CHAPTER XVII.

HOW THE BEACON FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED.
Soon after this,, Nicholas Assheton, attended by two or three men, came up, and asked whither the old witch had flown.
Mistress Nutter pointed out the course taken by the fugitive, who had run towards the northern extremity of the hill, down the sides of which he had already plunged.
" She has been carried off by her grandson, Jem Device," said Mistress Nutter ; " be quick, or you will lose her."
" Ay, be quick — -be quick !" added Mother Chattox. " Yonder they went, to the back of the beacon."
Casting a look at the wretched speaker, and finding she was too grievously wounded to be able to move, Nicholas bestowed no further thought upon her, but set off with his companions in the direction pointed out. He speedily arrived at the edge of the hill, and, look- ing down it, sought in vain for any appearance of the fugitives. The sides were here steep and shelving, and some hundred yards lower down were broken into
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 83
ridges, behind one of which it was possible the old witch and her grandson might be concealed ; so, without a moment's hesitation, the squire descended, and began to search about in the hollows, scrambling over the loose stones, or sliding down for some paces with the uncertain boggy soil, when he fancied he heard a plain- tive cry. He looked around, but could see no one. The whole side of the mountain was lighted up by the fire from the beacon, which, instead of diminishing, burnt with increased ardour, so that every object was as easily to be discerned as in the day time : but, notwithstand- ing this, he could not detect whence the sound pro- ceeded. It was repeated, but more faintly than before, and Nicholas almost persuaded himself it was the voice of Potts calling for help. Motioning to his followers, who were engaged in the search like himself, to keep still, the squire listened intently, and again caught the sound, being this time convinced it arose from the ground. Was it possible the unfortunate attorney had been buried alive? Or had he been thrust into some hole, and a stone placed over it, which he found it im- possible to remove ? The latter idea seemed the more probable, and Nicholas was guided by a feeble repeti- tion of the noise towards a large fragment of rock, which, on examination, had evidently been rolled from a point immediately over the mouth of a hollow. The squire instantly set himself to work to dislodge the ponderous stone, and, aided by two of his men, who lent their broad shoulders to the task, quickly accom-
G2
84 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
plished his object, disclosing what appeared to be the mouth of a cavernous recess. From out of this, as soon as the stone was removed, popped the head of Master Potts, and Nicholas, bidding him be of good cheer, laid hold of him to draw him forth, as he seemed to have some difficulty in extricating himself, when the attorney cried out —
" Do not pull so hard, squire ! That accursed Jem Device has got hold of my legs. Not so hard, sir, I entreat. "
"Bid him let go," said Nicholas, unable to refrain from laughing, " or we will unearth him from his bad- ger's hole."
" He pays no heed to what I say to him," cried Potts. " Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! he is dragging me down again !
And, as he spoke, the attorney, notwithstanding all Nicholas's efforts to restrain him, was pulled down into the hole. The squire was at a loss what to do, and was considering whether he should resort to the tedious process of digging him out, when a scrambling noise was heard, and the captive's head once more appeared above ground.
" Are you coming out now ?" asked Nicholas.
"Alas, no!" replied the attorney, " unless you will make terms with the rascal. He declares he will strangle me, if you do not promise to set him and his grandmo- ther free."
" Is Mother Demdike with him ?" asked Nicholas.
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 85
" To be sure," replied Potts ; " and we are as badly off for room as three foxes in a bole."
" And tbere is no otber outlet ?" said tbe squire.
" I conclude not/' replied tbe attorney. "I groped about like a mole when I was first thrust into the cavern by Jem Device, but I could find no means of exit. The entrance was blocked up by the great stone which you had some difficulty in moving, but which Jem could shift at will ; for he pushed it aside in a moment, and brought it back to its place, when he returned just now with the old hag; but probably that was effected by witchcraft."
" Most likely," said Nicholas. " But for your being in it, we would stop up this hole, and bury the two wretches alive."
" Get me out first, good Master Nicholas, I implore of you, and then do what you please," cried Potts. " Jem is tugging at my legs as if he would pull them off."
