aid of the wise men and women in their parish.

The farmer had two neighbours, by no means noted for industry; still
they throve. Their wives were comely happy creatures, beloved by close
companions and friends. On one occasion, when the unfortunate farmer's
wife was complaining to the other two farmers' wives, they told her
that if she would take their advice she would become prosperous like
them. She consented to follow their counsel. The first thing the
witches did (for, as the sequel will show, they were witches deeply
learned in Satan's wicked ways) was to impose on the novice a vow of
secrecy; then to direct her, when going to bed, to take with her the
besom, and, when her husband was asleep, to rise and come to them,
leaving the besom beside him, and it would assume her appearance, so
that he could not miss her.

The poor man's wife, having done as directed, hurried out to join her
companions, whom she found ready to start on a journey. They had
torches to light them on their way, brooms to ride on through the air,
and riddles to ferry them over the rapid running Spey; for they had a
meeting that night, on the north side of this river, with kindred
spirits and the ruler of darkness. Every one of the three women
bestrode a broom, and away they went over mountain and glen. A few
minutes brought them to the Spey, where they alighted in safety. The
experienced witches at once launched their riddles to cross the water;
but the third woman hesitated to trust herself in the open
agricultural implement. Impatient at delay, her companions urged her
to follow them. Never did lover seem more anxious to meet lover than
those two witches were to join the beings on the other side, engaged
in mirth and revelry. At the foot of a mountain near by (on the top of
which the ancient inhabitants of the north used to worship the sun and
fire) orgies were being carried on, while the top seemed to be in
flames. Sweet music saluted the ear, and a savoury smell arose from a
huge table, on which were spread a thousand dishes. A tall man with
swarthy complexion, as if he had come from a warm clime, stood to
welcome all comers; and truly there were many hastening to the revel.
Women flew as swiftly as if they were crows, and crossed the river as
readily in their riddles as if they were mermaids. The novice became
greatly alarmed, and crossed herself repeatedly. Just as the wicked
witches reached the middle of the stream, she exclaimed, "Hol