," replied Nattee, who was prepared, "I have neither dropped a
sixpence nor have you found one--but never mind that, I know that which
you wish, and I know who you are. Now what would you with me? Is it to
inquire whether the landlord and landlady of the Golden Lion intend to
keep you in their service?"

"No," replied the girl, frightened at what she heard; "not to inquire
that, but to ask what my fortune will be?"

"Open your palm, pretty maid, and I will tell you. Hah! I see that you
were born in the West--your father is dead--your mother is in
service--and let me see,--you have a brother at sea--now in the West
Indies."

At this intelligence, all of which, as may be supposed, had been
gathered by us, the poor girl was so frightened that she fell down in a
swoon, and Timothy carried her off. When she was taken home to the inn,
she was so ill that she was put into bed, and what she did say was so
incoherent, that, added to Timothy's narrative, the astonishment of the
landlady and others was beyond all bounds. I tried very hard to bring
the landlady, but she would not consent; and now Nattee was pestered by
people of higher condition, who wished to hear what she would say. Here
Nattee's powers were brought into play. She would not refuse to see
them, but would not give answers till she had asked questions, and, as
from us she had gleaned much general information, so by making this
knowledge appear in her questions to them, she made them believe she
knew more. If a young person came to her, she would immediately ask the
name--of that name she had all the references acquired from us, as to
family and connections. Bearing upon them, she would ask a few more, and
then give them an abrupt dismissal.

This behaviour was put up with from one of her commanding presence, who
refused money, and treated those who accosted her, as if she was their
superior. Many came again and again, telling her all they knew, and
acquainting her with every transaction of their life, to induce her to
prophesy, for such, she informed them, was the surest way to call the
spirit upon her. By these means we obtained the secret history of the
major part, that is, the wealthier part of the town of ----; and although
the predictions of Nattee were seldom given, yet when given, they were
given with such perfect and apparent knowledge of the parties, that when
she left, which she did about six weeks after her first appearance, the
whole town rang with a