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Updated: May 18, 2025
"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."
He shall waste away slowly slowly slowly till he drops like a skeleton into the grave ready digged for him. All connected with him shall feel my fury. I would kill thee now, if thou wert aught of his." "Aught of his! What mean you, old woman?" demanded Alizon. "Why, this," rejoined Mother Chattox, "and let the knowledge work in thee, to the confusion of Bess Device. Thou art not her daughter."
"Good reason or bad, I will have it," cried Mistress Nutter. "What you, too, take an interest in the wench, like the rest!" returned Mother Chattox. "Is she so very winning?" "That is no answer to my question," said the lady. "Whose child is she?" "Ask Bess Device, or Mother Demdike," replied Mother Chattox; "they know more about the matter than me."
Between the rival witch potentates, Mothers Demdike and Chattox, it has already been said a deadly enmity existed, and the feud was carried on with equal animosity by their descendants; and though Jem himself came under the same suspicion as Nan Redferne, that circumstance created no tie of interest between them, but the contrary, and he was the most active of her assailants.
"It is as I thought," cried Dorothy Assheton, roused by the intelligence from her terror. "I tell thee not this secret to pleasure thee," continued Mother Chattox, "but to confound Elizabeth Device. I have no other motive. She hath provoked my vengeance, and she shall feel it. Thou art not her child, I say. The secret of thy birth is known to me, but the time is not yet come for its disclosure.
Pushing his way through the assemblage, he stood before the magistrate. "If yo want a witness agen that foul murtheress and witch, Alice Nutter, ca' me, Master Roger Nowell," he said. "Ey con tay my Bible oath that the whole feace o' this keawntry has been chaunged sin yester neet, by her hondywark. Ca' me also to speak to her former life to her intimacy wi' Mother Demdike an owd Chattox.
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.
"Then I suppose you pay tribute to Mother Chattox, hostess?" cried Potts, "butter, eggs, and milk from the farm, ale and wine from the cellar, with a flitch of bacon now and then, ey?" "Nay, by th' maskins! ey gi' her nowt," cried Bess. "Then you bribe Mother Demdike, and that comes to the same thing," said Potts.
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.
Somehow or other, without any one being aware what led to it the conversation fell upon the two old witches, Mothers Demdike and Chattox, and the strange manner in which their career had terminated on the summit of Pendle Hill if, indeed it could be said to have terminated, when their spirits were reported to haunt the spot, and might be seen, it was asserted, at midnight, flitting round the beacon, and shrieking dismally.
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