The abbot's turn came next. Another hurdle was brought forward, and Demdike advanced to the tumbrel. But Paslew recoiled from his touch, and sprang to the ground unaided. He was then laid on his back upon the hurdle, and his hands and feet were bound fast with ropes to the twisted timbers. While this painful task was roughly performed by the wizard's two ill-favoured assistants, the crowd of rustics who looked on, murmured and exhibited such strong tokens of displeasure, that the guard thought it prudent to keep them off with their halberts. But when all was done, Demdike motioned to a man standing behind him to advance, and the person who was wrapped in a russet cloak complied, drew forth an infant, and held it in such way that the abbot could see it. Paslew understood what was meant, but he uttered not a word. Demdike then knelt down beside him, as if ascertaining the security of the cords, and whispered in his ear:-- "Recall thy malediction, and my dagger shall save thee from the last indignity." "Never," replied Paslew; "the curse is irrevocable. But I would not recall it if I could. As I have said, thy child shall be a witch, and the mother of witches--but all shall be swept off--all!" "Hell's torments seize thee!" cried the wizard, furiously. "Nay, thou hast done thy worst to me," rejoined Paslew, meekly, "thou canst not harm me beyond the grave. Look to thyself, for even as thou speakest, thy child is taken from thee." And so it was. While Demdike knelt beside Paslew, a hand was put forth, and, before the man who had custody of the infant could prevent it, his little charge was snatched from him. Thus the abbot saw, though the wizard perceived it not. The latter instantly sprang to his feet. "Where is the child?" he demanded of the fellow in the russet cloak. "It was taken from me by yon tall man who is disappearing through the gateway," replied the other, in great trepidation. "Ha! _he_ here!" exclaimed Demdike, regarding the dark figure with a look of despair. "It is gone from me for ever!" "Ay, for ever!" echoed the abbot, solemnly. "But revenge is still left me--revenge!" cried Demdike, with an infuriated gesture. "Then glut thyself with it speedily," replied the abbot; "for thy time here is short." "I care not if it be," replied Demdike; "I shall live long enough if I survive thee." CHAPTER X.--THE HOLEHOUSES. At this moment the blast of a trumpet resounded from the gateway, and the Earl of Derby, with the sheriff on his right hand, and Assheton on the left, and mounted on a richly caparisoned charger, rode forth. He was preceded by four javelin-men, and followed by two heralds in their tabards.