But the attorney was not born to be drowned; at least, at this period of his career. On rising to the surface, a few seconds after his immersion, he roared lustily for help, but would infallibly have been carried over the weir, if Jem Device had not flung him the rope now disengaged from Nance Redferne, and which he succeeded in catching. In this way he was dragged out; and as he crept up the bank, with the wet pouring from his apparel, which now clung tightly to his lathy limbs, he was greeted by the jeers of Nicholas. "How like you the water-ordeal--eh, Master Attorney? No occasion for a second trial, I think. If Jem Device had known his own interest, he would have left you to fatten the Calder eels; but he will find it out in time." "You will find it out too, Master Nicholas," rejoined Potts, clapping on his wet cap. "Take me to the Dragon quickly, good fellow," he added, to Jem Device, "and I will recompense thee for thy pains, as well as for the service thou hast just rendered me. I shall have rheumatism in my joints, pains in my loins, and rheum in my head, oh dear--oh dear!" "In which case you will not be able to pay Mother Demdike your purposed visit to-morrow," jeered Nicholas. "You forgot you were to arrest her, and bring her before a magistrate." "Thy arm, good fellow, thy arm!" said Potts, to Jem Device. "To the fiend wi' thee," cried Jem, shaking him off roughly. "The squoire is reet. Wouldee had let thee drown." "What, have you changed your mind already, Jem?" cried Nicholas, in a taunting tone. "You'll have your grandmother's thanks for the service you've rendered her, lad--ha! ha!" "Fo' t' matter o' two pins ey'd pitch him again," growled Jem, eyeing the attorney askance. "No, no, Jem," observed Nicholas, "things must take their course. What's done is done. But if Master Potts be wise, he'll take himself out of court without delay." "You'll be glad to get me out of court one of these days, squire," muttered Potts, "and so will you too, Master James Device.--A day of reckoning will come for both--heavy reckoning. Ugh! ugh!" he added, shivering, "how my teeth chatter!" "Make what haste you can to the Dragon," cried the good-natured squire; "get your clothes dried, and bid John Lawe brew you a pottle of strong sack, swallow it scalding hot, and you'll never look behind you." "Nor before me either," retorted Potts, "Scalding sack! This bloodthirsty squire has a new design upon my life!" "Ey'n go wi' ye to th' Dragon, mester," said Baggiley; "lean o' me." "Thanke'e friend," replied Potts, taking his arm. "A word at parting, Master Nicholas. This is not the only discovery of witchcraft I've made. I've another case, somewhat nearer home. Ha! ha!" With this, he hobbled off in the direction of the alehouse, his steps being traceable along the dusty road like the course of a watering-cart. "Ey'n go efter him," growled Jem.