ncy, except Caleb Powell. That worthy knew
the young man, and believed that there was nothing marvellous or
superstitious about the "manifestations." Desirous of being esteemed
learned, he laid claim to a knowledge of astrology, and when the
"witchcraft" was the town talk he gave out that he could develope the
whole mystery. The consequence was that he was suspected of dealing in
the black art, and was accused, tried, and narrowly escaped with his
life.

On the court records of Salem is entered:--

"December 3, 1679. Caleb Powell being complained of for suspicion of
working with ye devill to the molesting of William Morse and his
family, was by warrant directed to constable, and respited till
Monday." "December 8, (Monday) Caleb Powell appeared ... and it was
determined that sd. Morse should present ye case at ye county court
at Ipswich in March."

This order was obeyed, and the trial came on. The following is a
specimen of the testimony presented:--

"William Morse saith, together with his wife, that Thursday night being
November 27, we heard a great noyes of knocking ye boards of ye house,
whereupon myselfe and wife looks out and see nobody, but we had stones
and sticks thrown at us so that we were forced to retire.

"Ye same night, ye doore being lockt when we went to bed, we heerd a
great hog grunt in ye house, and willing to go out. That we might not be
disturbed in our sleep, I rose to let him out, and I found a hog and the
door unlockt.

"Ye next night I had a great awl that I kept in the window, the which
awl I saw fall down ye chimney into ye ashes. I bid ye boy put ye same
awl in ye cupboard which I saw done, and ye door shut too. When ye same
awl came down ye chimney again in our sight, and I took it up myselfe.

"Ye next day, being Saturday, stones, sticks and pieces of bricks came
down so that we could not quietly eat our breakfast. Sticks of fire came
downe also at ye same time.

"Ye same day in ye afternoon, my thread four times taken away and come
downe ye chimney againe; my awl and a gimlet wanting came down ye
chimney. Againe, my leather and my nailes, being in ye cover of a
firkin, taken away, and came downe ye chimney.

"The next, being Sunday, stones, sticks and brickbats came down ye
chimney. On Monday, Mr. Richardson [the minister,] and my brother was
there. They saw ye frame of my cow-house standing firm. I sent my boy to
dr