The same writer further says, "Some girls of eight or nine years of age did declare that after they were so betrayed by their mothers to the power of _Satan_, they saw _the devil_ go in their _own shapes_ to afflict others." But the statement of Sarah is, that she herself went forth and afflicted in her spirit-form, and not that the _devil_ went in her shape. The cultured of that generation had _devil on the brain_ so severely, that they persistently brought him in even where the facts as presented by the witnesses plainly excluded him. Richard Carrier, eighteen years old, son of Thomas and Martha, was examined. "Have you been in the devil's snare?--Yes. "Is your brother Andrew insnared by the devil's snare?--Yes. "How long has your brother been a witch?--Near a month. "How long have you been a witch?--Not long. "Have you joined in afflicting the afflicted persons?--Yes. "You helped to hurt Timothy Swan, did you?--Yes. "How long have you been a witch?--About five weeks. "Who was in company when you covenanted with the devil?--Mrs. Bradbury. "Did she help you afflict?--Yes. "Who was at the Village Meeting when you were there?--Goodwife How, Goodwife Nurse, Goodwife Wildes, Proctor and his wife, Mrs. Bradbury, and Corey's wife. "What did they do there?--Eat, and drank wine. "Was there a minister there?--No, not as I know of. "From whence had you your wine?--From Salem, I think it was. "Goodwife Oliver there?--Yes; I knew her." Statements by this witness, and also his probable circumstances and condition, seem worthy of special note. Frankness glows on all that he said. He was stating facts, which, in his apprehension, were harmless, and why should he not let them out? He knew, probably, that his mother had all through his life been accustomed to see and act through other than her physical organs, and was conscious that during the last five weeks at least himself had been doing the same. The abilities came unsought into action--were outgrowths from the natures of his mother and himself, and were not crimes. His long familiarity with the ostensible workings of such powers through his mother had shown him that they were neither diabolical nor censurable; and why not admit possession of them, and the acts they produced, whether through himself, his mother, or any one else? Neither the mother nor children in that family were afraid of ghostly beings, because able to confer with them intelligibly and sympathetically; and the ready admission by Richard that he had aided in hurting Timothy Swan, and been at a great witch-meeting, where they ate, and also drank wine, was no confession of any crime, but simple statement of facts. He was a medium, and also a frank and truthful witness.