here paused and, refilling his pipe, lighted it, took a few
whiffs to get it going and resumed:

"If you will listen to what I say, I will tell you of a certain incident
which befell me last summer. One night I had retired early to rest, for,
having been in the fields all day, I was somewhat weary. I fell asleep
and was dreaming of pleasant forests, running brooks, green meadows,
thrift and plenty, when suddenly methought I heard a voice calling unto
me.

"'John Louder! John Louder!' it seemed to say.

"I started up from my pillow and sat on the side of my bed. The day had
been very hot, the night was still warm, and the window had been left
open, that the good south breeze might refresh my heated face. Suddenly
in through that window came a great black object. I could see the eyes
like blue flames, the face with a hideous grin, great sharp ears and
short horns on top. He had bat-like wings, a tail, and on one foot was a
cloven hoof.

"I was too much affrighted to speak; but the shape motioned me to rise.
I did so. An instant later, lo, a second shape appeared, and this was
Rebecca Nurse. They did not ask me to sign the book, this time, for I
had declined so often to do so, that they thought it little need.

"'Come!' said Goody Nurse. I rose and followed, I own, for I was under
some strange spell.

"We got out of the house, I know not how, and I saw a great many people
waiting. Some were on the ground, and some were in the air. All were on
broomsticks.

"'Come, John Louder, mount behind me,' said Rebecca Nurse, and I was
compelled to get behind her."

"What was she riding?" Charles asked.

"A broomstick."

Charles, by an effort, restrained the laughter, which the answer had so
nearly created, and John Louder resumed:

"She uttered a strange, terrible cry, and we all rose in the air on the
broomsticks and away we sped like birds. I was in constant fear lest I
should fall and be dashed to death on the ground. I clung to her, and
she, uttering strange screeches and cries, sped on like a bird through
the air. Her broomstick rose and fell at her command.

"At last we descended to a valley, and all the witches save Goody Nurse
disappeared. Here I soon learned that, instead of riding, I was to be
ridden. By a few magic words, my face became elongated, my body grew, my
hands and feet became hoofs, my body was covered with hair, I had a mane
and tail, and I was a horse, with a saddle on my back, and a bit in my
m