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diff --git a/41108-8.txt b/41108-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ec49d27..0000000 --- a/41108-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6531 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Legends of Longdendale, by Thomas Middleton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Legends of Longdendale - Being a series of tales founded upon the folk-lore of - Longdendale Valley and its neighbourhood - -Author: Thomas Middleton - -Release Date: October 19, 2012 [EBook #41108] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEGENDS OF LONGDENDALE *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - [Illustration: Legends of Longdendale - By TOM MIDDLETON - Author of "Annals of Hyde"; "Old Godley", &c &c] - - - - - LEGENDS of LONGDENDALE - - Being a Series of Tales - Founded upon the Folk-lore of Longdendale - Valley and its Neighbourhood. - - BY - THOMAS MIDDLETON, - Author of "Annals of Hyde," "Old Godley," etc., etc. - - - Should you ask me whence these stories? - Whence these Legends and Traditions? - - * * * * * - - I should answer, I should tell you, - I repeat them as I heard them - From the lips of Nawadaha, - The musician, the sweet singer. - Should you ask where Nawadaha - Found these songs so wild and wayward, - Found these legends and traditions, - I should answer, I should tell you, - In the bird's nest of the forest. - - * * * * * - - All the wild fowl sang them to him, - In the moorlands and the fenlands, - In the melancholy marshes. - - * * * * * - - In the Vale of Tawasentha, - In the green and silent valley.--(Longfellow). - - - HYDE: - - FRED HIGHAM, PRINTER AND BOOKBINDER, "CHESHIRE POST" OFFICE, - CLARENDON PRESS. - - MCMVI. - - - - -LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. - - -The Author desires to gratefully acknowledge the kindness and -encouragement that he has received from the Ladies and Gentlemen whose -names appear in the following list. It is in great measure owing to -their assistance that the present effort to preserve in book form the -Legends and Traditions of Longdendale has been successful. - - ANDREW, J. D., ESQ., - Longdendale, Oswestry. - - ANDREW, W. J., ESQ., F.S.A., - Cadster, Whaley Bridge. - - ASHTON, MRS. THOMAS, - 37, Princess Gardens, London, S.W. (4 copies). - - ASHTON, THOMAS GAIR, ESQ., M.P., - Of Hyde, and of Vinehall Place, Robertsbridge, Battle, Sussex. - - ASTLEY-CHEETHAM PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY - (Stalybridge)--Thomas Swain, Esq., Librarian. - - ASPLAND, MRS., - Werneth Lodge, Gee Cross, Hyde. - - BARR, JOHN, ESQ., - Dinting Lodge, Dinting. - - BEAUMONT, MRS. T. A., - Lower Market Street, Broadbottom. - - BEELEY, JAMES, ESQ., - Derbyshire Level, Moorfield, Glossop. - - BENNETT, ISAAC BOOTH, ESQ., - Godley Green, Hyde. - - BIRKENHEAD CENTRAL LIBRARY - (John Shepherd, Esq., Librarian). - - BLACKBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY - (R. Ashton, Esq.) - - BODELL SMITH, REV. H., - The Parsonage, Mottram-in-Longdendale. - - BOOTH, AMOS, ESQ., - Hattersley, Gee Cross, Hyde. - - BOOTH, D., ESQ., - 4, Mottram Moor, Mottram-in-Longdendale. - - BOWLES, CHARLES E. B., ESQ., - The Nether House, Wirksworth. - - BRADBURY, GEO. T., ESQ., - Green Lane, Hollingworth. - - BRAMHALL, FREDK. J., ESQ., - 56, Bank Street, Hadfield. - - BRIDGES, REV. W. G., M.A., - Oxford (formerly Vicar of Hyde). - - BROWN, PERCY B., ESQ., - Chisworth House, Charlesworth, near Manchester. - - CALDWELL, MISS C. M., - Marple. - - CHAPMAN, CHARLES, ESQ., - Carlecotes Hall, Dunford Bridge, Sheffield. - - CHAPMAN, GEORGE J., ESQ., - Carlecotes, Dunford Bridge, Sheffield. - - CHEETHAM, F. H., ESQ., - Triscombe House, Taunton, Somerset. - - CLEGG, W. E., ESQ., - Printer and Publisher, Market Place, Oldham. - - COCKS, JOHN, ESQ., - Brookside, Romiley. - - COCKS, JAMES, ESQ., - Harden Cottage, Woodley. - - COLLIER, ALFRED, ESQ., - Solicitor, 44, Mosley-street, Manchester. - - COLLIER, EDWARD, ESQ., - Glen Esk, Whalley Range, Manchester. - - COLLIER, EDWIN, ESQ., - Holly Wood, Glossop. - - COPPOCK, MAJOR SYDNEY, - Daisy Bank, Macclesfield. - - DAIN, EDWARD, ESQ., - Market Street, Stalybrldge. - - DERBY PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY, - (W. Crowther, Esq.) - - DODDS, JAMES, ESQ., - Penketh House, near Warrington. - - DUKINFIELD FREE LIBRARY, - (E. B. Broadrick, Esq., Librarian). - - ELLISON, F. B., ESQ., - Holly Grove, Hollingworth. - - EVANS, SETH, ESQ., - Bradwell Villa, New Mills. - - FAULKNER, F. W., ESQ., - 527, Hollins Road, Hollinwood, Oldham - - FIDLER, SAMUEL, ESQ., - 26, Ashton Road, Newton Moor. - - FIRTH, D., ESQ., - Hall Green, Dukinfield. - - FLINT, WILLIAM, ESQ., - Woolley Lane, Hollingworth. - - GARTSIDE, J. E., ESQ., - Moorlands, Stalybridge. - - GLOSSOP DALE NEW INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY - (John Hyde, Esq., 2 copies). - - HAMNETT, ROBERT, ESQ., Glossop. - - HEAPE, C, ESQ., - Hartley, High Lane, Cheshire. - - HIBBERT, OLIVER, ESQ., - Brook Bank, Mottram Road, Godley. - - HOLLINWORTH, GEORGE, ESQ., - 277, Crompton Road, Macclesfield. - - HOLLINGWORTH INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, LTD. - (J. Swindells, Esq., secretary, Education Committee). - - HOWARTH, DANIEL F., ESQ., F.S.A., - 24, Villiers Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. - - HOWARD, JOSEPH, ESQ., - Denby Grange, Burford Road, Whalley Range, Manchester. - - HYDE PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY - (John Chorton, Esq., Librarian). - - KENYON AND SONS, - Chapel Field Works, Dukinfield (4 copies). - - KENWORTHY, ORLANDO, ESQ., - 106, Werneth Hall Road, Oldham. - - KNIGHT, MISS M. H., Brooklands. - - KNIGHT, RICHARD, ESQ., F.R.C.O., Hyde. - - LAWRANCE, REV. HENRY, - Dinting Vicarage, near Manchester. - - LEECH, MRS., - 4, Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W. (8 copies). - - LEES, MRS., - Leesdene, Hale, Altrincham. - - LOMAX, HY., ESQ., - School House, Mottram. - - MACKENZIE, DR., Glossop. - - MARSDEN, JOSEPH, ESQ., - Solicitor, Hall Street, Glossop. - - MILLER, N., ESQ., - 297, Buxton Road, Macclesfield. - - MOORHOUSE, F., ESQ., - Westfield, Bramhall. - - MOSS, ROBERT, ESQ., - Hague View, Charlesworth (5 copies). - - MOSSLEY INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY - (Ed. Jackson, Esq., Librarian) - - MANCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARIES - (C. W. Sutton, Esq., Chief Librarian--4 copies.) - - NEALE, JOHN, ESQ., - Borough Treasurer, Town Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne. - - NICHOLSON, ALBERT, ESQ., - Portinscale, Arthog Road, Hale, Altrincham. - - OGDEN, MISS, Oldham. - - OGDEN, GEORGE, ESQ., Broadbottom. - - OLDHAM CENTRAL FREE LIBRARY - (W. H. Berry, Esq.) - - PEARSE, PERCIVAL, ESQ., - Bookseller, Warrington. - - PEMBERTON, REV. W. A., M.A., C.C., - The Vicarage, Mottram-in-Longdendale - - PHILLIPS, W. G., ESQ., J.P., - Ansley Hall, Atherstone, Warwickshire (2 copies). - - PLATT, EDWARD, ESQ., J.P., - Mersey Bank, Hadfield. - - POMFRET, DR. H. W., M.D., F.R.C.S., - Hollingworth, Cheshire (2 copies). - - POTTS, CHARLES, ESQ., - Braehead, Great Norbury Street, Hyde (4 copies). - - RAMSBOTTOM, MRS., - Highfield, Alderley Edge. - - RIDYARD, ALDERMAN JOSEPH, J.P., - High Bank, Stalybridge. - - RINGROSE, REV. R. D., - The Vicarage, Glossop. - - ROCHDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY - (George Hanson, Esq.) - - ROSCOE, T., ESQ., - The Old Hall, Mottram-in-Longdendale. - - ROSS, G. B., ESQ., - Mersey Mill, Hollingworth. - - SALMONS, EDWARD J., ESQ., - The Villa, Mottram-in-Longdendale. - - SHAW, WRIGHT, ESQ., - 234, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. - - SIDEBOTHAM, E. J., ESQ., J.P., - Erlesdene, Bowdon. - - SIDEBOTHAM, J. W., ESQ., J.P., C.C., - Merlewood, Bowdon, Cheshire. - - SIDEBOTTOM, T. HARROP, ESQ., J.P., - Etherow House, Hollingworth. - - SIDEBOTTOM, COLONEL W., V.D., J.P., - Harewood, Broadbottom. - - SIMPSON, ALDERMAN ALLWOOD, J.P., - Enville Place, Stamford Street, Stalybridge. - - SPARROW, WALTER W., ESQ., J.P., - Betton Hall, Market Drayton. - - STAMFORD, THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF, - Dunham Hall, Cheshire. - - SUMMERS, H., ESQ., Stalybridge. - - SUMMERS, JOHN, ESQ., - Inglewood, Stalybridge. - - TAYLOR, MISS JESSIE, A.L.C.M., - West End Terrace, Harry Fields, Broadbottom. - - TAYLOR, HENRY, ESQ., - Hollingworth Hall, Hollingworth, near Manchester. - - TURNER, GEORGE, ESQ., - 5, Cathedral Yard, Manchester. - - UNDERWOOD, WM., ESQ., J.P., - Albert House, Astley Street, Dukinfield - - WAGSTAFFE, JOHN, ESQ., - Mottram House, Mottram-in-Longdendale. - - WAINWRIGHT, JOEL, ESQ., J.P., - Finchwood, Marple Bridge. - - WALTON, WILLIAM, ESQ., J.P., - Horsley Priory, Nailsworth, Stroud. - - WARD, MRS., The Hurst, Glossop. - - WATTS, JAMES, ESQ., J.P., - Abney Hall, Cheadle (2 copies). - - WHEWELL, SAMUEL, ESQ., - Hollingworth, Cheshire. - - WILKINSON, ARTHUR, ESQ., - Victoria Road, Dukinfield. - - WIGAN PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY - (H. T. Folkhard, Esq., F.S.A., Librarian) - - WOOD, MRS., Moorfield, Glossop (2 copies). - - WOOD, COLONEL JOHN, V.D., J.P., - Whitfield House, Glossop. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Hitherto, the Legends of Longdendale--although popular with the -country people of the extreme north-east corner of Cheshire--have been -scattered, and, to some extent, fragmentary. They are here re-told in -what, I hope, is a more permanent and complete form. As far as -possible I have carefully followed the original versions; but in one -or two instances, it has been necessary to draw upon imagination. I -have, therefore, introduced several characters and incidents for the -purpose of giving local connection and completeness to those stories -which were lacking in detail or were vague in location. The legends -are here printed in chronological order. They were first published in -the columns of the "CHESHIRE POST" during the winter of 1905-6; and it -is to the kind encouragement and assistance of Mr. Frederick Higham, -the proprietor and editor of that journal, that they owe their -appearance in book form. - -If further explanation as to the publication of these stories be -considered necessary, I would refer the reader to the Preface to the -first series of "The Traditions of Lancashire." In it Mr. Roby quotes -the following passage from a German writer:--"All genuine, popular -tales, arranged with local and national reference, cannot fail to -throw light upon contemporary events in history, upon the progressive -cultivation of society, and upon the prevailing modes of thinking in -every age. Though not consisting of a recital of bare facts, they are -in most instances founded upon fact, and in so far connected with -history, which occasionally, indeed, borrows from, and often -reflects light upon, these familiar annals, these more private and -interesting casualties of human life. It is thus that popular -tradition connected with all that is most interesting in human history -and human action upon a national scale, ... invariably possesses so -deep a hold upon the affections, and offers so many instructive hints -to the man of the world, to the statesman, the citizen, and the -peasant." - -I may add to the above the fact that these wild and improbable tales -have a fascination for me, and that I firmly believe it to be the duty -of the people of the present to preserve from oblivion the traditions -of the past. In the case of the County of Lancaster, this preservation -has been admirably carried out by the late John Roby; and it is with -the desire to perform a similar service for the County of Cheshire--or -at least one corner of it,--that I have ventured to write the stories -which appear in this volume. - - THOMAS MIDDLETON. - - Manchester Road, - Hyde. - 1906. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - I. THE LEGEND OF COOMBS ROCKS - II. THE LEGEND OF ALMAN'S DEATH: A Tale of Melandra Castle - III. KING ARTHUR'S ADVENTURE - IV. THE LEGEND OF WAR HILL - V. SIR RO, OF STALEY HALL - VI. ROBIN HOOD'S VISIT TO LONGDENDALE - VII. THE ABBOT OF BASINGWERKE, or the Wehr Wolf of Longdendale - VIII. THE DEVIL'S ELBOW - IX. THE LEGEND OF CHARLESWORTH CHAPEL - X. SIR EDMUND SHAA - XI. LORD LOVEL'S FATE - XII. THE RAIDERS FROM THE BORDER-SIDE - XIII. THE LEGEND OF GALLOW'S CLOUGH - XIV. THE KING'S EVIL: or the Wonderful Cure of the Mottram Parson - XV. THE MAGIC BOOK - XVI. THE PARSON'S WIFE - XVII. THE DEVIL AND THE DOCTOR - XVIII. THE WRITING ON THE WINDOW PANE - XIX. A LEGEND OF THE CIVIL WAR - XX. A TALE OF THE '))45 - XXI. THE HAUNTED FARM - XXII. THE SPECTRE HOUND - XXIII. THE BOGGART OF GODLEY GREEN - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - PICTORIAL TITLE, with Distant View of Mottram Church, and - Author's Portrait.--(A Sketch by H. C. Jaxon and F. Redfern) - ROMAN COINS, BRICKS, AND TILES FROM MELANDRA - INSCRIBED ROMAN STONE FROM MELANDRA - PREHISTORIC SPEARHEAD FROM MOUSELOW CASTLE - "THE PRINCESS INELD" - "A COUNTRY MAID OF LONGDENDALE" - THE WAR-HILL, MOTTRAM--WITH VIEW OF CHURCH - "IN THE MINSTREL'S GALLERY" - DOORWAY TO STALEY CHAPEL, MOTTRAM CHURCH - EFFIGY OF SIR RO AND HIS LADY, MOTTRAM CHURCH - "THE FOREST OF LONGDENDALE":--View at Bottom's Hall - "THE ROBIN HOOD STONE" - "THE ABBOT'S CHAIR" - BASE OF CROSS ON THE MONK'S ROAD - "THE LADY GERALDINE" - "THE FAIRIES" - "BESS ANDREW" - MOTTRAM CHURCH AND VILLAGE CROSS - "A RUNNING STREAM" - DUKINFIELD HALL - "A PURITAN CHANT OF PRAISE" - ARMS OF THE DUKINFIELD FAMILY - ANCIENT DOORWAY, MOTTRAM CHURCH - - - To - FREDERICK HIGHAM, - of - Abbotsford, Godley Green, Hyde, - in memory of - Happy Hours spent together in Literary Association, - and for the sake of - A Friendship which ripens as the Years pass, - This Book of - Legends of that Wild Land we both Love, - is Dedicated - by - THE AUTHOR. - - - - -I. - -The Legend of Coombs Rocks. - - -For some time after the invasion of Britain by Julius Cęsar (55 B.C.) -no proper steps were taken by the Romans to reduce to submission the -northern portion of the island. The civil war in Rome, which resulted -in the establishment of a monarchy under Augustus, prevented the -Romans from making further attempts upon Britain, for Augustus was -unwilling to endanger the empire by extending its limits. At length, -however, the Emperor Claudius, remembering the island, sent over an -army which carried the Roman line beyond the Thames. Later in the same -reign the Romans subdued an insurrection among the Brigantines--a -nation which inhabited Lancashire, Yorkshire and the other Northern -counties. The kingdom of the Brigantines extended to Longdendale, -where it was bounded by the territory of the Cornavii, another ancient -British tribe who were masters of Cheshire and several other counties -to the south of the Brigantine line. These warlike tribes again rose -in opposition to the Romans, but were finally subdued by Julius -Agricola, who, coming to Britain about the year 79 A.D., took -possession of Cheshire, and occupied the county with his own legion. -He is supposed to have either led or sent a strong force of soldiers -to overcome the inhabitants of Longdendale, and one outcome of this -expedition was the series of incidents narrated in the following -legend. - -It would be about the year 80 A.D. when the Romans advanced up the -north-east Horn of Cheshire to attack the people of Longdendale. -Agricola heralded his coming by a summons to surrender, which was met -by a defiant refusal from the haughty Britons. Proud of their country -and her great traditions, the local Britons determined to fight for -their freedom to the last, preferring death in battle to slavery -beneath the yoke of Rome. - -"Tell thy proud chief that the sons of Britain are warriors and free -men. Free men will they live, and free men die. Never will they submit -their necks to the yoke of the Eagle. Rather will they perish on the -spears of the legionaires." - -Thus spoke Edas the son of Atli, the brave hill warrior, who was chief -of the Britons in Longdendale. The Roman heard, and, proud and haughty -though he was, could not help admiring the heroic audacity of the -white, half naked savage who stood before him. Edas, son of Atli, was -a finely built man, six feet and more in height, broad of chest and -stout of limb, and standing thus, with no garment save a covering of -wolf-skin about his loins, the beautiful proportions of his frame -stood out with the clearness of a statue. His long hair hung loose -about his shoulders, shining golden in the sunlight, and truly was it -said of him that no hero of the old time was more glorious to look -upon. - -For a moment the Roman paused. Then at length he spake. - -"Why battle with the legions? Why fight against fate? Why not live as -free men? To be a citizen of Rome is to be a free man indeed--a -citizen of an empire which rules the world. Welcome the Eagles and -live. But resist the legions, and--what then?" - -"Then," replied Edas, "we shall at least preserve our honour; we shall -at least remain free as our fathers were; we shall have the chance to -emulate the deeds, and die deaths as glorious as those of the heroes -of whom the bards sing, and we shall not live to see our wives and -daughters dishonoured by the ruthless soldiers of Rome." - -He looked the Roman full in the face, and the emissary of Agricola -flushed with anger at the implication contained in the chief's -concluding words. - -"Is that all?" he asked. "Is that thy message to Agricola? Not peace -but war?" - -"War," answered the chief fiercely. "War to the death against the -Romans." - -"So be it. The legions will surely come. Farewell." - -A short time only elapsed after the dispatch of this defiant -declaration ere the British outposts brought news of the Roman -advance. Perfect master of the art of war, Agricola left nothing to -the last moment, and the same day which brought the message from the -Britons, saw the Roman army in motion. The troops marched along the -course of the Mersey, and halted for a space at Stockport, where they -afterwards built a strong station. Then they moved on, still following -the stream, and passed up the banks of the river Etherow, until the -great basin of the Coombs Valley lay before them. - -Meanwhile the Britons had vigorously prepared themselves for the great -struggle. Over the heathery wastes of the hills--into what are now the -counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire--through the thick -forests where the wolves, bears, and other wild beasts of prey -lurked--went the war message of Edas the chief, rallying the warriors -to battle. For once the tribal jealousies were forgotten, feuds -vanished in face of the common danger, and Brigantines joined with -Cornavii to offer a united front to the common enemy. For days -succeeding the arrival of the Roman herald there was a great massing -of warriors, fleet-footed graceful men from the Cheshire plains, big -wild men from the mountains which lie to the north and east of -Longdendale. Day and night the forest altars and the stone circles of -the Druids, which stood amid the heather on the summit of the Coombs, -were constantly the scenes of sacrifices and other savage rites of -Druid worship. Young men and maidens were slain by the golden knife of -the Arch Druid, and their spirits passed, with the strains of weird -singing, to intercede with God for the cause of Britain. All day the -bards sang the songs of old, and at night the ghosts of buried heroes -sailed past on the wings of the wind. Thus were the hearts of the -British warriors strengthened for the battle which was to come. - -Night fell, and the forests of Longdendale were full of the white, -fierce warriors, who moved silently yet swiftly in the direction of -the Coombs. It was the last night of peace; on the morrow the songs of -war would arise, and brave men would die. Also, it was the night of -sacrifices, and the Druid altar--that strange group of stones now -known as the Robin Hood's Picking Rods--would witness the supreme -sacrifice--the offering to the Gods of that which was most dear to the -hearts of the Britons. That day, just before the setting of the sun, -Arwary, the fleet-footed, had bounded into the camp with the lightness -of the deer, bringing tidings of the Roman advance. The legions would -attack on the morrow, and so that night must be a night of -sacrifice--the greatest sacrifice of all. Caledon, the ancient Druid, -had summoned the Druid priests to the sacred groves of oak, and the -warriors were bidden to gather about the altar shortly before the -rising of the moon. - -In the wood, near the dwelling of Edas, stood the chief. By his side -was a maid--Nesta the fair--the beloved of Edas, son of Atli. Soon, if -the gods willed, she would become his bride. Meanwhile she was the -fairest maid in all Britain, and even the voluptuous Romans sang her -praises about the camp fires at night. - -Edas, son of Atli, spoke of love, and Nesta the fair drew close to his -breast. Her arms were about his neck, and the lovers kissed. Edas, son -of Atli, and Nesta the Fair, were happy. - -Presently a voice was heard, and the maiden started. It was the voice -of Caledon, ancient Druid and he called for Nesta the Fair. - -"The gods have need of thee," he cried. "They have sent to me their -message, and they ask as a sacrifice the beloved of Edas--the bride of -the chief." - -The voice of the Druid was stern and terrible. Edas the chief stood -like one bereft of reason. Only Nesta the Fair remained calm. - -"It is the will of the All-Giver," she said, and sighed. "Yet--I had -dreamed of happiness and love." - -Again the voice of Caledon cried-- - -"What greater happiness can a maiden have than to be the chosen of the -gods?" - -But Edas flung his arms about the maid. - -"She is too young, too fair to die," said he, his voice breaking with -agony. "Druid, it shall not be." - -For a moment the priest stood silent. Then the words fell from his -lips in an angry torrent. - -"Art thou a coward, Edas, son of Atli? Must the daughters of the poor -be offered for sacrifices, and shall the mighty ones of the earth -escape? Shall the gods ask the consent of Edas before they select -themselves a holy bride?" - -"And thou, Nesta, art thou not a daughter of a race of kings? Is not -the blood of Hu the Mighty in thy veins, the blood of heroes who -feared nought, death least of all. Maiden, I tell thee the gods demand -it. Only by thy death can the Romans be overthrown, and Britain remain -free. And behold the moon is even now in the sky, the hour of -sacrifice is come." - -Nesta the Fair flung her arms about her lover and kissed him. - -"Farewell, my heart," she cried. "The gods prosper thee, and give thee -a hero's death at last." - -In another moment she was gone, and Edas, who knew the power of the -Druids, fell on the ground and sobbed. - -The wild warriors hurried on, and gathered in silence about the altar -of sacrifice. There, between the upright stones, was bound the form of -Nesta the Fair. About her were the white-robed Druids, and Caledon, -the priest, stood near her on the altar. - -The voice of Caledon rose, and the multitude drew their breaths to -listen. - -"To thee, Dread All Giver, Master of Life, and Death, we offer now the -fairest maid in all the Isle of Britain. We give to thee our best -beloved. Better far is it that she should become Thy bride than fall -into the power of Roman ravishers. Deign to accept her blood as the -price of British victory. May our spears be dyed in the blood of the -Eagles, and may the Roman legions be swept away before the rush of our -warriors, even as the leaves scatter before the wind." - -So he chanted, and then, as the moonlight fell in a slanting beam upon -the snow-white breasts of Nesta the Fair, he raised the golden knife, -plunged it deep in the maiden's heart, and the spirit of the bride of -Edas passed beyond the mountains to the Land of Rest. - -Then Caledon turned to the warriors. - -"Sons of Britain," he cried, "the Gods have accepted your sacrifice. -Get ye to your spears. The air is thick with ghosts. The dead heroes -have left their graves, and their spirits sail about the moor. Sing ye -the songs of the heroes who died for Britain. For on the morrow the -blood will flow like water, and it is well that ye know how to die. -The victory will be as the gods decree, but end the battle as it may, -see that the bards have a glorious song to sing of you, and let not -the ghosts of your fathers be ashamed when they greet you in the after -world." - -Silently the warriors filed away, and, as they laid themselves to -rest, the bards sang of glorious deeds. Thus passed the night, and on -the morrow Edas the Chief, pale and heavy eyed with weeping, yet loyal -and true to the land he loved, led his men to meet the Roman steel. - -Now the British army was gathered upon the level summit of Coombs, -which runs crescent shaped about the northern end of the valley, and -commands the whole land beneath. One glance at this position convinced -the skilful Roman leader of its impregnable character, and of the -impossibility of taking it by direct assault. The rocks at the head of -the basin-like vale presented an unscaleable barrier to the legions. -The Roman general determined to seek some easier path to the summit. -He moved his men to the right, and, working his way up the gentler -slopes about Ludworth, reached the high ground which stands level with -the crest of Coombs. Here, gathering his men in battle array, he -prepared for a final assault upon the British line. - -But the British finding that the Romans were not inclined to attempt -the impossible task of scaling the rocks, and seeing no further -advantage in maintaining their position, moved rapidly towards the -west, and met the Romans on the Ludworth moor. Chanting their wild -songs of battle, the warriors charged upon the Roman line. Again and -again the warriors charged, but the legions stood firm, and the -slaughter was horrible to see. The Britons fought for freedom, which -was dearer to them than life, and few who went to battle that day -returned home to tell the tale. It is said that the British army was -annihilated, and certainly that was the last great fight between the -Romans and the Britons which took place in this part of the country. - -When the battle was ended the dead were buried in two great groups -upon the field, and mighty cairns of stones were raised above their -graves. These cairns still remain, and are probably the oldest -monuments to British bravery in this district. - -The chief Edas was one of the last to fall. He led charge after charge -of his warriors, shouting his wild war cry, until at length, pierced -by many blades, he fell far in front of the British. For a moment or -so he lay as one dead. Then a glad smile spread over his face, and he -sprang to his feet. - -"Nesta, my beloved, I come. The gods are just. They will unite us. We -shall dwell together in the Land of Rest. Thus do I win my way to thy -side." - -So crying, he gripped his war hatchet, and, rushing full upon the line -of Roman spears, slew until the soldiers made an end of him. - -"That was truly a brave man," said the Roman general. "He could not -have died a nobler death had he been a Roman." And having learned the -story of the death of Nesta, he had the two bodies of the lovers -buried in one grave. The Romans encamped in the neighbourhood, and at -night were startled by a wild song which came from the battlefield. It -was Caswallon the bard, who sang above the grave of Edas. And thus he -sang. - -"Now have the heroes gone beyond the veil of the Invisible, and the -Land of Ghosts is thronged with the spirits of the brave." - -"Edas, the son of Atli, led his warriors to join the hosts of their -forefathers." - -"Edas was of the blood of Hu the Mighty; he was glorious to look upon; -fair was his countenance, even as the light of the morning; he was -sturdy of stature as the oak; he was fleet of foot as the deer; his -eye was as the eye of the eagle; men fell before him in the battle." - -"He gave his heart to Nesta the Fair. She was the fairest maid in all -Britain. The Gods had need of her." - -"The Romans came, who are brave men. But the Britons are still braver. -Every Briton is a warrior." - -"Edas, the son of Atli, led his men to the battle. The battle raged, -and the war song of Edas arose. Many brave men died, but the Britons -still fought on. Edas, son of Atli, led the way; he led his warriors -through the gates of death." - -"The battle ended. The Romans won. But the Land of Ghosts welcomed the -souls of Edas and his brave Britons." - -"The men sleep beneath the cairns amid the heather. But their spirits -sail upon the wind. And they shall watch over Britain until new heroes -shall arise. And the fame of the Eagles shall grow dim before their -fame, and Britain shall conquer, and shall be mightier than Rome." - -Such was the song of Caswallon the bard. - -It is said that at certain seasons of the year, when the moonlight -falls upon the Coombs Rocks, the ghosts of the ancient heroes marshall -on the battlefield, waving in phantom hands their phantom axes, as -though ready for the coming of the Roman foe. Thus they keep eternal -vigil over the wild land they loved of old. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -The foregoing story is founded upon one of the earliest traditions of -the neighbourhood, which states that a great battle between the -ancient Britons and the Romans was fought upon the elevated ground in -the vicinity of "Coombs Tor." Several writers of local history have -included this battle in their accounts of actual events. Butterworth, -the historian, gives an elaborate account of it in his description of -the Coombs Cairns. He first mentions the conflict as having taken -place between the Romans, "who were inspired by conquest and the -thirst for military glory," and the Britons, who "fought for their -country's independence"; and then he continues as follows: "Though the -poet and other historians are silent upon the great engagement--for -such I consider it to have been--yet two prodigious mounds, barrows or -tumuli, at from a quarter to half a mile distant from each other, on -the field of battle, remain to attest the magnitude and consequence of -the action. I have been upon them both, and observed that they each -consist of some hundred tons of stone heaped together in a circular or -rather an oval form, covered with the effect of time. One of them has -furze or dwarf gorse growing upon it, and I have seen cows in hot -weather standing on their summits for the purpose of inhaling the -cooling breezes." The same writer then goes on to record the erection -of a Roman trophy stone at some short distance from the field, and -also deduces evidence of the Druids once existing near. - -In the neighbourhood of Coombs Rocks there are several relics of -antiquity which are classed as Druidical. One of these, which consists -of two upright stone pillars, rising from a massive stone base, is -situated on Ludworth Moor. It is locally known as the "Robin Hood's -Picking Rods," because Robin Hood and his men are said to have used it -as a target for their arrows. But tradition states it to have been -used by the Druids as an altar of sacrifice. - - - - -II. - -The Legend of Alman's Death. - -A TALE OF MELANDRA CASTLE. - - -When the Roman general, Julius Agricola completed the subjugation of -the Britons, he began to prepare for a permanent occupation of the -country by erecting a series of strong military stations or forts -throughout the entire kingdom. A number of these fortresses were built -in Cheshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire, and among the rest was -Melandra Castle, erected on the banks of the river Etherow, in what is -now known as the township of Gamesley. This fort was established about -the end of the first century of the Christian era; it was well built -and was of considerable size; moreover its importance was increased -because it commanded the hill country north and east of Longdendale. -It proved an admirable means of driving back the raids which the -scattered hill-tribes were fond of making on the rich lands of the -valley. The Romans originally called the fort "Zedrotalia," but, on -account of its standing in a district where oak trees were plentiful, -it came to be known by its present name. Melandra is said to be a -Roman name derived from the Greek MELANDRYON, which signifies "The -heart of oak," or "The heart in the oak," and is supposed to have -reference to the fact that the forests of Longdendale were noted for -their splendid oaks at the time when the Romans built their station. - -The site of the Castle has been excavated during the years 1899-1905, -and the result of this has been the securing of ample proof that -Melandra was a station of great strength and importance. The -foundations of walls of considerable thickness, with the masonry still -solid and straight as on the day when it was laid, have been -unearthed. Pieces of pottery, broken weapons, and coins have -been found. There is also an inscribed stone containing the -inscription--"Cohortis Primę Frisianorum Centurio Valerius Vitalis." -Dr. Watson, the eminent antiquary, translates this into "The Cohort of -the First Frisians, Centurion Valerius Vitalis." The Frisians were -troops attached to the renowned Twentieth Legion--the "Valiant and -Victorious"--and Valerius Vitalis is the only one of the Roman -commanders whose name has been handed down. - -Across the valley, some distance from Melandra, is a hill called -Mouselow. This hill is supposed to have been a stronghold of the -Ancient Britons. It forms a position of great natural strength, and -was well adapted for military occupation in the days anterior to -gunpowder and artillery. Several pre-historic weapons have been -discovered near. - -For a considerable time after the erection of Melandra Castle, the -Roman garrison was much harassed by the activity of a chieftain who -was encamped on Mouselow. This chief watched his opportunity, and -rallying to his side the few fighting men of the Britons who were -left, darted down on detached bands of the Roman soldiery, and left -not one alive to tell the tale. Thus from the earliest days, it seemed -fated that there was to be strife and enmity between the two -strongholds. Even when the Romans had finally driven out the Britons, -and razed the original building of Mouselow to the ground, the -struggle did not cease; for after a time the legions were forced to -leave the country, and no sooner had they turned their backs than the -native chiefs were quarrelling over the spoils. One chief took -possession of Melandra and became prince of that place, and a rival -chief rebuilt the fort on Mouselow and took the title of Prince of -Mouselow. - -After a time came the Saxon invasion--bands of freebooters from the -continent landed on these shores, and pillaged where they listed, some -returning to their own land with the spoil they had won, others -settling on the lands of the chiefs they had defeated and slain. Among -the latter class was a Saxon chief named Alman--a brave, though -ruthless warrior, who, after some fierce fighting put to death the -Prince of Mouselow, and established himself in that mountain -stronghold. Thereafter the country of Longdendale was never free from -the depredations of this chief; his robber bands harassed the valleys, -and no man's property was safe if it happened to attract the attention -of the new Prince of Mouselow. He terrorised the native chiefs, who -were nearly all reduced to a state of vassalage by him; indeed, of all -those chiefs, the Prince of Melandra alone maintained his former state -of independence, and this principally because he was fortunate enough -to hold a castle built by the Romans, which, as may be readily -supposed, was the strongest fortress in that part of the country. -Affairs were in this state when there occurred those incidents which -form the substance of this legend. - -Now Alman had set his heart upon winning the daughter of a -neighbouring chief for his bride. She was named Ineld, and her father -was the Lord of Woley--which at that time was a fair-sized town. He -was a brave old man, but his forces had been defeated, and his -territory ravaged by Alman's soldiers, so he was somewhat afraid of -the Prince of Mouselow, and more than half inclined to bestow his -daughter's hand upon Alman without ever consulting the girl's wishes -at all. - -But it chanced that Ineld had views of her own upon the subject, and -Alman and his robber ways were not to her liking. She had heard things -of Alman and his doings which made the blood run cold. - -One day there had come to her father's gate an old woman, who craved -an audience of the chief. - -"Why are thine eyes so heavy with mourning?" asked the Lord of Woley. -And the old dame made answer: - -"O Chief, I am a widow, and the only stay and comfort of my old age -was my son--an only child. He kept me from beggary and want. He loved -a maiden, and hoped shortly to make her his wife, and even to-day they -talked together by the roadside. But it chanced that the Prince of -Mouselow rode by with his retinue, and, happening to catch sight of -the maid, he ordered his guards to seize her and carry her to the -castle. My son interfered, and in an instant the Prince of Mouselow -slew him with his own hand. And now, O chief, I cry aloud to thee for -justice." - -And another day one of her father's serfs had come in weeping. - -[Illustration: ROMAN COINS, BRICKS, AND TILES, FOUND AT MELANDRA -CASTLE.] - -"My lord," he cried, "I am heavy of heart. I have suffered a great -wrong, and I look to thee for redress. My farm, as thou knowest, is on -the boundary of the Prince of Mouselow's territory, and to-day, in my -absence, his men came and carried off my cattle and much store of -corn. Also, when my wife, who is very fair, remonstrated with them, -they seized her and carried her away to their prince, and my little -child they slew with the sword." - -These things had Ineld heard, and they in no way predisposed her in -favour of Alman, nor did the appearance of the chief when he came -a-wooing, alter her first opinions of him. He was a rough, boisterous -man, who drank deep, and swore loud oaths--fine and handsome of -outward appearance, but a man lacking that refinement which most women -prefer to see in men. - -Having disclosed his intention to the Lord of Woley, Alman made his -way to the fair Ineld's side, but so used was he to wooing by force -that he could not even now altogether rid himself of his blunt, -repulsive manner. - -"Ah, my May," cried he, stealing behind the maid, and flinging his arm -roughly about her waist, "one kiss from those rosy lipe of thine, and -then we will talk of love." - -He laughed as the startled Ineld struggled to free herself from his -grasp, but a scowl of anger swept over his face as, with her little -hand, she struck him heavily upon the coarse lips which he had thrust -near her face. - -Then he laughed again, and even swore. - -"By Woden," said he, "but you are a fit wife for any chief. Little -spitfire--but I like such play. Trust me, I love thee none the less -for that blow. Some day I will tame thee, and then, by the gods, we -shall make a mighty pair." - -"Never," cried Ineld fiercely. - -And, breaking away, she ran to the mansion, and hid herself in the -women's quarters, where even Alman dared not follow. - -That day the Prince of Mouselow rode away immensely pleased with -himself; he loved to see a maid full of fight, so he said, and he -promised himself that Ineld should love him by and by. But the days -went past, and do what he would, he could never persuade the maiden to -grant him an interview alone. - -His spirit chafed at the prolonged delay, and at length he determined -upon bolder measures. He lay in wait in the woodland near the home of -Ineld, and in due course his patient waiting was rewarded. The fair -maiden appeared, and, first looking timidly around, as though to make -sure she was unobserved, made her way through the glade to a spot near -a fern-covered spring. - -Alman chuckled to himself with glee, and silently he kept pace with -the maiden, although remaining concealed the while. - -When Ineld stopped, and showed unmistakable signs of going no further, -the Prince of Mouselow emerged from the undergrowth behind which he -had been hidden, and, with a laugh of triumph, stood before her. - -"Now, my little vixen," said he, "I have won you at last. Maids so coy -as you must be wooed in rough fashion. And, once inside my mountain -fortress, I doubt not your consent to wed Alman will soon be -forthcoming." - -So saying, he made to carry her to the spot where his steed was -tethered, for he would win his bride by force, even as he had won his -wealth and lands. - -Ineld screamed shrilly in terror, and the Prince clapped his rough -hand upon her lips to stifle the cries. - -"Cease such idle wailing," said he. "The wood is deserted, no one can -hear, nor would it greatly matter if they could. I hold thee now, and -no man in all the land shall rob me of my prize." - -"Be not so sure of that," said a voice at his shoulder, so suddenly -and unexpectedly that Alman dropped the girl, who immediately, with a -joyful cry, sprang to the side of the new comer. - -"Lewin--sweetheart," cried she--then could say no more by reason of -the caress which her deliverer bestowed upon her. - -"Ah," cried Alman--a light breaking on him, as he recognised the -youthful Lewin, Prince of Melandra. "So 'tis a lover's tryst I have -marred by my presence. Well, let us see who is the better man--Lewin -or Alman, and the winner takes the maid." - -He loosened the short axe at his side, and, without pause, rushed on -Lewin, waving the weapon aloft. Scarce had the youth time to thrust -the maid behind him and draw his blade when the axe fell; but the -sword of Lewin was swift to parry, and at the same instant he sprang -aside. The axe missed him by a hairsbreadth, but the sword was -shattered by the stroke, and the Prince of Melandra stood -weaponless--at the mercy of Alman. - -[Illustration: INSCRIBED ROMAN STONE FOUND AT MELANDRA CASTLE.] - -The Prince of Mouselow laughed, and again raised his axe to make an -end, but Lewin, disdaining to fly, faced him calmly, awaiting death -without a tremour. His cool and gallant bearing touched the fierce -robber, and he dropped his arm. - -"I could slay thee easily," said he, "but I soil not my fame so. Thou -art a brave man, and above all the chiefs about, hast hitherto opposed -me with credit to thyself. I give thee thy life--the maiden goes with -me. But this chance I give thee. Rally thy men and meet me now in -battle array--Melandra against Mouselow, and we will fight for a noble -prize--the lordship of all the land of Longdendale, and the fair Ineld -for a queen. Thou may'st trust me. The maid stays in my keeping, but I -touch her not until the battle has been fought and won." - -Lewin advanced and took the hand of Alman. - -"I trust thee, Prince." said he. "'Tis a noble act. Get thee to thy -stronghold with the maiden, for soon the axe of Lewin will be knocking -at thy door." - -Then, turning to the trembling girl, he whispered: - -"Fear not, Ineld, I come quickly. Ere another hour is passed the -war-song of Lewin will echo through the hills." - -Then he was gone. - -An hour later Alman stood on the rampart of Mouselow, and gazed in the -direction of Melandra. The warrior by his side pointed to a dancing -light which played upon the distant fields and seemed to move on -Mouselow. It was the sunlight reflected from a host of shields and -spears. - -[Illustration: PREHISTORIC SPEAR HEAD FOUND NEAR MOUSELOW CASTLE] - -"They come, my lord," said he. And Alman answered: - -"This Lewin keeps his word. The fight will be such as a soldier loves. -Now get to your arms." - -The Prince of Mouselow watched the approach of the foe with gladness. -Rude and tyrannous though he might be, he was yet a brave man, and -asked for nothing better than a worthy foe and a fair field. It -mattered little to him if death came in the conflict. His fathers had -all died fighting, and he, too, longed to die in the thick of the -fray. He loved fighting for fighting's sake, and in the lust for the -conflict he even forgot the fair Ineld--the prize for which he fought. -Placing himself at the head of his men, he led them out of the fort, -and soon the two forces were in touch with each other. The Prince of -Melandra was at the head of his own troops, and as the two armies -closed he gave forth his war shout and called upon his men to charge. -The warriors clashed their axes and shields together, and cried aloud: - -"Lewin we will follow thee to death. Lead on!" - -And thus the great fight begun. - -The battle lasted through the day, and it seemed almost certain that -the superior force of the Prince of Mouselow would win. But the men of -Melandra fought like heroes; they stubbornly maintained their ground, -and, as the day passed, the battle was still undecided. - -Throughout the combat Lewin seemed to bear a charmed life. He was ever -in the thick of battle, and where his axe descended there death -reigned in the foemen's ranks. But towards the evening he realised -that his rapidly thinning ranks were in danger of being enveloped by -the greater number of the foe, and that if the battle was to be saved, -it would require a superhuman effort. - -Then, knowing that where he led his men would surely follow, he raised -his war shout, and, with a mighty rush, charged single-handed on the -foe. He was surrounded in an instant, and a score of blows were -showered at his head. The peril of their chief so incensed the men of -Melandra that they became like madmen, and swept onwards with a charge -that nothing could withstand. This was exactly what Lewin had looked -for, and, hoping to render the effect of the charge doubly sure, he -still pushed on, making for the standard where Alman fought. - -The Prince of Mouselow rallied his men about him, and, shoulder to -shoulder, they stood to repel the onslaught. But the rush of Lewin was -too fierce, the men of Mouselow were scattered like chaff, and Alman -himself fell pierced by a score of blades. - -[Illustration: THE PRINCESS INELD.] - -With the fall of Alman the battle ended, his men fled from the field, -and their dying chief turned and laughed as he watched them fly. - -"They run," said he--"the dogs. And yet--they fought bravely. Well, -let them run. Ho. Lewin, the day is thine. Ineld is thine, and I--I -die. Tell her I died as a brave man should--face to the foe. Valhalla -calls me. Lewin, farewell." - -So he died. - -The old chronicle tells us that he died as the sun set, and his spirit -passed away with the dying beams to the eternal land of rest. It is -said that so keen was the conflict, and so great was the bloodshed, -that one part of the battlefield was afterwards termed Redgate in -perpetual commemoration of the day. The spot whereon Alman died was -called Almansdeath, a name it still retains. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -There are many traditions which speak of the fierce encounters between -the forces of Melandra and Mouselow. They are, however, extremely -vague, and it is difficult to say whether the story of Alman refers to -a battle between the Romans and the Britons, or a struggle of the -later Saxon period. For the purpose of this narrative I have adopted -the latter date. It may be added that Melandra has been a favourite -theme with local writers. The following fragments from the pen of -Thomas Barlow, the Longdendale poet, will serve as illustrations of -the way in which the "castle" has been the subject of song and -romance. - - And well I loved the roaring flood-- - The wind, when whistling through the wood, - Below where once Melandra stood, - With turrets high; - And often stray'd at eve, to brood - On days gone by; - - In which, traditions old declare, - Melandra flourish'd, free and fair, - And glisten'd in the morning air, - Anent the sun; - Ere Time, who swept the ruins bare, - His freaks begun. - - When lordly knight, at dawn of day, - Led forth his train--a proud array - Of stalwart warriors blithe and gay - With martial fire; - Whose arms upheld the feudal sway - Of knight and squire. - - When martial music could entrance, - And prompt the love inspiring glance, - Till knights and ladies would advance, - Quick-step or slow; - In halls where hung the sword and lance, - And good yew bow. - - In fancy oft I saw the throng, - And heard the aged minstrel's song, - As, softly sweet, he did prolong, - His tender strain; - With themes of love or war his tongue - Could audience gain. - - When deeds of arms his song would claim, - He sang Melandra's knightly fame, - And hung with reverence on the name - His chieftain bore, - Till tears reveal'd the ardent flame - That fired his lore. - - - - -III. - -King Arthur's Adventure. - - -Arthur, son of Uthyr, Pendragon of Great Britain, organised that high -order of Christian chivalry, commonly known as the knighthood of the -Round Table. The companions of this Order bound themselves by oath to -oppose the progress of paganism, to be loyal to the British throne, to -fight--not for self-glory, but for the redressing of human wrong, to -protect the defenceless, to show mercy to the fallen, to honour -womanhood, and never to turn their backs upon a foe in battle. - -It is said that God raised up King Arthur that he might render Britain -free, drive out the heathen, purify his realm, and spread Christ among -men. For this purpose, the Lady of the Lake, "clothed in white samite, -mystic, wonderful," gave to the king the huge cross-hilted sword, -"Excalibur," which was forged beneath the sea, whose blade was so -bright that men were blinded by it, and before whose sweep no man -might stand. With this blade, Arthur led his knighthood, and in twelve -great battles overcame the Saxon heathen hordes. It is said that four -of these great victories of the young Pendragon were fought in -Lancashire, and that after the battles the knights of the Round Table -rode through the country, redressing the wrongs of the people, and -putting tyrants to the sword. - -At this time there were great castles on the hills of Longdendale, and -in one of these strongholds dwelt a cruel and treacherous knight of -gigantic stature and enormous strength. On account of his many -cruelties he was known as Sir Terrible. His fortress was built upon a -commanding eminence; it was defended by ramparts surmounted by massive -towers of stone, and was so strong a place that it had never yet been -taken by a foe. - -Sir Terrible was not married, though he was now in the prime of life. -It was said that no woman would mate with him, so black were his -deeds. Strange tales were told of his love passages, and many a -country maiden had mysteriously disappeared. Rumour said that the -knight carried off the maidens to his dreadful dwelling under cover of -the darkness, and it was certain that when morning came, the cottage -of each victim was found in ashes, and the dead bodies of the kinsfolk -lay around. No trace of the maids could be found, and they were never -seen again, though shrieks and cries of agony floated on the air from -the direction of the castle walls. - -Now King Arthur held Court after one of his great victories, which he -won near Wigan, and to him flocked the people from far and near, -laying their grievances before the King, and beseeching help at his -hands. Among the rest came an old dame from Longdendale, who wept -bitterly as she told her story, bewailing the loss of the fairest maid -in all Cheshire. For it seemed that the maiden was the old dame's -grandchild, that they two lived in a lonely spot in the valley of -Longdendale, that Sir Terrible had become enamoured of the maid, and -had carried her to his castle, where he kept her a prisoner, neither -suffering her to go out, nor yet anyone to hold converse with her. -Also he had slain two noble knight-errants to whom the dame had told -her tale, and who had chivalrously sought to rescue the maiden. - -It was towards the close of the day when the old dame told her story, -for there had been a large attendance of petitioners to see the King; -moreover all the knights had left the court on some quest or other in -keeping with their oaths as members of the Round Table. But when the -King heard of the cruelty of Sir Terrible, he rose at once, the gentle -look passed from his face, and in its place gleamed the determined -light of battle. He donned his war-gear, and buckled the great sword -"Excalibur" to his side. Then, accompanied only by a young squire, and -dressed only as a simple knight, he rode away towards Longdendale. - -The King rested for the night at the hut of a poor peasant, from whom -he gleaned tidings of many fresh cruelties of Sir Terrible. Early in -the morning he set out and soon came in sight of the Castle. - -Now, as they rode, the young squire had been silent. But when the -Castle towers hove in sight he spoke to the King. - -"My liege," said he, "My father was a knight at the court of Uthyr -Pendragon, and was esteemed meet company for brave men. I, his son, -have not yet done a deed worthy of mine ancestry. Grant, I pray, that -this quest be mine to follow. 'Tis true I am untried, and the foe is -strong, yet the cause is just, and, mayhap, God will nerve my arm." - -So he pleaded, for he desired above all else the chance to do some -Christian deed that might win for him the fellowship of the Round -Table. - -After much persuasion the king at last granted him his prayer, and the -Squire rode with a glad heart to the castle gate, while Arthur hid -himself among the trees. - -Reaching the gate, the squire thundered at it with his lance, and then -drew back to wait. In answer to his knocking, the knight Sir Terrible -appeared, ready mounted, armed with lance and sword. - -"Villain and treacherous knight," cried the squire. "How darest thou -abduct innocent and defenceless maidens, whom all thy Order are bound -to protect, keeping them as slaves within thy castle? I am come to -make thee rue this foul insult to the order of our good King Arthur; -for thy cruelties are a stain upon the honour of his knighthood, and a -blotch upon the fair fame of his kingdom." - -"Thou discourteous churl," answered Sir Terrible. "Do but lead on to -yon level piece of green, and I will first meet thee in fair fight, -and then send thy carcase to thy base born king." - -Now the squire, used to the honour of noble knights, turned to ride to -the greensward indicated, but no sooner was his back turned than the -treacherous Sir Terrible, couching his lance, drove at him between the -shoulders, striking him so fierce a blow that the squire fell -senseless to the ground. - -Then the knight laughed loudly, and would have hacked off the head of -his fallen foe, had not the king, who was now dismounted, stepped from -the shelter of the trees, and stood above the prostrate squire. - -[Illustration: "A COUNTRY MAID OF LONGDENDALE."] - -"Thou cruel traitor," cried the king. "That foul stroke shall cost -thee thy life. Never have I seen a blow more foul." - -On seeing this new foe, Sir Terrible--who did not recognise the -king--again couched his lance, and, without waiting to give his -opponent chance to mount, and meet him in fair combat, charged down -upon the king. - -But Arthur stood calm and firm, and drawing Excalibur from its sheath, -he stepped aside as the horseman charged, and smote with all his -might. The blow cut clean through the lance close to the haft, and -falling on the steed, brought it to the ground. Instantly the knight -sprang up in terror. - -"Now I know thee," he cried. "Thou art Arthur Pendragon. No sword save -the brand Excalibur could have struck so great a blow as that." - -"Thou speakest truly," answered the king. "I am indeed Pendragon." - -Then the coward knight turned to fly, for well he knew that none -might stand before Excalibur and live. - -But the king stepped forward. He raised the great sword aloft. The -blade flashed in the sunlight. It cut clean through the iron helm, and -the head of Sir Terrible rolled on the sward. - -After slaying the tyrant--so the story tells us--King Arthur restored -the squire, who was merely wounded, and then the two, mounting their -steeds, rode up to the castle gates. The king rode in front, and at -his saddle bow there hung the bloody head of the dead tyrant. - -Arthur raised his lance, and with it thundered on the outer gate. - -"Ho! warder," cried the king, "open instantly!" - -But the warder made answer-- - -"Who art thou who knockest so loudly? Know that I hold the castle for -Sir Terrible, and that I open only when my master comes." - -At which the king laughed. - -"Then open hastily," said he, "for thy master is here even now." - -And swinging his arms, he hurled the gory head of the traitor knight -over the iron spikes of the gate, so that it fell with a thud at the -feet of the warder. The terrified fellow shrieked and fled, and his -cries rang through the castle, causing the men-at-arms to grasp their -weapons and stand at attention. - -By this time the king was hammering loudly at the gate--great blows -that shook the stout oaken portal so that it trembled in its sockets, -and threatened to fall into splinters. - -"By my troth," cried the captain of the men-at-arms, "but 'tis a -mighty arm which deals such blows. No wonder our master fell before -it." - -Then, leaning over the rampart, he called aloud: - -"Ho! there without. Who art thou who makest such a din; and what is -thy business?" - -Then Arthur made answer: - -"I am the king," - -Whereupon the men were overcome with fear, and casting aside their -weapons, they opened the gate, and surrendered the castle to King -Arthur. The king ordered all the captives to be set at liberty, and -this was immediately done, the long procession of unfortunate victims -of the cruelty of Sir Terrible passing before the king, each one -blessing him for having wrought their deliverance. - -Last of all came the maiden whose rescue had been the immediate cause -of the king's visit to Longdendale. She was wondrously beautiful, and -as she stood before him, Arthur was so struck by her good looks that -he could not refrain from passing knightly compliments. - -"Such beauty as thine," said he, "would best befit a court. 