The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  “First of all I would caution you to speak the truth,” commenced Potts, impressively, “as I shall take down your answers in my memorandum book, and they will be produced against you hereafter.”

  “If he utters a falsehood I will commit him,” said Roger Nowell, sharply.

  “Speak ceevily, an ey win gi’ yo a ceevil answer,” rejoined Jem, in a surly tone; “boh ey’m nah to be browbeaten.”

  “First, then, is your hut in sight?” asked Potts.

  “Neaw,” replied Jem.

  “But you can point out its situation, I suppose?” pursued the attorney.

  “Sartinly ey con,” replied Jem, without heeding a significant glance cast at him by the reeve. “It stonds behind yon kloof, ot soide o’ t’ moor, wi’ a rindle in front.”

  “Now mind what you say, sirrah,” cried Potts. “You are quite sure the hut is behind the clough; and the rindle, which, being interpreted from your base vernacular, I believe means a gutter, in front of it?”

  The reeve coughed slightly, but failed to attract Jem’s attention, who replied quickly, that he was quite sure of the circumstances.

  “Very well,” said Potts— “you have all heard the answer. He is quite sure as to what he states. Now, then, I suppose you can tell whether the hut looks to the north or the south; whether the door opens to the moor or to the clough; and whether there is a path leading from it to a spot called Hook Cliff?”

  At this moment Jem caught the eye of the reeve, and the look given him by the latter completely puzzled him.

  “Ey dunna reetly recollect which way it looks,” he answered.

  “What! you prevaricating rascal, do you pretend to say that you do not know which way your own dwelling stands,” thundered Roger Nowell. “Speak out, sirrah, or Sparshot shall take you into custody at once.”

  “Ey’m ready, your worship,” replied the beadle.

  “Weel, then,” said Jem, imperfectly comprehending the signs made to him by the reeve, “the hut looks nather to t’ south naw to t’ north, but to t’ west; it feaces t’ moor; an there is a path fro’ it to Hook Cliff.”

  As he finished speaking, he saw from the reeve’s angry gestures that he had made a mistake, but it was now too late to recall his words. However, he determined to make an effort.

  “Now ey bethink me, ey’m naw sure that ey’m reet,” he said.

  “You must be sure, sirrah,” said Roger Nowell, bending his awful brows upon him. “You cannot be mistaken as to your own dwelling. Take down his description, Master Potts, and proceed with your interrogatories if you have any more to put to him.”

  “I wish to ask him whether he has been at home to-day,” said Potts.

  “Answer, fellow,” thundered the magistrate.

  Before replying, Jem would fain have consulted the reeve, but the latter had turned away in displeasure. Not knowing whether a lie would serve his turn, and fearing he might be contradicted by some of the bystanders, he said he had not been at home for two days, but had returned the night before at a late hour from Whalley, and had slept at Rough Lee.

  “Then you cannot tell what changes may have taken place in your dwelling during your absence?” said Potts.

  “Of course not,” replied Jem, “boh ey dunna see how ony chawnges con ha’ happent i’ so short a time.”

  “But I do, if you do not, sirrah,” said Potts. “Be pleased to give me your plan, Master Newell. I have a further question to ask him,” he added, after consulting it for a moment.

  “Ey win awnser nowt more,” replied Jem, gruffly.

  “You will answer whatever questions Master Potts may put to you, or you are taken into custody,” said the magistrate, sternly.

  Jem would have willingly beaten a retreat; but being surrounded by the two grooms and Sparshot, who only waited a sign from Nowell to secure him, or knock him down if he attempted to fly, he gave a surly intimation that he was ready to speak.

  “You are aware that a dyke intersects the heath before us, namely, Worston Moor?” said Potts.

  Jem nodded his head.

  “I must request particular attention to your plan as I proceed, Master Nicholas,” pursued the attorney. “I now wish to be informed by you, James Device, whether that dyke cuts through the middle of the moor, or traverses the side; and if so, which side? I desire also to be informed where it commences, and where, it ends?”

  Jem scratched his head, and reflected a moment.

  “The matter does not require consideration, sirrah,” cried Nowell. “I must have an instant answer.”

