Mistress Nutter and Mother Chattox were still at the hut, impatiently
awaiting the return of Fancy. But nearly an hour elapsed before he
appeared.
"What has detained thee so long?" demanded the hag, sharply, as he stood
before them.
"You shall hear, mistress," replied Fancy: "I have had a busy time of
it, I assure you, and thought I should never accomplish my errand. On
arriving at Rough Lee, I found the place invested by Sir Thomas Metcalfe
and a host of armed men, who had been sent thither by Parson Holden, for
the joint purpose of arresting you, madam," addressing Mistress Nutter,
"and liberating Nowell and Potts. The knight was in a great fume; for,
in spite of the force brought against it, the house had been stoutly
defended by Nicholas Assheton, who had worsted the besieging party, and
captured two Alsatian captains, hangers on of Sir Thomas. Appearing in
the character of an enemy, I was immediately surrounded by Metcalfe and
his men, who swore they would cut my throat unless I undertook to
procure the liberation of the two bravos in question, as well as that of
Nowell and Potts. I told them I was come for the express purpose of
setting free the two last-named gentlemen; but, with respect to the
former, I had no instructions, and they must arrange the matter with
Master Nicholas himself. Upon this Sir Thomas became exceedingly wroth
and insolent, and proceeded to such lengths that I resolved to chastise
him, and in so doing performed a feat which will tend greatly to exalt
Richard's character for courage and strength."
"Let us hear it, my doughty champion," cried Mother Chattox.
"While Metcalfe was pouring forth his rage, and menacing me with
uplifted hand," pursued the familiar, "I seized him by the throat,
dragged him from his horse, and in spite of the efforts of his men,
whose blows fell upon me thick as hail, and quite as harmlessly, I bore
him through the garden to the back of the house, where my shouts soon
brought Nicholas and others to my assistance, and after delivering my
captive to them, I dismounted. The squire, you will imagine, was
astonished to see me, and greatly applauded my prowess. I replied, with
the modesty becoming my assumed character, that I had done nothing, and,
in reality, the feat was nothing to me; but I told him I had something
of the utmost importance to communicate, and which could not be delayed
a moment; whereupon he led me to a small room adjoining the hall, while
the crestfallen knight was left to vent his rage and mortification on
the grooms to whose custody he was committed."
"You acted your part to perfection," said Mistress Nutter.
"Ay, trust my sweet Fancy for that," said the hag--"there is no familiar
like him--none whatever."
"Your praises make me blush," rejoined Fancy. "But to proceed. I
fulfilled your instructions to the letter, and excited Nicholas's horror
and indignation by the tale I told him. I laughed in my sleeve all the
while, but I maintained a very different countenance with him. He
thought me full of anguish and despair. He questioned me as to my
proceedings at Malkin Tower, and I amazed him with the description of a
fearful storm I had encountered--of my interview with old Demdike, and
her atrocious treatment of Alizon--to all of which he listened with
profound interest. Richard himself could not have moved him
more--perhaps not so much. As soon as I had finished, he vowed he would
rescue Alizon from the murtherous hag, and prevent the latter from
committing further mischief; and bidding me come with him, we repaired
to the room in which Nowell and Potts were confined. We found them both
fast asleep in their chairs; but Nicholas quickly awakened them, and
some explanations ensued, which did not at first appear very clear and
satisfactory to either magistrate or attorney, but in the end they
agreed to accompany us on the expedition, Master Potts declaring it
would compensate him for all his mischances if he could arrest Mother
Demdike."
"I hope he may have his wish," said Mother Chattox.
"Ay, but he declared that his next step should be to arrest you,
mistress," observed Fancy, with a laugh.
"Arrest me!" cried the hag. "Marry, let him touch me, if he dares. My
term is not out yet, and, with thee to defend me, my brave Fancy, I have
no fear."
