said:

"But that other--that awful thing?"

"What, Cora?"

"The flight, the pursuit and the death of the overseer. Oh, Charles, we
can never be safe, while that hangs over us."

Charles Stevens gazed upon the pretty face bathed in tears, beheld the
agony which seemed to overwhelm her, and his soul went out toward the
poor maid. He had little consolation to offer; but his fertile brain was
not wholly barren of resources.

"Cora, don't give way to despair," he said. "What your father did was
right and justifiable, though technically the law may take a different
view. I have a relative living in Virginia, wealthy and influential. I
shall write to him to procure a pardon for your father."

"I know him. The good man, Robert Stevens, who so kindly gave us a home
and aided us to escape. He will do all he can for us."

"He is rich and powerful, and I believe he can ultimately procure a
pardon for Mr. Waters."

Having consoled her, they rose and returned to the house.

That same evening, Charles Stevens met John Bly near the house of his
mother.

"How have you been, John?" Charles asked. "This is the first time I have
seen you since my return."

"I am as well as one can be who has been ridden twenty leagues," Bly
answered.

"Ridden twenty leagues?" cried Charles Stevens in amazement. "Pray what
do you mean?"

"I was turned into a horse last night and ridden twenty leagues during
the darkness, and I am sore and almost exhausted now."

Charles laughed and passed on.

"I verily believe that all are going mad," he thought. As he went away,
he heard Bly say:

"Verily, if you doubt that this one Martin is a witch, fall but once in
her power, and you will give ear to what I have said of her."

Next day he met John Kembal, a woodman. Kembal had his axe on his
shoulder, and his face was very pale.

"Charles, why did you not tarry in the west?" he asked. "Why came you
back to this land most accursed of devils."

"John Kembal, have you, too, gone mad over this delusion of witchcraft?"
asked Charles.

"Charles, verily, you have forgotten that the Scriptures say that he
that hath eyes let him see, and he that hath ears let him hear. Thank
God, I have both eyes and ears, and I have seen and heard, though I
would that I had not."

"What have you seen, John Kembal?" Charles asked.

"I will tell you without delay; but I can but pause to thank God with
every breath that she can no longer do me injury, seeing she is