CHAPTER VIII.

HOW KING JAMES HUNTED THE HART AND THE
WILD BOAR IN HOGHTON PARK.

Galloping on fast and furiously, Richard tracked
a narrow path of green sward, lying between the tall
trees composing the right line of the avenue and the
adjoining wood. Within it grew many fine old thorns,
diverting him now and then from his course, but he
still held on until he came within a short distance
of the chace, when his attention was caught by a very
singular figure. It was an old man, clad in a robe
of coarse brown serge, with a cowl drawn partly over
his head, a rope girdle like that used by a cordelier,
sandal shoon, and a venerable white beard descending
to his waist. The features of the hermit, for such he
seemed, were majestic and benevolent. Seated on a
bank overgrown with wild thyme, beneath the shade of
a broad-armed elm, he appeared so intently engaged
in the perusal of a large open volume laid on his
knee, that he did not notice Richard's approach.

266 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Deeply interested, however, by his appearance, the
young man determined to address him, and reining in
his horse, said, respectfully, " Save you, father !"

" Pass on, my son," replied the old man, without
raising his eyes, " and hinder not my studies."

But Richard would not be thus dismissed.

" Perchance you are not aware, father," he said,
' 'that the King is about to hunt within the park this
morning. The royal cavalcade has already left Hogh-
ton Tower, and will be here ere many minutes."

" The King and his retinue will pass along the broad
avenue, as you should have done, and not through
this retired road," replied the hermit. " They will not
disturb me."

" I would fain know the subject of your studies,
father ?" inquired Richard.

"You are inquisitive, young man," returned the
hermit, looking up and fixing a pair of keen gray
eyes upon him. "But I will satisfy your curiosity, if
by so doing I shall rid me of your presence. I am
reading the Book of Fate."

Richard uttered an exclamation of astonishment.

" And in it your destiny is written," pursued the
old man; " and a sad one it is. Consumed by a strange
and incurable disease, which may at any moment prove
fatal, you are scarcely likely to survive the next three
days, in which case she you love better than existence
will perish miserably, being adjudged to have destroyed
you by witchcraft."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 267

" It must indeed be the Book of Fate that tells you
this," cried Richard, springing from his horse, and
approaching close to the old man. " May I cast eyes
upon it ?"

" No, my son," replied the old man, closing the
volume. "You would not comprehend the mystic
characters — but no eye, except my own, must look
upon them. What is written will be fulfilled. Again,
I bid you pass on. I must speedily return to my
hermit cell in the forest."

" May I attend you thither, father ?" asked Ri-
chard.

"To what purpose?" rejoined the old man. " You
have not many hours of life. Go, then, and pass them
in the fierce excitement of the chace. Pull down the
lordly stag — slaughter the savage boar, and, as you see
the poor denizens of the forest perish, think that your
own end is not far off. Hark ! Do you hear that
boding cry ?"

" It is the croak of a raven, newly alighted in the
tree above us," replied Richard. " The sagacious bird
will ever attend the huntsmen in the chace, in the hope
of obtaining a morsel when they break up deer."

" Such is the custom of the bird I wot well," said the
old man ; " but it is not in joyous expectation of the
raven's-bone that he croaks now, but because his fell
instinct informs him that the living-dead is beneath
him."

And as if in answer to the remark the raven croaked

268 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

exultingly, and, rising from the tree, wheeled in a
circle above them.

" is there no way of averting my terrible destiny,
father ?" cried Richard, despairingly.

" Ay, if you choose to adopt it," replied the old man.
" When I said your ailment was incurable, I meant
by ordinary remedies, but it will yield to such as I
alone can employ. The malignant and fatal influence
under which you labour may be removed, and then
your instant restoration to health and vigour will
follow."

€t But how, father — how ?" cried Richard, eagerly.
" You have simply to sign your name in this book,"
rejoined the hermit, "and what you desire shall be
done. Here is a pen," he added, taking one from his
girdle.

