CHAPTER V.

THE END OF MALKIN TOWER.

The shades of niglit had fallen on Downham manor-
house, and with an aching heart, and a strong presen-
timent of ill, Mistress Nutter prepared to quit the little
chamber which had sheltered her for more than two
months, and where she would willingly have breathed
her latest sigh, if it had been so permitted her. Closing
the Bible she had been reading, she placed the sacred
volume under her arm, and taking up a small bundle
containing her slender preparations for travel, extin-
guished the taper, and then descending by a secret
staircase, passed through a door, fashioned externally
like a cupboard, and entered a summer-house, where
she found old Crouch awaiting her.

A few whispered words only passed between her and
the huntsman, and informing her that the horses were
in waiting at the back of the garden, he took the bundle
from her, and would fain have relieved her, also, of the
Bible, but she would not part with it, and pressing it

188 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

more closely to her bosom, said she was quite ready to
attend him.

It was a beautiful, starlight night; the air soft and
balmy, and laden with the perfume of the flowers. A
nightingale was singing plaintively in an adjoining
tree, and presently came a response equally tender from
another part of the grove. Mistress Nutter could not
choose but listen, and the melody so touched her that
she was half suffocated by repressed emotion, for, alas !
the relief of tears was denied her.

Motioning her somewhat impatiently to come on,
Crouch struck into a sombre alley, edged by clipped
yew trees, and terminating in a plantation, through
which a winding path led to the foot of the hill whereon
the mansion was situated. By daylight this was a beau-
tiful walk, affording exquisite glimpses through the
trees of the surrounding scenery, and commanding a
noble view of Pendle Hill, the dominant point in the
prospect. But even now to the poor lady, so long im-
mured in her cell-like chamber, and deprived of many
of nature's choicest blessings, it appeared delightful.
The fresh air, redolent of new-mown hay, fanned her
pale cheek and feverish brow, and allayed her agitation
and excitement. The perfect stillness, broken only by
the lowing of the cattle in the adjoining pastures, by
the drowsy hum of the dor-fly, or the rippling of the
beck in the valley, further calmed her; and the sooth-
ing influence was completed by a contemplation of the

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 189

serene heavens wherein were seen the starry host, with
the thin bright crescent of the new moon in the midst
of them, diffusing a pearly light around her. One blot
alone appeared in the otherwise smiling sky, and this
was a great, ugly, black cloud, lowering over the sum-
mit of Pendle Hill.

Mistress Nutter noticed the portentous cloud, and
noticed also its shadow on the hill, which might have
been cast by the Fiend himself, so like was it to a
demoniacal shape with outstretched wings; but, though
shuddering at the idea it suggested, she would not
suffer it to obtain possession of her mind, but reso-
lutely fixed her attention on other and more pleasing
objects.

By this time, they had reached the foot of the hill,
and a gate admitted them to a road running by the side
of Downham beck. Here they found the horses in charge
of a man in the dark red livery of Nicholas Assheton, and
who was no other than Tom Shaw, the rascally cock-
master. Delivering the bridles to Crouch, the knave
hastily strode away, but he lingered at a little distance
to see the lady mount ; and then, leaping the hedge,
struck through the plantation towards the hall, chink-
ing the money in his pockets as he went, and thinking
how cleverly he had earned it. But he did not go un-
punished, for it is a satisfaction to record that in walking
through the woods, he was caught in a gin placed there
by Crouch, which held him fast in its iron teeth till
morning, when he was discovered by one of the under-

190 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

keepers while going his rounds, in a deplorable condi-
tion, and lamed for life.

Meanwhile, unconscious either of the manner in
which she had been betrayed, or of the punishment
awaiting her betrayer, Mistress Nutter followed her
conductor in silence. For a while, the road continued
by the side of the brook, and then quitting it, com-
menced a long and tedious ascent, running between high
banks fringed with trees. The overhanging boughs
rendered it so dark that Mistress Nutter could scarcely
distinguish the old huntsman, though he was not many
yards in advance of her, but she heard the tramp of his
horse, and that was enough.