  “So yo shan,” replied Jem; “weel, then, th’ dyke begins near a little mound ca’d Turn Heaod, about a hundert yards fro’ my dwellin’, an runs across th’ easterly soide o’t moor till it reaches Knowl Bottom.”

  “You will swear this?” cried Potts, scarcely able to conceal his satisfaction.

  “Swere it! eigh,” replied Jem.

  “Eigh, we’n aw swere it,” chorused the hinds.

  “I’m delighted to hear it,” cried Potts, radiant with delight, “for your description corresponds exactly with Master Nowell’s plan, and differs materially from that of Mistress Nutter, as Squire Nicholas Assheton will tell you.”

  “I cannot deny it,” replied Nicholas, in some confusion.

  “Ey should ha’ said ‘westerly’ i’ stead o’ ‘yeasterly,’” cried Jem, “boh yo puzzle a mon so wi’ your lawyerly questins, that he dusna knoa his reet hond fro’ his laft.”

  “Yeigh, yeigh, we aw meant to say ‘yeasterly,’” added the hinds.

  “You have sworn the contrary,” cried Nowell. “Secure him,” he added to the grooms and Sparshot, “and do not let him go till we have completed the survey. We will now see how far the reality corresponds with the description, and what further devilish tricks have been played with the property.”

  Upon this the troop was again put in motion, James Device walking between the two grooms, with Sparshot behind him.

  So wonderfully elated was Master Potts by the successful hit he had just made, and which, in his opinion, quite counterbalanced his previous failure, that he could not help communicating his satisfaction to Flint, and this in such manner, that the fiery little animal, who had been for some time exceedingly tractable and good-natured, took umbrage at it, and threatened to dislodge him if he did not desist from his vagaries — delivering the hint so clearly and unmistakeably that it was not lost upon his rider, who endeavoured to calm him down. In proportion as the attorney’s spirits rose, those of James Device and his followers sank, for they felt they were caught in a snare, from which they could not easily escape.

  By this time they had reached the borders of Worston Moor, which had been hitherto concealed by a piece of rising ground, covered with gorse and brushwood, and Jem’s hut, together with the clough, the rindle, and the dyke, came distinctly into view. The plans were again produced, and, on comparing them, it appeared that the various landmarks were precisely situated as laid down by Mistress Nutter, while their disposition was entirely at variance with James Device’s statement.

  Master Potts then rose in his stirrups, and calling for silence, addressed the assemblage.

  “There stands the hut,” he said, “and instead of being behind the clough, it is on one side of it, while the door certainly does not face the moor, neither is the rindle in front of the dwelling or near it; while the dyke, which is the main and important boundary line between the properties, runs above two hundred yards further west than formerly. Now, observe the original position of these marks, meres, and boundaries — that is, of this hut, this clough, this rindle, and this dyke — exactly corresponds with the description given of them by the man Device, who dwells in the place, and who is, therefore, a person most likely to be accurately acquainted with the country; and yet, though he has only been absent two days, changes the most surprising have taken place — changes so surprising, indeed, that he scarcely knows the way to his own house, and certainly never could find the path which he has de
scribed as leading to Hook Cliff, since it is entirely obliterated. Observe, further, all these extraordinary and incomprehensible changes in the appearance of the country, and in the situation of the marks, meres, and boundaries, are favourable to Mistress Nutter, and give her the advantage she seeks over my honoured and honourable client. They are set down in Mistress Nutter’s plan, it is true; but when, let me ask, was that plan prepared? In my opinion it was prepared first, and the changes in the land made after it by diabolical fraud and contrivance. I am sorry to have to declare this to you, Master Nicholas, and to you, Master Richard, but such is my firm conviction.”

  “And mine, also,” added Nowell; “and I here charge Mistress Nutter with sorcery and witchcraft, and on my return I will immediately issue a warrant for her arrest. Sparshot, I command you to attach the person of James Device, for aiding and abetting her in her foul practices.”

  “I will help you to take charge of him,” said the reeve, riding forward.

  Probably this was done to give Jem a chance of escape, and if so, it was successful, for as the reeve pushed among his captors, and thrust Sparshot aside, the ruffian broke from them; and running with great swiftness across the moor, plunged into the clough, and disappeared.