11 We will try who is strongest," said Nicholas, again seizing hold of Potts by the shoulders.
"Oh, dear! oh, dear! I can't bear it — let go!" shrieked the attorney. " I shall be stretched to twice my natural length. My joints are starting from their sockets, my legs are coming off — oh ! oh !"
" Lend a hand here, one of you," cried Nicholas, to the men ; " we'll have him out, whatever be the con- sequence."
" But I won't come !" roared Potts. " You have no
86 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
right to use me thus. Torture ! oh ! oh ! my loins are ruptured — my back is breaking — I am a dead man. The hag has got hold of my right leg, while Jem is tugging with all his force at the left."
" Pull away !" cried Nicholas; u he is coming."
" My legs are off," yelled Potts, as he was plucked suddenly forth, with a jerk that threw the squire and his assistants on their backs. " I shall never be able to walk more. No, heaven be praised !" he added, look- ing down on his lower limbs, " I have only lost my boots."
" Never mind it, then/' cried Nicholas; " but thank your stars you are above ground once more. Hark'ee, Jem I" he continued, shouting down the hole; " If you don't come forth at once, and bring Mother Demdike with you, we'll close up the mouth of this hole in such a way that you shan't require another grave. D'ye hear ?"
" Yeigh," replied Jem, his voice coming hoarsely and hollowly up, like the accents of a ghost. " Am ey to go free if ey comply V
" Certainly not," replied the squire. " You have a choice between this hole and the hangman's cord at Lancaster, that is all. In either case you will die by suffocation. But be quick — we have wasted time enough already with you."
" Then if that's aw yo'll do fo' me, squire, eyn e'en stay whecre ey am," rejoined Jem.
" Very well," replied Nicholas. M Here, my man,
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 87
stop up this hole with earth and stones. Master Potts, you will lend a hand to the task."
" Readily, sir," replied the attorney, " though I shall lose the pleasure I had anticipated of seeing that old carrion crow roasted alive."
" Stay a bit, squoirc," roared Jem, as preparations were actively made for carrying Nicholas's orders into execution. " Stay a bit, an ey'n. cum owt, an bring t'owd woman wi' me."
"I thought you'd change your mind," replied Nicholas, laughing. " Be upon your guard," he added, in a low tone, to the others, " and seize him the mo- ment he appears."
But Jem evidently found it no easy matter to perform his promise, for stifled shrieks and other noises pro- claimed that a desperate struggle was going on between him and his grandmother.
" Aha !" exclaimed Nicholas, placing his ear to the hole. " The old hag is unwilling to come forth, and spits and scratches like a cat-a-mountain, while Jem gripes her like a terrier. It is a hard tussle between them, but he is getting the better of it, and is pushing her forth. Now look out."
And as he spoke, Mother Demdike's terrible head protruded from the ground, and, despite of the execra- tions she poured forth upon her enemies, she was in- stantly seized by them, drawn out of the cavern, and secured. While the men were thus engaged, and while Nicholas's attention was for an instant diverted, Jem
88 TIIE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
bounded forth as suddenly as a wolf from his lair, and, dashing aside all opposition, plunged down the hill.
" It is useless to pursue him," said Nicholas. " He will not escape. The whole country will be roused by the beacon fire, and hue and cry shall be made after him."
" Right !" exclaimed Potts; " and now let some one creep into that cavern, and bring out my boots, and then I shall be in a better condition to attend you."
The request being complied with, and the attorney being once more equipped for walking, the party climbed the hill side, and bringing Mother Demdike with them, shaped their course towards the beacon.
And now to see what had taken place in the in- terim.
Scarcely had the squire quitted Mistress Nutter than Sir Ralph Assheton rode up to her.
"Why do 'you loiter here, madam?" he said, in a stern tone, somewhat tempered by sorrow. "I have held back to give you an opportunity of. escape. The hill is invested by your enemies. On that side Roger Nowell is advancing, and on this Sir Thomas Met- calfe and his followers. You may possibly effect a retreat in the opposite direction, but not a moment must be lost."