" But the ink ?" cried Richard.

u Prick your arm with your dagger, and dip the pen
in the blood," replied the old man. "That will suffice."
" And what follows, if I sign ?" demanded Richard,
staring at him.

" Your instant cure. I will give you to drink of a
wondrous elixir."

" But to what do I bind myself?" asked Richard.
"To serve me," replied the hermit, smiling, — " but
it is a light service, and only involves your appearance
in this wood once a-year. — Are you agreed ?"

" I know not," replied the young man, distractedly.
" You must make up your mind speedily," said the

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 269

hermit ; " for I hear the approach of the 'royal caval-
cade."

And as he spoke, the mellow notes of a bugle, fol-
lowed by the baying of hounds, the jingling of bridles,
and the trampling of a large troop of horse, were heard
at a short distance down the avenue.

M Tell me who you are ?" cried Richard.

" I am the hermit of the wood/' replied the old man.
" Some people call me Hobthurst, and some by other
names, but you will have no difficulty in finding me
out. Look yonder !" he added, pointing through the
trees.

And glancing in the direction indicated, Richard be-
held a small party on horseback advancing across the
plain, consisting of his father, his sister and Alizon,
with their attendants.

" 'Tis she ! — 'tis she !" he cried.

M Can you hesitate, when it is to save her ?" de-
manded the old man.

" Heaven help me, or I am lost !" fervently ejaculated
Richard, gazing on high while making the appeal.

When he looked down again the old man was gone,
and he saw only a large black snake gliding off among
the bushes. Muttering a few words of thankfulness for
his deliverance, he sprang upon his horse.

" It may be the arch tempter is right," he cried,
11 and that but few hours of life remain to me, but if
so, they shall be employed in endeavours to vindicate
Alizon, and defeat the snares by which she is beset.*'

270 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

With this resolve, he struck spurs into his horse, and
set off in the direction of the little troop. Before, how-
ever, he could come up to them, their progress was
arrested by a pursuivant, who, riding in advance of
the royal cavalcade, motioned them to stay till it had
passed, and the same person also perceiving Richard's
purpose, called to him, authoritatively, to keep back.
The young man might have disregarded the injunction,
but at the same moment the King himself appeared
at the head of the avenue, and remarking Richard,
who was not more than fifty yards off on the right,
instantly recognised him, and shouted out, " Come
hither, young man — come hither."

Thus bafned in his design, Richard was forced to
comply, and uncovering his head, rode slowly to-
wards the monarch. As he approached, James fixed on
him a glance of sharpest scrutiny.

" Odds life ! ye ha' been ganging a fine gait, young
sir," he cried. " Ye maun be demented to ride down
a hill i' that fashion, and as if your craig war of nae
account. It's weel ye ha' come aff scaithless. Are ye
tired o' life — or was it the muckle deil himsel that drove
ye on ? Canna ye find an excuse, man ? Nay, then,
I'll gi'e ye ane. The loadstane will draw nails out of a
door, and there be lassies wi' een Strang as loadstanes,
that drag men to their perdition. Stands the magnet
yonder, eh ?" he added, glancing towards the little
group before them. " Gude faith I the lass maun be
a potent witch to exercise sic influence, and we wad

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 271

fain see the effect she has on you when near. Sir
Richard Hogl-iton," he called out to the knight, who
rode a few paces behind him, " we pray you present
Sir Richard Assheton and his daughter to us."

Had he dared so to do, Richard would have thrown
himself at the King's feet, but all he could venture
upon was to say in a low earnest tone, "Do not pre-
judge Alizon, sire. On my soul she is innocent."

" The King prejudges nae man," replied James, in a
tone of rebuke, " and like the wise prince of Israel,
whom it is his wish to resemble, he sees with his ain een,
and hears with his ain ears, afore he forms conclusions."

"That is all I can desire, sire," replied Richard.
" Far be it from me to doubt your majesty's discri-
mination, or love of justice."