'Tis -wasted in these wilds. Thou shalt have a place among the maidens who -wait upon the Queen." - -But the maiden answered: - -"If it please thee, sire, I would stay in fair Longdendale. I am but a -country maiden. I love the free life of these hills and valleys; and -at thy court I should be but as a wild bird in a cage." - -Whereupon the king, noticing her earnest look of supplication, -smilingly bent his head, and suffered her to depart. - - * * * * * - -Now the rest of the tale is soon told. The king bestowed the castle -and the lands of the dead Sir Terrible, upon the young squire who had -accompanied him, and whom he now made into a knight. - -And then great changes took place in that part of Longdendale. Instead -of being looked upon with dread by all the people of the countryside, -the castle came to be regarded as the seat of a protecting power, to -whose lord the poor might look for succour in time of need, and for -justice in all seasons. - -And perhaps the greatest change of all took place in the maiden who -had been rescued from the clutches of Sir Terrible by King Arthur and -his squire. Formerly she had trembled at the very name of the lord of -the castle, and had witnessed his approach with a terror as great as -that which causes the timid to shrink from death. But now she shrank -from his approach no longer, there were even whispers that she kept -tryst with the new lord; and at length there arrived a day when the -young knight came in state, and carried her to the castle--a willing -captive--where, in the presence of the king, they were made man and -wife. The two lived long and happily together, trusted by the king, -respected by their equals, and beloved by all who were beneath them in -station. The knight won great renown as a warrior, so much so that -evil-disposed men feared to meet him, and during his lifetime, -although there were wars in other parts of the kingdom, the land of -Longdendale enjoyed peace. - -In due time the knight and his lady had several fine sons, who grew up -after the pattern of the king, and long maintained the fair fame of -Arthur Pendragon in Longdendale, even in days after the good king had -passed from life, to sail in the black barge with the three Queens, to -Avilion, the Isle of Rest. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -Concerning the connection of King Arthur with Longdendale, it may be -of interest to mention that Bernard Robinson, in his "History of -Longdendale," writes thus:--"Traditions speak of castles and kings, -and great bloody battles fought along the hills--traditions of the -times of Aurelius Ambrosius, and King Arthur, that have come - -"Floating down the tide of years' mantled in mystery." - -I may further add that it is not surprising to find Longdendale -associated by tradition with the great hero of English romance. -Several great battles of King Arthur are said to have been fought in -Lancashire and Cheshire, and the former county is very closely linked -with the chief of the knights of the Round Table. The name Lancashire -is said to mean "Lancelot's Shire." Lancelot of the Lake is reputed to -have been monarch or ruler of this county. - - - - -IV. - -The Legend of War Hill. - - -It was early autumn of the year 1138, and the Valley of Longdendale -was a vast tract of desolation. True, the trees were still decked with -verdure, and the mellow tint of autumn clothed nature with a lovely -garb. The streams still murmured with silvery splashes as they -wandered through the woodland, and the birds warbled among the -branches. In all this the valley was as of old--lovely, radiant, fair. -But the song of the reaper was never heard; the fields were tangled -and untilled, the instruments of husbandry were destroyed or -abandoned, and a grievous famine reigned. For the demon of war was -abroad, and the blight of his shadow had fallen on the fair Cheshire -vale. - -King Stephen was seated on the throne which he had won by violence. As -he had usurped the sovereign power without the pretence of a title, he -was necessitated to tolerate in others, the same violence to which he -himself had been beholden for his crown. Even in time of peace the -nobles made sad havoc with the property of the people, but now that -war was in the land, and the forces of the Lady Matilda, King Henry's -child, sought to drive the usurper from the throne,--now, indeed, the -castles poured forth bands of licensed robbers, and the homesteads of -Longdendale were burned, the people driven to the woods, and the -flocks and herds of the yeomen were confiscated. - -Had the reader been privileged to wander through the woodland glades -near Mottram, he would, maybe, have seen a group of fugitives -bargaining with a sturdy forester for leave to shelter themselves in -the depths of the forest, without fear of molestation. - -"Thou hast known me all my life," said the leader of the party, "for a -patient, God-fearing, and faithful husbandman. I have ever kept the -forest laws, and seek not to work harm therein even now. But Mottram -town is no place for me, for all my poor belongings have been seized -by the King's men, and my hut has been burned to the ground. And but -yesterday there came a party of the other side, and their leader had -me up, and soundly thrashed me, because he said I helped the King, and -was disloyal to the Princess. Helped the King, forsooth, when the King -helped himself to all I had, and turned me out o' doors to shift for -myself." - -"And I," quoth another, "come from Tingetvisie (Tintwistle), and there -the townsfolk are so scared they dare not seek their beds at night. -Nothing have I left to call my own, not even arms with which to -protect myself. Truly the forest is a heaven to all such poor people -as we." - -"Well, well," grumbled the bluff forester, "get into the woods and -hide yourselves, but play not with the deer at your peril. A pest on -these troubles. I would the great folk would settle their differences -themselves, and allow the poor to live in peace. Get off, I say, and -hide yourselves. Steer clear of both King's men and Queen's men, and -be damned to both sides." - -So saying he went on his way whistling, and the fugitives hastily left -the path, and were soon lost from view in the undergrowth. There, like -beasts of the forest, they lay by day, and emerged when the night -fell, to pick up such scraps of food as were to be had by the way. -Little wonder there were robbers on the roads in those times. - -Days passed on, and the wanderers in the woods beheld parties of -rovers, riding with lance and sword, now north, now south, as the tide -of war ebbed and flowed. Rumours had reached them of an invasion of -the Scots under King David, and following the rumours came bands of -wild Highland men, who laid waste with fire and sword what little the -robber-bands of the English knighthood had spared. The King of -Scotland came south to aid his niece, the Princess Matilda, and with -the appearance of his army on this side the border, the nobles who -favoured the Princess arose. There was a mustering of all the -able-bodied men of the Vale of Longdendale, and, glad to strike a blow -to bring the state of tumult to an end, the men took sides. - -"Hast thou heard the news?" asked one fugitive of another. - -"To what news dost thou refer, good man?" was the reply. "Is it more -of evil?" - -"Nay, that is as thou listest," was the answer. "'Tis said the King of -Scots rides hither with a great following of men at arms, and that -King Stephen's forces muster for the combat. In that case there may be -a great struggle toward, and now, maybe, we shall see the ending of -all this strife and misery." - -"In that case, good man, methinks I will strike a blow for one side, -so that the matter may indeed be ended." - -"On what side art thou?" - -"I am for the Princess." - -"And I for King Stephen." - -"Then we are enemies, but I bear thee no ill-will. Mayhap we shall -meet again in the battle." - -"Maybe. At least it will be better than starving in the woods. I wish -thee a good-morrow." - -"And I thee. Farewell." - -Upon which the speakers went their several ways to arrange themselves -beneath the banners of the cause they favoured. - -Soon there was a fair mustering of each faction, and with the trains -of knights, who came from north and south, the rival forces grew from -companies into armies. King Stephen sent a great body of horse and -foot to strengthen the array of those who fought beneath his banner, -whilst stray bands of Highland men swelled the ranks of the warriors -of Matilda. - -Now the chief forester of Longdendale was a man with a kind heart, and -to all those civil and respectable folk who took to the woods for a -refuge, he showed such toleration and care as his position allowed; -only upon the idle, thieves, and evildoers, was his anger bestowed. It -was no new thing for him to meet with fugitives--particularly -women--seeking shelter in the forest, and, accordingly, he gave little -heed to a small band of riders in which were several females, who -entered the forest of Longdendale upon a certain evening just before -the hour of sunset. - -"Another band of fugitives," said he. "Poor souls; God have mercy on -them." - -He would have passed on his way had not one of the band--a -sturdy-looking young man, dressed in plain russet garb--thus accosted -him: - -"Ho there, fellow," cried the youth. "Come thou hither, for I would -have a word with thee." - -The tone in which the words were spoken was commanding, and to the -forester it sounded insolent. - -For answer he turned, and looking the horseman straight in the face -said: - -"Have a care, knave, what words thou usest to thy betters, or thou art -likely to rue such speeches as that." - -The young man frowned, and, raising a light riding whip, made as -though he would strike the forester. But the latter brought into -position a stout oak staff which he carried, and, advancing boldly, -said in a threatening voice: - -"Take advice from an older man, and drop thy paltry weapon. Otherwise -I shall be put to the necessity of cracking thy pate. One blast of -this horn now dangling at my side will speedily summon some of the -stoutest lads in Cheshire, and thou and thy followers will ere long be -dangling from the nearest tree." - -So saying, the bold forester blew upon his horn, and scarcely had the -echoes died away ere five stalwart men clad in green, each armed with -yew-bow and quiver, and long knives at their girdle, burst from the -thickets and ranged themselves by the forester's side. - -What the newcomers would have done with the old forester at their -head, it is difficult to say; but a diversion was created by one of -the female riders, chiding the horseman who had first spoken. - -"Thou art over-hasty, and even rude," said she; "where is thy -discernment. Seest thou not that these men are honest, and wouldst -thou set them against us?". - -Then, advancing alone, she bent in her saddle, and whispered something -to the forester. The old man started, gazed at the speaker, for a -moment, then doffed his cap, and bowed low. Next turning to the five -who stood behind him, he cried: - -"Uncover, and on your knees. It is the Queen." - -The Royal Matilda--for she it was, thus driven with her infant son, -Henry, and a few faithful followers, to adopt the disguise of poor -travellers, and to seek for a place of refuge until the coming battle -should decide her fate--smiled graciously upon the old man and his -companions. - -"Methinks there is a likeness in all your faces," said she. "Are these -thy sons?" - -"They are my sons," answered the forester; "and withal thy loyal -subjects, gracious lady, ready to give their lives for thee and -thine." - -After a few further passages of speech, the chief forester led the way -to his own dwelling--which was a strongly built and well concealed -place, where, attended by his good wife, the Queen might rest secure -until the battle had been fought and won. - -Meanwhile the forester and his sons donned their war-gear, and when -the time was ripe they took their stand with the rest of those who -fought beneath the banner of the Queen. - -It was in the gray dawning of an autumn day when the two armies met. -The battle was fought on a hill in the Mottram township, where the -ancient Church of Mottram now stands. But there was no sacred building -there on that gray morning of long ago, when the clashing of arms -awoke the echoes, and the air was heavy with the shrieks of dying men. - -The army of Matilda was posted on the hill. Their position was strong -and commanding. From it they could note the approach of the foe, and -fight him with advantage. In the midst of their array rose the -standard of the Princess--the royal banner of the great Henry--and by -its side the bonnie flag of Scotland floated in the breeze. - -As the gray light broke from the east, the watchers on the hill beheld -the first line of Stephen's forces emerge from the woods. The King's -army was a mighty host, the bright spears gleamed in the light of -dawn, and the archers carried great quivers full of deadly -goose-tipped shafts. - -The royal force came on, and the leading ranks broke into a -battle-chant as they neared the hill foot, and bent to meet the slope. -The archers winged their shafts, the axes, bills, and pikes advanced; -a rain of arrows beat whistling from the ranks upon the hill, and the -great fight commenced. - -Bit by bit the soldiers of Stephen advanced up the hill. They left -many dead upon the slopes, but still the host went on. The army of -Matilda hung thick and massive upon the crest, and waited with -unbroken front for the closing of the foe; they rained down their -flights of arrows, but kept their ranks unbroken, with bristling rows -of pikes in front. - -At length the advancing host drew near. The foremost men rushed -bravely on, they clutched the wall of pikes with their hands, and -strove to hew a way to victory. But the arrows fell among them, -dealing death in full measure, and the brave men fell. Others took -their places, and again the goose-shafts flew. - -Now the advancing army remembered the trick of Norman William on the -field of Senlac. At a given signal they turned and fled in apparent -confusion. With a wild yell the unwary Highland men broke from their -post upon the summit, and charged down to slay. Then, swift as -lightning, the warriors of Stephen turned. Their archers met the -onrush of the pursuers with a staggering volley of shafts. The pikes -and bills charged up the slope. The axes hacked the brawny Scots, and -the broken ranks upon the hill, opening wider yet to receive their -retreating comrades, let in the charging body of the foe. After that -there was a mingled mass of slaying men about the summit. The hosts of -King Stephen girt the hill round, so that there was no escape for the -men who stood upon it. Death was everywhere, death for the victors -and the vanquished; for the soldiers of the Princess died as soldiers -should, and they slew great numbers of the foe. - -[Illustration: MOTTRAM CHURCH AND THE WAR HILL, THE SITE OF THE BATTLE -MENTIONED IN THE LEGEND.] - -That was the last stand for the Princess Matilda in that part of -Cheshire, and the old chronicles say that the blood shed in the battle -ran in a stream down the slopes, and formed a great pool at the foot -of the hill. - - * * * * * - -As the gray of the morrow's dawn fell upon the scene of battle, the -pale light fell also upon a group of living beings, who stood upon the -summit of the hill among the hosts of the dead. - -Matilda, the Queen, was there--beaten and dismayed, since all hope was -lost. The chief forester of Longdendale stood there also, and he, too, -sighed, as one whose heart is broken--he had just been groping among -the corpses, and had found what he sought. - -"Are thy fears well founded?" asked Matilda, anxiously. - -The old man pointed to the inert forms of five dead men. - -"They were all I had--and I am an old man. Now they are gone, my very -name must perish." - -The royal lady looked at him for a moment, her whole being trembling -with grief. - -"My heart is broken," she said. "Yet what is my loss to thine?" - -The old man took her hand, and kissed it. - -"I am a loyal man--and an Englishman. I gave them freely to the cause -of my Queen. Who am I that I should complain?" - -Royal lady and lowly-born forester gazed into each other's eyes for a -brief space--their looks conveying thoughts which were too sacred for -words--and then the Queen's train moved down the hill, and the old man -was left alone--alone with his sorrow and his dead. - - * * * * * - -The world is full of changes, and ever on the heels of war comes the -angel form of peace. Men called the hill whereon the battle had been -fought Warhill, and in after days the builders raised the sacred pile -of Mottram Church, where the soldiers of Matilda and Stephen fought -and died. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -According to an old Longdendale tradition, the War Hill, Mottram, is -the site of a battle which was fought in the twelfth century between -the forces of the Princess Matilda and King Stephen. - - - - -V. - -Sir Ro of Staley Hall. - - -There was a noble gathering in the great banqueting room of Staley -Hall, on that memorable morning when Sir Ro or Ralph de Stavelegh -entertained his guests for the last time ere he set sail for the Holy -Land. The message of war had been sent through all merrie England, and -many of the Cheshire knights were leaving their homes, their wide and -pleasant meadows, and their dear wives and children, to engage in the -stern conflict of the great Crusade. Sir Ro, of Staley, was one of the -first to offer his sword in the holy cause. He was a brave knight, -born of a war-like ancestry, and desirous above all things to risk his -life in so sacred a war. And now he had called together his friends -and neighbours, that they might feast once more in the old banqueting -hall, and pledge themselves as true and leal comrades before the -knight said farewell. - -There were many brave knights and squires, many noble dames and fair -maidens, seated about that hospitable board. But the lovliest of all -women gathered there was the young lady of Staley, and the handsomest -of men in that goodly company was the warrior knight, Sir Ro. - -The feasting went on well into the night. In the minstrels' gallery -there were harpers who harped of war, and bards who sang of heroes' -deeds and victory. The music was wild and glorious; it lured men to -war, it breathed the spirit of strife, it lured the love of maidens to -the man who wielded axe and sword. When the music ceased there were -speeches made by the knights, and good wishes expressed, and the words -of friendship passed. - -Then the Knight of Staley rose to bid farewell. He spoke of the true -comradeship between his guests and himself. He begged them to see that -no enemy laid waste his fair domain while he was distant at the war. -By every tie of friendship, he prayed them to protect well his dear -lady should ever the need arise. Then, turning to his wife, he asked -that she should hand her wedding ring to him, and the lady complied. -Holding up the ring, and in sight of all the guests, Sir Ro next -snapped the golden circlet in twain, and, restoring one half to his -spouse, he placed the other against his heart, swearing by that token -to be a true lover and husband until death. On her part, the lady made -a like vow, and thus, before all that noble company, they pledged -again eternal troth. - -On the morrow, with many bitter tears at the pain of the parting, with -many tender kisses and protestations of fidelity, Sir Ro and his lady -parted--the lady to her lonely bower, the knight to his ship, his -journey, and the war. - - * * * * * - -Sir Ro sailed the seas in company with many other English knights and -men-at-arms. They marched across the great desert, suffering many -privations, often being in peril of death by the wilderness, and at -other times endangered by the craft and might of the foe. They fought -many battles, winning great glory for the Christian arms, and putting -numbers of the Saracens to death. In all the fighting Sir Ro of Staley -played a great part. He was ever in the thickest of the battle, his -helm bore the marks and dints of many blows, his breast was scarred -with wounds, his sword dulled with hacking, his axe chipped with -striking. Wherever he rode the foe fell like hail beaten by the wind. -They were powerless before him; death came to them with the falling of -his brand; and before his arm multitudes of heathen bit the dust. - -[Illustration: "IN THE MINSTRELS' GALLERY."] - -At length befell an evil day for the Christian army. Sir Ro was -captured by a cunning strategy of the foe, and, bound hand and foot, -was carried off to a Saracen town. There, stripped of his knightly -raiment, and dressed in the poor garb of a palmer, he was cast into a -filthy and dark dungeon, and there left to pine and die. - -For long dreary months did the brave knight suffer this cruel -captivity without a murmur or complaint. His cheeks grew white, his -limbs thin, his frame was wasted; the palmer's dress hung loose about -his figure. None would have recognised in that feeble prisoner the -once gay and handsome lord of Staley Hall. - -One night Sir Ro fell into a troubled sleep, in which he dreamed some -horrid dream. It seemed that some great evil threatened his wife and -kindred at home--an evil which he had no power to avert. So vivid was -the dream that, on awakening, the force of his anguish was such as to -cause his frame to tremble and his heart to languish with despair. -But, like a good Christian knight, he fell upon his knees and poured -forth his soul in earnest prayer to God, asking his Heavenly Father to -succour his wife in the hour of peril, and, by some means--if it were -His will--to restore him to his home. - -Having thus prayed, a calm fell upon the knight, and, repeating the -Saviour's prayer, he laid himself upon his couch, and fell into a -gentle sleep. - - * * * * * - -Sir Ro awoke with a start. It seemed as though a bright light from -heaven blinded him. There was a warmth as of living fire about him. -All the cell seemed a-flame. Then his full senses came, and he leaped -and cried aloud for joy. - -There in front of him was the fairest scene in all the world. - -Gone was the cold damp cell, gone the poisonous atmosphere of the -dungeon, gone were the iron fetters, his strength had returned to him, -and lo!--before him, shining fair in the summer sunlight, rich in the -fulsome melody of singing birds, was a fair English landscape, and -beyond it his own ancestral hall of Staley. - -God had heard his prayer. By His own Almighty working he had bridged -time and space, and Sir Ro was safe again at his old English home. - -"A miracle, a miracle!" exclaimed the knight. And, like a good -Christian, he fell upon his knees, and gave thanks to God. - -When he arose Sir Ro passed along the soft and level sward of green -until he came to the hall door. There he knocked long and loud. The -warder who answered the knocking, failed to recognise the knight. - -"Who knocks so long and loudly?" asked the warder, peering curiously -at the palmer. "For a holy man, friend, methinks thou hast a mighty -powerful stroke." - -This greeting reminded Sir Ro that he was no longer dressed as a -knight, but in the garb of a palmer, and that he had best put off -knightly ways unless he wished to be discovered, so, in a feigned -voice, he answered: - -"I am a humble palmer, hungry and footsore, and I crave a meal and -leave to rest awhile. All of which I pray ye grant for Christ Jesu's -sake." - -"Well, well," said the warder, somewhat mollified by the penitent tone -of his visitor, "of a truth thou lookest woe-begone and -travel-stained. Come thou within and eat and drink, and then, -perchance, thou wilt have a tale to tell, which will help the hours to -pass merrily. Hast thou any tidings? Is there any fresh news from the -Holy Land?" - -"Little of importance," replied the supposed palmer. "But before I -tell my story, perhaps thou wilt answer me a few inquiries, for I -confess I am mightily curious about this same hall of thine. I had -thought this was the hall of Staley." - -"And so it is, Sir Palmer. What belike should make thee doubt it?" - -"Well, friend, I have travelled in the Holy Land myself, and thy -master's escutcheon is not unknown to me. He was a stout soldier of -King Richard against the Paynim. And that banner which floats from the -high tower bears not the same devise as that which Sir Ro of Staley -bravely upheld against the Saracens." - -"In truth, thou art right there, Sir Palmer. 'Tis not the same banner, -and, though I eat my salt beneath the new devise, I do not mind -confessing that I would sooner see the old one flying overhead. 'Tis a -sad story, friend. Hast thou not heard in thy wanderings that the -brave knight of Staley was slain in the Holy Land?" - -"That is news to me," answered the other, starting. "But even so, what -of his lady? Is she not alive?" - -The warder looked uneasily about him, as though he had no wish to talk -upon such a subject. - -"The women can tell thee more of my lady," said he. "And thou art -still hungry. Eat first, and talk afterwards." - -[Illustration: DOORWAY TO STALEY CHAPEL, MOTTRAM CHURCH.] - -Saying which he ushered Sir Ro to an apartment, and left him for a -while to the attention of the waiting maids. As the warder, even so -the maids--none recognised their lord, Sir Ro, in the palmer's garb -which he was wearing. In accordance with the old laws of English -hospitality, they brought to him a cup of methyglin, and manchets of -bread to eat. As he supped, Sir Ro fell into conversation with the -maids; he asked after the health of the Lady of Staley, and whether he -might have an audience with her. To which the maids made answer that -the Lady of Staley was sore troubled, and even then was weeping in her -chamber, and would see no man. Then they related to him the -circumstances of their lady's trouble. The knight of Staley, they -said, had gone away to fight in the great crusade. News had come that -he was dead--having been captured and put to death by the enemy--and -now the kinsmen of the lady were forcing her to wed again, although -her heart was still with her dead lord, and she could bear the sight -of no other man. - -"That," said the spokeswoman, "is why Staley Hall is so much changed, -and why another banner floats above the turrets." - -"But if your lady does not love the newcomer, why then does she submit -to a marriage which must be distasteful? Did not her lord will his -estates to her in case he should fall in the Crusade?" - -"That we know not, good sir palmer. But 'tis said that this new knight -has made her understand that he hath a grant of her late husband's -lands from the king, and that he will dispossess both her and her -relations unless she consents to marry him. Folk do think it is more -for the sake of her kinsfolk that she brings her mind to the wedding." - -"And when is the wedding to be?" - -"To-morrow." - -Sir Ro pondered awhile, then turning to the chief serving-maid, asked: - -"Would'st do thy lady a service?" - -Being answered in the affirmative, he took his empty drinking-cup, -and dropped into it the half of his wife's broken wedding ring, which -he had retained, and bade the maid carry it to her mistress. This the -maid did. On seeing it, the Lady of Staley gave a great cry, and, -saying that the palmer surely brought some news of her dead husband's -last hours, and perchance carried his dying message, she commanded him -to be brought into her presence. - -Sir Ro now beheld the face of his loved one, whom he had never thought -to see again. At first the lady failed to recognise in the guise of -the palmer, the husband whom she had never ceased to love, and Sir Ro, -being anxious to learn whether she was still true to him, forebore to -make himself known. The lady, with tears in her eyes, looked at the -half of the wedding ring which the palmer had brought, and placing her -hand in her bosom drew forth the companion half which she wore ever -near her heart. Then, with many sobs, she protested that the image of -her dead lord had never left her, and that she only consented to mate -with another in order that her kinsfolk should not be reduced to -beggary. - -[Illustration: EFFIGY OF SIR RO AND HIS LADY, IN STALEY CHAPEL, -MOTTRAM CHURCH.] - -Bit by bit the knight drew from her all the story: how her new suitor -had been the one to bring tidings of her lord's death, and how he, -having secured the Staley estates, now offered her the choice of a -union with him or beggary for herself and her people. - -Then Sir Ro, unable to restrain himself any longer, uttered her name -in his own voice, and instantly she recognised him, and, with a great -cry, fell into his arms. - -Now the joyful cry uttered by the Lady of Staley rang throughout the -hall, and, full of wonder and fear, the retainers rushed to the -chamber, feeling that they had been indiscreet to leave her alone with -an unknown palmer. The treacherous knight, who, by his lying tale, -sought to entrap her into marriage, also appeared upon the scene, and, -in a voice of anger, demanded of the palmer what he wanted, and by -what right he was there. - -"By the best right in the world," answered Sir Ro--"the right of -master." - -"Insolent," cried the traitor-knight in a fury, drawing his sword as -he spake. "Thou shalt pay dearly for thy folly." - -But Sir Ro, with a sharp action, cast from his shoulders the palmer's -disguise, and, standing forth in the full glory of his warlike figure, -snatched a mace from the wall, and advanced to meet his enemy. - -"A Staley, a Staley!" he cried, giving forth the rallying cry of his -house in a voice which the retainers knew of old. - -Instantly he was recognised, and with shouts of joy the men-at-arms -and servitors sprang to his side, whilst some of them disarmed the -traitor, and without waiting for the order from their lord, hurried -him to the deepest dungeon, there to await justice when the joyful -celebrations anent Sir Ro's return had come to an end. - -Needless to say the imposter met with the punishment he deserved; he -was stripped of his knightly rank, and was never afterwards seen or -heard of in Longdendale. The bells of Mottram Church rang out a merry -peal in honour of the homecoming of the Knight of Staley. Sir Ro and -his lady lived a long and happy life together. At their death they -were buried in Mottram Church, where an effigy was placed to their -memory above their grave. This effigy, which represents a knight in -full armour, and his lady lying side by side, may still be seen in the -Staley Chapel of the old Church at Mottram, and it serves to keep -green the story of Sir Ro's adventures. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -In Mottram Church is an ancient monumental effigy, which is said to -represent the figures of Sir Ro or Ralph de Stavelegh of Staley Hall -and his wife--the hero and heroine of the foregoing legend. "Roe -Cross," the name of a well-known spot in Mottram, is also attributed -to the connection of the place with this popular local crusader. - - - - -VI. - -Robin Hood's Visit to Longdendale. - - -Robin Hood, the greatest bowman that old England ever knew, frequently -visited Longdendale. Probably the "thick woods of Longden," with their -wealth of wild red deer, induced him to lead his band from the haunts -of merrie Sherwood to the no less merrie land of Longdendale. Old -traditions tell of a "mighty forest in Longdendale, whose trees were -so thick that the squirrels could leap from branch to branch from -Mottram to Woodhead." Such a country might well attract a lover of the -free forest life like bold Robin Hood; moreover, there ran a road over -a good portion of Longdendale, along which the fat old Abbots of -Basingwerke were wont to convey their treasures from their township of -Glossop, to their fine abbey seat in Wales. Doubtless the Abbot -dreaded a meeting with the mighty outlaw, for Robin dearly loved to -pluck a fat-bellied churchman that he might place the golden nobles in -the pouches of the poor. - -This story, however, has nothing to do with the robbing of the Abbots -or Monks of Basingwerke. It is a story of skill and fabulous strength. -Indeed, there are many who doubt that the incidents related ever -occurred--simply because such things seem impossible. But then those -incidents are recorded in the traditions of the people of Longdendale, -and, consequently, they are worthy of serious consideration. He must -be either an amazingly bold or an exceedingly ignorant man, who would -cast a doubt on the veracity of a Longdendale tradition. - -However, the reader must judge for himself. - -The story has it that bold Robin Hood and his forest band (including -the redoubtable Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, and Much, the -miller's son, and a hundred other sturdy yeomen, all clad in Lincoln -green, and having great long bows of English yew and good cloth-yard -shafts) appeared one day in the Longdendale country. Weary of hunting -the stag through the woodland glades, they were longing for some -chance of adventure to present itself, when they became aware of a -loud and dismal moaning hard by. The sound came from a handsome youth -who, cast full length upon the sward, was bitterly bemoaning his cruel -fate. It appeared that he was betrothed to a beautiful maiden, but her -guardian (who was a grim old bachelor) had forbidden their union, and -finally, to prevent all intercourse between them, had shut her up in -his castle. - -On hearing the story the foresters were loud in their denunciations of -such heartless conduct. They vowed it was the greatest sin that man -could possibly commit--to interfere with lover's meetings. Little John -was for attacking the castle, battering down the gates, and sending an -arrow through the mid-rib of the guardian, which process, he -thought, was calculated to end the matter at once. But Robin, though -anxious enough for a fight, was of opinion that his henchman's plan -might endanger the maiden, who was completely at the mercy of the -tyrant. He suggested an interview, and, accordingly, the stout Friar -Tuck was sent as ambassador or emissary to make terms with the -maiden's guardian. - -[Illustration: SCENE NEAR BOTTOM'S HALL; "PART OF THE ANCIENT FOREST -OF LONGDENDALE."] - -At first the Friar was met with an angry outburst on the part of the -guardian--a bold bad baron--who loudly declaimed that he would permit -no outside interference with his affairs. - -"Out on thee, thou fat-bellied churchman," shouted the Baron. "What -hast thou to do with lovers, particularly maidens. Methinks thy vows -should bid thee leave maids and love severely alone." - -Now this sort of talk did not at all suit Friar Tuck, who, churchman -though he might be, and shaven and shorn to boot, yet loved to kiss a -pretty maid on the sly as well as the best layman who ever walked. But -he loved not to be twitted about it in this fashion. - -"Fat-bellied churchman, indeed," quoth he. "And what about thine own -fat paunch. As for love and pretty maids, I warrant thou would'st have -a long way to travel fore thou comest across a maiden who would fall -in love with thee. Such a foul-visaged reptile I never set eyes on. As -for beauty--well, as far as thou art concerned--the least said on that -head the better." - -The Baron stared at this rejoinder, as well he might. Such language -had never been hurled at him before, and for a moment he could -scarcely speak, so great was his surprise. When he recovered speech, -he ordered his attendants who were in the room to seize the Friar and -cast him into the dungeon. But Tuck lifted the quarter-staff which he -carried, and brought it down so heavily upon their crowns that the men -dropped like poled oxen. At this the Baron began to swear and rave, -vowing all manner of punishments for the Friar,--all of which, -however, only made Tuck fall a-laughing. - -"Come," said he, "thou art short of wind enough, friend Baron. And if -thou goest on like that thou art like to choke thyself. Moreover, if -thou only so much as raises a finger to summon thy vassals to thy side -with intent to lay me by the heels, I shall een clout thee on the -sconce as I have served thy catiffs. So thou hadst best listen to -reason." - -Now sorely discomfited as he was, a bright idea suddenly struck the -Baron, and turning blandly to the Friar, he readily consented to set -free the maiden, and to permit her marriage with her handsome lover, -providing the foresters (of whose shooting prowess he had heard so -much) could shoot their arrows from the tumulii now called "The Butts" -to the upright Druid stones, now known by the name of "Robin Hood's -Picking Rods." By setting them this (apparently impossible) task, he -thought to rid himself of interference from the band; and he chuckled -merrily to himself, when Tuck (who knew nothing of the distance to be -covered by the archers) coolly accepted the terms. - -The time for the shooting display having arrived, the Baron led a gay -company to the scene, that he and all his friends might witness the -discomfiture of the renowned archers of Sherwood. As for the handsome -youth on whose behalf Robin had interfered, he was quite dismayed, and -even the assurance of the outlaw could not comfort him, for he thought -the feat impossible. - -The archers stood at the butts, and away in the distance rose the -stone target of "The Picking Rods." Robin Hood took the first shot, -and he laughed inwardly as he drew the string tight and true. For he -knew the secret of the "Long Bow"--(as, indeed, do the chroniclers who -tell this story). The arrow left the bow with a shrill whistle of the -goose-wing tip, and, greatly to the surprise of the Baron, it fell -plump on the target with such force as to cut a notch in the hard -stone,--a notch so deep that it may be seen to this day. Little John, -Will Scarlet, and the rest of the forest band, all tried their skill, -and but few failed to hit the mark, though none were quite so near the -centre as their leader Robin Hood. - -When the shooting was finished the Baron was in a great rage, and he -sought for some means of evading the fulfilment of his promise. -Turning to Robin Hood he made an offer--that if the outlaw, with his -own hands, cast down the great stone which stood upon Werneth Low, -then the Baron would not only bestow the maiden upon her lover, but -would give her a good dowry into the bargain. On the other hand, if -Robin failed to accomplish the task, the whole matter must rest where -it was, and the maiden remain a captive. - -Greatly to the surprise of all, Robin agreed to the proposal. - -"I will humour thee this once," said he to the Baron. "But if thou -attemptest to get behind thy word when the feat is done, my good -foresters shall fall upon thee and knock sparks out of thy baronial -hide." - -"If thou doest the feat," quoth the Baron, "rest assured I shall keep -my promise." - -For the task he had set bold Robin was, as the Baron well knew, a -thousand times more difficult than that of shooting at the Picking -Rods. - -Robin Hood conversed awhile with Friar Tuck, and then the whole -company moved off to the summit of Werneth Low. The stone, or rock, as -it should more properly be called, was a huge mass almost the height -of a man. It had occupied its position on the summit of Werneth since -the world was created. A round half-dozen of the Baron's retainers -failed to lift it. But Robin Hood, casting aside his jerkin, and -baring his brawny arm, raised the great stone slowly aloft, and then, -with one mighty throw, cast it out westward towards the sunset, and, -amid a wild shout of triumph, it disappeared in the distance. - -They afterwards found the stone in the bed of the River Tame, near the -woods of Arden, and, under the name of "Robin Hood's Stone" it -remains in that same spot to this day. - -[Illustration: "THE ROBIN HOOD STONE."] - -Now there are some who profess to believe that no mortal power could -cast that stone so great a distance, and they explain the event by -supposing that Robin was in league with the good fairies, who gave him -strength to lift the stone, and then, (invisible to men) flew away -with it, and dropped it in the Tame. And perhaps these people may be -right. - -Be that as it may, there is no record to show that the bold bad Baron -disbelieved in Robin's powers, and we may take it for granted that the -lovely maiden was duly released, that she married the lad of her -choice, and that they lived happy ever afterwards, as they certainly -deserved to do. - - * * * * * - -It is asserted by some that there was a much smaller stone near the -great Robin Hood Stone on Werneth Low, and that Little John afterwards -threw this stone in the direction of the one thrown by Robin. The -second stone, being lighter, travelled a few yards further than the -first, but the throw being not so skilful the stone was broken in -several pieces by the fall. It lies to this day near the Robin Hood -Stone in the waters of the River Tame, and it still retains the name -of that giant forester Little John. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -The "Robin Hood relics," referred to in the foregoing legend, are -objects of great local interest and curiosity. The "Robin Hood's -Picking Rods" are situated on Ludworth Moor, and consist of portions -of two upright stone pillars rising from a massive stone base. They -are thought by many to be relics of the Druidical period, and are -referred to in the "Legend of Coombs Rocks"--the first legend of the -present series. It is said that they received their present name -because Robin Hood and his outlaws used them as a target for their -arrows, and the dents in the pillars are said to have been caused by -the arrow points. - -The "Robin Hood Stone" is a huge rock which lies in the bed of the -River Tame near the Denton Cemetery at Hulme's Wood, almost opposite -the Arden Paper Mill. - -As stated in the legend, there are fragments of Little John's stone -near it, and old traditions state that both stones were thrown to -their present positions from the top of Werneth Low by the two -foresters whose names they bear. Certain indentations in the larger -stone are said to be the imprints of the fingers of Robin Hood, whose -grip was so strong that he left the impression in the solid stone. - - - - -VII. - -The Abbot of Basingwerke - -Or THE WEHR-WOLF OF LONGDENDALE. - - -Glossop, which in the Doomsday survey was reckoned as part of -Longdendale, was granted by William the Conqueror to his natural son, -William Peveril--Peveril of the Peak,--whose descendant was -disinherited by Henry II. for procuring the death of the Earl of -Chester by poison, when the township reverted to the Crown. King -Henry, however, being on a military expedition to North Wales, became -acquainted with the monks of Basingwerke, and in return for their -friendship and attention he bestowed the township upon Basingwerke -Abbey. - -A road which crosses a portion of Longdendale is known as The Monk's -Road, and is so called because the Monks of Basingwerke are said to -have made and used it. On the wildest part of this road stands a large -stone, hollowed out in the shape of a rude seat, which is said to have -been the seat of the Abbot of Basingwerke, who periodically held -open-air court on that spot. The stone is known as "The Abbot's -Chair." - -On a certain day in the reign of good King Henry, the Abbot of -Basingwerke sat in state upon the stone seat of "The Abbot's Chair." -He was holding a court for the receipt of all his rents and tithes, -for the dispensation of justice in that part of his possessions, and -for the purpose of hearing any petitions which the people might wish -to make. To him came an old dame, full of woe and misery, and almost -blind with the falling of bitter tears. Her tale was enough to melt -the stoutest heart. She had an enemy, and the enemy was a woman who -dabbled in witchcraft. Through the agency of evil spirits, this witch -had brought death upon the old dame's husband and on all her children, -so that now she was all alone in the world, and knew not where to look -for shelter or for bread. It was said, also, that the witch possessed -the power of changing her shape, appearing now as a woman, now as a -man, now as an animal or bird, so that it was almost impossible to -catch her and bring her for punishment. - -The Abbot of Basingwerke, on hearing the story, was very angry. He -first relieved the distress of the poor woman, and then pronounced an -awful curse upon the wicked witch. - -"May the hand of Heaven fall upon this wicked mortal," cried the -Abbot, "and in whatever shape she be at the present moment, may that -shape cling to her until justice has been done." - -[Illustration: "THE ABBOT'S CHAIR."] - -Then he prophesied that ere long the righteous wrath of heaven would -fall upon the witch, and that a bitter death would assuredly be her -portion. And the old dame went away satisfied. - -Now it chanced that that very morning the witch had changed herself -into a wehr-wolf, and was even then prowling about the forest in -search of victims. And by further good luck it happened that good King -Henry II., who was on a visit to the Baron of Ashton-under-Lyne, was -out hunting in company with his son, Prince Henry, the Lord of -Longdendale, the Baron of Ashton, and other noblemen and knights of -the district, The Royal party hunted chiefly in the forests of -Longdendale, which were noted for wild boars, deer, and game of every -description. And inasmuch as it was customary at a Royal hunt for -every portion of the forest to be explored, and all the game therein, -great and small, driven forth before the hunters, there was--providing -there was any efficacy in the Abbot's curse--every prospect of the -wicked old witch being immediately laid by the heels. On former -occasions when she had assumed the form of an animal, it had always -been easy for her, if pursued, to fly into the nearest thicket, and -there resume her human shape, or else to suddenly disappear -altogether. But if the Abbot's curse took effect and compelled her to -remain in the garb of a wehr-wolf, then it was almost certain that -she would meet her doom before the sun set. - -The hunt proceeded, and the huntsmen met with good sport, but the -chief success of the day fell to the lot of the Lord of Longdendale, -who slew "several horrible British tigers," and after a tough struggle -succeeded in killing the largest wild boar which was ever seen in -Cheshire. - -Prince Henry, who was a valiant youth, was desirous of imitating the -exploits of the Lord of Longdendale, and accordingly he repaired to a -gloomy part of the forest in search of some worthy adventure. Here, to -his great surprise, he was suddenly set upon by a fierce old -wehr-wolf, which, taking him unawares, seemed likely to put him to -death. - -[Illustration: BASE OF CROSS ON THE MONKS' ROAD.] - -At the first assault the Prince's steed, by swerving as the wehr-wolf -sprang, luckily saved the rider, and Prince Henry was enabled to bring -his hunting spear to bear upon the beast. He drove at it, and although -he succeeded in piercing its side, so that it cried out horribly--more -like a human cry than a beast's, said the Prince, when he afterwards -came to recount the story of the combat--yet it seized the spear -handle in its forepaws, and with a snap of its great jaws broke the -spear clean in two, so that the Royal huntsman was left almost -defenceless. He drew out his long hunting-knife and buried it to the -hilt as the beast sprang at him, but though he fought bravely and -long, the terrible thing succeeded in pulling him from his horse to -the ground. Here the Prince gripped the beast by the throat, but his -strength was much spent, and it seemed almost certain that he must -succumb. Fortunately, however, he had been followed at a distance by -the Baron of Ashton, who arrived upon the spot just in time to turn -the fight, and to engage and finally slay the wehr-wolf. - -Great honour was, of course, bestowed upon the Baron of Ashton, and -the carcase of the wolf was taken in triumph to the Castle at -Ashton-under-Lyne. Upon the beast being opened, its stomach was found -to contain the heads of three babes which it had devoured that -morning. - -Much talk then ensued as to the unusual fierceness shown by the -wehr-wolf, and the Prince again and again asserted that at times the -cries of the beast were most human in sound. A forester, also, on -hearing of the exploit, came forward and gave some strange testimony. - -"May it please your highness," said he, "I was to-day lying in a doze -beneath the greenwood, whither I had crawled to hide, the better to -enable me to watch and ambush certain forest marauders who interfere -with the deer, when I was suddenly startled by a strange noise, and, -on looking through the copse, beheld a wehr-wolf tearing at its own -skin as though it desired to cast it off, even as a man discards his -clothes. And the thing screamed and moaned piteously, and it seemed -to me that a woman's cracked voice, muttering wild incantations, -emerged from the beast's throat. Upon hearing which I was sore afraid, -thinking I was bewitched by the evil one, and I fled." - -Divers others had also strange tales to tell of the wehr-wolf's -actions, and that same evening, on the Abbot of Basingwerke coming to -dine with the Royal hunting party at the hall of Ashton-under-Lyne, it -was proved beyond doubt that the wehr-wolf was none other than the -wicked witch. - -Thus was the curse of the Abbot speedily fulfilled and justice meted -out. Needless to say that witch was never seen again. - - - - -VIII. - -The Devil's Elbow. - - -The traveller through the valley of the Etherow is invariably -impressed with the wild grandeur of the scenery, and in nine cases out -of ten his attention is especially claimed by the bold rock escarpment -known as "The Devil's Elbow," which frowns high over the course of the -stream. The situation of the rock is certainly romantic: the wild -moorlands of bog and heather stretch away on either side, in fact the -rock stands on the verge of some of the wildest mountain scenery of -Great Britain. The very name of the place is suggestive of legend, and -one is not surprised to learn that there are some queer stories -related concerning the neighbourhood; one of these explains how the -rock came to receive its name. - -The date of the story is uncertain--that fact, however, should not -trouble the reader. At the time when the events now to be related -actually occurred, there was a castle standing on one of the heights -above the Etherow; it was a strong castle, fit home for a proud old -feudal lord; and its owner, De Morland, was one of the most haughty of -those barons who claimed descent from the great Norman lords who -landed with William the Conqueror. Little is known of him beyond the -fact that he was immensely proud of his long ancestry, that he was -very fierce, that he was rich, and looked with scorn upon most of the -gentry of the neighbourhood. These things certainly do not speak much -for his good sense, for why a man should imagine that the possession -of a few more pieces of gold or silver makes him a better man than his -neighbour, is a mystery. For instance, a thief may by successful -robbery become wealthier than an honest poor man, but surely the mere -possession of greater wealth does not make him better than the poor -man. The principle of this holds good with regard to wealth, no matter -how it may have been secured. So, after all, the Baron de Morland had -no sound base on which to build up his pride. - -The baron had a daughter named Geraldine, who was born on May day, and -was as sweet as the month in which she was born. Her teeth were like -pearls, her hair gleamed like gold, her skin was the fairest, and her -figure the most beautiful ever known in Longdendale. Altogether she -was a maid to set the hearts of men aflame with love. - -Now it should be stated at the outset that the maiden had been wooed -by more than one noble suitor, but she had an eye to none save a brave -young knight who came from Mottram. His name was Sir Mottram de -Mossland, and he was lord of a castle--something similar in appearance -to that of the Baron de Morland, but not quite so grand--which stood -on a bold ridge near Mottram town. This knight had long been in love -with the lady Geraldine, and on several occasions had managed to get -interviews with his lady-love. We may be sure he lost no time in -making known to her the state of his heart, and in ascertaining the -exact condition of her own. They kissed, and swore fidelity to each -other, and generally behaved like all young lovers do. But bye and bye -the Baron de Morland got to hear of this lover's business, and he -swore a terrible oath concerning it. - -[Illustration: "THE LADY GERALDINE."] - -"By my halidome," swore he, in the hearing of his daughter; "Who is -this upstart de Mossland? Are his lands to be compared with mine? Is -his name to be linked with that of de Morland? Shall one of his hated -blood mate with my own superior stock. Out upon the thought. I will -slay him sooner. Yea, by my halidome, and all the saints whom I adore, -I swear most solemnly that if I know him to speak another word with my -daughter, it shall be the last word he shall ever speak. For I will -have his blood." - -The Lady Geraldine heard this terrible oath, and knowing the character -of her furious parent well, was quite certain that he would carry out -his threat. So, fearing for the safety of her lover, she had a message -conveyed to him, begging him, if he really cared for her, to cease his -stolen visits for a time. The lover, though sorely troubled, obeyed -her requests, and the days passed by in fruitless sighing and longing. - -Of course, it goes without saying, that, although he might refrain -from speaking to the maid, a handsome and brave gallant like Sir -Mottram de Mossland would yet be on the alert to secure a glimpse of -his lady-love, and would worship her with his eyes even if his lips -were doomed to be closed. And so it came to pass that, day by day, -often in disguise, he followed her path, and gazed longingly at her -from a distance. Now, one day when she was out riding on her -milk-white palfrey, her steed took fright, and ran away, and would -certainly have leaped down a dreadful precipice--carrying the lady to -death,--if the gallant Sir Mottram had not sprung at its head, and -pulled it, by main force, to a place of safety. - -Now, in spite of his lady-love's message, he could no longer refrain -from speaking, and, folding her in his arms, he kissed her, and asked -for some token of love in return. The maid kissed him gladly, and -promised to marry him in spite of her stern and cruel father. Then, -full of joy, Sir Mottram went on his way singing gaily, for his heart -was lifted up by the promise of his lady-love. - -Unfortunately, however, the Baron de Morland was riding that way, and -when he beheld the transports of Sir Mottram he immediately guessed -what had been toward, and he at once began to swear again. No oath was -too strong for him to use concerning the family of Sir Mottram de -Mossland. It should be stated in explanation, that years before, the -Baron had been in love with Sir Mottram's mother--then a pretty maiden -in her teens--and had been rejected by her in favour of Sir Mottram's -father. Hence the Baron de Morland could never bear the sight or -mention of a de Mossland, and hence his hatred of a union between Sir -Mottram and his daughter Geraldine. - -Full of anger the Baron rode home to his castle, and there at once -sent for his daughter. - -"You minx," cried he, "is't true that you have promised yourself to -that foul de Mossland?" - -"It is true, my father," said Geraldine, in a low yet clear voice. -"What else could I do since I love him? Moreover, he is not a foul -knight, but is brave and true." - -Now the Baron swore again. - -"You witch," he cried, "know this, rather than you should wed de -Mossland--yea, by all the saints I swear it!--I will send you to the -devil." - -"Oh, my father!" shrieked Geraldine, "have mercy!" - -And her shrieks rang through the castle, till the serving maids and -the men-at-arms came running in to see what was the matter. - -But the Baron took up his sword, and with the flat of it struck right -and left, and drove them forth. Then, turning once more to her, he -shouted: - -"Mark well what I say. If you speak to de Mossland again I will summon -the devil's aid, and you shall be sorely punished." - -Then he left the room, and the lady fainted. - -Now, the Lady Geraldine was bold enough, as became a daughter born of -a race of fighting men, and, having pledged her word to her lover, she -had no intention of going from it. So, on the day appointed, she -proceeded to a certain spot, where her lover met her, all prepared for -flight. The lovers kissed, and then the knight began: - -"Dear Geraldine," said he.--But before he could proceed further, an -awful thing happened. A dark form rose up between them, and, on -looking at it they knew it was the Devil. He was in his own shape, -with horns, hoofs, and tail complete. With a mocking laugh he bent his -elbow, and made as though to seize the maid, but Sir Mottram, -throwing his arms about her, turned and fled, hoping to be able to -cross a running stream before the devil could touch them, and then, by -the laws of sorcery, they would be free from satanic molestation. - -The devil, however, gained on them rapidly, and it appeared certain -that he would catch them, when, just as he put out his hand to touch -the maid, a strange light appeared in the sky, and a voice called out -the one word--"Hold." - -The Devil staggered as though he had been shot, and when he recovered -the light had vanished, and with it the maiden and her lover. - -They were never seen again, but the legends say that they were made -perfectly happy by the fairies, and that they still haunt the banks of -the Etherow at certain seasons of the year in the forms of two white -swans. - -As for the devil, he received a shock. At the moment the light -appeared, his right arm had been bent at the elbow for the purpose of -seizing hold of his prey, but lo! when his victims had disappeared, he -found that the powers which had delivered them from him had turned his -right arm into stone. Not a muscle of it could he move, it would not -bend, it was worse than useless, it was an encumbrance. - -So Satan, being a philosopher in his way, determined to make the best -of a bad job. He tore the arm out by the roots, and left it there--the -elbow showing prominently over Longdendale. And that is how the great -rock known as the Devil's Elbow came to be perched high up above the -Etherow valley. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -The Devil's Elbow is the name given to a picturesque rock which stands -on the brow of a high and steep hill above the valley of the Etherow. -This rock is one of the landmarks of the Longdendale country. - - - - -IX. - -The Legend of Charlesworth Chapel. - - -An old chapel at Charlesworth is said to have owed its foundation to -the circumstances narrated in the following tradition. - -Once upon a time--it is impossible to say exactly when, because, -unfortunately, the records as to date have been lost, but it was -certainly in that halcyon period of English history which is generally -spoken of as "the olden time"--a traveller was on his way from the -northern parts of England to London. Here again the chronicles are -slightly obscure, because there is no mention of his name, and -opinions differ as to his occupation. Some state that he was an Irish -merchant, others that he was a priest. But be that as it may, all -agree that he made the journey, that he made it on foot and alone. For -the purposes of this story, therefore, it will suffice to refer to him -as "The Traveller." - -He had reached that portion of Derbyshire known as the Peak, and was -journeying over that part of the Peak which includes Coombs Rocks and -the hills above the River Etherow, when he found himself overtaken by -the night-fall. The track he was travelling was but ill-defined; it -led through a desolate region--in fact, one of the wildest regions in -all Britain--and, therefore, was but seldom used. As a consequence it -was no easy task to keep to it in broad daylight, and when the -darkness enveloped the moor, the danger of losing it was very great. -To-day, when almost every acre of the country is cultivated and -drained, the neighbourhood though savage enough is comparatively a -safe one to travel, but in the time of which we speak there were -treacherous bogs on every side in which the unwary might easily be -swallowed up. - -Accustomed as he was to the perils and vicissitudes of a wandering -life, the Traveller was, nevertheless, somewhat dismayed to find -himself be-nighted so far from any habitation, and in a country -altogether strange to him. - -"Now may the good saints protect me," mused he, "for of a truth I am -like to need their intercession this night. Already the path grows -fainter, the skies seem charged with rain, and the wind moans eerily." - -He wrapped his cloak tighter about his limbs, and stepped along at a -brisker pace. - -"If only the night would clear," he said, "so that I could see distant -objects, then should I be likely to make my way in safety from this -desolate moor. But the darkness hangs heavy like a pall: it is damp as -though the clouds were settling on the heather, and--ha!" - -The last exclamation was wrung from him by the slipping of his foot, -and the fact that he suddenly found himself standing up to the knees -in the sponge-like peat. He turned his face and tried to retrace his -steps, hoping to regain the path, but this was no easy task, and -presently he found that he was wandering hopelessly through the bog, -with every risk of becoming engulfed if he proceeded further. To make -matters worse, at that moment, a thick white choking mist settled down -on the moor, and it seemed to the Traveller that his fate was indeed -sealed. He stretched out his staff in despair, and by great good luck -it struck on firm grit, and in another moment the Traveller had hauled -himself upon solid earth. Once here, prudence told him not to stir, -either to the right hand or the left, lest all the horrors from which -he had just escaped should be again about him. There was nothing for -it but to wait patiently for the return of day, when he might be able -to thread his way through the mazy bogs in safety. But the night was -chill, the mist was like the icy touch of death, and in a little while -the Traveller was shaking in every joint. The keen cold went to the -bone, and it seemed as though he must now perish from exposure. - -"Now indeed am I in a sorry plight," quoth he, "and I have need of the -Divine help; else I am lost." - -Whereupon, being a good Christian, he fell upon his knees, and prayed -aloud to God for help, vowing that if he was permitted to reach his -home again he would return to those hills, and as a thankoffering -erect thereon a house of prayer dedicated to his patron saint. - -Scarcely was the prayer ended when a great wind arose, the mists were -rolled away like a curtain, the hill tops stood out in the clear -night, the stars shone, and the moon-beams fell softly over the -landscape, and a shepherd came along as though a heaven-sent guide to -show him the path from the hills. - -"Friend," said the shepherd simply, as he beheld the Traveller, "Hast -thou been long upon the moor? If so, thou shouldst indeed be thankful -to God, for thou hast run a great risk of losing thy life upon this -desolate wilderness of heather." - -"Thou sayest truly," replied the Traveller, who then proceeded to -recount his experiences and his vow, and also asked the name of the -place where they stood. Then he marked the spot, which lay upon the -bleak hill-side above the present village of Charlesworth. - -"I will surely come here again," said he, "if my life is spared, and -fulfil my vow." - -On concluding his journey, and having discharged his business, he -immediately returned to the Peak, and on the spot of his delivery he -built a small chapel or oratory of bog oak, which was specially -brought over from Ireland. This building, says tradition, was erected -upon the site now occupied by the present Charlesworth Chapel. - -Why Irish bog oak should have been the material used in building, the -present writer has not been able to discover, nor does the tradition -in this particular altogether agree with the following account of what -is therein stated to have been the original fabric. - -"It was a small octagon chapel," says the historian, "the roof of -which was carved; the arched rafters resting on massive buttresses, -the walls rough blocks of stone, the floor earth covered with rushes, -the seats and altar simple and unpretentious." - -Possibly the building mentioned in this account was a successor of an -even earlier structure, and to judge from other sacred buildings in -the neighbourhood, it is by no means unlikely that the earliest chapel -of all was one mainly composed of timber. But after all, what does it -really matter whether the chapel was built of wood or stone, so long -as the Traveller fulfilled his vow, and so long as the chapel served -the purpose for which it was erected? - - - - -X. - -Sir Edmund Shaa. - - -In the reign of King Henry VI. there dwelt in Longdendale a youth who -bore the name of Edmund Shaa. It is claimed by some that he was a -native of Longdendale, but other authorities assert that he was born -in the parish of Stockport. Certain it is that he was connected with -the parish of Stockport, and also with that of Mottram--a connection -which he maintained up to the close of his life. Moreover, the Shaas -were among the earliest of the inhabitants of Mottram of whom we have -reliable record, and the name Shaa, in its modernised form of Shaw, is -still found in the town, and other portions of the parish. - -At the period of our story, the Shaas were recognised as a family of -great respectability, though not of much wealth. They probably -belonged to the yeoman class, and for generations had been accustomed -to live on the soil, passing their lives in the open air, varying the -hours of toil with the healthy recreations then common--shooting with -the bow, sword-play, or indulging in the chase. Healthy, manly lives -they led, fearing God, obeying the laws, and paying their way honestly -enough, with a margin left over to provide against a rainy day--but by -no means able to amass any great store of wealth. Besides Edmund Shaa, -his father, John Shaa, had other sons, of whom, however, little is -known. - -The boyhood of Edmund Shaa passed like that of other Longdendale -children, exhibiting no signs of extraordinary promise, unless the -bright alertness and the ambitious imaginings of the lad might be -accounted as such. But as he grew older, there came over the boy an -unconquerable aversion to the unchanging life of the country. Not that -the life itself was disagreeable, but the labour seemed all in vain, -never leading to anything better than the humble respectability which -was the highest mark of yeoman rank. Young Edmund Shaa had seen the -trains of noble knights pass by; he had witnessed the huntings in the -forests of Longdendale, when lords and ladies gay rode in grand -attire, on richly-caparisoned steeds, and received every mark of -respect from the country people who assembled to witness the sport. -And to his young brain, it seemed that the best of them all was but a -mortal of flesh and blood and intelligence, like any yeoman's son and -daughter, or even as the hinds. Was not he, Edmund Shaa, as well made, -as shapely, as strong, as keen of intellect as any of the rich -gallants who flaunted themselves in silken attire before his eyes; and -that being so, why should not he, putting his abilities to use, come -to attain a position of power and affluence equal to theirs? - -The young lad thought the matter out many a time, and to him there -seemed but one reason--the lack of opportunity. In Longdendale he had -no chance of distinguishing himself. There was no wealth to be won in -Longdendale,--nay, even the very abilities which he knew himself to -possess were not recognised by his fellows--for is it not a worldwide -truism that "a prophet is not without honour save in his own country?" - -Then the lad decided in his own mind that he must leave his Cheshire -home, and seek occupation elsewhere, if he was to become anything -better than a yeoman. He accordingly sought counsel of his elders--his -relatives and friends--and made known his ambitions to them. But the -elders only laughed at him, and discouraged his scheming. - -"Banish all such dreams from thy foolish pate," said one. "Thou art a -good lad, and a clever one to boot, but the life thy fathers led is -good enough for thee. Lords and ladies are above thy station; thou -wilt have to work for thy living, and, as for holding thy head high, -and bothering thy brains with affairs of State--why, lad, thou art a -fool to think about it." - -Such discouragement was kindly meant, but other folk, to whom the lad -told his hopes and longings, were less sympathetic. Some openly jeered -at him, called him a dreamer, denounced him as a conceited fop, -upbraided him with the fault of considering himself superior to other -people, and finally snubbed him and treated him as a snob. - -Young Shaa bore all this quietly enough in the presence of his -tormentors; but the bitterness of it was keenly felt by him, and when -alone, he gave way to grief. Often he would seek the quiet of some -secluded spot in the woodland glades of Longdendale, and sob as though -his heart would break, for it seemed that the obstacles in his path -were too great for him to overcome. - -One day when he thus lay lamenting in solitude over his fate, a great -weariness stole over him, the hot summer's day overpowered him, and -presently he fell into a doze. Then it was that the good fairies stole -from their tiny palaces under the leaves in the forest, where no -mortal may ever find them even if he looks, and, taking pity upon the -handsome youth who lay sleeping near, decided to help him to achieve -that goal of greatness upon which his soul was set. The little sprites -gathered around him, and whispered in his ears a wondrous tale of the -wealth and honour awaiting in London town all those bold English lads -who dared seek fortune there. They drew phantom pictures of a young -man's struggle in London, of his success by honest industry and skill, -of civic functions in which the young man bore a part, of a grand -procession, where the youth,--now grown to manhood's prime,--was -become Lord Mayor; and to Edmund Shaa, who saw the pictures in his -sleep, it seemed as though the face of that phantom Lord Mayor was his -own face. - -Then the fairies sang a song, and the words of the dream song were -these:-- - - "If thou would'st win great renown, - Make thy way to London town; - Fortune waits to greet thee there - Even London's civic chair; - Lord Mayor of London thou shalt be - --The wielder of authority. - And when thou rulest London town - The King shall beg of thee his crown." - -Shaa awoke with a start, sat up, and rubbed his eyes, telling himself -that he had been dreaming--a wondrous pleasant dream,--but to his -charmed ears there still came the sweet strains of the music, and the -words of the fairy song:-- - - "If thou would'st win great renown, - Make thy way to London town. - London town, London town." - -The lad listened awhile, then sprang to his feet with a joyful cry, -and a determined look in his eyes. - -"To London town," quoth he. "To London town! Thither I will go, and -nought shall stop me now." - -Then with a merry whistle, he made off homewards, and before the sun -set, had completed his preparations for the long journey to the south. - -The rest of Shaa's story reads like some romance, and yet it is true. -Once settled in London, he appears to have been successful even beyond -his wildest dreams. He became a member of the goldsmith's company, and -rising rapidly in wealth and civic position, was ultimately appointed -jeweller to King Edward IV.--and this position he continued to hold -under four successive monarchs. In the year 1482 he received the -dignity of Lord Mayor of London, and henceforth he became one of the -most striking and interesting figures in that most dramatic period of -English history. He received the honour of knighthood, and his -influence was sufficiently powerful to render him one of the most -prominent factors in securing the crown of England for King Richard -III. - -When Edward IV. died in 1483, it fell to the lot of Shaa, as Lord -Mayor of London, to attend and take part in the funeral ceremonies, -and to receive in great state the infant King Edward V., on his -subsequent entry to the city. This occurred on May 4th, 1483, and is -thus described in the old chronicle:--"When the Kynge approached nere -the citie, Edmund Shaa, goldsmith, then Mayre, with William Whyte and -John Matthewe, Sheriffs, and all the other Aldermene, in scarlette, -with five hundred horse of the citizens in violette, received him -reverentleye at Harnesey, and rydyng from thence accompanyed him into -the city." - -Richard, Duke of Gloucester, anxious to seize upon the crown, saw that -the only way to accomplish his design was to secure the sympathies and -support of the city of London. Being at that time Protector, he made -Lord Mayor Shaa a member of the Privy Council, and, after that, he -seems to have had no difficulty in inducing him to enlist his sympathy -and influence on the side of the plotters, and to secure the services -of his brother,--Dr. Shaa--an Austin Friar, and a noted preacher of -his day. The initial steps taken, the Shaas played conspicuous and -important parts in the critical events which followed. Dr. Shaa -preached at St. Paul's Cross against the legitimacy of Edward's -children, and in advocacy of the claims of Richard; and Lord Mayor -Shaa headed a deputation to Gloucester with an offer of the crown, and -after the proclamation he attended as cup-bearer of the King. The -citizens of London, however, began to suspect that the sons of their -late King (Edward VI.) had been murdered, and showed signs of -rebellion, upon which, Richard sent for over 5,000 soldiers to form -his bodyguard, and not daring to levy money for the purpose of -rewarding them, he disposed of some of the Crown property to Sir -Edmund Shaa, who found means to supply the sum required. After the -death of Richard at Bosworth Field, Shaa lived more the life of a -private citizen, though he still continued to hold office as a -magistrate and as the Royal Jeweller, and enjoyed the friendship and -confidence of King Henry VII., until his death. During the latter -portion of his career he had been associated with the most influential -men of his time, honours had fallen thickly upon him, and his -relations had become connected with families whose representatives are -still to be found in the British Peerage, and among the older landed -gentry. - -It is pleasing to know that although Sir Edmund Shaa figured so -prominently in great historic events of his day, he did not forget the -northern county that gave him birth. He founded the old Grammar School -at Stockport, and left a considerable sum of money with which to endow -it. He gave a sum of money towards the cost of the building of the -tower of Mottram Church. He also built a chapel in the Longdendale -valley, at Woodhead, to which he thus refers in his will. - -"I woll have two honest preestes, one of them to syng his mass and say -his other divine service in a chapel that I have made in Longdendale, -in the Countie of Chester; and to pray especially for my soule, and -for the soules of my father and mother, and all Christian people; and -I woll that he have for his salarie yerely for evermore, the sume of -£4 6s. 8d.; and I woll that the other honest preeste be a discrete -man, and coning in gramer." - -The will of Sir Edmund Shaa is a curious yet beautiful specimen of the -old English testamentary document. It begins thus--"In the name of God -be it, Amen. The xxth day of the monthe of Marche, the yeare of our -Lord after tha' compt of the Church of England mcccclxxxvijth, and -iijth yeare of the reigne of Kinge Henry the vijth, I, Edmund Shaa, -Knight Cytezen and Goldsmith and Alderman and Late Mayor of the Citie -of London etc.... First I bequeathe and reccomend my soule to my Lord -Jesus Christe, my Maker and my Redeemer; to the most glorious Virgin -his mother, our Lady Saint Marye; to the full glorious Confessor, -Saint Dunstan, and to the Holy Company of Heaven, and my body to be -buryed in the Church of St Thomas of Acres in London, between the -Pyler of the same Churche, whereupon the image of Sainte Mychel, the -Archangel, standeth before the Auter, there called Saint Thomas Auter, -and the nether ende of the same that is to wit as nigh the same as my -body may reasonably be layed.... And in consideration that I have -bourne the office of Mayoralte of the said City, I will for the honour -of the same City, that my body be brought from my house to the Parish -Church of St. Petery's, in Chepe, where I am a Parysshen as the Manor -is, and from there to my burying at St. Thomas's, of Acres aforesaid, -in descrete and honest wise without pomp of the world, and I will have -xxiiij (24) honest torches to be bourne by xxiiij paide persons to -convey my body from my house to my said Parisshe Churche as the maner -is and so to my burying aforesaid, and I will have the same xxiiij -torches and my honest tapers to be holden in like wise by iiij poor -persons to brenne at my exequies to be doon for my soul as well at my -burying aforesaid as at my Moneth's Mynde to be done for me. And I -will that eache of the torch bearers and taper holders have for their -suche labours to pray for my soule after all my said Exequyes full -doon xxd." - -The will then goes on to say--translated into modern English--"And, as -the usage of the City of London, at the burial of one who hath borne -the office of mayoralty is, for the mayor and aldermen, and other -worshipful and honest commoners, to be present in their proper -persons;--to the extent that they may understand that I was a true -loving brother of theirs, and am in perfect charity with them, and -each of them--if it would like the mayor and aldermen and recorder of -the City of London, to be present at my Dirge and Mass of Requiem to -be done for me; I would tenderly desire them, after the said Mass, to -take such a repast as my executors by the sufferance of our Lord God, -shall provide for them; and I will that each of them after his repast, -have of my gift, from the hands of my executors, to remember my soul -among their devout meditations, inasmuch as I am a brother of theirs, -6s. 8d." Among local bequests, the will contained the following--"I -will that my executors, as soon as they may goodly after my decease, -do buy so much Welsh frieze, half white, half black or gray, and -thereof do make at my cost, 200 party gowns; and the 200 party gowns -with 12d. in money along with every gown, I will be given to 200 poor -persons dwelling in the parish of Stopford, in the County of Chester, -whereat 'my fader and moder lyen buryed,' and within the parishes of -Cheadle and Mottram in Longdendale in the said County, and in the -parishes of Manchester, Ashton, Oldham, and Saddleworth, in the County -of Lancaster, by the counsel and advice of the curates of the said -parishes, ... such curates taking counsel with the saddest men dwelling -in their parishes, to the intent that those poor persons should have -them that have most need unto them." He also wills that his executors -make at his cost "sixteen rings of fine gold, to be graven with the -Well of Pity, the Well of Mercy, and the Well of Everlasting Life; -with all other images and other things concerning the same--the rings -to be distributed to certain persons named in the will." He also again -refers to "the saide Church of Stopford" (Stockport) and the grave -therein where the bodies of his father and mother "lyen buried." - -Sir Edmund Shaa died on April 20th, 1487, just a month after making -his will, and was buried according to his direction in "the Church of -St. Thomas of Acres in London." He left behind him a widow--Dame -Juliana, one son, Hugh, and two daughters, Katherine and Margaret. -Hugh Shaa did not long survive his father, and died without male -issue. It only remains to be added in conclusion that Shakespeare has -immortalized Sir Edmund Shaa. - - - - -XI. - -Lord Lovel's Fate. - - -The Lovel family came into possession of the township of Mottram at an -early period. In the time of Edward III. Sir John Lovel held the -lordship of Longdendale from the King (as Earl of Chester) by military -service. Sir John was a warrior of great bravery and fame. He served -through the French wars, and in 1368 is mentioned as a leader under -the Duke of Clarence. Most of the Lovels figure in history, and -Francis, Lord Viscount Lovel, was a great favourite with Richard III. -He was the King's chief Butler and Chamberlain of the Household. -Moreover, he exercised a great influence in shaping the course of -English affairs of his day. He was the Lovel of the ancient couplet:-- - - The cat, the rat, and Lovel the dog, - Rule all England under a hog. - -The cat was Catesby, the rat Ratcliffe or Radcliffe, of Ordsall Hall, -Salford, and the hog represented the crookbacked King. - -Francis Lovel was looked upon by his tenants in Mottram as a being of -almost equal importance to the King. His word was law, his favour was -courted, his anger feared. There are many curious stories told -concerning his connection with Mottram and its neighbourhood. It is -said that he owned a hall in Mottram which was connected by a -subterranean passage with the Parish Church. He is also the hero of -many adventures, most of which may be set down as pure stories of -imagination. Perhaps the following legend is of this class. - -Now it should be stated that at the period of which we speak there -were witches in Longdendale. The age was one of gross superstition, -and it was universally believed that certain mortals, notably old -women, were in league with the evil one, and that Satan had bestowed -upon them powers of evil whereby they were enabled to work harm upon -the persons of any to whom they took a dislike. What particular powers -these wretched women possessed will probably never be known; it is -quite possible that some of them were students of magic, for in those -ages some of the most learned men professed to dabble in mystic arts; -but the probability is that by far the greater part of their dreaded -powers existed only in the superstitious imaginings of the day. But to -the people of that time the witches and their witchcraft were real -enough and terrible to boot; so much so that if a man fell ill, or if -some piece of bad luck befell him, to all the suffering caused thereby -was added the mental torture consequent upon the belief that all the -trouble had been caused by the evil schemes of some demon-possessed -witch-woman. This belief was widespread, even among the better -educated classes, to such an extent, that if a person lay ill of -consumption, it was supposed that his waxen image was at that moment -slowly melting before some witch-woman's fire, and that every fresh -pang of pain was caused by the witch thrusting her sharp bodkin into -the image. In Longdendale it was asserted that at night the witches -sailed across the bleak moors seated on broomsticks. Often would the -peasants rush in terror to the shelter of their cots as they heard a -strange rustling overhead, and, on looking up, beheld the wizened -forms of old hags riding on broomsticks through the air with a speed -which no horse could equal. - -There are certain stories told which ascribe to Lord Lovel the habit -of consulting and using the services of these unholy mortals, but -implicit faith cannot be placed upon these stories, because other -tales describe him as absolutely fearless and devoid of -superstition--a man, in fact, who placed no faith in their supposed -powers. - -On one occasion Lovel was in Longdendale. History does not tell us the -cause of his visit, but he had left his hall at Mottram, and was -walking in the woodland, when suddenly he found himself confronted by -a woman of evil shape. She was an old hag, of bent form and wrinkled -face, and she leaned heavily upon a crutch. For all that when she -walked she was nimble enough, and could get about with speed. When she -spoke it was in a cracked voice, like the croaking of a raven, so that -her very tones caused the flesh to creep, and a shudder to pass -through the frame of the listener. The nobleman would have passed on -with a brief salutation, but the hag planted herself firmly in his -path, and sawing the air with her fore-finger commenced to speak. - -"Thou art a proud man, Lord Lovel, and like all thy class thou -regardest the poor as dirt beneath thy feet. But I tell thee that the -hour is at hand when thou shalt be lower than they. They that live by -the sword shall e'en perish by the sword, and they who scheme to -entrap others shall be caught in their own net. The curse of doom is -already on thee, and this night I can prophesy the end. Thy downfall -shall be speedy, and thy death paltry. Nothing heroic shall there be -about either. And the end shall be total. Neither child nor kindred -of thine shall rule after thee in Longdendale." - -Lovel heard, and, despite his courage, he could not help trembling at -the terrible aspect of the witch. - -"Out upon thee, thou whelp of Satan," he said at length, "or I will -have thee in the ducking stool." - -But with a shriek of horrible laughter the witch vanished. - -Now this was the end of Lord Lovel, and the reader may decide for -himself whether or not the witch's prophesy was fulfilled. It is quite -certain that from that date his fortunes began to wane. He fought in -the Battle of Bosworth Field on the side of the defeated King Richard -III., and after the battle he took refuge for a time in Longdendale -and Lancashire, but finally was forced to fly to Flanders. He returned -to England with the Earl of Lincoln as a supporter of the Pretender, -Lambert Simnel, and was a prominent figure at the "court" held for a -brief space by that would-be King at the Pile or Peel of Fouldrey--now -a picturesque ruin on Fouldrey Island off the coast of Lancashire. On -behalf of Simnel he fought in the Battle of Stoke, and the last seen -of him was after the defeat of the rebel army, when he was observed to -join in the flight, and to swim his horse across a river, and to -scramble safely up the further bank. Some say he was slain in this -battle, but the popular version of his death ascribes to him a far -different ending. According to this version some days after the -combat, the disguised figure of a man might have been seen wending his -way stealthily to a house at Minster Lovel, near Oxford. The fugitive -was none other than Lord Lovel himself. - -With his enemies on his track, and afraid to trust even his friends, -he made his way alone to his own house and entered it under cover of -the darkness. Then, not daring to trust even his oldest servants, lest -they might be tempted to betray him, he quietly stole to a secret -underground chamber, and there immured himself, thinking to lie hidden -within until he could find some means of escape from the country. What -actually happened no man will ever know, but it is easy to surmise. It -would appear that Lovel, from some cause or other, was unable to open -the door by which he had entered his hiding-place, and having told no -one of his intention to make use of the chamber--or else through -treachery--he was perforce left to his fate, and died of starvation. -In all probability when he found out his predicament he attempted to -set some record of it down on paper, but, if so, his story was -destined never to be read. He disappeared from the sight of his own -generation, and the world had well-nigh forgotten him. But in the -Eighteenth Century--several hundred years after his death--a party of -workmen broke into the remains of an underground chamber at Minster -Lovel, and to their great