"Right!" replied the familiar; "but to go on with my story. Sir Thomas
Metcalfe was next brought forward; and after some warm altercation,
peace was at length established between him and the squire, and hands
were shaken all round. Wine was then called for by Nicholas, who, at the
same time, directed that the two Alsatian captains should be brought up
from the cellar, where they had been placed for safety. The first part
of the order was obeyed, but the second was found impracticable,
inasmuch as the two heroes had found their way to the inner cellar, and
had emptied so many flasks that they were utterly incapable of moving.
While the wine was being discussed, an unexpected arrival took place."
"An arrival!--of whom?" inquired Mistress Nutter, eagerly.
"Sir Ralph Assheton and a large party," replied Fancy. "Parson Holden,
it seems, not content with sending Sir Thomas and his rout to the aid of
his friends, had proceeded for the same purpose to Whalley, and the
result was the appearance of the new party. A brief explanation from
Nicholas and myself served to put Sir Ralph in possession of all that
had occurred, and he declared his readiness to accompany the expedition
to Pendle Hill, and to take all his followers with him. Sir Thomas
Metcalfe expressed an equally strong desire to go with him, and of
course it was acceded to. I am bound to tell you, madam," added Fancy to
Mistress Nutter, "that your conduct is viewed in a most suspicious light
by every one of these persons, except Nicholas, who made an effort to
defend you."
"I care not what happens to me, if I succeed in rescuing my child," said
the lady. "But have they set out on the expedition?"
"By this time, no doubt they have," replied Fancy. "I got off by saying
I would ride on to Pendle Hill, and, stationing myself on its summit,
give them a signal when they should advance upon their prey. And now,
good mistress, I pray you dismiss me. I want to cast off this shape,
which I find an incumbrance, and resume my own. I will return when it is
time for you to set out."
The hag waved her hand, and the familiar was gone.
Half an hour elapsed, and he returned not. Mistress Nutter became
fearfully impatient. Three-quarters, and even the old hag was uneasy. An
hour, and he stood before them--dwarfish, fiendish, monstrous.
"It is time," he said, in a harsh voice; but the tones were music in the
wretched mother's ears.
"Come, then," she cried, rushing wildly forth.
"Ay, ay, I come," replied the hag, following her. "Not so fast. You
cannot go without me."
"Nor either of you without me," added Fancy. "Here, good mistress, is
your broomstick."
"Away for Pendle Hill!" screamed the hag.
"Ay, for Pendle Hill!" echoed Fancy.
And there was a whirling of dark figures through the air as before.
Presently they alighted on the summit of Pendle Hill, which seemed to be
wrapped in a dense cloud, for Mistress Nutter could scarcely see a yard
before her. Fancy's eyes, however, were powerful enough to penetrate the
gloom, for stepping back a few yards, he said--
"The expedition is at the foot of the hill, where they have made a
halt. We must wait a few moments, till I can ascertain what they mean to
do. Ah! I see. They are dividing into three parties. One detachment,
headed by Nicholas Assheton, with whom are Potts and Nowell, is about to
make the ascent from the spot where they now stand; another, commanded
by Sir Ralph Assheton, is moving towards the but-end of the hill; and
the third, headed by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, is proceeding to the right.
These are goodly preparations--ha! ha! But, what do I behold? The first
detachment have a prisoner with them. It is Jem Device, whom they have
captured on the way, I suppose. I can tell from the rascal's looks that
he is planning an escape. Patience, madam, I must see how he executes
his design. There is no hurry. They are all scrambling up the
hill-sides. Some one slips, and rolls down, and bruises himself severely
against the loose stones. Ho! ho! it is Master Potts. He is picked up by
James Device, who takes him on his shoulders. What means the knave by
such attention? We shall see anon. They continue to fight their way
upward, and have now reached the narrow path among the rocks. Take heed,
or your necks will be broken. Ho! ho! Well done, Jem,--bravo! lad. Thy
scheme is out now--ho! ho!"
"What has he done?" asked Mother Chattox.
"Run off with the attorney--with Master Potts," replied Fancy;
"disappeared in the gloom, so that it is impossible Nicholas can follow
him--ho! ho!"