" Ye shall hae proofs of baith, man, afore we ha*
done," said James. " Ah ! here comes our host, an the
twa lassies wi' him. She wi' the lint-white locks is
your sister, we guess, and the ither is Alizon — and by
our troth, a weel faur'd lass. But Satan is aye delusive.
We maun resist his snares."

The party now came on, and were formally presented
to the monarch by Sir Richard Hoghton. Sir Richard
Assheton, a middle-aged gentleman, with handsome
features, though somewhat haughty in expression, and
stately deportment, was very graciously received, and
James thought fit to pay a few compliments to Dorothy,
covertly regarding Alizon the while, yet not neglect-

272 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

ing Richard, being ready to intercept any signal that
should pass between them. None, however, was at-
tempted, for the young man felt he should only alarm
and embarrass Alizon by any attempt to caution her,
and he therefore endeavoured to assume an unconcerned
aspect and demeanour.

"We ha' heard the beauty of the Lancashire lassies
highly commended," said the King, " but, faith ! it
passes expectation. Twa lovelier damsels than these
we never beheld. Baith are rare specimens o' Nature's
liandywark."

" Your Majesty is pleased to be complimentary,"
rejoined Sir Richard Assheton.

" Nae, Sir Richard," returned James. " We are nae
gien to flichtering, though aften beflummed oursell.
Baith are bonnie lasses, we repeat. An sae this is
Alizon Nutter — it wad be Ailsie, in our ain Scottish
tongue, to which your Lancashire vernacular closely
approximates, Sir Richard. Aweel, fair Alizon," he
added, eyeing her narrowly, " ye hae lost your mither,
we understand ?"

The young girl was not discomposed by this ques-
tion, but answered in a firm, melancholy tone, — " Your
Majesty, I fear, is too well acquainted with my unfor-
tunate mother's history."

" Aweel, we winna deny having heard somewhat to
her disadvantage," replied the King — " but your ain
looks gae far to contradict the reports, fair maid."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 273

" Place no faitli in them then, sire/' replied Alizon,
sadly.

"Eh ! what ! — then you admit your mother's guilt?"
cried the King, sharply.

" I neither admit it, nor deny it, sire,"" she replied.
" It must be for your Majesty to judge her."

" Weel answered," muttered James — " but I must
na forget, that the Deil himsel can quote Scripture to
serve his purpose. But you hold in abhorrence the
crime laid to your mother's charge — eh?" he added
aloud.

" In utter abhorrence," replied Alizon.

" Gude — vera gude," rejoined the King. " But
entertaining this feeling, how comes it you screen so
heinous an offender frae justice ? Nae natural feeling
should be allowed to weio-h in sic a case."

o

" Nor should it, sire, with me," replied Alizon, —
" because I believe my poor mother's eternal welfare
would be best consulted if she underwent temporal
punishment. Neither is she herself anxious to avoid it."

" Then why does she keep out of the way — why
does she not surrender herself ?" cried the King.

"Because — " and Alizon stopped.

" Because what ?" demanded James.

" Pardon me, sire, I must decline answering further
questions on the subject," replied Alizon. " Whatever
concerns myself, or my mother alone, I will state
freely, but I cannot compromise others."

VOL, III. T

274 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

"Alia! then there are others concerned in it?"
cried James. " We thought as much. We will in-
terrogate you further hereafter — but a word mair. We
trust ye are devout, and constant in your religious
exercises, damsel/5

" I will answer for that, sire," interposed Sir Richard
Assheton. " Alison's whole time is spent in prayer for
her unfortunate mother. If there be a fault it is that she
goes too far, and injures her health by her zeal."

"A gude fault that, Sir Richard," observed the
King, approvingly.

" It beseems me not to speak of myself, sire," said
Alizon, " and I am loth to do so, — but I beseech your
Majesty to believe that if my life might be offered as
an atonement for my mother, I would freely yield it."