  Nicholas and Richard instantly gave chase, as did Master Potts, but the fugitive led them over the treacherous bog in such a manner as to baffle all pursuit. A second disaster here overtook the unlucky attorney, and damped him in his hour of triumph. Flint, who had apparently not forgotten or forgiven the joyous kicks he had recently received from the attorney’s heels, came to a sudden halt by the side of the quagmire, and, putting down his head, and flinging up his legs, cast him into it. While Potts was scrambling out, the animal galloped off in the direction of the clough, and had just reached it when he was seized upon by James Device, who suddenly started from the covert, and vaulted upon his back.

  * * *

  CHAPTER VIII — ROUGH LEE.

  On returning from their unsuccessful pursuit of James Device, the two Asshetons found Roger Nowell haranguing the hinds, who, on the flight of their leader, would have taken to their heels likewise, if they had not been detained, partly by the energetic efforts of Sparshot and the grooms, and partly by the exhortations and menaces of the magistrate and Holden. As it was, two or three contrived to get away, and fled across the moor, whither the reeve pretended to pursue them; while those left behind were taken sharply to task by Roger Nowell.

  “Listen to me,” he cried, “and take good heed to what I say, for it concerns you nearly. Strange and dreadful things have come under my observation on my way hither. I have seen a whole village stricken as by a plague — a poor pedlar deprived of the use of his limbs and put in peril of his life — and a young maiden, once the pride and ornament of your own village, snatched from a fond father’s care, and borne to an untimely grave. These things I have seen with my own eyes; and I am resolved that the perpetrators of these enormities, Mothers Demdike and Chattox, shall be brought to justice. As to you, the deluded victims of the impious hags, I can easily understand why you shut your eyes to their evil doings. Terrified by their threats you submit to their exactions, and so become their slaves — slaves of the bond-slaves of Satan. What miserable servitude is this! By so doing you not only endanger the welfare of your souls, by leaguing with the enemies of Heaven, and render yourselves unworthy to be classed with a religious and Christian people, but you place your lives in jeopardy by becoming accessories to the crimes of those great offenders, and render yourselves liable to like punishment with them. Seeing, then, the imminency of the peril in which you stand, you will do well to avoid it while there is yet time. Nor is this your only risk. Your servitude to Mistress Nutter is equally perilous. What if she be owner of the land you till, and the flocks you tend! You owe her no fealty. She has forfeited all title to your service — and, so far from aiding her, you ought to regard her as a great criminal, whom you are bound to bring to justice. I have now incontestable proofs of her dealing in the black art, and can show that by witchcraft she has altered the face of this country, with the intent to rob me of my land.”

  Holden now took up the theme. “The finger of Heaven is pointed against such robbery,” he cried. “‘Cursed is he,’ saith the scripture, ‘that removeth his neighbour’s landmark.’ And again, it is written, ‘Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.’ Both these things hath Mistress Nutter done, and for both shall she incur divine vengeance.”

  “Neither shall she escape that of man,” added Nowell, severely; “for our sovereign lord hath enacted that all persons employing or rewarding any evil spirit, shall be held guilty of felony, and shall suffer death. And death will be her portion, for such demoniacal agency most assuredly hath she employed.”

  The magistrate here paused for a moment to regard his audience, and reading in their terrified looks that his address had produced the desired impression, he continued with increased severity —

  “These wicked women shall trouble the land no longer. They shall be arrested and brought to judgment; and if you do not heartily bestir yourselves in their capture, and undertake to appear in evidence against them, you shall be held and dealt with as accessories in their crimes.”

  Upon this, the hinds, who were greatly alarmed, declared with one accord their willingness to act as the magistrate should direct.

  “You do wisely,” cried Potts, who by this time had made his way back to the assemblage, covered from head to foot with ooze, as on his former misadventure. “Mistress Nutter and the two old hags who hold you in thrall would lead you to destruction. For understand it is the firm determination of my respected client, Master Roger Nowell, as well as of myself, not to relax in our exertions till the whole of these pestilent witches who trouble the country be swept away, and to spare none who assist and uphold them.”