"But my child!--where is my child?" cried Mistress Nutter, in agitated
impatience.
"Come with me, and I will lead you to her," replied Fancy, taking her
hand; "and do you keep close to us, mistress," he added to Mother
Chattox.
Moving quickly along the heathy plain, they soon reached a small dry
hollow, about a hundred paces from the beacon, in the midst of which, as
in a grave, was deposited the inanimate form of Alizon. When the spot
was indicated to her by Fancy, the miserable mother flew to it, and,
with indescribable delight, clasped her child to her breast. But the
next moment, a new fear seized her, for the limbs were stiff and cold,
and the heart had apparently ceased to beat.
"She is dead!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter, frantically.
"No; she is only in a magical trance," said Fancy; "my mistress can
instantly revive her."
"Prithee do so, then, good Chattox," implored the lady.
"Better defer it till we have taken her hence," rejoined the hag.
"Oh! no, now--now! Let me be assured she lives!" cried Mistress Nutter.
Mother Chattox reluctantly assented, and, touching Alizon with her
skinny finger, first upon the heart and then upon the brow, the poor
girl began to show symptoms of life.
"My child--my child!" cried Mistress Nutter, straining her to her
breast; "I am come to save thee!"
"You will scarce succeed, if you tarry here longer," said Fancy. "Away!"
"Ay, come away!" shrieked the hag, seizing Alizon's arm.
"Where are you about to take her?" asked Mistress Nutter.
"To my hut," replied Mother Chattox.
"No, no--she shall not go there," returned the lady.
"And wherefore not?" screamed the hag. "She is mine now, and I say she
_shall_ go."
"Right, mistress," said Fancy; "and leave the lady here if she objects
to accompany her. But be quick."
"You shall not take her from me!" shrieked Mistress Nutter, holding her
daughter fast. "I see through your diabolical purpose. You have the same
dark design as Mother Demdike, and would sacrifice her; but she shall
not go with you, neither will I."
"Tut!" exclaimed the hag, "you have lost your senses on a sudden. I do
not want your daughter. But come away, or Mother Demdike will surprise
us."
"Do not trifle with her longer," whispered Fancy to the hag; "drag the
girl away, or you will lose her. A few moments, and it will be too
late."
Mother Chattox made an attempt to obey him, but Mistress Nutter resisted
her.
"Curses on her!" she muttered, "she is too strong for me. Do thou help
me," she added, appealing to Fancy.
"I cannot," he replied; "I have done all I dare to help you. You must
accomplish the rest yourself."
"But, my sweet imp, recollect--"
"I recollect I have a master," interrupted the familiar.
"And a mistress, too," cried the hag; "and she will chastise thee if
thou art disobedient. I command thee to carry off this girl."
"I have already told you I dare not, and I now say I will not," replied
Fancy.
"Will not!" shrieked the hag. "Thou shalt smart for this. I will bury
thee in the heart of this mountain, and make thee labour within it like
a gnome. I will set thee to count the sands on the river's bed, and the
leaves on the forest trees. Thou shalt know neither rest nor respite."
"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Fancy, mockingly.
"Dost deride me?" cried the hag. "I will do it, thou saucy jackanapes.
For the last time, wilt obey me?"
"No," replied Fancy, "and for this reason--your term is out. It expired
at midnight."
"It is false!" shrieked the hag, in accents of mixed terror and rage. "I
have months to run, and will renew it."
"Before midnight, you might have done so; but it is now too late--your
reign is over," rejoined Fancy. "Farewell, sweet mistress. We shall meet
once again, though scarcely under such pleasant circumstances as
heretofore."
"It cannot be, my darling Fancy; thou art jesting with me," whimpered
the hag; "thou wouldst not delude thy doating mistress thus."
"I have done with thee, foul hag," rejoined the familiar, "and am right
glad my service is ended. I could have saved thee, but would not, and
delayed my return for that very purpose. Thy soul was forfeited when I
came back to thy hut."
"Then curses on thee for thy treachery," cried the hag, "and on thy
master, who deceived me in the bond he placed before me."