" I will go with you," said Alizon.
"No, no,'' interposed Richard. "You have not strength for the effort, and will only retard her/3
"I thank you for your devotion, my child," said
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 89
Mistress Nutter, with a look of grateful tenderness; " but it is unneeded. I have no intention of flying. I shall surrender myself into the hands of justice."
" Do not mistake the matter, madam," said Sir Ralph, "and delude yourself with the notion that cither your rank or wealth will screen you from punish- ment. Your guilt is too clearly established to allow you a chance of escape, and, though I myself am acting wrongfully in counselling flight to you, I am led to do so from the friendship once subsisting between us, and the relationship which, unfortunately, I cannot destroy.'"
"It is you who are mistaken, not I, Sir Ralph,' replied Mistress Nutter. "I have no thought of turn ing aside the sword of justice, but shall court it sharpest edge, hoping, by a full avowal of my oifences in some degree to atone for them. My only regret is that I shall leave my child unprotected, and that my fate will bring dishonour upon her."
" Oh, think not of me, dear mother," cried Alizon, " but persist unhesitatingly in the course you have laid down. Far rather would I see you act thus — far rather hear the sentiments you have uttered, even though they may be attended by the saddest consequences, than be- hold you in your former proud position and impenitent. Think not of me, then. Or, rather, think only how I re- joice that your eyes are at length opened, and that you have cast off the bonds of iniquity. I can now pray for
90 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
you with the full hope that my intercessions will pre- vail, and in parting with you in this world shall be sustained by the conviction that we shall meet in eternal happiness hereafter."
Mistress Nutter threw her arms about her daughter's neck, and they mingled their tears together. Sir Ralph Assheton was much moved.
"It is a pity she should fall into their hands," he observed to Richard.
" I know not how to advise," replied the latter, greatly troubled.
"Ah! it is too late," exclaimed the knight; "here come Nowell and Metcalfe. The poor lady's firmness will be severely tested."
The next moment the magistrate and the knight came up, with such of their attendants as were not en- gaged in pursuing the witches, several of whom had already been captured. On seeing Mistress Nutter, Sir Thomas Metcalfe sprang from his horse, and would have seized her, but Sir Ralph interposed, saying, " She has surrendered herself to me. I will be answer- able for her safe custody."
"Your pardon, Sir Ralph," observed Nowell; "the arrest must be formally made, and by a constable. Spar- shot, execute your warrant."
Upon this, the official, leaping from his horse, dis- played his staff and a piece of parchment to Mistress Nutter, telling her she was his prisoner.
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 91
The lady bowed her head.
" Shan ey tec her hands, yer warship?" demanded the constable of the magistrate.
" On no account, fellow," interposed Sir Ralph. " I will have no indignity offered her. I have already said I will be responsible for her."
" You will recollect she is arrested for witchcraft, Sir Ralph," observed No well.
" She shall answer to the charges brought against he]'. I pledge myself to that," replied Sir Ralph.
" And by a full confession," said Mistress Nutter. M You may pledge yourself to that also, Sir Ralph.
" She avows her guilt," cried No well. "I take you all to witness it."
" I shall not forget it," said Sir Thomas Metcalfe.
a Nor I — nor I !" cried Sparshot, and two or three others of the attendants.
" This girl is my prisoner," said Sir Thomas Met- calfe, dismounting, and advancing towards Alizon. a She is a witch, as well as the rest."
"It is false," cried Richard, " and if you attempt to lay hands upon her I wTill strike you to the earth."
" 'Sdeath !" exclaimed Metcalfe, drawing his sword, " I will not let this insolence pass unpunished. I have other affronts to chastise. Stand aside, or I will cut your throat."
"Hold, Sir Thomas," cried Sir Ralph Assheton, authoritatively. " Settle your quarrels hereafter, if you have any to adjust; but I will have no fighting now.
92 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
Alizon is no witch. You are well aware that she was about to be impiously and cruelly sacrificed by Mother Demdike, and her rescue was the main object of our coming hither."
