rs. Something like alarm or confusion was manifest. She had been to
look after the cattle, she stammered out, scolding Robin for an idle
lout to lie a-bed so long. The stable-door was open. With an aching
heart, he went in. The grey mare was in a bath of foam, panting and
distressed as though from some recent journey. Whilst pondering on this
strange occurrence, Robin came in. His master taxed him with dishonesty.
After much ado, he confessed that his mistress had many times of late
borrowed the mare for a night, always returning before the good man
awoke. Giles was too full of trouble to rate Robin as he deserved,
contenting himself with many admonitions and instructions how to act in
the next emergency.

Not many nights after, as Robin was late in the stable, his mistress
came with the usual request, and her magic bridle in her hand.

"Now, good Robin, the cream is in the bowl, and the beer behind the
spigot, and my good man is in bed."

"Whither away, mistress?" said Robin, diligently whisping down and
soothing the mare, who trembled from head to foot when she heard her
mistress's voice.

"For a journey, Robin. I have business at Colne; but I will not fail to
come back again before sunrise."

"Ay, mistress, this is always your tale; but measter catched her in a
woundy heat last time, and will not let her go."

"But, Robin, she shall be in the stable and dry two hours before my old
churl gets up."

"But measter says she maunna go."

"Thou hast told him, then,--and a murrain light on thee!"

With eyes glistening like witch-fires, did the dame bestow her malison.
Robin half-repented his refusal; but he was stubborn, and his courage
not easily shaken. Besides, he had bragged at the last Michaelmas feast
that he cared not a rush for never a witch in the parish. He had an
_Agnus Dei_ in his bosom, and a leaf from the holy herb in his clogs;
and what recked he of spells and incantations? Furthermore, he had a
waistcoat of proof given to him by his grandmother.[40]

"Since thou hast denied me the mare, I'll take thee in her place."

Robin felt in his bosom for the _Agnus Dei_ cake, but it was gone!--He
had thrown of his waistcoat, too, for the work, and his clogs were lying
under the rack. Before he could furnish himself with these
counter-charms, Goody Dickisson threw the bridle upon him, using these
portentous words:--

"Horse, horse, see thou be;
And where I point thee carry me."

Swift as the rus