All at once, where the boughs were thickest, and the
road darkest, she perceived a small fiery object on the
bank, and in her alarm called out to the huntsman, who,
looking back for a moment, laughed, and told her not
to be uneasy, for it was only a glow-worm. Ashamed
of her idle fears, she rode on, but had not proceeded
far, when looking again at the bank, she saw it studded
with the same lights. This time she did not call out, or
scream, but gazed steadily at the twinkling fires, hoping
to get the better of her fears. Her alarm, however, rose
to absolute terror, as she beheld the glow-worms — if
glow-worms they were — twist together and form them-
selves into a flaming brand, such as she had seen in her
vision, grasped by the angel who had driven her from
the gates of Paradise.

Averting her gaze, she would have hastened on, but

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 191

a hand suddenly laid upon her bridle, held back her
horse ; and she then perceived a tall dark man, mounted
on a sable steed, riding beside her. The supernatural
character of the horseman was manifest, inasmuch as no
sound was caused by the tread of his steed, nor did he
appear to be visible to Crouch when the latter looked
back. Mistress Nutter maintained her seat with diffi-
culty. She well knew who was her companion.

" Soh, Alice Nutter," said the horseman, at length,
in a low deep tone, " you have chosen to shut yourself
up in a narrow cell, like a recluse, for more than two
months, denying yourself all sort of enjoyment, prac-
tising severest abstinence, and passing your whole time
in useless prayer — ay, useless, for if you were to pray
from now till doomsday — come when it will, a thousand
years hence, or to-morrow — it will not save you. When
you signed that bond to my master, sentence was re-
corded against you, and no power can recall it. Why,
then, these unavailing lamentations ? Why utter
prayers which are rejected, and supplications which are
scorned ? Shake off this weakness, Alice, and be
yourself again. Once you had pride enough, and a
little of it would now be of service to you. You would
then see the folly of this abject conduct — humbling
yourself to the dust only to be spurned, and suing for
mercy only to be derided. Pray as loud and as long as
you will, the ears of Heaven will remain ever deaf to
you."

" I hope otherwise," rejoined the lady, meekly.

1 92 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

"Do not deceive yourself," replied the horseman.
" The term granted you by your compact will not be
abridged, but it is your own fault if it be not extended.
Your daughter is destroying herself in the vain hope of
saving you. Her prayers are unavailing as your own,
and recoil from the Judgment Throne unheard. The
youth upon whom her affections are fixed is stricken
with a deadly ailment. It is in your power to save
them both."

Mistress Nutter groaned deeply.

" It is in your power, I say, to save them," continued
the horseman, " by returning to your allegiance to your
master. He will forgive your disobedience if you prove
yourself zealous in his service ; will restore you to your
former worldly position ; avenge you of your enemies ;
and accomplish all you may desire with respect to your
daughter."

" He cannot do it," replied Mistress Nutter.

" Cannot !" echoed the horseman. " Try him !
For many years I have served you as familiar ; and you
have never set me the task I have failed to execute. I
am ready to become your servant again, and to offer you
a yet larger range of control. Put no limits to your
desires or ambition. If you are tired of this narrow
sphere, take a wider. Look abroad. But do not shut
yourself up in a narrow cell, and persuade yourself
you are accomplishing your ultimate deliverance, when
you are only wasting precious time, which might be
more advantageously and far more agreeably employed.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 193

While laughing at your folly, my master deplores it ;
and he has, therefore, sent me as to one for whom, not-
withstanding all derelictions from duty, he has still a
regard, with an offer of full forgiveness, provided you re-
turn to him at once, and renew your covenant, proving
your sincerity by casting from you the book you hold
under your arm."

11 Your snares are not laid subtly enough to catch me,"
replied Mistress Nutter, " I will never part with this
holy volume, which is my present safeguard, and on
which I build my hopes of salvation — hopes, which
your very proposals have revived within my breast,
for I am well assured your master would not make
them if he felt confident of his power over me.
No ; I defy him and you, and I command you,
in Heaven's name, to get hence, and to tempt me no
longer !"

As the words were uttered, with a howl of rage and
mortification, like the roar of a wild beast, the dark
horseman and his steed vanished. Alarmed by the
sound, Crouch stopped, and questioned the lady
as to its cause, but receiving no satisfactory ex-
planation from her, he bade her ride quickly on,
affirming it must be the bo^art of the clouorh.