" Still suspicion attaches to her," said Metcalfe; " whether she be the daughter of Elizabeth Device or Alice Nutter, she comes of a bad stock, and I protest against her being allowed to go free. However, if you are resolved upon it, I have nothing more to say. I shall find other time and place to adjust my differences with Master Richard Assheton."
" When you please, sir," replied the young man, sternly.
" And I will answer for the propriety of the course I have pursued," said Sir Ralph, " but here comes Ni- cholas with Mother Demdike."
" Demdike taken ! I am glad of it," cried Mother Chattox, slightly raising herself as she spoke. " Kill her, or she will 'scape you."
When Nicholas came up with the old hag, both Sir Ralph Assheton and Roger Nowell put several questions to her, but she refused to answer their interrogations, and, horrified by her blasphemies and imprecations, they caused her to be removed to a short distance, while a consultation was held as to the course to be pursued.
'; We have made half-a-dozen of these miscreants prisoners," said Roger Nowell, " and the whole of them had better be taken to Whalley, where they can be safely confined in the old dungeons of the abbey, and
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 93
after their examination on the morrow can be removed to Lancaster Castle."
"Be it so," replied Sir Ralph ; " but must yon un- fortunate lady," he added, pointing to Mistress Nutter, "be taken with them ?"
" Assuredly," replied No well. " We can make no distinction among such offenders; or if there are any degrees in guilt, hers is of the highest class."
" You had better take leave of your daughter," said Sir Ralph to Mistress Nutter.
" I thank you for the hint," replied the lady. " Fare- well, dear Alizon," she added, straining her to her bosom. " We must part for some time. Once more before I quit this world, in which I have played so wicked a part, I would fain look upon you — fain bless you, if I have the power — but this must be at the last, when my trials are well-nigh over, and when all is about to close upon me !"
"Oh! must it be thus?" exclaimed Alizon, in a voice half suffocated by emotion.
" It must," replied her mother. " Do not attempt to shake my resolution, my sweet child — do not weep for me. Amidst all the terrors that surround me, I am happier now than I have been for years. I shall strive to work out my redemption by prayers."
" And you will succeed !" cried Alizon.
"Not so!" shrieked Mother Demdike; "the Fiend will have his own. She is bound to him by a compact which nought can annul."
" I should like to see the instrument," said Potts.
94 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
" I might give a legal opinion upon it. Perhaps it might be avoided ; and in any case its production in court would have an admirable effect. I think I see the counsel examining it, and hear the judges calling for it to be placed before them. His infernal Majesty's signature must be a curiosity in its way. Our gracious and sagacious monarch would delight in it."
" Peace!" exclaimed Nicholas; " and take care," he cried, " that no further interruptions are offered by that infernal hag. Have you done, madam ?" he added to Mistress Nutter, who still remained with her daughter folded in her arms.
" Not yet," replied the lady. " Oh ! what happiness I have thrown away ! What anguish — what remorse brought upon myself by the evil life I have led ! As I gaze on this fair face, and think it might long, long have brightened my dark and desolate life with its sun- shine— as I think upon all this, my fortitude well nigh deserts me, and I have need of support from on high to carry me through my trial. But I fear it will be denied me. Nicholas Assheton, you have the deed of gift of Rough Lee in your possession. Henceforth Alizon is mistress of the mansion and domains."
"Provided always they are not forfeited to the crown, which I apprehend will be the case," suggested Potts.
" I will take care she is put in possession of them," said Nicholas.
"As to you, Richard," continued Mistress Nutter, " the time may come when your devotion to my daugh-
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 95
ter may be rewarded, and I could not bestow a greater boon upon you than by giving you her hand. It may be well I should give my consent now, and if no other obstacle should arise to the union, may she be yours, and happiness I am sure will attend you I'1
Overpowered by conflicting emotions, Alizon hid her face in her mother's bosom, and Richard, who was almost equally overcome, was about to reply, when Mother Demdike broke upon them.