" I' gude faith she staggers me in my opinion,"
muttered James, " and I maun look into the matter
mair closely. The lass is far different frae what I ima-
gined her. But the wiles o' Satan are nae to be compre-
hended, and he will put on the semblance of righteous-
ness when seeking to beguile the righteous. Aweel, dam-
sel," he added aloud, " ye speak feelingly and properly,
and as a daughter should speak, and we respect your
feelings, — provided they be sic as ye represent them.
And now dispose yourselves for the chace."

" I must pray your Majesty to dismiss me," said
Alizon. "It is a sight in which at any time I take
small pleasure, and now it is specially distasteful to me.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 275

With your permission I will proceed to Hogliton
Tower."

" I also crave your Majesty's leave to go with her,''
said Dorothy.

" I will attend them," interposed Richard.

" Nae, you maun stay wi' us, young sir," cried the
King. "Your gude father win gang wi' 'em. Sir
John Finett," he added, calling to the Master of the
Ceremonies, and speaking in his ear, u see that they be
followed, and that a special watch be kept over Alizon,
and also over this youth, — d'ye mark me, — in fact
ower a' the Assheton clan. And now," he cried in a
loud voice, " let them blaw the strake."

The chief huntsman having placed the bugle to his
lips, and blown a strike with two winds, a short con-
sultation was held between him and James, who loved
to display his knowledge as a woodsman, and while this
was going forward, Nicholas and Sherborne having
come up, the squire dismounted, and committing Robin
to his brother-in-law, approached the monarch.

" If I may be so bold as to put in a word, my liege,"
he said, "I can show you where a hart of ten is
assuredly harboured. I viewed him as I rode through
the park this morning, and cannot, therefore, be mis-
taken. His head is high and well palmed, great
beamed and in good proportion, well burred, and well
pearled. He is stately in height, long, and well fed."

" Did you mark the slot, sir?" inquired James.

" I did, my liege," replied Nicholas. " And a long
T 2

276 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

slot it was — the toes great, with round short joint bones,
large shin bones, and the dew-claws close together.
I will uphold him for a great old hart as ever proffered,
and one that shall show your majesty rare sport."

" And we'll take your word for the matter, sir/" said
James — " for ye're as gude a woodman as any we hae
in our dominions. Bring us to him, then."

" Will it please your Majesty to ride towards yon
glade," said Nicholas — " and before you reach it, the
hart shall be roused."

James assenting to the arrangement, Nicholas sprang
upon his steed, and calling to the chief huntsman, they
galloped off together, accompanied by the bloodhound,
the royal cavalcade following somewhat more slowly in
the same direction. A fair sight it was to see that splendid
company careering over the plain, their feathered caps
and gay mantles glittering in the sun, which shone
brightly upon them. The morning was lovely, giving
promise that the day, when further advanced, would be
intensely hot, but at present it was fresh and delightful,
and the whole company, exhilarated by the exercise,
and by animated conversation, were in high spirits —
and perhaps amongst the huge party, which numbered
nearly three hundred persons, one alone was a prey to
despair. But though Richard Assheton suffered thus
internally, he bore his anguish with Spartan firmness,
resolved, if possible, to let no trace of it be visible in
his features or deportment ; and he so far succeeded
in conquering himself, that the King, who kept a

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 277

watchful eye upon him, remarked to Sir John Finett
as they rode along, that a singular improvement had
taken place in the young man's appearance.

The cavalcade was rapidly approaching the glade at
the lower end of the chace, when the lively notes of
a horn were heard from the adjoining wood, followed
by the deep baying of a bloodhound.

" Aha ! they have roused him," cried the King,
joyfully placing his own bugle to his lips, and sounding
an answer. Upon this the whole company halted in
anxious expectation, the hounds baying loudly. The
next moment a noble hart burst from the wood, whence
he had been driven by the shouts of Nicholas and the
chief huntsman, both of whom appeared immediately
afterwards.