The familiar laughed hoarsely.
"But what of Mother Demdike?" pursued the hag. "Hast thou no comfort for
me? Tell me her hour is likewise come, and I will forgive thee. But do
not let her triumph over me."
The familiar made no answer, but, laughing derisively, stamped upon the
ground, and it opened to receive him.
"Alizon!" cried Mistress Nutter, who in the mean time had vainly
endeavoured to rouse her daughter to full consciousness, "fly with me,
my child. The enemy is at hand."
"What enemy?" asked Alizon, faintly. "I have so many, that I know not
whom you mean."
"But this is the worst of all--this is Mother Demdike," cried Mistress
Nutter. "She would take your life. If we can but conceal ourselves for a
short while, we are safe."
"I am too weak to move," said Alizon; "besides, I dare not trust you. I
have been deceived already. You may be an evil spirit in the likeness of
my mother."
"Oh! no, I am indeed your own--own mother," rejoined Mistress Nutter.
"Ask this old woman if it is not so."
"She is a witch herself," replied Alizon. "I will not trust either of
you. You are both in league with Mother Demdike."
"We are in league to save thee from her, foolish wench!" cried Mother
Chattox, "but thy perverseness will defeat all our schemes."
"Since you will not fly, my child," cried Mistress Nutter, "kneel down,
and pray earnestly for deliverance. Pray, while there is yet time."
As she spoke, a growl like thunder was heard in the air, and the earth
trembled beneath their feet.
"Nay, now I am sure you are my mother!" cried Alizon, flinging herself
into Mistress Nutter's arms; "and I will go with you."
But before they could move, several dusky figures were seen rushing
towards them.
"Be on your guard!" cried Mother Chattox; "here comes old Demdike with
her troop. I will aid you all I can."
"Down on your knees!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter.
Alizon obeyed, but ere a word could pass her lips, the infuriated hag,
attended by her beldame band, stood beside them.
"Ha! who is here?" she cried. "Let me see who dares interrupt my mystic
rites."
And raising her hand, the black cloud hanging over the hill was rent
asunder, and the moon shone down upon them, revealing the old witch,
armed with the sacrificial knife, her limbs shaking with fury, and her
eyes flashing with preternatural light. It revealed, also, her weird
attendants, as well as the group before her, consisting of the kneeling
figure of Alizon, protected by the outstretched arms of her mother, and
further defended by Mother Chattox, who planted herself in front of
them.
Mother Demdike eyed the group for a moment as if she would, annihilate
them.
"Out of my way, Chattox!" she vociferated--"out of my way, or I will
drive my knife to thy heart." And as her old antagonist maintained her
ground, she unhesitatingly advanced upon her, smote her with the weapon,
and, as she fell to the ground, stepped over her bleeding body.
"Now what dost thou here, Alice Nutter?" she cried, menacing her with
the reeking blade.
"I am come for my child, whom thou hast stolen from me," replied the
lady.
"Thou art come to witness her slaughter," replied the witch, fiercely.
"Begone, or I will serve thee as I have just served old Chattox."
"I am not sped yet," cried the wounded hag; "I shall live to see thee
bound hand and foot by the officers of justice, and, certain thou wilt
perish miserably, I shall die content."
"Spit out thy last drops of venom, black viper," rejoined Mother
Demdike; "when I have done with the others, I will return and finish
thee. Alice Nutter, thou knowest it is vain to struggle with me. Give me
up the girl."
"Wilt thou accept my life for hers?" said Mistress Nutter.
"Of what account would thy life be to me?" rejoined Mother Demdike,
disdainfully. "If it would profit me to take it, I would do so without
thy consent, but I am about to make an oblation to our master, and thou
art his already. Snatch her child from her--we waste time," she added,
to her attendants.
And immediately the weird crew rushed forward, and in spite of the
miserable mother's efforts tore Alizon from her.
"I told you it was in vain to contend with me," said Mother Demdike.