" They will never be united !" she screamed. " Never ! I have said it, and my words will come true. Think'st thou a witch like thee can bless an union, Alice Nutter ? Thy blessings are curses, thy wishes disappointments and despair. Thriftless love shall be Alizon's, and the grave shall be her bridal bed. The witch's daughter shall share the witch's fate."
These boding words produced a terrible effect upon the hearers.
" Heed her not, my sweet child — she speaks falsely," said Mistress Nutter, endeavouring to re-assure her daughter, but the tone in which the words were uttered showed that she herself was greatly alarmed.
"I have cursed them both, and I will curse them again," yelled Mother Demdike.
" Away with the old screech-owl," cried Nicholas. " Take her to the beacon, and if she continues trouble- some, hurl her into the name."
And notwithstanding the hag's struggles and impre- cations she was removed.
96 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
" Whatever may betide, Alizon," cried Richard, iCmy life shall be devoted to you ; and if you should not be mine, I will have no other bride. With your permis- sion, madam," he added, to Mistress Nutter, " I will take your daughter to Middleton, where she will find companionship and solace, I trust, in the attentions of my sister, who has the strongest affection for her."
" I could wish nothing better," replied the lady, " and now to put an end to this harrowing scene. Farewell, my child. Take her, Richard, take her," she cried, as she disenjm^ed herself from the relaxing embrace of her daughter. " Now, Master Nowell, I am ready."
" It is well, madam," he replied. " You will join the other prisoners, and we will set forth."
But at this juncture a terrific shriek was heard, which drew all eyes towards the beacon.
When Mother Demdike had been removed, in accord- ance with the squire's directions, her conduct became more violent and outrageous than ever, and those who had charge of her threatened, if she did. not desist, to carry out the full instructions they had received, and cast her into the flames. The old hag defied them, and incensed them to such a degree by her violence and blasphemies, that they carried her to the very edge of the fire.
At this moment the figure of a monk, in mouldering white habiliments, came from behind the beacon, and stood beside the old hag. He slowly raised his hood and disclosed features that looked like those of the dead.
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 97
"Thy Hour is come, accursed woman?1' cried the phantom, in thrilling accents. " Thy term on earth is ended, and thou shalt be delivered to unquenchable fire. The curse of Paslew is fulfilled upon thee, and will be fulfilled upon all thy viperous brood."
" Art thou the abbot's shade ?" demanded the hag.
" I am thy implacable enemy," replied the phantom. u Thy judgment and thy punishment are committed to me. To the names with her !"
Such was the awe inspired by the monk, and such the authority of his tones and gesture, that the com- mand was unhesitatingly obeyed, and the witch was cast, shrieking, into the fire.
She was instantly swallowed up as in a gulf of flame, which raged, and roared, and shot up in a hundred lambent points, as if exulting in its prey.
The wretched creature was seen for a moment to rise up in it in extremity of anguish, with arms extended, and uttering a dreadful yell, but the flames wreathed round her, and she sank for ever.
When those who had assisted at this fearful execu- tion looked around for the mysterious being who had commanded it they could nowhere behold him.
Then was heard a laugh of gratified hate — such a laugh as only a demon, or one bound to a demon, can utter, and the appalled listeners looked around, and beheld Mother Chattox standing behind them.
" My rival is gone I'1 cried the hag. " I have seen the last of her. She is burnt — ah ! ah I"
VOL. III. H
98 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.
Further triumph was not allowed her. With one accord, and as if prompted by an irresistible impulse, the men rushed upon her, seized her5 and cast her into the fire.
Her wild laughter was heard for a moment above
o
the roaring of the flames, and then ceased altogether.
Again the flame shot high in air, again roared and raged, again broke into a multitude of lambent points, after which it suddenly expired.
All was darkness on the summit of Pendle Hill.
And in silence and in gloom scarcely more profound than that weighing in every breast the melancholy troop pursued its way to Whalley.
END OF THE SECOND BOOK.
BOOK THE THIRD.
f^ogftton BTofotr.
BOOK THE THIRD,