Soon after this they again came upon Downham beck,
and were about to cross it, when their purpose was ar-
rested by a joyous barking, and the next moment Grip
came up. The dog, it appeared, had been shut up in

VOL. III. O

194 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

the stable, his company not being desired on the
expedition, but, contriving in some way or other
to get out, he had scented his master's course, and
in the end overtaken him. Crouch did not know
whether to be angry or pleased, and at first gave utter-
ance to an oath, and raised his whip to chastise
him, but almost instantly the latter feeling predomi-
nated, and he welcomed the faithful animal with a few
kind words.

" Ey suppose theaw thowt ey couldna do without
thee, Grip," he said, " an mayhap theaw'rt reet."

They are now across the beck, and speeding over
the wide brown waste. The huntsman warily shapes
his course so as to avoid any limestone-quarries or
turf-pits. He points out a jack-o'-lantern dancing
merrily on the surface of a dangerous morass, and
tells a dismal tale of a traveller lured into it by the de-
lusive light and swallowed up.

Mistress Nutter pays little heed to him, but ever
and anon looks back, as if in dread of some one behind
her. But no one is visible, and she only sees the great
black cloud still hovering over Pendle Hill.

On — on — they go ; their horses' hoofs now splashing
through the wet sod, now beating upon the firm but
elastic turf. A merry ride it would be, if their errand
were different, and their hearts free from care. The
air is fresh and reviving, and the rapid motion exhila-
rating. The stars shine out, and the crescent moon is

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 195

still glittering in the heavens, but the black cloud hangs
motionless on Pendle Hill.

Now and then some bird of night flies past them, and
they hear the whooping of the owl, and see him skim-
ming like a ghost over the waste. Then more fen fires
arise, showing that other treacherous quagmires are at
at hand ; but Crouch skirts them safely. Now the bull-
frog croaks in the marsh, and a deep booming tells of
a bittern passing by. They see the mighty bird above
them with his wide heavy wings and long neck. Grip
howls at him, but is instantly checked by his master, and
they gallop on.

They are now by the side of Pendle Water, and
•within sight of Rough Lee. What tumultuous thoughts
agitate the lady's breast ! The ground she tramples on
was once her own ; the woods by the river side were
planted by her ; the mansion before her once owned
her as mistress, and now she dares not approach it.
Nor does she desire to do so, for the sight of it brings
back terrible recollections, and fills her again with
despair.

They are now close upon it, and it appears dark,
silent, and deserted. How different from what it
was of yore in her husband's days — the husband she
had foully slain. Speed on old huntsman ! — lash your
panting horse, or the remorseful lady will far outstrip
you, for she rides as if the avenging furies were at her
heels.

She is rattling over the bridge, and Crouch, toiling
o 2

196 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

after her, and with Grip toiling after him, shouts to her
to moderate her pace. She looks back and beholds the
grim old house frowning full upon her, and hurries on.
Huntsman and dog are left behind for awhile, but the
steep ascent soon compels her to slacken speed, and they
come up, Crouch swearing lustily, and Grip, with his
tongue out of his mouth, limping as if foot sore.

The road now leads through a thicket. The horses
stumble frequently, for the stones are loose, and the foot-
ing consequently uncertain. Crouch has a fall, and ere
he can remount, the lady is gone. It it useless to hurry
after her, and Pie is proceeding slowly, when Grip^ who
is a little in advance, growls fiercely, and looks back at
his master, as if to intimate that danger is at hand.
The huntsman presses on, but he is too late, if, indeed,
he could at any time have rendered effectual assistance.
A clearing in the thicket shows him the lady dismounted,
and surrounded by several wild-looking men armed
with calivers. Part of the band bear her shrieking off,
and the rest fire at him, but without effect, and then
chase him as far as the steepest part of the hill, down
which he dashes, followed by Grip. Arrived at the
bottom, he pauses to listen if he is pursued, and hearing
nothing further to alarm him, debates with himself
what is best to be done ; and, not liking to alarm the
village, for that would be to betray Mistress Nutter,
he gets off his horse, ties him to a tree, and with Grip
close at his heels, commences the ascent of the hill by a
different road from that lie had previously taken.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 197

iMean while, Mistress Nutter's captors dragged her
forcibly towards the tower. Their arms and appearance
left her no doubt they were depredators, and she sought
to convince them she had neither money nor valuables
in her possession. They laughed at her assertions, but
made no other reply. Her sole consolation was that
they did not seek to deprive her of her Bible.

