and no soldier, whose word would go further to that bargain, Garret, than yours. Make ready, friends, we must move." Dauntrees now set his beaver jauntily over his brow, and throwing his short cloak across his arm, marched through the postern of the fort, followed by his trusty allies, to the mansion of the Lord Proprietor. Lord Baltimore received them in his library, and there heard from the Captain a circumstantial narrative of the events of the preceding night. "It is a strange tale," he said, "and may well perplex the faith of the simple rustics of the province. That evil spirits preside over that blood-stained house, from your testimony, Captain Dauntrees, may no longer be denied. Friends, you all saw these things?" "All," said Garret Weasel, with emphatic solemnity as he straitened his body even beyond the perpendicular line. "Pamesack and Arnold stood by the Captain and can vouch for him. I maintained a post of danger, an please your Lordship, alone; what I saw neither the Captain, Arnold, nor Pamesack, saw--it was a fearful sight." "What was it?" inquired the Proprietary, with some earnestness. "A woman," replied Garret, "_seemingly_ a woman, an your Lordship comprehends: but in truth a witch, as we all do know:--Kate of Warrington, of whom your Lordship has heard. She it was who came suddenly down upon the wold. How she came," here Garret shook his head, "and what came with her,--it was a sight to look upon!" "The vintner affirms to sundry fantastic shapes of imps and spectres in company with the woman of Warrington," said Dauntrees. "We saw nothing of the hag, having left Master Weasel, some distance in our rear when we visited the Chapel. He was cold, and required comfort. What he recounts, my Lord, you have his own avouch for." "And what say you, Arnold?" inquired his Lordship, smiling. "These ghosts and goblins keep a hot house, and the less we have to do with them the better," replied the forester, gravely. "They fired upon you, Captain?" said the Proprietary; "with what weapons?"