surprise came across a skeleton. It was -thought that this skeleton was the frame of the once powerful -noble--Lord Lovel. - -It is said that when the workmen broke into the vault, the skeleton -was found sitting at a table, the hand resting on a bundle of papers, -but that with the admission of air it soon crumbled into dust. - -After the Battle of Stoke, Lovel's lands were confiscated, and in 1409 -were granted to Sir Wm. Stanley, who had turned the fortunes of the -day at Bosworth Field. With this change of ownership Longdendale -passed out of the hands of the Lovels for ever. - - - - -XII. - -The Raiders from the Border-Side. - - -There was once a time when it was considered the height of fashionable -conduct for the Scotch who lived upon the border, to dash into the -Northern Counties of England, put the men they met with to the sword, -burn their homesteads and stores, and carry off the women and cattle. -It is quite true that the English, on their part, considered it fit -and proper to cross the Scottish border, to raid the lands, and carry -off women and cattle from the lower shires of "Bonnie Scotland;" and -so on the score of fairness neither side had any cause for complaint. -But then, both parties never thought of that; the nature of their own -conduct was never questioned, it was always the other side that was in -the wrong. Their opponents were "thieves and marauders," their own -forays were characterized by the high sounding title of "military -expeditions." For such is the way of the world. - -There is no record to say whether the men of Longdendale ever rode -north to join in expeditions across the Scottish border; but it is -chronicled that "bold moss-troopers from the border-side" occasionally -raided as far south as the rich country of the Longdendale valley. -These Scotchmen usually came in strong and well-armed bands, -consisting of picked fighting-men, and, oftener than not, led by some -distinguished lord or knight who wished to reap fresh honour by -reddening his blade in English blood. Sometimes the lord or knight -looked upon it as a fair (and certainly the easiest and cheapest) way -of securing a wife, or mayhap a mistress, together with a good fat -dowry in the shape of plunder. None can blame him for holding such -views, for it all came in the manner of living in the olden time. - -But it did not always happen that the raiders were successful. -Sometimes the "raided" were on the look out, and the surprise party -themselves met with a surprise. - -It was a bright morning in the summer, and the valley of Longdendale -had never looked more beautiful than it did that morning when Jock, -the steward's son, kissed his sweetheart at the end of the lane ere he -entered the woods to join his father's men, who had some work to do in -the forest. A fine lad was Jock, merry and free as becomes one whose -life is mostly spent in the greenwood: his limbs were finely made, he -was straight and strong, and there were none in all the country-side -who could run, fence, or box like he, or who could shoot straighter or -further with the bow. A right proper lad, such as an English maiden -loves. His father was steward to the Lord of Mottram, and to that -position young Jock looked one day to succeed. In the meantime he -discharged such tasks as were set him with diligence, and drank his -fill of happiness with that bonny yeoman's daughter, Bess Andrew. Bess -knew his habits and his times of departure and homecoming right well, -and thus the two found many a chance to bill and coo throughout the -day. - -It was with a light heart that Jock sped through the lanes when he had -taken leave of Bess; and with a heart as buoyant, sweet Bess returned -to the homestead when the parting was over. The maid sang a snatch of -a country song as she entered the farmyard and set about her tasks, -wondering whether her mother had missed her during the few moments she -had been absent in the lane. - -[Illustration: BESS ANDREW.] - -But Goody Andrew, the farmer's wife, was busy in the kitchen, and the -farmer himself was away in the fields. His lands were broad, and on -this merry morn he was busy at a distance. So Bess had the farmyard to -herself save for the presence of the children, her brothers and -sisters, all younger than herself. - -Bess busied herself with the milking-cans for some time, dreaming, as -sweet maids will, of love and hope and the life that is to be. -Suddenly she started, then bent her head to listen. On the wind came -the sound of horses' tread, and the jingling of harness; the sound -increased in volume, and it came from the lane which led to the farm. -Bess left her work, and moved to the gate. Then she screamed and -turned to fly to the steading. For, all gay and boldly, armed to the -teeth, came galloping into the farmyard a band of fierce -moss-troopers, having at their head a tall big-limbed laird, from the -Lowlands over the border. - -"The raiders," screamed Bess, as she hurried towards the house. "God -'a mercy on us." - -But she never reached the door, for the leader of the band rode to her -side, and with a laugh leaned down, seized her in a strong grip, and -swung her to the saddle before him. - -"The raiders," echoed he; "and of a truth we have won a prize worth -raiding. Come, kiss me, my beauty. Thou shalt be my share of the -plunder." - -He forced his face to hers, but the maid fought fiercely, and struck -him in the face, whereat the trooper laughed again. - -"What a spitfire of a wench" said he. "But we will tame thee ere thou -art much older. Bring hither a rope my men, and tie her up. Also gag -her until she has found her senses, and knows where and how to use her -tongue. Now get to work and lose no time, for I have no wish to bring -a hornet's nest about my ears. Ho! who comes here. Settle them off in -the good old fashion." - -The last words were uttered as a couple of farm-hands came from an -out-building to see what was astir. The poor knaves were instantly -seized before they had chance to cry aloud, and in another moment were -hanging by the neck from a neighbouring bough. That preliminary -accomplished, the troopers proceeded to plunder the farm of all its -valuables, and to get together the cattle that lay about. Poor Goody -Andrew begged hard for mercy, but her plea only met with a coarse -laugh from the robbers. - -"Thou art a well-favoured vixen," quoth the chief. "And had'st thou -only been a score years younger, then I had not left thee to the -embraces of the southerners. But thy daughter is fair enough, and I -doubt not she will like her Scottish lover when her good humour -returns. Now, my lads, set the stead ablaze, and then to horse." - -The men obeyed to the letter, and in a little while the farm was -blazing fiercely, the troopers, loaded with plunder, were galloping -towards the hills, on the saddle of the chief was the lovely form of -the maiden Bess, bound and gagged; and in the farmyard sat the good -dame with her younger children, wringing her arms, and weeping -bitterly. - - * * * * * - -In the distant meadows, Yeoman Andrew paused at his work to wipe the -sweat from his brow, and then looked up. In the direction of his home -a column of smoke arose, which had not been there when last he looked. - -"Hallo!" quoth he, "there is surely something amiss. What ho! ye -knaves, leave your work awhile, and hurry with me to the farm, for I -fear the worst." - -Then, in company with his men, he ran to the steading, to find his -weeping wife, and the ruin of what had been his home. - -The farmer was a practical man, so he just swore a good round English -oath, and then he got to business. - -"Ho, there! Will Leatherbarrow, do thou slip for my good grey mare -down to John the smith's, get aback, and ride for thy life on their -trail. Send word by any messengers thou canst catch from time to time, -how they fare. And thou, Hob, cross the fields, and set the great bell -at Mottram Church a-ringing, and the rest of you scatter and bring out -the archers and the men who can fight. Cease thy chatter, good dame, -and see if thou canst scrape me a good meal together '))fore I set about -paying my debt to the Scottish laird." - -In a little while the great bell at Mottram Church was clanging out -its wild alarm, and from the woods and fields about, and the distant -farms, the stout yeomen were hurrying into the town, bringing with -them their bows and bills, their swords and axes, and their horses all -ready for the chase. For they had ridden on the track of the raiders -before. - -As the men mustered round the cross near the church, a horseman -galloped into the throng, the flanks of his steed white with foam. It -was the first messenger from Will Leatherbarrow, who hung like a -sleuthhound on the trail. - -"They have e'en ta'en the Kings' high road," he shouted, "and they -ride for the hills." - -"They will turn off at the bend before they reach Glossop town," said -Jock, the steward's son, who now sat his horse at the farmer's side. -"I know a short cut, and we may head them off. Do you, Farmer Andrew, -ride on the trail, and I will lead a band to get before them. Then not -a man of them shall escape." - -"To horse!" cried the yeoman, curtly assenting. And in another moment -the spurs were driven deep, and the men of Longdendale were hard on -the track of the foe. - -Grim men were they when the scent of war was in the air. Men who had -learned the use of the bow from their cradle. For did not the men of -Longdendale help to scatter the French at Cressy and Agincourt, and -did they not in later days join in the annihilation of the Scotch at -the fight of Flodden Field? On they rode, and as they went, their -number was swollen by fresh recruits, and so they galloped till near -the sundown. - -"The pace tells on the beasts," said one man at length. - -"It will tell more on the Scotch," said another, "since they are -hampered with plunder." - -And the cavalcade still galloped along. - -The road wound up the hills, and at the top there was a level stretch -of several miles. As the band of pursuers reached the top of the rise, -they beheld a cloud of dust at some distance ahead, and a shout of -triumph burst from their lips. - -"They are yonder!" said one. "Ride faster, my men. We shall catch them -at the gorge." - -"They will never get beyond the gorge," said Farmer Andrew quietly. -"Jock will ambush them there. The thieves are fairly caught." - -Then silence reigned again, save for the sound of the galloping horses -and the rush of the wind about the horsemen. - -The pursuers clearly gained upon the foe, but the latter reached the -next dip of the road well ahead, and disappeared from sight. A few -minutes later, when the Longdendale band reached the top of the -descent, a glad sight met their eyes. Across the narrow path, just -where the road bent, Jock had drawn up his men, and already the -archers were at work. Already several of the Scotch lay dead upon the -road, and the rest were in confusion. Ere they could rally, with a -wild shout the pursuing yeomen burst on them at the charge, and then -there was a fray well worth the telling. It only lasted a few minutes, -and Jock backed out of it the moment he found the sweet maid Bess -safely in his arms. But the rest of the Longdendale lads laid lustily -about them until the work was done. A palatable work it was to them--a -clashing of blades, a crashing of axes, and then the great Scottish -raid was over. Yeoman Andrew was avenged, and he had more in plunder -from the Scots than made up the total of the damages he had sustained. - -It is said that many a "guid wife" in bonnie Scotland looked -southwards with eager eyes for the homecoming of her "man" from the -foray in Longdendale, but always looked in vain. For the ravens had a -rich feast spread on the hills above the Derbyshire and Cheshire -border, and those Longdendale moors were dotted white with the -bleaching bones of Scottish men. - - - - -XIII. - -The Legend of Gallow's Clough. - - -Near Mottram, on the verge of the moors, overlooking what is now the -high road to Stalybridge, is a spot known as Gallow's Clough, which, -as its name implies, was in feudal times the scene of the Gibbeting of -malefactors. Here in the good old days, was reared the gallows, -whereon the criminal was first "hanged by the neck until he was dead," -and from which his body was afterwards suspended in chains, until the -weather and the birds between them had picked the flesh away, and -nothing remained but a few bones--a grim reminder of the power of the -law, and the folly and risk of departing from the paths of virtue. - -In the days when gibbetting was fashionable, it behoved almost every -petty township to possess its own gallows, for there was far too great -a demand for the services of rope and hangman to permit of only a few -recognised places of execution, and one common hangman, as is the -custom at the present time. Not that people were very much worse than -they are now, but the extreme punishment of the law was meted out for -what are now considered the minor crimes of sheep and cattle stealing, -poaching, highway robbery, house-breaking with violence, and such like -offences. The sight of a dead man dangling between earth and sky was -of too common a nature to cause surprise, even so late as the early -decades of the nineteenth century. - -Wild and lonesome as the Gallow's Clough is at the present day, it was -a much bleaker and more awesome place in the days when the gibbet was -standing there. Then it was considered as a place accursed, and was -said to be haunted by the ghosts of all the dead men who had been -strangled there. Even in the daylight folk gave the spot a wide berth, -and at night when the winds moaned down the gullies from the hills, -and swayed the dead men to and fro, and caused the chains to clank and -rattle, then, indeed, the traveller kept as far off as his route would -permit, and hurried past with beating heart, and face blanched with -fear. - -Nor was that all the terror. Witches were said to infest the place at -certain seasons, and in the darkness to hold converse with the ghosts -of the malefactors, from whom they learned how to transact deeds of -darkness successfully. Men forced to pass that way at these seasons -had seen from a distance the crouching forms of the old hags, and had -even heard their crooning voices, and the fiendish laughter with which -they accompanied their terrible midnight revels. Many a timid dame -added a petition to her prayers--that Providence would accord her and -all belonging to her, special protection from the witches who danced -and plotted and sang the hell-song round the gibbet at Gallow's -Clough. - -On a certain day in the olden time, a throng of people might have been -seen wending their way through Mottram to the place of execution at -Gallow's Clough. It was a gloomy procession,--calculated to depress -the beholder for the remainder of the day, and probably for many days -to come. First marched a company of well-armed men--part of the -retinue of the feudal lord--and in their midst was one bound, and -wearing a halter dangling from his neck. Behind came a motley company -of the country-folk--some weeping, some grimly silent, and some few -laughing and jesting. Most of those who thus followed in the heels of -the armed men were women, and in the front rank of these was a -handsome peasant girl, who wrung her hands and cried aloud as though -distracted. - -The prisoner--condemned man though he was, with only a few hundred -yards between himself and death--walked with a firm tread, and head -held proudly erect. Now and then he turned his head to look at the -weeping, wailing girl, and at such times his eyes grew moist: when the -guards somewhat roughly thrust the girl back, his lips compressed, and -his chest heaved, and his arms tugged at the thongs which bound him, -in a manner which indicated that it would have fared ill with the -guards had the young man been free. But beyond those silent -manifestations of feeling, the prisoner marched to his death as calmly -and fearlessly as though the journey had been an ordinary country -walk. - -Presently the procession reached the gibbet at Gallow's Clough, and -here it halted. The guard cleared a space about the gibbet, and by -means of their axes and bills kept back the crowd. The prisoner and -the executioners took their place beneath the gallows, and near them -stood a well-dressed man--the representative of the feudal lord. - -Without loss of time, and with but little ceremony, the executioners -went about their business, heedless of the cries of the women, and the -piteous appeals for mercy from the handsome peasant girl. - -Soon the preparations were complete; the well-dressed, -officious-looking personage drew forth a document, and proceeded to -read aloud the details of the crime for which the poor wretch had to -suffer death--shooting at and killing deer in his lordship's forest of -Longdendale--a crime of so serious a nature in the eyes of the -authorities of that day that nothing less than the death of the -offender could atone for the sin. The reading being ended, the reader -nodded to the executioners, and they made as though to carry out the -sentence forthwith. - -But at this juncture a diversion was created, for the young woman who -had hitherto so persistently and closely hung upon the steps of the -guard, burst through the ring and threw herself upon her knees before -the lord's representative. - -"Mercy, mercy, Master Steward! Thou canst save him yet; and it is such -a little crime. What is one deer from the forest against the life of a -good man? He but shot the deer because I--his wife--and his child -needed food. And if thou sparest his life we will work, and more than -doubly make up the loss to his lordship." - -The steward--a dark man of evil countenance--looked at the girl for a -moment, and hesitated; then he caught the eye of the prisoner, and -instantly his face grew stern. - -"Get thee gone, thou baggage," said he, spurning the female. "Stop her -mouth, some of you; or, if she will scream, take her to the ducking -stool." - -Then, turning to the hangman, he curtly said: - -"Do your work." - -With a wild cry of despair, the girl sprang up, leaped towards the -condemned man, flung her arms about his neck, and kissed him, and -then, before any could stop her, burst from the crowd and fled, -shrieking and laughing, over the wastes of the hills. In another -moment the prisoner was dangling in the air, and before the night fell -the gibbet at Gallow's Clough held the ghastly form of a dead man -swinging in chains. - - * * * * * - -It was midnight, and the skies were inky black; not a single star -showed in the heavens, and there was no moon. A cold wind moaned down -the gully, and swung the dead man in his chains so that the gibbet -rocked and creaked. In the distant farms the timid country folk -shivered in their beds, and as the wind shook the casements, they -trembled the more, and told each other they could hear the clanking of -the chains and the shrieking of the witches at Gallow's Clough. - -It was a night on which few would care to stir out of doors, but for -all that there were those who set out through the eerie darkness to -wend their way to the gibbet. When night had fallen, the dead man's -wife crept down from the hills and stood beneath the swaying form of -her lifeless husband, and with a grim energy cast pebbles, and uttered -shrill cries to scare away the birds that came to peck at the carrion -that had once been man. - -As she kept her vigil, she sang snatches of wild songs, and ever and -anon talked to the dead man as though he could understand. It was -clear that the woman's grief had driven her mad. - -Towards midnight she slackened in her exertions, and seated herself at -the foot of the gibbet, contenting herself with fearful but -intermittent screams to scare away the birds. But presently nature -gave out, and she fell into a troubled slumber. She was awakened by -the sensation that some other mortal was near, and with a wild cry she -sprang to her feet to find herself confronted by an old hag who -appeared to be sawing at the dead man's wrist, as though to sever the -hand from the arm. - -"Malediction," croaked the hag, "who art thou?" - -"I am his wife," answered the mad woman. "What dost thou want, witch?" - -"Ah!" said the hag; "now I know thee. Thou hast need of help and -friendship--I will be thy friend." - -"What dost thou here?" said the woman, unheeding the latter part of -the sentence. - -"I seek a dead man's hand, and a dead man's flesh. The hand I would -dry and wither in the smoke of the fire, and it will point out the way -by which my schemes may achieve success. Of the fat of the dead man I -would make candles--witch-lights--and by their glimmer I shall see, -and see, and see,--things and secrets that are hidden from mortal -eyes." - -"Thou shalt not touch this dead man; he is my husband. Seek what thou -requirest elsewhere." - -The witch placed a long hand on the distracted widow's shoulder. - -"Be not so foolish, poor wench," said she. "Trouble not over what I -do. I tell thee I am thy friend, and the hand of thy dead husband once -in my possession, will be of more service to thee than if left rotting -here. Will not the ravens come--the birds of the air--and peck the -bones clean; and is that not a greater defilement than boiling the fat -in the witches' kitchen, and drying the dead man's hand in the smoke -of the witches' fire? Listen!--dost know the meaning of revenge?" - -The poor widow's eyes glistened as though a fire burned within her -brain, and she repeated the single word "Revenge." - -The old witch laughed, and said: - -"Ah--thou knowest that. Tell me thy story." - -Then the younger woman told the tale of want and woe and cruel wrong. - -"The steward cast his eyes on me," she said, "but I loved my husband, -and would have nought to do with him. And one day, my man being near -when the tyrant insulted me, struck him to the ground, whereupon the -steward dismissed him from his post, and we were made beggars. Then my -child sickened, and since we needed nourishment, and there was no -chance of honest labour for my husband, he took to the forest and shot -one of the deer, saying that no wife or child of his should starve as -long as there were any of God's creatures to be shot in the woods of -Longdendale. The steward heard of this, and, like a wicked fiend, he -hounded my man to death. There his body hangs, and the man who drove -him to sin walks about in pride and power." - -She ended her story with a wail, and commenced to tear at her hair. - -"Where is thy child?" asked the hag. - -The distracted creature pointed to a bundle, which she had previously -deposited at the foot of the gallows. In the bundle was the form of a -male child, lately dead. - -"Dead too, like its father," said the witch. "How did it die?" - -"It died of want and of grief. Grief poisoned my milk, and the child -drank of it and died." - -"Does anyone know 'tis dead?" - -"No one but me--its mother." - -The witch looked intently at the eyes of the mother, as though she -would read her very soul. - -"And thou would'st have revenge?" she asked at length. - -"Would I not," answered the woman; "Oh, would I not. 'Tis all I live -for now. Give me vengeance and I will become thy slave." - -"Then listen to me." And the hag whispered something in the ears of -her young companion which appeared to satisfy her, for in a little -while the two left the gibbet, carrying the dead child in a bundle -between them. - -The next day, one who passed the gibbet noticed that the corpse -hanging thereon had only one hand. - -A short time afterwards it was reported that the infant child of the -steward had been spirited away in the night. It had been set to sleep -in its cradle, and when the nurse awoke the cradle was empty, and the -window open. There was a great outcry, and men were sent in search; -the searchers presently returned bearing the dead body of a male -child, the face of which had been half eaten away. It was impossible -to recognise the features, but the steward wept over the body, telling -himself that his son had been devoured by some savage beast of the -forest, that had made its way into the mansion, and stolen the child -while the household slept. He suspected that some evil witch-wife had -been at work, and he trembled with fear, for he was sore afraid of the -powers of darkness, as all wicked men are. - -Meanwhile the dead man's widow dwelt with the old witch at a haunted -hut in the forest, and it was reported that her son throve apace. - - * * * * * - -Years passed by, and the steward had no more children. The shock of -his son's death had proved too much for his lady's strength, and she -became an invalid. He grew more brutal and unmerciful in his conduct -day by day, and the peasantry came to regard him as a fiend in human -shape. - -As for the old witch and the poor distracted widow and her child, they -lived in the haunted hut, shunned by all--for it was reported that the -widow herself had also become a witch, and was in league with the -powers of darkness. The lad grew up into a fine youth, and had he -lived an honest life, he would have been accounted one of the -handsomest and likeliest lads in all Longdendale. But the training of -his mother and the old witch had led him to spend his days in all -manner of evil, he robbed and plundered, and finally took to the woods -as an outlaw. Inspired by his mother, he was particularly severe in -his depredations upon the property of the steward, and being reckless -and daring to an unusual degree, he had so far succeeded in avoiding -capture. At length there came a time when an adventure more impudent -and daring than all previous affairs, caused the steward to put a -price upon his head, and so keen was the hunt after him that the bold -rascal found it necessary to keep in hiding. - -The steward chafed with anger, for all his efforts to lay the robber -by the heels were fruitless, and he had small hopes of ascertaining -the whereabouts of the man he wanted. One day, however, an old hag -presented herself at his gate, and asked for an interview. - -"Ah," said he, recognising the old witch, "what doest thou here. Where -is that imp of Satan whom thou hast helped to rear?" - -"That, good Master Steward, is even what I am come to tell thee," -answered the hag. - -"How now," said the steward; "what evil scheme is afloat now?' - -"Revenge," said the witch, snapping her toothless gums, and shaking -her crutch. "Revenge upon the woman--my companion, and upon her -evil-minded son. They have played me false, and now I mean to return -the compliment. The woman is away on a journey, and to-night her son -crept in from the forest for shelter and a meal. I gave him meat and -drink, but I drugged the drink, and now he lies in slumber at my hut -in the forest. Send thy guards, steward, and take him ere he wakes." - -The steward rubbed his hands with glee, and laughed joyously. - -"Thou devil's spawn," said he, "thou shalt be rewarded if we take -him." - -"I seek no reward but to see him gibbetted," said the witch. - -"Thy wish shall be gratified," said the steward; and without more ado -he called his men, and marched off to the witch's hut to effect the -arrest. - -In those days little time was lost between the arrest of a man and his -death upon the gallows; and on the following day the witch and -her companion--the young widow of the earlier part of this -story--accompanied a procession to the place of execution at Gallow's -Clough. The steward was there with his men-at-arms--and as he beheld -the widow, he turned to her and began to rail. - -"Ah, thou hell-cat. Dost thou love the gallows so? Thy husband died on -this gibbet, and now thy son comes to the same end. Like father, like -son. 