" By my faith ! a great hart as ever was hunted,"
exclaimed the King. " There boys, there ! — to him !
to him P

Dashing after the flying hart, the hounds made
the welkin ring with their cries. Many lovely dam-
sels were there, but none thought of the cruelty of
the sport — none sympathised with the noble animal
they were running to death. The cries of the
hounds, now loud and ringing, now deep and
doling, accompanied by the whooping of the huntsmen,
formed a stirring concert, which found a response in
many a gentle bosom. The whole cavalcade was spread
widely about, for none were allowed to ride near tho
King. Over the plain they scoured, fleet as the wind,

278 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

and the hart seemed making for a fell forming part
of the hill near the mansion. But ere he reached
it, the relays stationed within a covert burst forth, and
turning him aside, he once more dashed fleetly across
the broad expanse, as if about to return to his old lair.
Now he was seen plunging into some bosky dell, — and
after being lost to view for a moment, bounding up the
opposite bank, and stretching across a tract thickly co-
vered with fern. Here he gained upon the hounds, who
were lost in the green wilderness, and their cries were
hushed for a brief space, — but anon they burst forth
anew, and the pack were soon again in full cry, and
speeding over the open ground.

At first the cavalcade had kept pretty well toge-
ther, but on the return the case was very different,
and many of the dames, being unable to keep up
with the hounds, fell off, and, as a natural consequence,
many of the gallants lingered behind too. Thus only
the keenest huntsmen held on. Amongst these, and
about fifty yards behind the King, were Richard
and Nicholas. The squire was right when he predicted
that the hart would show them good sport. Plunging
into the wood, the hard-pressed, beast knocked up an-
other stag, and took possession of his lair, but was
speedily roused again by Nicholas and the chief hunts-
man. Once more he is crossing the wide plain, with
hounds and huntsmen after him — once more he is turned
by a new relay, but this time he shapes his course to-
wards the woods skirting the Darwen. It is a piteous

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 279

sight to sec him now, his coat black and glistening
with sweat, his mouth embost with foam, his eyes
dull, big tears coursing down his cheeks, and his noble
head carried low. His end seems nigh, for the hounds,
though weary too, redouble their energies, and the mo-
narch cheers them on. Again the poor beast erects his
head — if he can only reach yon coppice he is safe. De-
spair nerves him, and, with gigantic bounds, he clears
the intervening space, and disappears beneath the
branches. Quickly as the hounds come after him,
they are at fault.

"He has taken to the soil, sire," cried Nicholas
coming up. " To the river — to the river I You may
see by the broken branches he has gone this way.5'

Forcing his way through the wood, James was soon on
the banks of the Darwen, which here ran deep and slow.
The hart was nowhere to be seen, nor was there any
slot on the further side to denote that he had gone
forth. It was evident, therefore, that he had swam
down the stream. At this moment a shout was
heard a hundred yards lower down, proceeding from
Nicholas, and, riding in the direction of the sound, the
King found the hart at bay on the further side of the
stream, and nearly up to his haunches in the water.
The King regarded him for a moment anxiously. The
poor animal was now in his last extremity, but he seemed
determined to sell his life dearly. He stood on a bank
projecting into the stream, round which the water
flowed deeply, and could not be approached without

280 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

difficulty and danger. He had already gored several
hounds, whose bleeding bodies -were swept down the
current; and, though the others bayed round him, they
did not dare to approach him, and could not get behind
him, as a high bank arose in his rear.

" Have I your Majesty's permission to despatch him?"
asked Nicholas.

