too."

The little room in which Ignatjewa had taken refuge was not as yet
reached by the fire. Appeals were now made to her to confess herself
a witch, the brother joining, probably in the hope that if she did so
her life might be spared. "But I am entirely innocent," the poor
woman cried out. One of the bystanders, apparently the only one in
possession of his five senses, made another attempt at rescue, but
was hindered by the mob. He then, in loud tones, warned them of the
punishment which would certainly await them, but in vain, no
attention was paid to him. On the contrary, the progress of the
flames not appearing rapid enough, it was endeavoured to accelerate
it by shoving the snow from the roof and loosening the frame-work.
The fire now extended rapidly, one beam after another blazed up, and
at length the roof fell in on the wretched woman.

The ashes smouldered the whole night; on the following morning
nothing was found remaining but the charred bones of Ignatjewa.

The idea now, it would seem, occurred to the murderers that perhaps,
after all, their action had not been altogether lawful. They
accordingly resolved to bribe the local authority, who had already
viewed the scene of the affair, to hush it up. For this purpose they
made a collection, and handed him the proceeds, twenty-one roubles
ninety copecks. To their astonishment he did not accept the money,
but at once reported the horrible deed to his superior officer.
Sixteen of the villagers were, in consequence, brought up for trial
at Tichwin before the district court of Novgorod on the charge of
murdering Agrafena Ignatjewa, in the manner above described.

After a protracted hearing with jury the following result was arrived
at:--Kauschin, who had first set fire to the building; Starovij, who
had assisted in accelerating the burning; and Nikisorow, the prime
mover in the matter, who had nailed up the windows, were found
guilty, and sentenced by the judge to some slight ecclesiastical
penance, while the remaining thirteen, including the aged
Schipensk--who had used his influence to prevent a rescue--went scot
free.

The Spanish Gipsies, in Grellmann's day, would resort to the most wicked
and inhuman practices. Before taking one of their horses to the fair
they would make an incision in some secret part of the skin,