On reaching the tower, a signal was given by one of
the foremost of the band, and the steps being lowered
from the high doorway, she was compelled to ascend
them, and being pushed along a short passage, obscured
by a piece of thick tapestry, but which was drawn aside
as she advanced, she found herself in a circular cham-
ber, in the midst of which was a massive table covered
with flasks and drinking-cups, and stained with wine.
From the roof, which was crossed by great black beams of
oak, was suspended a lamp with three burners, whose light
showed that the Avails were garnished with petronels, ra-
piers, poniards, and other murderous weapons ; besides
these there were hung from pegs long riding cloaks, som-
breros, vizards, and other robber accoutrements, including
a variety of disguises, from the clown's frieze jerkin to the
gentleman's velvet doublet, ready to be assumed on an
emergency. Here and there was an open valise, or a
pair of saddle-bags with their contents strewn about the
floor, and on a bench were a dice-box and shuffle-board,
showing with" the flasks and goblets on the table, how
the occupants of the tower passed their time.

A steep ladder-like flight of steps led to the upper

198 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

chamber, and down these, at the very moment of Mis-
tress Nutter's entrance, descended a stalwart personage,
who eyed her fiercely as he leapt upon the floor. There
was something in the man's truculent physiognomy,
and strange and oblique vision, that reminded her of
Mother Demdike.

" Welcome to Malkin Tower, madam," said the
robber with a grin, and doffing his cap, with affected
courtesy. " We have met before, but it is many years
ago, and I dare say you have forgotten me. You will
guess who I am when I tell you my mother occupied
this tower before me."

Finding Mistress Nutter make no remark, he went
on.

"I am Christopher Demdike, madam — Captain
Demdike, I should say. The brave fellows who have
brought you hither are part of my band, and till lately
Northumberland and the borders of Scotland used to be
our scene of action, but chancing to hear of my worthy
old mother's death, I thought we could not do better
than take possession of her stronghold, which devolved
upon me by right of inheritance. Since our arrival here
we have kept ourselves very quiet, and the country folk
taking us for spirits or demons, never approach our
hiding-place ; while, as all our depredations are con-
fined to distant parts, our retreat has never been sus-
pected."

" This concerns me little," observed Mistress Nutter,
coldly.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 199

" Pardon me, madam, it concerns you much, as you
will learn anon. But be seated, I pray you," he said,
with mock civility, " I am keeping you standing all
this while."

But as the lady declined the attention, he went
on.

" I was fortunate enough, on first coming back to
this part of the country, to pick up an acquaintance with
your relative, Nicholas Assheton, who invited me to
stay with him at Downham, and was so well pleased
with my society that he could not endure to part
with me."

" Indeed !" exclaimed Mistress Nutter, a are you the
person he called Lawrence Fogg?"

"The same," replied Demdike ; a and no doubt you
would hear a good report of me, madam. Well, it
suited my purpose to stay; for I was very hospitably
entertained by the squire, who, except being rather too
much addicted to lectures and psalm-singing, is as
pleasant a host as one could desire; besides which, he
was obliging enough to employ me to borrow money
for him, and what I got I kept, you may be sure."

" I would willingly be spared the details of your
knavery," said Mistress Nutter, somewhat impatiently.

" I am coming to an end," rejoined Demdike, " and
then, perhaps, you may wish I had prolonged them.
AH the squire's secrets were committed to me, and I
was fully aware of your concealment in the hall, but I
could never ascertain precisely where you were lodged.

200 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

I meant to carry you off, and only awaited the oppor-
tunity which has presented itself to-night."

"If you think to obtain money from me, you will
find yourself mistaken," said Mistress Nutter. " I have
parted with all my possessions."

"But to whom, madam," cried Demdike, with a
sinister smile — " to your daughter. And I am sure she
is too gentle, too tender-hearted, to allow you to suffer
when she can relieve you. You must get us a good
round sum from her, or you will be detained here long.
The dungeons are dark and unwholesome, and my band
are apt to be harsh in their treatment of captives. They
have found in the vaults some instruments of torture
belonging to old Blackburn, the freebooter, the efficacy
of which in an obstinate case I fear they might be in-
clined to try. You now begin to see the drift of my
discourse, madam, and understand the sort of men
you have to deal with — barbarous fellows, madam —
inhuman dogs !"