" Ay, marry if you can, sir," replied James. " But
'ware the tynes ! — 'ware the tynes ! — ( If thou be hurt
with hart it brings thee to thy bier,' as the auld ballad
hath it, and the adage is true, as we oursels have seen.1'

Nicholas, however, heeded not the caution, but,
drawing his wood-knife, and disencumbering himself
of his cloak, he plunged into the stream, and with one
or two strokes reached the bank. The hart watched
his approach, as if divining his purpose, with a look
half menacing, half reproachful, and when he came
near, dashed his antlered head at him. Nimbly eluding
the blow, which, if it had taken effect, might have
proved serious, Nicholas plunged his weapon into the
poor brute's throat, who instantly fell with a heavy splash
into the water.

" Weel stricken ! weel stricken !" shouted James,
who had witnessed the performance from the op-
posite bank. " But how shall we get the carcase
here ?"

" That is easily done, sire," replied Nicholas. And
taking hold of the horns, he guided the body to a
low bank , a little below where the King stood.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 281

As soon as it was dragged ashore by the prickers,
James put his bugle to his lips and blew a mort. A
pryse was thrice sounded by Nicholas, and soon after-
wards the whole company came nocking round the spot,
whooping the death-note.

Meanwhile, the hounds had gathered round the
fallen hart, and were allowed to wreak their fury on
him by tearing his throat, happily after sensibility was
gone, while Nicholas, again baring his knife, cut off
the right fore foot, and presented it to the King.
While this ceremony was performed, the varlets of the
kennel having cut down a great heap of green brandies,
and strewn them on the ground, laid the hart upon
them, on his back, and then bore him to an open
space in the wood, where he was broken up by the
King, who prided himself upon his skill in all matters
of woodcraft. While this office was in course of exe-
cution a bowl of wine was poured out for the mo-
narch, which he took, adverting, as he did so, to the
common superstition, that if a huntsman should break
up a deer without drinking, the venison would putrify.
Having drained the cup, he caused it to be rilled again,
and gave it to Nicholas, saying the liquor was needful
to him after the drenching he had undero-one. James
then proceeded with his task, and just before he com-
pleted it, he was reminded, by a loud croak above him,
that a raven was at hand, and accordingly taking a
piece of gristle from the spoon of the brisket, he cast

282 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

it on the ground, and the bird immediately pounced
down upon it and carried it off in his huge beak.

After a brief interval, the seek was again winded,
another hart was roused, and after a short but swift
chace, pulled down by the hounds, and despatched
with his own hand by James. Sir Richard Hoghton
then besought the King to follow him, and led the way
to a verdant hollow surrounded by trees, in which shady
and delicious retreat preparations had been made for a
slight sylvan repast. Upon a mossy bank beneath a tree,
a cushion was placed for the King, and before it on
the sward was laid a cloth spread with many dainties,
including

" Neats' tongues powdered well, and jambons of the hog,
With sausages and savoury knacks to set men's minds agog" —

cold capons, and pigeon pies. Close at hand was a
clear cold spring in which numerous flasks of wine were
immersed. A few embers, too, had been lighted, on
which carbonadoes of venison were prepared.

No great form or ceremony was observed at the enter-
tainment. Sir John Finett and Sir Thomas Hoghton
were in close attendance upon the monarch, and minis-
tered to his wants ; but several of the nobles and gentle-
men stretched themselves on the sward, and addressed
themselves to the viands set before them by the pages.
None of the dames dismounted, and few could be
prevailed upon to take any refreshment. Besides the

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 283

flasks of wine, there were two barrels of ale in a small
cart, drawn by a mule, both of which were broached.
The whole scene was picturesque and pleasing, and well
calculated to gratify one so fond of sylvan sports as the
monarch for whom it was provided.

In the midst cf all this tranquillity and enjoyment
an incident occurred which interrupted it as com-
pletely as if a thunder-storm had suddenly come on. Just
when the mirth was at the highest, and when the flow-
ing cup was at many a lip, a tremendous bellowing,
followed by the crashing of branches, was heard in the
adjoining thicket. All started to their feet at the ap-
palling sound, and the King himself turned pale.

a What in Heaven's name can it be, Sir Richard ?"
he inquired.