  The hinds stared aghast, for so grim was the appearance of the attorney, that they almost thought Hobthurst, the lubber-fiend, was addressing them.

  At this moment old Henry Mitton came up. He had partially recovered from the stunning effects of the blow dealt him by James Device, but his head was cut open, and his white locks were dabbled in blood. Pushing his way through the assemblage, he stood before the magistrate.

  “If yo want a witness agen that foul murtheress and witch, Alice Nutter, ca’ me, Master Roger Nowell,” he said. “Ey con tay my Bible oath that the whole feace o’ this keawntry has been chaunged sin yester neet, by her hondywark. Ca’ me also to speak to her former life — to her intimacy wi’ Mother Demdike an owd Chattox. Ca’ me to prove her constant attendance at devils’ sabbaths on Pendle Hill, and elsewhere, wi’ other black and damning offences — an among ’em the murder, by witchcraft, o’ her husband, Ruchot Nutter.”

  A thrill of horror pervaded the assemblage at this denunciation; and Master Potts, who was being cleansed from his sable stains by one of the grooms, cried out —

  “This is the very man for us, my excellent client. Your name and abode, friend?”

  “Harry Mitton o’ Rough Lee,” replied the old man. “Ey ha’ dwelt there seventy year an uppards, an ha’ known the feyther and granfeyther o’ Ruchot Nutter, an also Alice Nutter, when hoo war Alice Assheton. Ca’ me, sir, an aw’ ye want to knoa ye shan larn.”

  “We will call you, my good friend,” said Potts; “and, if you have sustained any private wrongs from Mistress Nutter, they shall be amply redressed.”

  “Ey ha’ endured much ot her honts,” rejoined Mitton; “boh ey dunna speak o’ mysel’. It be high time that Owd Scrat should ha’ his claws clipt, an honest folk be allowed to live in peace.”

  “Very true, my worthy friend — very true,” assented Potts.

  An immediate return to Whalley was now proposed by Nowell; but Master Potts was of opinion that, as they were in the neighbourhood of Malkin Tower, they should proceed thither at once, and effect the arrest of Mother Demdike, after which Mother Chattox could be sought out and secured. The presence of these
two witches would be most important, he declared, in the examination of Mistress Nutter. Hue and cry for the fugitive, James Device, ought also to be made throughout the forest.

  Confounded by what they heard, Richard and Nicholas had hitherto taken no part in the proceedings, but they now seconded Master Potts’s proposition, hoping that the time occupied by the visit to Malkin Tower would prove serviceable to Mistress Nutter; for they did not doubt that intelligence would be conveyed to her by some of her agents, of Nowell’s intention to arrest her.

  Additional encouragement was given to the plan by the arrival of Richard Baldwyn, who, at this juncture, rode furiously up to the party.

  “Weel, han yo settled your business here, Mester Nowell?” he asked, in breathless anxiety.

  “We have so far settled it, that we have established proofs of witchcraft against Mistress Nutter,” replied Nowell. “Can you speak to her character, Baldwyn?”

  “Yeigh, that ey con,” rejoined the miller, “an nowt good. Ey wish to see aw these mischeevous witches burnt; an that’s why ey ha’ ridden efter yo, Mester Nowell. Ey want your help os a magistrate agen Mother Demdike. Yo ha a constable wi’ ye, and so can arrest her at wonst.”

  “You have come most opportunely, Baldwyn,” observed Potts. “We were just considering whether we should go to Malkin Tower.”

  “Then decide upon ‘t,” rejoined the miller, “or th’ owd hag win escape ye. Tak her unaweares.”

  “I don’t know that we shall take her unawares, Baldwyn,” said Potts; “but I am decidedly of opinion that we should go thither without delay. Is Malkin Tower far off?”

  “About a mile fro’ Rough Lee,” replied the miller. “Go back wi’ me to t’ mill, where yo con refresh yourselves, an ey’n get together some dozen o’ my friends, an then we’n aw go up to t’ Tower together.”

  “A very good suggestion,” said Potts; “and no doubt Master Nowell will accede to it.”

  “We have force enough already, it appears to me,” observed Nowell.