And he laughed coarsely at his own jocularity.

" It may put an end to this discussion," said Mistress
Nutter, firmly, "if I declare that no torture shall
induce me to make any such demand from my
daughter."

" You think, perhaps, I am jesting with you,
madam," rejoined Demdike.

"Oh! no, I believe you capable of any atrocity,"
replied the lady. " You do not, either in feature or
deeds, belie your parentage."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 201

" All ! say you so, madam?" cried Demdikc. " You
have a sharp tongue, I find. Courtesy is thrown away
upon you. What, ho! lads — Kenyon and Lowton,
take the lady down to the vaults, and there let her
have an hour for solitary reflection. She may change
her mind in that time."

" Do not think it," cried Mistress Nutter, resolutely.

" If you continue obstinate, we will find means to
move you," rejoined Demdike, in a taunting tone.
11 But what has she got beneath her arm? Give me
the book. What's this? — a Bible! A witch with a
Bible! It should be a grimoire. Ha! ha!"

" Give it me back, I implore of you," shrieked the
lady. " I shall be destroyed, soul and body, if I have
it not with me."

" What ! you are afraid the devil may carry you off
without it — ho! ho!" roared Demdike. "Well, that
would not suit my purpose at present. Here take it —
and now off with her, lads, without more ado !"

And as he spoke, a trap-door was opened by one of
the robbers, disclosing a flight of steps leading to the
subterranean chambers, down which the miserable lady
was dragged.

Presently, the two men re-appeared with a grim smile
on their ruffianly countenances, and, as they closed the
trap-door, one of them observed to the captain that
they had chained her to a pillar, by removing the band
from the great skeleton, and passing it round her
body.

202 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

"You have done well, lads," replied Demdike, ap-
provingly, " and now go all of you and scour the hill
top, and return in an hour, and we will decide upon
what is to be done with this woman."

The two men then joined the rest of their comrades
outside, and the whole troop descended the steps, which
were afterwards drawn up by Demdike. This done,
the robber captain returned to the circular chamber,
and for some time paced to and fro, revolving his
dark schemes. He then paused, and placing his ear
near the trap-door, listened, but as no sound reached
him, he sat down at the table, and soon grew so much
absorbed as to be unconscious that a dark figure
was creeping stealthily down the narrow staircase
behind him.

" I cannot get rid of Nicholas Assheton," he exclaimed
at length. " I somehow fancy we shall meet again ;
and yet all should be over with him by this time."

"Look round !" thundered a voice behind Mm.
" Nicholas Assheton is not to be got rid of so easily."

At this unexpected summons, Demdike started to
his feet, and recoiled aghast, as he saw what he took to
be the ghost of the murdered squire standing before
him. A second look, however, convinced him that it
was no phantom he beheld, but a living man, armed for
vengeance, and determined upon it.

" Get a weapon, villain," cried Nicholas, in tones
of concentrated fury. UI do not wish to take unfair
advantage, even of thee."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 203

Without a word of reply, Demdike snatched a sword
from the wall, and the next moment was engaged in
deadly strife with the squire. They were well matched,
for both were powerful men, both expert in the use of
their weapons, and the combat might have been pro-
tracted and of doubtful issue but for the irresistible fury
of Nicholas, who assaulted his adversary with such vigour
and determination that he speedily drove him against
the wall, where the latter made an attempt to seize a
petronel hanging beside him, but his purpose being
divined, he received a thrust through the arm, and,
dropping his blade, lay at the squire's mercy.

Nicholas shortened his sword, but forbore to strike.
Seizing his enemy by the throat he hurled him to the
ground, and planting his knee on his chest, called out,
" What, ho, Nance!"

" Nance !" exclaimed Demdike, — " then it was that
mischievous jade who brought you here."

" Ay," replied the squire, as the young woman came
quickly down the steps, — " and I refused her aid in the
conflict because I felt certain of mastering thee, and
because I would not take odds even against such a
treacherous villain as thou art."

" Better dispatch him, squire," said Nance; " he may
do yo a mischief yet."

