the cord
that was in the water, and they drew him to land. After an assurance
from them that they had been good servants to him, he gave them a
charm by which they could perform wonderful works.

Euphame Mackalzeane was the daughter of Lord Cliftounhall. It would
appear that when this lady bore her first child, she consulted Agnes
Sampsoun as to how she could best get rid of her pains, which she
dreaded much. Agnes, willing to relieve the amiable lady of every pang
nature was prone to, transferred the pains to a dog. Time passed on,
and another child was about to be brought into the world by Euphame
Mackalzeane. Agnes was again called in, and the pains were conveyed to
a cat.

Barbara Napier was of a respectable family also, but nearly all the
other associates in their guilt were in poverty. Satan, like human
beings on earth, made more of the rich than of the poor; for while he
assigned exalted places to Dr. Fian and the ladies of birth, he
appointed a poor peasant, called Grey Meal, to be doorkeeper at the
witches' meetings.

More than one of the witches said that on Hallow-eve upwards of two
hundred witches went to sea in riddles or sieves, and that,
notwithstanding their perforated vessels, they were quite dry and
comfortable, faring on the best food, and drinking the richest wines.
At another time, Dr. Fian, Agnes Sampsoun, one Robert Griersoun, and
others, left Prestonpans in a boat, proceeded to a ship at sea, went
on board and made merry on good wine, after which they sank the vessel
with all her crew. Dr. Fian stated, on being put to the torture, that
Satan had told him and others, before the event, that he would make a
hole in the queen's ship on the way from Denmark, and force her to
return to her own country. Having intelligence that the queen was at
sea, they held a meeting at Broomhills, where it was resolved they
should go out to the ocean and raise a storm, to endanger her
Majesty's life. They took steps accordingly, and threw a dog into the
water, whereby the wind became boisterous, the sea rose, and the ships
were damaged. Other diabolical means were resorted to, to endanger
the queen's fleet. A meeting of witches was held at Prestonpans, when
the following ceremonies were gone through:--First, one of the witches
held a finger on the one side of the chimney crook, and another witch
put one of her fingers on the other side; then they put a cat three
times through or under the links of the crook; they