Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2) eBook

Henry John Roby
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 723 pages of information about Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2).

Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2) eBook

Henry John Roby
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 723 pages of information about Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2).

This termagant was a little broad-set figure wearing a mask, intended as a representation of his Satanic majesty, adorned with a huge pair of horns.  From it hung a black cloak or shirt, out of which protruded a goodly and substantial tail.  No one could discover this ruthless disturber of their sports.  Every attempt was unavailing; he shot through their fingers as though they had been greased, and a loud and contumelious laugh was the only reward of their exertions.

In the end, a shrewd conjecture went abroad that he was none other than some malicious imp of darkness let loose upon their frolics, to disquiet and perplex their commemoration of the Blessed Nativity.  Yet was it an unusual occurrence upon Yule night, when these disturbers were supposed to be prevented from walking the earth, being confined for a space to their own kingdom.  But the desperate character of their lord, who was thought to fear neither man nor devil, might in some sort account for this unwelcome intrusion.

The guests grew cautious.  Whispers and unquiet looks went round, while the little devil would ever and anon frisk about, to the great detriment and dismay of his companions.

Their lord’s presence was anxiously looked for.  The ruddy glow of their mirth had become dim.  Sir Ralph, they hoped, would either unmask this mischievous intruder, or eject him from the premises; he having the credit of being able to master aught in the shape of either mortal or immortal intelligences.

At length he came, clad in his usual suit of black velvet.  A swarthy and ill-favoured wight he was, with a beard, as the story goes, that would have swept off the prickly gorse-bush in its progress.  He was received with a great show of humility, and all made their best obeisance.  But this deputy, representative, or vicegerent of “Old Hornie,” he stood erect, among the obsequious guests, in a posture not at all either respectful or becoming.

“Now, knaves, to your sport.  Ye be as doleful as a pack of pedlars with a full basket after the fair.  I’ll make ye play, and be merry too; or, e’ lady, ye shall taste of the mittens.  Dan, give these grim-faced varlets a twinge of the gloves there just to make ’em laugh.”

His tyrannous and overbearing temper would even make them merry by compulsion.  But the terrified hearers did not manifest that intense feeling of gratification which this threat was intended to produce.  Each looked on the face of his neighbour, hoping to find there some indication of the felicity which his own had failed to exhibit.

The countenance of their chief grew more dark and portentous.  Just as they were expecting the full burst of his fury, up trotted the merry imp, and irreverently crept behind Sir Ralph.  Before their almost incredulous eyes did he lay hold on the tail of the knight’s cloak, and twisting it round his arm, by a sudden jerk he brought this dignified personage backwards upon the floor.  The oaken beams trembled at this

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Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.