he head, from whence he dealt out the delicacies
with due care and attention. This was a mortifying sight to a hungry
stomach, and Robin's humanity yearned at the display. After the first
emotions had a little subsided, he found himself at leisure to examine
the faces of the opposite guests, and he recognised several dames of
his acquaintance, feasting right merrily at the witches' board. Either
his fears and "thick-coming fancies" deceived him, or, as he afterwards
declared, he saw nearly the whole of the neighbourhood at the assembly.

Presently it seemed as if the first course were ended, and the floor
cleared by invisible hands in a twinkling.

"Now pull," said the grave personage in black.

Many ropes hung from the roof. These the women began to pull furiously,
when down came pies, puddings, milk, cream, and rare wines, which they
caught in wooden bowls; likewise sweet-meats and all manner of dainties,
which made Robin's mouth to water so at the sight that he could bear it
no longer. Intending to groan, he involuntarily uttered a loud neigh,
which so alarmed the company that the lights were extinguished, and the
guests sallied out, each immediately bestriding her steed, and setting
forth at full gallop, save Goody Dickisson, who, in attempting to mount
Robin, met with a sore mishap. Recollecting the charm which operated
upon him, he gave his head a sudden fling: as good luck would have it,
the bridle became entangled about her neck. His speech now came again,
and he cried out--

"Mare, mare, see thou be;
And where I point thee carry me."

Suddenly she was metamorphosed, and Robin in his turn bestrode the
witch. He spared her not, as will readily be imagined, until he had her
safe in her own stable before break of day. Leaving her there with the
bridle about her neck, he entered the house, hungry and jaded. Soon he
heard Giles coming down-stairs in a great hurry--

"How now, sirrah!" cried the incensed miller; "did I not tell thee to
forbid thy mistress the mare?"

"Why, master," replied Robin, scratching his head, "and so I have--the
beast hasna' been ridden sin' ye backed her on Friday."

"Thou art a lying hound to look me in the face and say so. Thy mistress
hath been out again last night upon her old errands--I found it out when
I awaked."

"And what's the matter of that?" said Robin, with great alacrity. "Ye
may go see, master, an' ye liken--the mare's as dry as our meal-tub, and
as brisk as