" No — no," replied Nicholas. " he is unworthy of a
gentleman's sword. Besides, I have sworn to hang
him, and I will keep my word. Go down into the
vaults and liberate Mistress Nutter, while I bind him,

204 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

for we must take him with us. To-morrow, lie shall
lie in Lancaster Castle with his kinsfolk."

" That remains to be seen," muttered Demdike.

" Be on your guard, squire," cried Nance, as she
lifted a small lamp, and raised the trap-door.

With this caution, she descended to the vaults, while
Nicholas looked about for a thong, and perceiving a
rope dangling down the wall near him, he seized it,
drawing it with some force towards him.

A sudden sound reached his ears — clang ! clang !
He had rung the alarm-bell violently.

Clang ! clang ! clang ! Would it never stop?

Taking advantage of his surprise and consternation,
Demdike got from under him, sprang to his feet, and
rushing to the doorway, instantly let fall the steps,
roaring out, —

" Treason ! to the rescue, my men ! to the rescue !"

His cries were immediately answered from without,
and it was evident from the tumult that the whole of
the band were hurrying to his assistance.

Not a moment was to be lost by the squire. Plunging
through the trap-door, he closed it after him, and bolted
it underneath at the very moment the robbers entered
the chamber. Demdike's rage at finding him gone,
was increased, when all the combined efforts of his men
failed in forcing open the trap-door.

" Take hatchets, and hew it open," he cried, " we
must have them. I have heard there is a secret outlet
below, and though I have never been able to discover

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 205

it, it may be known to Nance. I will go outside, and
watch. If you hear me whistle, come forth in-
stantly.'1

And, rushing forth, he was making the circuit of
the tower, and examining some bushes at its base, when
his throat was suddenly seized by a dog, and before he
could even utter an exclamation, much less sound his
whistle, or use his arms, he was grappled by the old
huntsman, and dragged off to a considerable distance,
the dog still clinging to his throat.

Meanwhile, Nicholas had hurried down into the
vaults, where he found Nance sustaining Mistress Nut-
ter, who was half fainting, and hastily explaining what
had occurred, she consigned the lady to him, and then
led the way through the central range of pillars, and
past the ebon image, until she approached the wall,
when, holding up the lamp, she revealed a black mar-
ble slab between the statues of Blackburn and Isole.
Pressing against it, the slab moved on one side, and
disclosed a flight of steps.

" Go up there," cried Nance, to the squire, "and
when ye get to th' top, yo'n find another stoan, wi' a
nob in it. Yo canna miss it. Go on."

" But you !" cried the squire. " Will you not come
with us?"

" Ey'n come presently," replied Nance, with a strange
smile. " Ey ha summat to do first. That cunning
fox Demdike has set a trapfo' himsel an aw his followers,

206 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

— and it's fo' me to ketch 'em. "Wait fo' me about a
liundert yorts fro' tli' tower. Nah nearer — yo onder-
stand."

Nicholas did not very clearly understand, but con-
cluding Nance had some hidden meaning in what she
said, he resolved unhesitatingly to obey her. Having
got clear of the tower, as directed, with Mistress
Nutter, he ran on with her to some distance, when
what was his surprise to find Crouch and Grip keeping
watch over the prostrate robber chief. A few words
from the huntsman sufficed to explain how this had come
about, but they were scarcely uttered when Nance rushed
up in breathless haste, crying out — " Off ! further off !
as yo value your lives !"

Seeing from her manner that delay would be dan-
gerous, Nicholas and Crouch laid hold of the prisoner
and bore him away between them, while Nance as-
sisted Mistress Nutter along.

They had not gone far when a rumbling sound like
that preceding an earthquake was heard.

All looked back towards Malkin Tower. The struc-
ture was seen to rock — flames burst from the earth —
and with a tremendous explosion heard for miles around,
and which shook the ground even where Nicholas and
the others stood, the whole of the unhallowed fabric,
from base to summit, was blown into the air, some of
the stones being projected to an extraordinary distance.

A mine charged with gunpowder, it appeared, had

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 207

"been laid beneath its vaults by Demdike, with a view to
its destruction at some future period, and this circum-
stance being known to Nance, she had fired the train.

Not one of the robbers within the tower escaped.
The bodies of all were found next day, crushed, burned,
or frightfully mutilated.

208 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.