raddam's cave I saw a twinkling light, and on coming up
to its mouth I saw the bent form of an old woman.

"Trewinion's heir!" said a voice, and the light was taken into the cave.

As if drawn on by a charm I entered. It was the first time I had ever
dared to do so. Often had I passed by the cave; but its reputation for
evil was so terrible that I had avoided entering it. I doubt whether
any inhabitant for miles around would ever think of intruding in a
place which, it was believed, belonged to the powers of darkness.

The cave became larger the farther I penetrated into it, and was lit up
by a ruddy kind of light. I noticed, too, in spite of my fears, that
the main cave led to smaller ones, and that on each side of the
entrance the ground was honeycombed. Presently the light became
brighter, and, turning a sharp angle, I saw a good sized fire, on which
a crock was steaming round about which weird forms sat. The ground was
quite dry and it was evident the tide seldom came so far. As my eyes
became more accustomed to the light, I recognised some of the women who
sat there. Betsey Flue, Mally Udy, and Tory Bone lived within a mile
of Trewinion Manor, and had doubtful reputations.

None of them looked at me for some time. They were intent on watching
the fire and the steaming crock. The smell from this article was by no
means unpleasant, evidently some savoury meat was being cooked, and I
began to feel the place to be less gruesome than I had at first
anticipated. I noticed, too, that a great many things were stowed away
which could have no connection with the unseen world. Evidently the
cave was used by smugglers as well as witches.

"Let Debrah Teague spaik," said an aged crone.

"Maaster Roger do knaw what I main," said Deborah. "There's an awful
curse for the Trewinion 'ouse, and unless Maaster Roger do as we do
tell un he'll ave it."

Ghastly as was the sight, uncanny as was the place, this speech of the
old woman dispelled much of my fear. The nocturnal gatherings of
witches were in my idea always associated with mysterious incantations.
Although Shakespeare was a forbidden book to us boys, I had read
"Macbeth," and this meeting was altogether dissimilar from the meeting
of witches therein described. In spite of everything, I could not help
thinking these old women were met for some sinister purpose far removed
from the mysteries of witchcraft, so I said boldly:

"Old Deborah wanted me to come