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.”