“I am surprised at that,” rejoined the squire, “for he exactly resembles you.”

“That is why I do not like him,” said Potts; “I believe him to be a wizard.”

“You are no wizard to think so,” rejoined the squire.  And he rode on to join Roger Nowell, who was a little in advance.

“I will try him on the subject of witchcraft,” thought Potts.  “As you dwell in the forest,” he said to the reeve, “you have no doubt seen those two terrible beings, Mothers Demdike and Chattox.”

“Frequently,” replied the reeve, “but I would rather not talk about them in their own territories.  You may judge of their power by the appearance of the village you have just quitted.  The inhabitants of that unlucky place refused them their customary tributes, and have therefore incurred their resentment.  You will meet other instances of the like kind before you have gone far.”

“I am glad of it, for I want to collect as many cases as I can of witchcraft,” observed Potts.

“They will be of little use to you,” observed the reeve.

“How so?” inquired Potts.

“Because if the witches discover what you are about, as they will not fail to do, you will never leave the forest alive,” returned the other.

“You think not?” cried Potts.

“I am sure of it,” replied the reeve.

“I will not be deterred from the performance of my duty,” said Potts.  “I defy the devil and all his works.”

“You may have reason to repent your temerity,” replied the reeve.

And anxious, apparently, to avoid further conversation on the subject, he drew in the rein for a moment, and allowed the attorney to pass on.

Notwithstanding his boasting, Master Potts was not without much secret misgiving; but his constitutional obstinacy made him determine to prosecute his plans at any risk, and he comforted himself by recalling the opinion of his sovereign authority on such matters.

“Let me ponder over the exact words of our British Solomon,” he thought.  “I have his learned treatise by heart, and it is fortunate my memory serves me so well, for the sagacious prince’s dictum will fortify me in my resolution, which has been somewhat shaken by this fellow, whom I believe to be no better than he should be, for all he calls himself my father’s son, and hath assumed my likeness, doubtless for some mischievous purpose.  ‘If the magistrate,’ saith the King, ’be slothful towards witches, God is very able to make them instruments to waken and punish his sloth.’  No one can accuse me of slothfulness and want of zeal.  My best exertions have been used against the accursed creatures.  And now for the rest.  ’But if, on the contrary, he be diligent in examining and punishing them, God will not permit their master to trouble or hinder so good a work!’ Exactly what I have done.  I am quite easy now, and shall go on fearlessly as before.  I am one of the ’lawful lieutenants’ described by the King, and cannot be ’defrauded or deprived’ of my office.”