" It must be a drove of wild cattle," replied the
baronet, trembling.

"Wild cattle P' ejaculated James, in great alarm;
u and sae near us. Zounds ! we shall be trampled and
gored to death by these bulls of Basan. Sir Richard,
ye are a fause traitor thus to endanger the safety o'
your sovereign, and ye shall answer for it, if harm comes
o' it."

" I am unable to account for it, sire," stammered the
frightened baronet. " I gave special directions to the
prickers to drive the beasts away."

" Ye should na keep sic deevils i' your park, man,"
cried the monarch. u Eh! what's that ?"

Amidst all this consternation and confusion the bel-

284 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

lowing was redoubled, and the crashing of brandies
drew nearer and nearer, and Nicholas Assheton rushed
forward with the King's horse, saying, " Mount, sire,
mount, and away !"

But James was so much alarmed that his limbs re-
fused to perform their office, and he was unable to put
foot in the stirrup. Seeing his condition, Nicholas cried
out, " Pardon, my liege, but at a moment of peril like
the present, one must not stand on ceremony."

So saying, he took the King round the waist,
and placed him on his steed.

At this juncture, a loud cry was heard, and a man
in extremity of terror, issued from the wood, and dashed
towards the hollow. Close on his heels came the drove
of wild cattle, and just as he gained the very verge of
the descent, the foremost of the herd overtook him, and
lowering his curled head, caught him on the points of
his horns, and threw him forwards to such a distance
that he alighted with a heavy crash almost at the King's
feet. Satisfied, apparently, with their vengeance, or
alarmed by the numerous assemblage, the drove in-
stantly turned tail, and were pursued into the depths
of the forest by the prickers.

Having recovered his composure, James bade some
of the attendants raise the poor wretch, who was lying
groaning upon the ground, evidently so much injured
as to be unable to move without assistance. His garb
was that of a forester, and his bulk — for he was stoutly
and squarely built — had contributed, no doubt, to the

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. £85

severity of the fall. When he was lifted from the
ground, Nicholas instantly recognised in his blackened
and distorted features those of Christopher Dcmdike.

" What!" he exclaimed, rushing towards him. " Is
it thou, villain?"

The sufferer only replied by a look of intense ma-
lignity.

" Eh ! what — d'ye ken wha it is ?" demanded James.
"By my saul! I fear the puir fellow has maist of his
banes broken."

"No great matter if they be," replied Nicholas,
" and it may save the application of torture in case your
Majesty desires to put any question to him. Chance
has most strangely thrown into your hands one of
the most heinous offenders in the kingdom, who has
long escaped justice, but who will at length meet the
punishment of his crimes. The villain is Christopher
Demdike, son of the foul hag who perished in the flames
on the summit of Pendle Hill, and captain of a band of
robbers."

" What ! is the knave a warlock and a never ?"
demanded James, regarding Demdike with abhorrence,
mingled with alarm.

" Both, sire," replied Nicholas, " and an assassin to
boot. He is a diabolical villain."

" Let him be taken to Hoghton Tower and kept in
some strong and secure place till we have leisure to
examine him," said James, — " and see that he be visited
by some skilful chirurgeon, for we wad nae hae him
dee, and sae rab the woodie."

286 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Demdike, who appeared to be in great agony, now
forced himself to speak.

" I can make important disclosures to your Majesty,"
he said, in hoarse and broken tones, " if you will hear
them. I am not the only offender who has escaped
from justice," he added, glancing vindictively at Ni-
cholas— "there is another, a notorious witch and
murderess, who is still screened from justice. I can
reveal her hiding-place."

"Your Majesty will not give heed to such a villain's
fabrications ?" said Nicholas.

" Are they fabrications, sir ?" rejoined James, some-
what sharply. " We maun hear and judge. The
snake, though scotched, will still bite, it seems. We
hae hangit a Highland cateran without trial afore this,
and we may be tempted to take the law into our ain
hands again. Bear the villain hence. See he be disposed
of as already directed, and take good care he is strictly
guarded. And now gi'e us a cross-bow, Sir Richard
Hoghton, and bid the prickers drive the deer afore us,
for we wad try our skill as a marksman."

