"Neither shall she escape that of man," added Nowell, severely; "for our
sovereign lord hath enacted that all persons employing or rewarding any
evil spirit, shall be held guilty of felony, and shall suffer death. And
death will be her portion, for such demoniacal agency most assuredly
hath she employed."
The magistrate here paused for a moment to regard his audience, and
reading in their terrified looks that his address had produced the
desired impression, he continued with increased severity--
"These wicked women shall trouble the land no longer. They shall be
arrested and brought to judgment; and if you do not heartily bestir
yourselves in their capture, and undertake to appear in evidence against
them, you shall be held and dealt with as accessories in their crimes."
Upon this, the hinds, who were greatly alarmed, declared with one accord
their willingness to act as the magistrate should direct.
"You do wisely," cried Potts, who by this time had made his way back to
the assemblage, covered from head to foot with ooze, as on his former
misadventure. "Mistress Nutter and the two old hags who hold you in
thrall would lead you to destruction. For understand it is the firm
determination of my respected client, Master Roger Nowell, as well as of
myself, not to relax in our exertions till the whole of these pestilent
witches who trouble the country be swept away, and to spare none who
assist and uphold them."
The hinds stared aghast, for so grim was the appearance of the attorney,
that they almost thought Hobthurst, the lubber-fiend, was addressing
them.
At this moment old Henry Mitton came up. He had partially recovered from
the stunning effects of the blow dealt him by James Device, but his head
was cut open, and his white locks were dabbled in blood. Pushing his way
through the assemblage, he stood before the magistrate.
"If yo want a witness agen that foul murtheress and witch, Alice Nutter,
ca' me, Master Roger Nowell," he said. "Ey con tay my Bible oath that
the whole feace o' this keawntry has been chaunged sin yester neet, by
her hondywark. Ca' me also to speak to her former life--to her intimacy
wi' Mother Demdike an owd Chattox. Ca' me to prove her constant
attendance at devils' sabbaths on Pendle Hill, and elsewhere, wi' other
black and damning offences--an among 'em the murder, by witchcraft, o'
her husband, Ruchot Nutter."
A thrill of horror pervaded the assemblage at this denunciation; and
Master Potts, who was being cleansed from his sable stains by one of the
grooms, cried out--
"This is the very man for us, my excellent client. Your name and abode,
friend?"
"Harry Mitton o' Rough Lee," replied the old man. "Ey ha' dwelt there
seventy year an uppards, an ha' known the feyther and granfeyther o'
Ruchot Nutter, an also Alice Nutter, when hoo war Alice Assheton. Ca'
me, sir, an aw' ye want to knoa ye shan larn."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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