“Seize him!” cried Gamel.

The guards, trembling, prepared to execute his commands, but on gaining the outworks of the castle, no vestige remained of his appearance, save a slight whirlwind of dust, like a mist-wreath curling down the valley, which, to their terrified apprehensions, became the chariot of the departing demon.  Nothing could shake this belief; and in after ages the boy was spoken of as a changeling, left by some fairy, whose appointed sojourn had been then accomplished, the means for his release being fulfilled.  Old Cicely became nigh crazed with the loss of her son; but Gamel, seriously pondering on these events, sought counsel from the “Holy Church.”  It was therein resolved that the intended site should be removed, and the “unknown” by such removal appeased.  The chapel of St Chadde was accordingly built on the hill-top, where the church now stands, and unto which the foundations had been so marvellously conveyed.  One hundred and twenty-four steps were dug to accomplish the ascent, and enable the good people to go to prayers.  Connected with these, the tradition still exists; and unto this day it is here observed, that "Strangers prosper in the town of Rochdale; but the natives are generally unfortunate in their undertakings."

[Illustration:  MAB’S CROSS, WIGAN.

Drawn by G. Pickering.  Engraved by Edw^d Finden.]

MAB’S CROSS.

    “A pilgrim came from o’er the sea;
        Benedicite! benedicite!
    And he brought a ring to that proud ladye. 
      His grave is wide, his grave is deep;
      On that bosom cold he shall quietly sleep: 
          Benedicite!”

The following extract from the genealogical roll of the Bradshaighs is the principal source from whence this tale has originated:—­

“Sir William Bradshaighe, second son to Sir John, was a great traveller and a souldger, and married to Mabell, daughter and sole heire of Hugh Norris de Haghe and Blackrode, and had issue,” &c.

Of this Mabel is a story by tradition of undoubted verity, “that in Sir Wm. Bradshaghe absence (beinge 10 years away in the holy wars), she married a Welsh knight.  Sir William, returning from the wars, came in a palmer’s habitt amongst the poor to Haghe, who, when she saw and congetringe that he favoured her former husband, wept, for which the knight chastised her; at which Sir William went and made himself known to his tenants; in which space the knight fled, but neare to Newton Parke Sir William overtook him and sleu him.  The said Dame Mabell was enjoined by her confessor to doe penances by going onest every week barefout and bare legged to a crosse ner Wigan from the Haghe, wilest she lived, and is called Mabb ++ to this day; and ther monument lyes in Wigan church, as you see them ther portry’d.”

Sir William Bradshaigh was outlawed during the space of a year and a day for this offence; but he and his lady, it is said, lived happily together afterwards until their death.  Their effigies on the tomb now exist but as rude and unshapely masses; time and whitewash, the two great destroyers of our monumental relics, having almost obliterated their form, the one by diminishing, and the other by adding to, their substance.