“Well resolved, sir,” said Potts.

“We’n tae th’ owd witch, dead or alive,” cried Baldwyn.

“Alive—­we must have her alive, good Baldwyn,” said Potts.  “You must see her perish at the stake.”

“Reet, mon,” cried the miller, his eyes blazing with fury; “that’s true vengeance.  Ey’n ride whoam an get aw ready fo ye.  Yo knoa t’ road.”

So saying, he struck spurs into his horse and galloped off.  Scarcely was he gone than the reeve, who had kept out of his sight, came forward.

“Since you have resolved upon going to Malkin Tower,” he said to Nowell, “and have a sufficiently numerous party for the purpose, my further attendance can be dispensed with.  I will ride in search of James Device.”

“Do so,” replied the magistrate, “and let hue and cry be made after him.”

“It shall be,” replied the reeve, “and, if taken, he shall be conveyed to Whalley.”

And he made towards the clough, as if with the intention of putting his words into execution.

Word was now given to set forward, and Master Potts having been accommodated with a horse by one of the grooms, who proceeded on foot, the party began to retrace their course to the mill.

They were soon again by the side of Pendle Water, and erelong reached Rough Lee.  As they rode through the close at the back of the mansion, Roger Nowell halted for a moment, and observed with a grim smile to Richard—­

“Never more shall Mistress Nutter enter that house.  Within a week she shall be lodged in Lancaster Castle, as a felon of the darkest dye, and she shall meet a felon’s fate.  And not only shall she be sent thither, but all her partners in guilt—­Mother Demdike and her accursed brood, the Devices; old Chattox and her grand-daughter, Nance Redferne:  not one shall escape.”

“You do not include Alizon Device in your list?” cried Richard.

“I include all—­I will spare none,” rejoined Nowell, sternly.

“Then I will move no further with you,” said Richard.

“How!” cried Newell, “are you an upholder of these witches?  Beware what you do, young man.  Beware how you take part with them.  You will bring suspicion upon yourself, and get entangled in a net from which you will not easily escape.”

“I care not what may happen to me,” rejoined Richard; “I will never lend myself to gross injustice—­such as you are about to practise.  Since you announce your intention of including the innocent with the guilty, of exterminating a whole family for the crimes of one or two of its members, I have done.  You have made dark accusations against Mistress Nutter, but you have proved nothing.  You assert that, by witchcraft, she has changed the features of your land, but in what way can you make good the charge?  Old Mitton has, indeed, volunteered himself as a witness against her, and has accused her of most heinous offences; but he has at the same time shown that he is her enemy, and his testimony will be regarded with doubt.  I will not believe her guilty on mere suspicion, and I deny that you have aught more to proceed upon.”