"Oh, that I could call down heaven's vengeance upon thy accursed head!"
cried Mistress Nutter; "but I am forsaken alike of God and man, and
shall die despairing."
"Rave on, thou wilt have ample leisure," replied the hag. "And now
bring the girl this way," she added to the beldames; "the sacrifice must
be made near the beacon."
And as Alizon was borne away, Mistress Nutter uttered a cry of anguish.
"Do not stay here," said Mother Chattox, raising herself with
difficulty. "Go after her; you may yet save your daughter."
"But how?" cried Mistress Nutter, distractedly. "I have no power now."
As she spoke a dusky form rose up beside her. It was her familiar.
"Will you return to your duty if I help you in this extremity?" he said.
"Ay, do, do!" cried Mother Chattox. "Anything to avenge yourself upon
that murtherous hag."
"Peace!" cried the familiar, spurning her with his cloven foot.
"I do not want vengeance," said Mistress Nutter; "I only want to save my
child."
"Then you consent on that condition?" said the familiar.
"No!" replied Mistress Nutter, firmly. "I now perceive I am not utterly
lost, since you try to regain me. I have renounced thy master, and will
make no new bargain with him. Get hence, tempter!"
"Think not to escape us," cried the familiar; "no penitence--no
absolution can save thee. Thy name is written on the judgment scroll,
and cannot be effaced. I would have aided thee, but, since my offer is
rejected, I leave thee."
"You will not let him go!" screamed Mother Chattox. "Oh that the chance
were mine!"
"Be silent, or I will beat thy brains out!" said the familiar. "Once
more, am I dismissed?"
"Ay, for ever!" replied Mistress Nutter.
And as the familiar disappeared, she flew to the spot where her child
had been taken.
About twenty paces from the beacon, a circle had again been formed by
the unhallowed crew, in the midst of which stood Mother Demdike, with
the gory knife in her hand, muttering spells and incantations, and
performing mystical ceremonials.
Every now and then her companions joined in these rites, and chanted a
song couched in a wild, unintelligible jargon. Beside the witch knelt
Alizon, with her hands tied behind her back, so that she could not raise
them in supplication; her hair unbound, and cast loosely over her
person, and a thick bandage fastened over her eyes and mouth.
The initiatory ceremonies over, the old hag approached her victim, when
Mistress Nutter forced herself through the circle, and cast herself at
her feet.
"Spare her!" she cried, clinging to her knees; "it shall be well for
thee if thou dost so."
"Again interrupted!" cried the witch, furiously. "This time I will show
thee no mercy. Take thy fate, meddlesome woman!"
And she raised the knife, but ere the weapon could descend, it was
seized by Mistress Nutter, and wrested from her grasp. In another
instant, Alizon's arms were liberated, and the bandage removed from her
eyes.
"Now it is my turn to threaten. I have thee in my power, infernal hag!"
cried Mistress Nutter, holding the knife to the witch's throat, and
clasping her daughter with the other arm. "Wilt let us go?"
"No!" replied Mother Demdike, springing nimbly backwards. "You shall
both die. I will soon disarm thee."
And making one or two passes with her hands, Mistress Nutter dropped the
weapon, and instantly became fixed and motionless, with her daughter,
equally rigid, in her arms. They looked as if suddenly turned to marble.
"Now to complete the ceremonial," cried Mother Demdike, picking up the
knife.
And then she began to mutter an impious address preparatory to the
sacrifice, when a loud clangour was heard like the stroke of a hammer
upon a bell.
"What was that?" exclaimed the witch, in alarm.
"Were there a clock here, I should say it had struck one," replied
Mould-heels.
"It must be our master's timepiece," said another witch.
"One o'clock!" exclaimed Mother Demdike, who appeared stupefied with
fear, "and the sacrifice not made--then I am lost!"
A derisive laugh reached her ears. It proceeded from Mother Chattox, who
had contrived to raise herself to her feet, and, tottering forward, now
passed through the appalled circle.
"Ay, thy term is out--thy soul is forfeited like mine--ha! ha!" And she
fell to the ground.
