I became a
horse. Then she mounted me, rode me several leagues and the bridle was
removed, and I lay in my bed."

John Louder, another acquaintance of Charles Stevens, was next called.
John had had his experience with witches. He was an ardent admirer of
Mr. Parris, and one of his emissaries. Louder, Bly and, in fact, all of
Parris' tools were ignorant, bigoted and superstitious. They could be
made to believe anything the pastor would tell them. Louder testified:

"I had some little controversy with Bishop about her fowls. Going well
to bed, I did awake in the night by moonlight, and did see clearly the
likeness of this woman grievously oppressing me; in which miserable
condition she held me, unable to help myself till near day. I told
Bishop of this; but she denied it, and threatened me very much. Quickly
after this, being at home on a Lord's Day, with the doors shut about me,
I saw a black pig approach me, at which I, going to kick, it vanished
away. Immediately after sitting down, I saw a black thing jump in at the
window and come and stand before me. The body was like that of a monkey,
the feet like a cock's; but the face was much like a man's. I was so
extremely affrighted, that I could not speak. This monster spoke to me
and said:

"'I am a messenger sent unto you, for I understand that you are in some
trouble of mind, and if you be ruled by me, you shall want for nothing
in this world.'

"Whereupon, I endeavored to clap my hands upon it; but I could feel no
substance; and it jumped out of the window again; but it immediately
came in by the porch, though the doors were shut, and said:

"'You had better take my counsel.'

"Whereupon, I struck at it with my stick, but struck only the
ground-sel, and broke my stick. The arm with which I struck was
presently disenabled, and it vanished away. I presently went out at the
porch door and spied this Bishop, in her orchard, going toward her
house; but I had not power to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon,
returning into the house, I was immediately accosted by the monster I
had seen before, which goblin was now going to fly at me; whereat I did
cry out:

"'The whole armor of God be between me and you!'

"So it sprang back and flew over the apple tree, shaking many apples off
the tree in its flying over. At its leap, it flung dirt with its feet
against my stomach, whereon, I was then struck dumb, and so continued
for three days together."

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