s or witchcraft, and yet to be
especially desirous to accompany her mother the next morning to the
hanging. Lois shrank from the cruel, eager face of the young girl as
she begged her mother to allow her to go. Even Grace was disturbed and
perplexed by her daughter's pertinacity.

'No!' said she. 'Ask me no more. Thou shalt not go. Such sights are not
for the young. I go, and I sicken at the thoughts of it. But I go to
show that I, a Christian woman, take God's part against the devil's.
Thou shalt not go, I tell thee. I could whip thee for thinking of it.'

'Manasseh says Hota was well whipped by Pastor Tappau ere she was
brought to confession,' said Prudence, as if anxious to change the
subject of discussion.

Manasseh lifted up his head from the great folio Bible, brought by his
father from England, which he was studying. He had not heard what
Prudence said, but he looked up at the sound of his name. All present
were startled at his wild eyes, his bloodless face. But he was
evidently annoyed at the expression of their countenances.

'Why look ye at me in that manner?' asked he. And his manner was
anxious and agitated. His mother made haste to speak:

'It was but that Prudence said something that thou hast told her--that
Pastor Tappau defiled his hands by whipping the witch Hota. What evil
thought has got hold of thee? Talk to us, and crack not thy skull
against the learning of man.'

'It is not the learning of man that I study: it is the word of God. I
would fain know more of the nature of this sin of witchcraft, and
whether it be, indeed, the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. At
times I feel a creeping influence coming over me, prompting all evil
thoughts and unheard-of deeds, and I question within myself, "Is not
this the power of witchcraft?" and I sicken, and loathe all that I do
or say, and yet some evil creature hath the mastery over me, and I must
needs do and say what I loathe and dread. Why wonder you, mother, that
I, of all men, strive to learn the exact nature of witchcraft, and for
that end study the word of God? Have you not seen me when I was, as it
were, possessed with a devil?'

He spoke calmly, sadly, but as under deep conviction. His mother rose
to comfort him.

'My son,' she said, 'no one ever saw thee do deeds, or heard thee utter
words, which any one could say were prompted by devils. We have seen
thee, poor lad, with thy wits gone astray for a time, but all thy
thoughts sought rat