Salem Witchcraft Part 24

"Here are sober persons. What do you say to them? You are a gospel woman; will you lie?

"(Abigail cried out, 'Next sabbath is sacrament-day; but she shall not come there.')

"I do not care.

"You charge these children with distraction: it is a note of distraction when persons vary in a minute; but these fix upon you. This is not the manner of distraction.--When all are against me, what can I help it?

"Now tell me the truth, will you? Why did you say that the magistrates' and ministers' eyes were blinded, you would open them?

"(She laughed, and denied it.)

"Now tell us how we shall know who doth hurt these, if you do not?--Can an innocent person be guilty?

"Do you deny these words?--Yes.

"Tell us who hurts these. We came to be a terror to evil-doers. You say you would open our eyes, we are blind.--If you say I am a witch.

"You said you would show us.

"(She denied it.)

"Why do you not now show us?--I cannot tell: I do not know.

"What did you strike the maid at Mr. Tho. Putnam's with?--I never struck her in my life.

"There are two that saw you strike her with an iron rod.--I had no hand in it.

"Who had? Do you believe these children are bewitched?--They may, for aught I know: I have no hand in it.

"You say you are no witch. Maybe you mean you never covenanted with the Devil. Did you never deal with any familiar?--No, never.

"What bird was that the children spoke of?

"(Then witnesses spoke: What bird was it?)

"I know no bird.

"It may be you have engaged you will not confess; but G.o.d knows.--So he doth.

"Do you believe you shall go unpunished?--I have nothing to do with witchcraft.

"Why was you not willing your husband should come to the former session here?--But he came, for all.

"Did not you take the saddle off?--I did not know what it was for.

"Did you not know what it was for?--I did not know that it would be to any benefit.

"(Somebody said that she would not have them help to find out witches.)

"Did you not say you would open our eyes? Why do you not?--I never thought of a witch.

"Is it a laughing matter to see these afflicted persons?

"(She denied it. Several prove it.)

"Ye are all against me, and I cannot help it.

"Do not you believe there are witches in the country?--I do not know that there is any.

"Do not you know that t.i.tuba confessed it?--I did not hear her speak.

"I find you will own nothing without several witnesses, and yet you will deny for all.

"(It was noted, when she bit her lip, several of the afflicted were bitten. When she was urged upon it that she bit her lip, saith she, What harm is there in it?)

"(Mr. NOYES: I believe it is apparent she practiseth witchcraft in the congregation: there is no need of images.)

"What do you say to all these things that are apparent?--If you will all go hang me, how can I help it?

"Were you to serve the Devil ten years? Tell how many.

"(She laughed. The children cried there was a yellow-bird with her. When Mr. Hathorne asked her about it, she laughed.

When her hands were at liberty, the afflicted persons were pinched.)

"Why do not you tell how the Devil comes in your shape, and hurts these? You said you would.--How can I know how?

"Why did you say you would show us?

"(She laughed again.)

"What book is that you would have these children write in?--What book? Where should I have a book? I showed them none, nor have none, nor brought none.

"(The afflicted cried out there was a man whispering in her ears.)

"What book did you carry to Mary Walcot?--I carried none. If the Devil appears in my shape--

"(Then Needham said that Parker, some time ago, thought this woman was a witch.)

"Who is your G.o.d?--The G.o.d that made me.

"What is his name?--Jehovah.

"Do you know any other name?--G.o.d Almighty.

"Doth _he_ tell you, that you pray to, that _he_ is G.o.d Almighty?--Who do I worship but the G.o.d that made [me]?

"How many G.o.ds are there?--One.

"How many persons?--Three.