And while Demdike was placed on the litter of
green boughs which had recently sustained a nobler
burthen in the fallen hart, and in this sort was con-
veyed to Hoghton Tower, James rode with his retinue
towards a long glade, where receiving a cross-bow
from the huntsman, he took up a favourable po-
sition behind a large oak, and several herds of deer
being driven before him, he selected his quarries, and
deliberately took aim at them, contriving in the

THE LANCASHIEE WITCHES. 287

course of an hour to bring down four fat bucks, and
to maim as many others, which were pulled down by
the hounds. And with this slaughter he was content.

Sir Richard Hoghton then informed his Majesty
that a huge boar, which, in sporting phrase, had left
the sounder five years, had broken into the park the
night before, and had been routing amongst the fern.
The age and size of the animal were known by the
print of the feet, the toes being round and thick, the
edge of the hoof worn and blunt, the heel large, and
the guards, or dew-claws, great and open, from all
which appearances, it was adjudged by the baronet to be
" a great old boar, not to be refused."

James at once agreed to hunt him, and the hounds
being taken away, six couples of magnificent masthTs,
of the Lancashire breed, were brought forward, and
the monarch, under the guidance of Sir Richard Hogh-
ton and the chief huntsman, repaired to an adjoining-
thicket, in which the boar fed and couched.

On arriving near his den, a boar-spear was given
to the King, and the prickers advancing into the
wood, presently afterwards reared the enormous brute.
Sallying forth, and freaming furiously, he was in-
stantly assailed by the mastiffs, but, notwithstanding
the number of his assailants, he made light of them
shaking them from his bristly hide, crushing them
beneath his horny feet, thrusting at them with his
sharpened tusks, and committing terrible devastation
among them.

288 THE LANCASHIKE WITCHES.

Repeated charges were made upon the savage animal
by James, but it was next to impossible to get a blow at
him for some time, and when at length the monarch
made the attempt, he struck too low, and hit him on
the snout, upon which the infuriated boar, finding him-
self wounded, sprang towards the horse, and ripped him
open with his tusks.

The noble charger instantly rolled over on his side,
exposing the royal huntsman to the fury of his merciless
assailant, whose tusks must have ploughed his flesh, if,
at this moment, a young man had not ridden forward,
and, at the greatest personal risk, approached the boar,
and striking straight downwards, cleft the heart of
the fierce brute with his spear.

Meanwhile, the King having been disengaged by the
prickers from his wounded steed, which was instantly
put out of its agony by the sword of the chief hunts-
man, looked for his deliverer, and discovering him to be
Richard Assheton, was loud in his expressions of grati-
tude.

" Faith ! ye maun claim a boon at our hands," said
James. " It maun never be said the King is ungrate-
ful. What can we do for you, lad ?"

" For myself, nothing, sire," replied Richard.

" But for anither meikle— is that what ye wad hac
us infer?" cried the King, with a smile. " Aweel, the
lassie shall hae strict justice done her; but for your ain
sake w^e maun inquire into the matter. Meantime,
wear this," he added, taking a magnificent sapphire

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 289

ring from his finger, and if you should ever need our
aid, send it to us as a token."

Richard took the gift, and knelt to kiss the hand
graciously extended to him.

By this time another horse had been provided for the
monarch, and the enormous boar, with his feet up-
wards and tied together, was suspended upon a pole,
and borne on the shoulders of four stout varlets as the
grand trophy of the chace.

When the ro}ral company issued from the wood a
strike of nine was blown by the chief huntsman, and
such of the cavalcade as still remained on the field
being collected together, the party crossed the. chace,
and took the direction of Hocrhton Tower.

VOL. III. U

290 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.