"Perhaps it may not be too late," cried Mother Demdike, grasping the
knife, and rushing towards Alizon.
But at this moment a bright flame shot up from the beacon.
Astonishment and terror seized the hag, and she uttered a loud cry,
which was echoed by the rest of the crew.
The flame mounted higher and higher, and burnt each moment more
brightly, illumining the whole summit of the hill. By its light could be
seen a band of men, some of whom were on horseback, speeding towards the
place of meeting.
Scared by the sight, the witches fled, but were turned by another band
advancing from the opposite quarter. They then made towards the spot
where their broomsticks were deposited, but ere they could reach it, a
third party gained the summit of the hill at this precise point, and
immediately started in pursuit of them.
Meanwhile, a young man issuing from behind the beacon, flew towards
Mistress Nutter and her daughter. The moment the flame burst forth, the
spell cast over them by Mother Demdike was broken, and motion and speech
restored.
"Alizon!" exclaimed the young man, as he came up, "your trials are over.
You are safe."
"Oh, Richard!" she replied, falling into his arms, "have we been
preserved by you?"
"I am a mere instrument in the hands of Heaven," he replied.
Mother Demdike made no attempt at flight with the rest of the witches,
but remained for a few moments absorbed in contemplation of the flaming
beacon. Her hand still grasped the murderous weapon she had raised
against Alizon, but it had dropped to her side when the fire burst
forth. At length she turned fiercely to Richard, and demanded--
"Was it thou who kindled the beacon?"
"It was!" replied the young man.
"And who bade thee do it--who brought thee hither?" pursued the witch.
"An enemy of thine, old woman!" replied Richard, "His vengeance has been
slow in coming, but it has arrived at last."
"But who is he? I see him not!" rejoined Mother Demdike.
"You will see him before yon flame expires," said Richard. "I should
have come to your assistance sooner, Alizon," he continued, turning to
her, "but I was forbidden. And I knew I should best ensure your safety
by compliance with the injunctions I had received."
"Some guardian spirit must have interposed to preserve us," replied
Alizon; "for such only could have successfully combated with the evil
beings from whom we have been delivered."
"Thy spirit is unable to preserve thee now!" cried Mother Demdike,
aiming a deadly blow at her with the knife. But, fortunately, the
attempt was foreseen by Richard, who caught her arm, and wrested the
weapon from her.
"Curses on thee, Richard Assheton!" cried the infuriated hag,--"and on
thee too, Alizon Device, I cannot work ye the immediate ill I wish. I
cannot make ye loathsome in one another's eyes. I cannot maim your
limbs, or blight your beauty. I cannot deliver you over to devilish
possession. But I can bequeath you a legacy of hate. What I say will
come to pass. Thou, Alizon, wilt never wed Richard Assheton--never!
Vainly shall ye struggle with your destiny--vainly indulge hopes of
happiness. Misery and despair, and an early grave, are in store for both
of you. He shall be to you your worst enemy, and you shall be to him
destruction. Think of the witch's prediction and tremble, and may her
deadliest curse rest upon your heads."
"Oh, Richard!" exclaimed Alizon, who would have sunk to the ground if he
had not sustained her. "Why did you not prevent this terrible
malediction?"
"He could not," replied Mother Demdike, with a laugh of exultation; "it
shall work, and thy doom shall be accomplished. And now to make an end
of old Chattox, and then they may take me where they please."
And she was approaching her old enemy with the intention of putting her
threat into execution, when James Device, who appeared to start from the
ground, rushed swiftly towards her.
"What art thou doing here, Jem?" cried the hag, regarding him with angry
surprise. "Dost thou not see we are surrounded by enemies. I cannot
escape them--but thou art young and active. Away with thee!"
"Not without yo, granny," replied Jem. "Ey ha' run os fast os ey could
to help yo. Stick fast howld on me," he added, snatching her up in his
arms, "an ey'n bring yo clear off yet."
And he set off at a rapid pace with his burthen, Richard being too much
occupied with Alizon to oppose him.