'Tis in the breed. Why dost thou not weep and shriek for mercy as -thou did'st when thy man was swung?" - -Then the woman answered with a laugh: - -"Because I am mad, thou fool, and cannot weep. My tears were dried up -with weeping over my husband, and now I can weep no more. I must -laugh, man, laugh when the gibbet creaks beneath the weight of a dead -man. The days of weeping are past, the time of laughter and rejoicing -is come." - -"Thou speakest truth," quoth the steward, turning away. "Thou art mad -indeed." - -"Yet not so mad as thou, oh, thou wise man," said the woman,--but the -steward did not hear her. - -The executioners did their work, and the young man was hanged by the -neck until he was dead. Then the steward and his men turned to depart. - -But the widow stood before him, and laughed in his face. - -"Wise man--madman, rather," said she. "Whom, thinkest thou, is that -dead man on the gallows?" - -"Thy son, witch, thy son," said the steward, stepping back before the -wild appearance of the woman. - -"My son, fool! Nay, 'tis thy son, steward. The child who disappeared -from his nurse's room was brought to me, was reared by me, was trained -for the gallows, and hangs there dead. My son died the same day that -his father was hanged--murdered by thee--and his mangled and -disfigured body was found by thy servants and buried as thy son. Dost -understand me now?" - -The steward reeled, but recovered himself with an effort. - -"'Tis false," said he, in a choking voice. - -"'Tis true," screamed the woman; "was not there a birthmark upon thy -child's shoulder? Ah, thou rememberest it, I see. Look at the dead man -on the gallows, and thou wilt find the birthmark there." - -With a wild cry the steward stripped the clothing from the dangling -corpse, and there upon the lifeless shoulder, he found the mark which -branded the criminal as his child. He had hanged his own son. - -Before his men could lend a hand to stay him he had fallen senseless -to the ground. - -The men turned and sprang towards the woman, who was now convulsed -with horrible laughter. - -"Seize her," cried one,--and they all made to obey. - -But quickly raising a phial to her lips, she drank the contents, and -in an instant fell back a corpse. - -The old witch shook her crutch at the armed men. - -"The murder of an innocent man is avenged," she cried. "Is it not -written that the sins of the fathers shall be visited upon the -children? And lo--the murderer's son perishes upon the gibbet where -the father's crime was done." - -Then, laughing shrilly, she hobbled away over the hills, and, full of -fear, the men-at-arms let her go unmolested. - - - - -XIV. - -The King's Evil - -Or THE WONDERFUL CURE OF THE MOTTRAM PARSON. - - -There was a certain John Hyde appointed Vicar of Mottram in the year -1575, who continued to hold the sacred office for over 50 years. He -succeeded his father, Sir Nicholas Hyde (the Vicar of Mottram from -1547 to 1575) who was buried in the Chancel of Mottram Church on the -24th day of April, 1575. John Hyde married at Mottram on February -26th, 1575-6, Alice Reddich, of Mottram, by whom he had several -children: and after her death on March 21st, 1593-4, he married for a -second wife, Ann Hyde, on May 22nd, 1597. In the year 1599 the Parish -Registers were transcribed from the old paper books into the parchment -volumes now in use, and every page of the transcripts bears the -signature of John Hyde. He was also rural dean of Macclesfield. - -During a great portion of his life, Parson John Hyde had curates to -assist in the discharge of his ministerial duties; this assistance was -the more necessary on account of the wide extent of the ancient parish -of Mottram, and also because there was a chapel at Woodhead dependent -for its ministry upon the mother church at Mottram. The most prominent -of these curates was his eldest son, Hamnet Hyde, who, as appears from -the Mottram registers, was baptized at Mottram Church on May 14th, -1580, and afterwards settled in the town, marrying there on the 12th -day of January, 1601, Joane Greaves, of Mottram, by whom he had three -sons, John, Nicholas, and Thomas. - -Parson Hyde was of an ancient family of gentry, notable in both -Lancashire and Cheshire; being connected with the Hydes of Denton, and -the Hydes of Hyde. His great influence, however, was not alone owing -to this circumstance, but was rather due to his own attainments and -his proved superiority in the matter of learning and wisdom. Hamnet -Hyde, his son, inherited his father's good qualities; he was a man of -good parts, was distinguished for his learning, and was withal pious -and devout. He made a good curate in every way. He was well liked by -the parishioners of Mottram, and was, indeed, well spoken of -throughout the whole of the Longdendale country. It should also be -added in view of the details of this tradition, that he was a fairly -robust man, steady, sober, in no way given to gluttony, and there -seemed every prospect of his living to a good old age. - -There came a time, however, when good Master Hamnet Hyde was greatly -distressed to find a grievous disease slowly yet surely creeping over -him. Do what he would, it was impossible to shake the sickness off. -Bit by bit the disease grew worse, and the local quacks and surgeons -were entirely powerless to stay its course. One by one the local -doctors tried, and each one was sorrowfully obliged to confess to -failure in the end. "Nothing could be done," they said; and a complete -cure seemed almost hopeless. - -Now, not only was Master Hamnet Hyde distressed with this -intelligence, and not only did his good wife Dame Joane, weep until -her good looks were impaired, but the news also gave great pain -throughout the parish. The people took the matter to heart as though -the parson was one of their own relations. So greatly was he beloved -by the common people that some of them even went so far as to employ -charms and other harmless means, whereby they hoped to remove the -sickness from which the curate was suffering. - -The curate's condition formed the subject of gossip when the people -gathered together about the cross opposite the churchgates after -divine service. - -"Goodman Shaw," said one to his neighbour, "what think you of Master -Hamnet Hyde to-day?" - -The man addressed shook his head sadly before he answered. - -"Methinks we shall not have many more sermons from him unless he -alters greatly." - -The curate, it should be stated, had preached that morning. - -"Thou art right, goodman," went on the first speaker, "but it comes -into my mind that there is one remedy he has not yet tried, which it -were worth his while to put to the test. Someone should suggest it to -him." - -"And what is that, pray?" "Why, the Royal Touch. Let him visit the -King, and be touched for the evil. There was a pedlar called on my -dame but yestereen, and he told a great tale of the marvellous cures -wrought by His Majesty King James, God bless him. Why should not our -curate journey up to London, and get the King to remove his sickness?" - -"Why not, indeed. Thou hast spoken wisely." - -It should be mentioned that in those days the cure of disease by the -patient being "touched" by the Royal fingers was widely believed in. -It was asserted that kings were specially endowed by God with the -power of healing by touch; and of all the monarchs who ever ruled in -England, none were believed to have received this truly royal gift in -such abundance as that Most High and Mighty Prince, James the First. - -A suggestion of the sort mentioned by the gossip was not likely, -therefore, to be neglected, and accordingly the idea was laid -pertinently before the curate, who eventually made up his mind to seek -the royal remedy. With this object in view, he mounted his horse, and, -attended by his friends, journeyed southward to see the king. Before -setting out on the journey, he commended himself to God, for the roads -were infested with highwaymen, and it was a perilous venture to travel -from Longdendale to London at that time. There was a goodly -congregation in the old church at Mottram, and from the heart of every -worshipper there went up a fervent prayer for the curate on the -occasion of the last service specially held before his departure. - -On the morrow the whole village was early astir, for it was known that -the curate would that morning set out upon his journey; and a numerous -array of villagers gathered in the street before the parson's door as -the hour of departure drew nigh. - -[Illustration: MOTTRAM CHURCH AND VILLAGE CROSS.] - -"Fare thee well, good Master Hamnet," cried one; "God prosper thy -journey." - -"If the king but touch thee thou art surely healed," said another. - -"Look well to thy pistols, parson," quoth a third. "'Twere a pity not -to put to good service the weapons God hath placed in our hands. And, -of a truth, there be many rogues upon the road." - -"Be sure the beds whereon thou sleepest are well aired," put in an old -dame. "Nothing aggravates the sickness like a damp bed." - -And so with numerous manifestations of good will, the sturdy Mottram -folk sped their parson upon his journey. - -Now, after safely passing the many perils of the road, Master Hyde -arrived at Greenwich in due course and, securing an audience of the -King, was touched by His Majesty upon the 22nd day of May, 1610. There -was a crowd of sufferers gathered about the Royal Palace, many of -whom, like the curate, had travelled from a distance, and they cried -aloud for joy when the King came amongst them. They fell upon their -knees before him; and, with a gracious smile and many words of -comfort, the monarch passed through the crowd, touching each patient -as he passed, and breathing a prayer for their welfare. Immediately -the fingers touched the patient, the royal virtue passed into the -frame of the sufferer, and he was instantly healed. Then the crowd -gave thanks to God and his Majesty, and with glad hearts set out for -their homes. - -It is needless to dwell long over the homecoming of good Master -Hamnet. The news of his return was heralded abroad, and when he -entered the village, the people flocked about him, throwing up their -caps and cheering lustily, so that he returned like some great -conqueror to his own. - -After his return, he not only showed his gratitude by rendering public -thanks to God for the wonderful cure performed upon him, but in order -that future generations might know of the Divine goodness, and the -King's most excellent kindness, he inscribed the following passage in -the parish register of Mottram, where it may be read to this day. - - "Anno Dni, 1610. Md. that uppon the 22nd daie of Maie, 1610, I, - Hamnet Hyde, of Mottram clerke was under the King's most - excellent Matie. his hands (for the evill) and att Greenewiche - was healed. On wch. daie three years itt is requyred by his - Matie. that the ptie so cured shoulde returne (if God pmitt) to - render thanks bothe to God and His Matie. - - God save Kinge James, p. me. Hamnettum Hyde, clericum." - -Hamnet Hyde lived several years after this miraculous cure. He died in -1617, and was buried at Mottram on the 3rd January, 1617-18. The entry -in the register written by his father is as follows: - - "1617-18, January 3rd. Hamnet Hyde, my sonn, buried--." - -Parson John Hyde survived his son Hamnet nearly 20 years, for he -continued Vicar of Mottram until the year 1637, being buried on the -17th March in that year. He left direction concerning his burial in -his will as follows: "In the name of God. Amen. The 13th February, -1633, I John Hyde, Vicar of Mottram, in the County of Chester, Clerk, -being aged. My body to be buried in due and decent manner under the -stone where my late father lyeth buryed, in the Chancell of the Parish -Church of Mottram, adjoining to the tomb of Mr. John Picton, late -parson there." etc., etc. - -It may be added in conclusion that the sovereigns of England claimed -and frequently exercised the power of healing certain diseases by -touch. The curing of scrofula, or the "King's Evil," as it was called, -was practised by Henry VII, Henry VIII., and Queen Elizabeth; and was -also very extensively carried on by those believers in the "Divine -Right" theory--the Stuart Kings. The "cure by touch" was believed in -as late as the time of Queen Anne. The "Form of Healing" occurs in the -older prayer books, especially those of the 17th century. - - - - -XV. - -The Magic Book. - - -There is a spot prettily situated near the town of Glossop, known as -Mossey Lea. It is notable as having been the home of a great magician, -who dwelt there in the olden time, and who was renowned far and wide. -He was, perhaps, the most learned and powerful of all magicians who -have lived since the days of Merlin, but unfortunately his name has -been forgotten. Such is fame. - -So renowned was he in his own day, however, that pupils came to him, -not only from all parts of England, but even from across the seas. -These pupils desired to be inculcated with the mystic lore, and -invested with the same degree of skill in the exercise of the magic -arts, that their master possessed. Accordingly they left no stone -unturned in their efforts after knowledge--that is to say, they were -not over-particular as to the means they adopted to secure the end -they had in view. They strove to impress upon everyone with whom they -came in contact, their vast superiority to ordinary mankind, and -generally they proved a big nuisance to the country side. - -But there were two of these pupils who were especially curious; they -were constantly prying into nooks and corners which were labelled -"private"; they were ever meddling with business that did not concern -them. By some evil chance, the magician fixed upon these two pupils to -act as his agents for the transaction of some business in a town in -Staffordshire, and to bring back with them a very remarkable book, -which dealt with magic, and which was, moreover, itself endowed with -magical powers. Thus the two luckless youths became all unwittingly -the heroes of the following Longdendale tradition. - -History--as is often the case in these legends of the olden time--has -forgotten to record for us the names of the two notable youths, hence -we are driven to the necessity of naming them ourselves, in order to -distinguish them from each other. So we call one Ralph and the other -Walter. It has already been said that they were two curious youths, -ever ready to pry into things; and on the night preceding their -journey, they indulged in this pastime to the full. - -While they were at supper the magician had bidden them to repair to -his private chamber ere they retired to rest; and having -entered therein, they were treated to the information already -recorded--namely, that they would have to make a journey on his -behalf, transact some business, and bring back with them a magic -book--with the addition of the following piece of advice and warning. - -"Look to it that ye heed what I now say," said the magician; "for by -the shades, 'tis a matter of mighty import. Ye shall get the book, and -ye shall jealously guard it. On no account shall you open it. More I -do not vouchsafe to you, but remember my warning. Open not the book at -your peril. Now get ye to rest, for to-morrow you must een start with -the rising of the sun." - -The youths left the room looking very solemn and good, with many -promises that they would faithfully remember their master's charges, -and what was of more consequence, that they would act upon them. But -for all that they did not retire to rest. When they reached the -passage leading to their apartment, Ralph said to Walter: - -"What thinkest thou of this quest of ours? Is our master treating us -fairly in thus keeping secret this matter? We have paid a high fee for -tuition in magic, and here he sends us on our first quest, and we are -een to know nothing of the mission on which we go." - -"Thou art right," said Walter. "'Tis most unfair, and methinks our -master has in view the acquisition of some potent power. If we engage -in the quest, it is but fair we should share the spoil--the knowledge -to be gained." - -To which Ralph added, "I am with thee, comrade. And I would know more -of this business before I start." - -Here he whispered to his companion, and the latter nodded his head in -acquiescence. After which the two stole together in silence to the -door of the magician's room, and in turn set their eyes to the -key-hole, whilst their ears drank in every sound. - -The magician was seated before a crucible, muttering certain -incantations which are as foreign language to the unlearned. But the -two students understood the meaning of the sentences quite well, and -the result of their eavesdropping appeared to give them satisfaction. -When the magician made signs of coming to the end of his labour, they -skipped nimbly away, and sought their beds, chuckling triumphantly as -they ran. - -It is not to the purpose of the legend to dwell upon the incidents of -their next day's journey. Suffice it to say that on that day they were -early astir, that they went gaily upon their way, and in due course -received the magic book from its owner. Then they set out on their -homeward journey, looking very good and innocent until they were well -out of sight. But withal both determined to see the inside of that -volume before the day was over. - -Soon they came to a lonely part of the country, and here they sat -down, intending to gratify their curiosity. - -"If there is knowledge contained within, then am I determined to drink -of the well thereof, and become even one of the wise." - -So spoke Ralph, and Walter also said: - -"And I am of a like mind, comrade. So bring hither the book, and let -us fall to." - -They placed the thick volume upon their knees, and quickly undid the -handsome clasp which held the sides together, when, lo! a veritable -earthquake seemed to have come upon the scene. The ground shook, -houses tottered, walls and fences fell down, a tremendous whirlwind -arose, which uprooted trees and tossed the forest giants about like -little wisps of hay. Even the students were terrified at the result of -their curiosity, and as for ordinary mortals, why there is no -describing the panic in which they were thrown. - -When the luckless students recovered from the first shock of -astonishment, they could only bemoan their folly in discarding the -warning of so potent a magician as their master, and they were filled -with dread as to the punishment they would receive when next they -stood before him. - -"Of a truth we are undone," said Ralph; "our master will never more -trust us." - -"We are like to be beaten to death with the tempest," said Walter "Who -can stay the power of this evil Spirit, that our mad curiosity has -thus let loose?" - -Now, luckily, the magician no sooner beheld the tempest than he at -once divined the cause of this hubbub of the elements, and with -commendable promptitude he proceeded with all speed to the spot where -the students lay with the magical volume. Arrived there, he pronounced -an incantation, and then by magic means known to himself alone, -rapidly stilled the tempest, which the ill-timed curiosity of his -pupils had brought forth. In the words of the old chronicle, he "laid -the evil spirit, commanding him as a punishment to make a rope of sand -to reach the sky." - -Which venture no doubt had a salutary effect upon the spirit, for -there is no later mention of any similar antics on its part. We may -conclude from this circumstance, that the spirit has found the task -assigned it as a punishment, greater than it can discharge, and that -it is still labouring away at the sand rope, which is not much nearer -reaching the sky than it was when the work first begun. - - - - -XVI. - -The Parson's Wife, - - -In olden time Providence often punished the sins of men and women in -some remarkable fashion. The divine retribution often followed swiftly -upon the violation of the sacred rules of life. We frequently read of -profane men and women whose blasphemy has been instantly followed by -some paralytic seizure, or who, when guilty, and protesting their -innocence have called down heaven's vengeance on their heads if they -were not even then stating the truth, have been at once rendered -lifeless by some strange stroke of the divine power. The following -story will illustrate this principle. - -There was once a parson of Mottram--his name and the date of his -holding the benefice are for obvious reasons not mentioned--who had a -peculiar wife. In many respects she was a loveable woman, but she -possessed a nose formed like a pig's snout, and she was forced to eat -her meals out of a silver trough specially provided for her. How she -came to win the affections of the parson, is not known, it might have -been that she had riches to make up for her deficiency in beauty of -countenance, or it might have been that the parson saw in her -compensating charms which were not obvious to the rest of mankind. -This tradition only deals with the cause of her strange infirmity. - -Her parents were very wealthy; her mother was a haughty dame who -worshipped wealth, and looked down on all people who were humble in -station. To those wealthier than herself, or whose social standing was -above her own, she was most polite and agreeable, and willing to go to -any trouble no matter how great, to win their friendship and esteem, -but to those who were poor, no matter how estimable they might be in -mind, ability, or real worth, she was chilling and distant, and even -insolent in bearing. True Christian love and charity were virtues she -did not understand. Probably she did not believe in them; at least she -did not practice them. No poor man's blessing ever ascended to heaven -on her behalf, for she was never known to bestow a gift willingly upon -the needy. So, no doubt, Providence considered that it was necessary -she should be taught a severe lesson, that thereby mankind might be -led to see that such un-Christian conduct was opposed to the highest -rules of life, and could not be practised with benefit and impunity. - -One day, to her door, there came an old beggar woman and her children, -clearly betokening by their appearances the utmost misery and -destitution. Their clothes were all in rags, only just able to hang -together, while here and there, through the great rents, the flesh -showed bare and cold. Their faces were pinched, and their frames thin -and withered from lack of proper food; and nearly all of them were -shoeless. Their feet were red and blistered, cut in places by the -sharp stones of the wayside. - -"A charity, I pray, good lady, for the love of Christ," said the -beggar woman as the lady stood at the door. "Not a bite have we had -this day, and we have travelled far. If thou hast children of thine -own, take pity upon the starving children of the poor." - -But the haughty dame bade her begone. - -"Out on thee, thou vulgar drab," said she. "Thou art no honest woman, -else had thou hadst a husband to provide for thee." - -"My man is dead, lady," protested the beggar, "and I am left a widow." - -"More likely thou art a harlot, and the children basely begotten. Away -with thee from my door, or I will have the constables after thee, and -thou shalt be publicly whipped for a low woman." - -Then, losing her temper completely, she called for her serving men. - -"Ho, there. Rid me of this pest. Turn out this old sow and her litter, -for there is the smell of the stye about them." - -At this outrage the poor woman fled. Some say she called down the -vengeance of heaven upon the haughty dame, others state that divine -justice asserted itself of its own accord. Be that as it may, the -wealthy lady was in due course with child, and she brought forth a -daughter having a face shaped like an animal with a pig's snout -thereon, who in after years married the parson of Mottram. Thus did -pride and want of charity bring its own reward. - - - - -XVII. - -The Devil and the Doctor. - - -Longdendale has always been noted for the number of its inhabitants -devoted to the study of magic arts. Once upon a time, or to give it in -the words of an unpublished rhyme (which are quite as indefinite)-- - - "Long years ago, so runs the tale, - A doctor dwelt in Longdendale;" - -and then the rhyme goes on to describe the hero of the legend-- - - "Well versed in mystic lore was he-- - A conjuror of high degree; - He read the stars that deck the sky, - And told their rede of mystery." - -Coming down to ordinary prose, it will suffice to say that the doctor -referred to was a most devoted student of magic, or, as he preferred -to put it--"a keen searcher after knowledge"--a local Dr. Faustus in -fact. Having tried every ordinary means of increasing his power over -his fellow mortals, he finally decided to seek aid of the powers of -darkness, and one day he entered into a compact with no less a -personage than His Imperial Majesty, Satan, otherwise known as the -Devil. The essentials of this agreement may thus be described. - -It was night--the black hour of midnight--and the doctor was alone in -his magic chamber. He had long desired power sufficient to enable him -to accomplish a certain project, and hitherto all means by which he -had tried to secure that power, had been of no avail. Blank failure -had attended every effort, and at last he had decided to make use of -the most certain, yet withal most desperate, agency known to him. In -other words, he would call up the Prince of Darkness, and ask his aid. -The only thing which troubled the doctor was the thought that the -price which Satan would demand, might be much greater than he would -care to pay. But, after all, that was something he would have to risk. - -He set a lamp burning on the table, and into a small cauldron hung -above it, he poured certain liquids, which he mixed with certain -evil-looking powders and compounds. Some of the items which he added -to this unholy brew, appeared to have once been members of the human -frame. But that, of course, was known only to the doctor. When the -brew began to simmer, the doctor commenced to mumble certain strange -incantations, which he continued with unabated vigour for the best -part of an hour, without, however, eliciting any manifestations from -the dwellers in the spirit world. At length, however, his patience was -rewarded, for the light beneath his cauldron suddenly went out, the -mixture within boiled over, and the vapour which rose from it, spread -over the room until all the objects therein were hidden as though by a -thick black cloud. Then, out of the cloud, came a voice, deep and -terrible in tone, which caused the very building to rock as though an -earthquake had occurred. - -"Why hast thou summoned me from the shades, O mortal, and what dost -thou require?" - -The doctor gasped with awe, he almost felt afraid to address the -dreadful spirit, which his own incantations and rites had brought from -the underworld. At length he screwed up sufficient courage to proceed, -and said: - -"I would have the possession of certain powers, O, thou Dread spirit." - -"And of what nature are they?" asked the spirit. - -Whereupon, the worthy doctor commenced a long explanation, into which -we need not enter, setting forth his evil desires, and begging the -Devil to aid him. - -"Thou shalt have all that thou requirest, and more," said the Devil -when the doctor had come to an end of his requests; "that is, -providing thou art prepared to pay the price." - -"And the price is?" ventured the doctor, trembling. - -"The usual one," said the Devil. "I have but one price, which all -mortals must pay. On a day which I shall name, thou shalt wait upon -me, and deliver up thy soul to me." - -"'Tis a stiff price, good Satan," said the doctor in protest. - -"'Tis the only price I will listen to," said the Devil. - -"Then I must een pay it," said the doctor, seeing that further -argument was useless, and, being by this time quite determined to have -his desires no matter what the cost. "I agree," he added. And there -and then he signed the bond in blood, with a pen made from a dead -man's bone. - -Satan pocketed the bond. - -"Thy desires are granted," said he. "Make the most of thy -opportunities. One day I shall surely call upon thee for payment." - -Then, with a burst of mocking laughter, he disappeared. - -The doctor seems to have enjoyed the results of the compact until the -day drew near for the settlement. Then, indeed, he appears to have -repented, But he was by no means a dull-witted individual, and in a -happy moment he began to cudgel his brain for some way out of the -difficulty--some plan of escape. Before long his face brightened, a -gleam of hope shone on it, and at length he seemed to see his way -clear. He received the formal summons of Satan with a knowing smile, -and when the day at last arrived, set out in good time to keep his -unholy tryst. - -In the language of the rhyme, - - "Now rapidly along he sped - Unto a region waste and dead, - And here at midnight hour did wait - His Sable Majesty in state." - -The Devil appeared, seated upon a coal black charger, which was of the -purest breed of racing nags kept specially for the Derby Day of the -Infernal Regions. Satan was very proud of his horse; he was open to -lay any odds on its beating anything in the shape of horse flesh that -could be found on earth. - -Judge then of the Devil's surprise when the Longdendale doctor offered -to race him. (It should be stated that the doctor had ridden to the -place of meeting on a horse which was bred in Longdendale, though the -trainer's name has unfortunately been lost). - -At first Satan laughed at the impudence of the proposition, but after -some little haggling, he at length agreed to the doctor's conditions. -The conditions were that the Devil was to give the doctor a good -start, and that the latter was to have his freedom if he won the race. - -[Illustration: "A RUNNING STREAM."] - -"I am unduly favouring thee," said the Devil; "I do not as a rule -allow my clients a single minute's grace when payment falls due, and I -do not reckon to let them bargain as to other means of payment. But -for all that, I do not see why I should not make merry at thy expense. -I am not altogether as black as I am painted. And if it will give thee -any comfort to imagine thou hast a chance of escape--why then get on -with the race." - -Acting upon the above agreement, a start was made, and the course was -along the road now known as Doctor's Gate. The contest was most -exciting. Prose can scarcely do justice to the occasion, but we will -endeavour to give some account of the strange contest. The Devil good -naturedly conceded a big start, for, of course, he felt quite certain -of reaching the winning post first, and when the signal was given he -went full cry in pursuit. Away the coursers sped like wind, the doctor -riding with grim countenance, and teeth firmly set, ever and anon -casting an anxious look behind him, and now looking as anxiously in -front. Meanwhile the Devil rode in approved hunting fashion, with many -a loud halloa, which made the very mountains shake as though a thunder -peal was sounding. His horns projected from his head, his cloven feet -did away with the necessity for stirrups, and he lashed the flanks of -his coal black charger with his tail in lieu of a whip. - -Slowly but surely the Devil gained upon the doctor. Inch by inch the -black steed drew nearer the Longdendale hack, until at length the -Devil, by leaning over his horse's head, was able to grasp the tail of -the doctor's horse. With a loud burst of fiendish laughter, Satan -began to twist the tail of the Longdendale horse, until at last the -poor beast screamed with pain and terror. This greatly amused the -Devil, who twisted the tail all the harder, so that the doctor's -horse, goaded almost to madness, plunged along faster than before, and -in its fright took a mighty leap into a running stream which dashed -brawlingly across the path. All too late Satan saw his danger; he held -on to the beast's tail and tugged with all his might. For a second, -the contest hung in the balance, and the result seemed doubtful. But -luckily for the doctor, the tail of the horse came off--torn out by -the roots--the Devil's steed fell back on its haunches, and the -doctor's charger plunged safely through the flood, and gained the -opposite bank. Then the doctor gave a great shout of triumph, for -according to the laws of sorcery--laws which even the Devil must -obey--when once the pursued had crossed a running stream, the powers -of evil lost all dominion over him. - -Thus by a combination of skill, cunning, and good luck, the -Longdendale doctor outwitted the Devil. Some profane mortals state -that when he found himself victorious, the doctor turned towards the -Devil, and put his fingers to his nose as a sign of victory, while the -Devil, sorely disgusted, rode off to hell with his tail between his -legs, vowing that the mortals of Longdendale would have no place to go -to when they died, for they were too bad for heaven, and too clever -for hell. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -The road known as "The Doctor's Gate"--mentioned in the above -story--runs across a portion of Longdendale. In reality it is part of -the old Roman road from Melandra Castle, Gamesley, to the Roman -station at Brough in the Vale of Hope. - -With reference to the main incident of this legend, the following -quotation from Sir Walter Scott will be found of interest:--"If you -can interpose a brook between you and witches, spectres, or fiends, -you are in perfect safety." - -No date is attached to the legend. - - - - -XVIII. - -The Writing on the Window Pane. - - -It was an evening in the glad month of June, of the year 1644, and the -children of Longdendale were playing games on the smooth green plots -before the cottage doors. At one spot not far distant from the site of -the old Roman station, Melandra Castle, a group of merry little ones, -lads and lassies, were swinging round hand in hand, their sweet young -voices chanting an old-time rhyme. - -Suddenly there was a shrill cry from one of the girls, and following -the direction of her gaze, the children beheld a sight that at first -set their young hearts beating sharp with fear. A company of horsemen, -wearing wide-brimmed and much befeathered hats, with long hair hanging -about their shoulders, rode jauntily past the greensward in the -direction of the Carr House Farm. The horsemen were well armed, -carrying swords and pistols, and bright steel armour shone dazzling -upon their breasts. As the cavalcade moved on, the jingling of -stirrups, bits, and harness, made a merry music that was well adapted -to the martial scene. The children, though startled at first, soon -recovered from their fright, and ran gaily to see the squadron pass -by. Curiosity, in their case, got the mastery of fear. For those were -what the historians term "stirring times,"--days of war and tumult, of -peril and death, of bloodshed and ruin, of suffering and horror; and -well the children of Longdendale knew that the quarrel between King -Charles and his Parliament had already made sad hearts and weeping -eyes, widowed women and orphaned children, even in their own -neighbourhood. But the great battles of which they had heard had all -been fought at a distance, and, as is well known in the case of war, -"distance lends enchantment to the view." There was something wildly -romantic and fascinating to the minds of the children in those great -events which were daily transpiring, and about the men who fought in -the battles; and so, on the June evening of this story, the children -flocked curiously about the horsemen, who were a band of gentlemen -cavaliers on their way from Lancashire to join the army of King -Charles at York. - -Accompanied by the children, the cavaliers rode up to the Carr House -Farm, and, at a sign from their leader, dismounted, and, without -troubling to ask consent, proceeded to stable their horses, and take -possession of the best rooms for their own accommodation. It was not -altogether a good mannered proceeding, but then, the people who lived -in those days when war was rife, grew accustomed to such violations of -the rights of property, and submitted to the indignities with as good -a grace as they could assume. They knew full well that if they had not -placed upon the table of their very best, the soldiers would have -raided the larder and confiscated all the contents. So, in the -language of modern days, "they made the best of a bad job." - -One stalwart trooper, throwing the reins of his steed to a comrade, -was the first to stride through the farm door, and, as he came, the -farmer went bareheaded to greet him,--not altogether without some -qualms of doubt and fear. - -"Come, good man," cried the trooper merrily, "show me the way to thy -best room, for our leader, Captain Oldfield, rests there this night. -And if thou art of the King's party, set thy wife to work at once, and -prepare him a feast right merrily, or if thou be'st of the roundhead -faction, why, do the same unwillingly, and be damned to thee." - -History does not tell us which side of the quarrel the farmer -favoured, and it does not really matter which, for in any case a visit -from the Royalists would be alike unwelcome. If he was a Roundhead, -then, as a matter of course, the billeting of a force of Cavaliers was -bound to be distasteful; if he were loyal to the King, then against -the satisfaction of providing for the King's troops, must be set the -knowledge that the next force of Roundheads that came into the -neighbourhood would pay him a visit and demand satisfaction for the -favour he had shown their enemies. The farmer made a discreet remark. - -"If ye are true men, ye are welcome to such hospitality as I can -afford." - -And then he and his servants set about doing with as good a grace as -possible that which they knew themselves compelled to do. - -But although the soldiers might be unwelcome guests to the farmer and -his wife, their coming was by no means received with a bad grace by -other members of the household. The maids, in particular, seemed quite -glad as they beheld the Cavaliers enter the yard, and what was more -remarkable, they made scarcely any attempt to prevent the arms of the -fighting-men stealing around their trim-set waists with the coming of -the gloaming and the shadows. There were shy giggles and blushes and -many a stolen kiss in and about the Carr House Farm that night, before -the bugle sounded the hour of rest. - -When all the men were inside save the sentries, whose duty it was to -give notice of the approach of Roundheads--if any such rebel gentlemen -should chance to put in an appearance--the officer in command gathered -his soldiers around the oak table in the best room, and seated himself -at their head. Captain Oldfield, of Spalding (for such was his name -and title), first addressed the company, which included the master and -mistress of the farm, and all the pretty maids whose lips so readily -lent themselves to a soldier's kiss. He reminded his hearers of the -great sin of fighting against the "Lord's anointed." - -"For," said he, "did not God appoint kings and princes and governors, -and if they are not to rule their people, wherefore are they created? -Therefore it stands to reason that they who oppose the will, and set -themselves in array against the authority of good King Charles, are -fighting against God, and are likely ere long to suffer grievously -from the displeasure of God. And I would especially urge upon ye good -people of Longdendale that ye remain loyal and true to His Majesty, -and have nothing to do with traitorous rebels who are prompted of the -devil. So shall ye escape a felon's death here and damnation -hereafter." - -Then, drawing from his finger a ring set with a large diamond, he -continued-- - -"My stay will doubtless be short, yet would I leave behind a loyal -sentiment which shall serve to remind you of your duty toward your -royal master." - -Whereupon he advanced to the window, and on one of the little -diamond-shaped panes, he scratched the following words in the Latin -tongue:-- - - "May King Charles live and conquer. - Thus prays - John Oldfield, - of Spalding, - 1644." - -The task of writing being ended, he then called on all present to fill -their cups with the farmer's best country wine, and drink deep to the -sentiment which he had just inscribed. - -The men filled their cups and drained them to the dregs, after which -they cheered for King Charles. And then the band broke up, the -troopers seeking their hard couches, while Captain Oldfield retired to -his room with the officers, to discuss their future movements, and to -question and gossip with the farmer and such of the loyal gentry of -the neighbourhood as had come to greet him on hearing of the arrival -of his force. - -"And whither march ye, Captain Oldfield?" asked one of the gentlemen -of Longdendale, as the talk went on. - -"Toward York, Sir Squire," replied the officer; "To join the King." - -"And how will the fight go? Think you the rebels will attack the -city?" - -"That I doubt. For Rupert is there, he of the Rhine, a Prince of fire, -whose hot blood can never wait in patience for an assault. Rather -should I think he will sweep down on the Roundheads before they muster -in force sufficient to attack the city. As for the end of the fight, -why, look you, I am no prophet. Being in the struggle I do my best, -and I take the outcome, be it what it may, as becomes a true soldier. -There be some who pretend the seer's gift of sight so that they can -foresee what is to happen, but on such things I set little importance. -If the end is evil, why, then, the knowledge of it comes soon enough. -And if good, why the joy is all the greater for the waiting." - -The farmer now raised his voice: - -"If it please you," he said, "there is a neighbour woman who possesses -the gift of sight. She foretells events in a manner right wonderful. -If your worships like, I will e'en summon her before you." - -"Well," quoth the Cavalier, "I have no objection to witnessing her -antics, though I set no store by what she may say. So bring her -within; 'twill help the time to pass." - -The farmer left the room, and presently returned, leading in an old -beldame, whose withered and bent form seemed scarcely able to stand -upright. She leaned heavily upon an old crutch, and her breath came in -loud gasps as though she were a prey to asthma. - -"What is your will?" she asked, in a fit of coughing. "I am old; could -ye not let me rest a'nights without summoning me to make sport at your -revels." - -"Come, granny," said one of the gentlemen, "be not ill-tempered; we -would let these good Cavaliers witness a sample of your skill. They -ride to York to join the King, and would know what fate awaits them -there." - -The old dame laughed shrilly. - -"Better had they wait. Evil comes soon enough. Why not drink and be -merry while ye may?" - -"Why, granny, whence this croaking? What ill-fate seest thou?" - -"I see what ye in your pride deem impossible. Ye have just now drunk -to the King. Ye have inscribed on the window-pane of this dwelling a -prayer for his triumph. And a bonny sentiment it is that ye have -written, ye bloody murderers of Englishmen. Upholders of a tyrant, -think ye that the powers of the other world will ever smile upon your -cause? Not so. Your cause is accursed. Never shall the words of the -writing come to pass. King Charles shall perish. So shall ye, his -myrmidons. Lo! I see a field of battle. Rupert is there and the army -of King Charles--a glorious array without the walls of York. But there -cometh Cromwell, the man of iron, his horsemen charge once twice, -thrice, and lo! the army of the King is scattered, and the earth is -red with blood. I see faces, cold and dead, turned upwards towards the -sky. The faces of men slain in the battle. And behold, some of the -faces are your faces, For such is your doom. And in the end your King -shall perish, and old England shall be free." - -The frame of the old beldame shook as she delivered herself of this -tirade, and when she had ended she moved feebly to the door. The -company remained still, too awestruck to stay her, and presently she -had disappeared. The soldiers soon recovered their spirits, and joked -gaily over the occurrence. - -But it was destined that the words should come true. - -With the first streak of dawn, Captain Oldfield led his men on their -long march to the city of York. There on the second day of July, they -fought in the Battle of Marston Moor, and, even as the woman had -prophesied, most of the band perished in the battle, and Cromwell beat -back the King's army, and England was one step nearer being free. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -Ralph Bernard Robinson refers to the above legend in the following -passage in his little book on Longdendale. - -"Opposite, on the other side of the river, is Melandra Castle as the -the villagers call it. Some fields here are called in old deeds 'THE -CASTLE CARRS.' Hard by is an ancient homestead going to ruin called -'THE CARR HOUSE.' This old house has an historical celebrity. A party -of Royalists, on their march to Yorkshire before the Battle of Marston -Moor, stayed here one night. The name of the Captain, John Oldfield, -of Spalding, that of King Charles, and the date (1644), long remained -inscribed in Latin, with a diamond ring, on a window-pane of the old -dwelling." - -In some way or other, the pane of glass referred to by Robinson became -the property of the late A. K. Sidebottom, Esq., J.P., and after his -death was purchased at a public auction by my friend, Mr. Robert -Hamnett, of Glossop. To the kindness of the last-named gentleman, I am -indebted for the loan of the glass, and for various particulars -concerning it. When it came into Mr. Hamnett's possession, it was in -two pieces, which, however, have now been cemented together. The pane -is the ordinary size of small diamond panes frequently found in -cottages of old date, and still largely used in the windows of our -churches. The inscription is quite clear, but the glass is badly -scratched, as though some sturdy member of the Cromwell faction had -done his best to obliterate the Royalist writing without going to the -expense of breaking the window. - -The inscription is as follows:-- - - Vivat et vincat Rex Carolus, - Sic orat - Johnes Oldfield - de Spalding - 1644. - -Mr. Hamnett has been at considerable pains to trace the career and -family of the above John Oldfield. I am indebted to him for the -following particulars. The passage given here is taken from an ancient -MSS. belonging to the family, and has been supplied by the Wingfields, -who are direct descendants of Captain Oldfield. - -"We now come to John--the Captain Oldfield of the Longdendale -legend--the eldest son of the first Anthony, who, as we have sayd, -succeeded to his estate November, 1635. This gentleman was a most -zealous Royalist, and as the other party prevailed (he being left -wealthy by his father, notwithstanding his providing so well for -his other children), was at several times plundered by the -parliamentarians, and sequestred as a Delinqt., and at the Siege of -Newark, where he served the Royal cause gallantly as a gentleman -volunteer, was shot through the body, but recovered of his wounds. He -married Alice, the daughter of ---- Blythe, of Shawson, in the County -of Lincoln. He added to, and very much improved the seat built here by -his father, building the rooms and grand staircase in the north wing -of that house, and planting many forest trees and much wood about it. -This John was interred in the chancel of the Parish Church of our Lady -and St. Nicholas, in Spalding, as was Alice, his wife, by whom he had -three sons and as many daughters, viz., Anthony, his eldest, who -succeeded him to his estate and was afterwards created a Baronet by -King Charles II.... We now come to Anthony, eldest son of John, who, -as we have said, succeeded to his father's estate, 1660. He married -first Mary, the daughter of ---- Parker, Esq., by whom he had no -issue; secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edmond Gresham.... This -gentleman was much esteemed and had a great intimacy with people of -the greatest worth and quality in his neighbourhood, and particularly -with Sir Robert Carr, Bart., Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and -one of His Majesty's Most Honble. Privy Council, and upon the -recommendation of the Rt. Hon the Countess of Dorset, he was, by His -Majesty King Charles II., by letters patent, bearing date the 6th day -of August, 1660, advanced to the degree and dignity of a Baronet of -England, by the title of Sir Anthony Oldfield, of Spalding, in the -County of Lincoln, Bart.--he lies in the chancel under a very large -grey marble, upon which is this inscription:-- - - "Here was interred the body of Sir Anthony Oldfield, of this - town, Bart., who departed this life the fourth day of - September, Anno Salutis--1668; Aetatis--42." - -Sir John Oldfield, son of Sir Anthony, married in 1668, but at his -death in 1704, left only three daughters surviving. The baronetcy -accordingly became extinct. Elizabeth, the third daughter and co-heir -of the last Sir John, married John Wingfield, of Tickencote, High -Sheriff of Rutland (1702). From this union spring the present family -of Wingfield, which includes among its members Sir Edward Wingfield, -K.C.B., and Captain John Maurice Wingfield, of the Coldstream -Guards. - - - - -XIX. - -A Legend of the Civil War. - - -In the year 1644 the town of Stockport became the scene of some -exciting incidents in the great struggle then waging between the King -and his Parliament. From ancient days, Stockport had been accounted a -place of military importance, commanding, as it did, the passage of -the river Mersey. When the Romans took possession of the county, they -established a strong fortified camp upon a site near the modern market -place. The Norman lords of Stockport reared a castle upon the same -site, and from that period downwards, the strategic value of the place -continued to increase. When the Civil War broke out, the importance of -obtaining and maintaining possession of the town, was soon recognised -by both factions, and throughout the grim and prolonged contest. -Stockport was held first by one party, then by the other, as the -respective fortunes of the Cavaliers and Roundheads ebbed and flowed. - -The majority of the principal landowners and gentry--that is to say, -the most powerful of the representatives of the old county -families--in the vicinity of Stockport, were much inclined to -Puritanism, and so the cause of Parliament received strong support in -this part of the country. The Bradshawes of Marple Hall were vigorous -supporters of the Roundheads--Colonel Henry Bradshawe was a -distinguished Parliamentary soldier; and his brother, John Bradshawe, -afterwards became President of the Council of State, acted as the -Judge at the trial of King Charles, and passed the death sentence upon -that unhappy monarch. The Ardernes of Arden Hall, the Dukinfields of -Dukinfield, the Hydes of Hyde, and the Hydes of Denton were all -resolute supporters of the Parliament; and inasmuch as all these -families had property and influence in the town and parish of -Stockport, it is scarcely a matter for surprise to find that in the -year in which our story opens Stockport was held by a Parliamentary -force under command of that staunch soldier, Colonel Dukinfield, of -Dukinfield. - -Colonel Dukinfield is a man who deserves a few words of description. -He was one of the most distinguished of the group of famous historical -characters who sprang from this part of East Cheshire, and helped to -mould the destinies of the nation in the 17th century. A man of -Puritan ancestry, himself a great Puritan, with Republican tendencies, -endowed, moreover, with many of the gifts of a great soldier, he took -part at an early age in the opening stages of the great war. His -exploits in the field, and his influence and ability to raise and keep -together strong bodies of horse and foot, soon won for him a high -place in the ranks of the Parliamentary party; and right worthily did -he acquit himself, whether in the field at the head of his troops, or -in the Council Chamber, where all the qualities of a statesman were -called into play. Historians are unanimous as to the disinterestedness -of his character, and the purity of his motives; indeed, it is -generally recognised that he was one of the truest men of either party -that the Civil War produced. - -In the year mentioned, he was sent to guard Stockport, and the bridge -over the Mersey--one of the entrances from Cheshire into -Lancashire--and this task he performed, until military necessity -compelled him to evacuate the town, and retire before a superior force -of the enemy. - -A strong army of Loyalists, being sent to invade Lancashire, must -needs take possession of Stockport on their way; they were led by that -dashing dare-devil nephew of the King--Prince Rupert of the Rhine. -Recognising that the enemy was too strong for him, and deeming it -imprudent to risk the lives of his soldiers in a hopeless resistance, -Colonel Dukinfield withdrew his force, and vanished from Rupert's -sight. He of the Rhine sent his men through the rich farm lands about -Stockport, and they plundered the suffering yeomen--confiscating -whatever they required for the service of the King. The Roundheads, on -their part, had done the same, so no one could grumble very much about -the matter. As the sufferers said, "One side was every bit as bad as -the other." - -But not a glimpse of the Roundhead soldiers did the gay Cavaliers get, -and Rupert of the Rhine, hot-headed as he was, had yet more sense in -his pate than to be led astray from his direct line of march to begin -a risky, fruitless, and possibly disastrous chase of the -Parliamentarians. For he knew that Dukinfield, who, being a native, -was acquainted with every yard of the country, had taken refuge in the -wild and mountainous region of Longdendale, where it was easy enough -for the Roundheads to ambush the Cavaliers, and where there was little -chance for practising that dashing form of warfare--the grand charge -of large masses of cavalry upon equally compact masses of the -enemy--which was Rupert's favourite method, and which--until Cromwell -and his Ironsides came upon the scene--was invariably successful. - -So after a time Rupert passed on his march. - -Our story, however, has to do with the troops of the Parliament, and -their sojourn in Longdendale. When he left Stockport, Colonel -Dukinfield led his men directly to the wild country beyond Mottram; -and on the lands adjoining the old halls of Mottram, Thorncliffe, and -Hollingworth, and about the homes of the wealthier inhabitants, he -quartered his force. He does not seem to have met with much resistance -in this matter; and it is most likely that the Longdendale landowners -were themselves inclined to favour the Parliamentary cause. - -Be that as it may, they found food for horse and men, and supplied -Dukinfield with money, cattle, and soldiers, when the time came for -him to march. There are some interesting documents still preserved, -which give the details of the various expenses to which the -Longdendale gentry were put by the prolonged stay of the Roundhead -forces on their lands. - -[Illustration: DUKINFIELD HALL.] - -As was to be expected, the arrival of so renowned a fighter as Colonel -Dukinfield, and his bold band of Roundheads, caused more than a -flutter of excitement in the breasts of the country folk of -Longdendale. Those inclined to the Roundhead faction, were rather -proud to stand by and wave their caps and cheer at the brave men who -had so resolutely fought against the tyrant King; while the Royalist -inhabitants surveyed the soldiers and their Puritan colonel, with -feelings akin to hatred seeing in them nothing but a set of rebels who -were too vile to live. - -Of the last-named class was a stout yeoman whom for the purpose of -this story we will name Timothy Cooke. A thorough King's man at heart, -he had no sympathy with any who set themselves up to fight against the -"lords anointed," and as he saw the Roundheads ride past he would, had -he dared, and had the opportunity presented itself, have put a bullet -into the body of each rider. - -"A damnable set of psalm-singing rascals," muttered Tim to a -companion, as the Parliamentary troops went by. "May the food and -fodder they get in Longdendale, choke both man and beast. They are of -the devil's spawn, every one, enemies to God as well as to the King." - -"Steady, Tim," whispered his companion. "They will overhear thee, and -then, belike, thou wilt get into serious trouble." - -"Trouble!" quoth Tim. "I care mighty little for anything they can do. -The King's forces will wipe them out ere long; and had I been but half -the man I was in my young days, I would have ridden behind the -Cavaliers, and struck a blow for His Majesty." - -Then, grumbling at the perversity of the times, which permitted such -unseemly sights as that presented by a band of Republican soldiers -marching coolly through Longdendale, he jogged off homeward, to weary -his wife with his ill-humour. - -But the goodman had more to put up with ere long, for after a few days -were passed, there came riding into his farmyard, the stalwart figure -of a Roundhead. The soldier was a young man, of gentlemanly -appearance, and strikingly handsome. He wore his hair cropped close, -and his face was clean shaven. He sat his horse firmly, and his -well-proportioned figure gave signs of strength. - -"Farmer," cried he; "I give you a good day. You have a grey mare, I -understand, of some little fame hereabouts. My officers require the -use of her for the service of the Parliament. And I am come to take -her forthwith. Also a sheep from your fold would not come amiss, but -that you may send to the headquarters by one of your farm hands." - -He spoke with the free air of one who expected that his requests, or -orders, would be observed as a matter of course. - -Timothy stood stock still for a few moments, lost in wonder. Then his -hot temper blazed forth in a volume of words. - -"Why you knave--you close-cropped murdering rebel--you speak and carry -yourself with the bearing of an honest King's man. Get out of my yard -this instant, or I'll brain you on the spot. No horse or sheep of mine -goes from here to the service of the King's enemies." - -He flourished a large hay-fork dangerously near the horseman, and the -steed began to back with alarm. - -"Drop that fork," cried the soldier, drawing his pistols, "I've no -mind that there shall be any accident, but if you will advance, and if -one of these weapons goes off, 'tis no fault of mine." - -But the old farmer's blood was up. - -"I'll spit you as I would a goose," cried he; "and all other such -Republican knaves." - -The soldier pulled his horse aside, and levelled his pistol at the -farmer's head. - -"Thou mad fool," he cried. "If thou wilt rush to thy death, 'tis no -concern of mine." - -And sighting the weapon, he made ready to fire. - -But at that moment came a diversion, and from an unexpected quarter; -for in the doorway of the farm, directly behind the irate yeoman, -there appeared the figure of a maid. She was the farmer's daughter, -and a maid of uncommon beauty; and the sight of so fair a daughter of -Eve, bursting thus suddenly on the soldier's vision, banished for one -brief second the murderous purpose from his mind. He hesitated, let -his eyes wander from the farmer to rest upon the figure of the girl. -That second's hesitation was fatal, for the hay-fork driven with force -by the yeoman, took him in the shoulder, and tumbled him heavily to -the ground. He had a confused sense of having done something very -foolish and unsoldierlike, of falling with a thud from his horse, of a -sharp pain in the shoulder, and then his senses left him. - -When he recovered consciousness, the unfortunate Roundhead found -himself lying on a couch inside the farmhouse. He was at first dimly -aware that a somewhat heated discussion was going on in one quarter of -the room, and that some person with gentle touch bent over him and -tended to his hurts. In another moment, his senses having fully -returned, he could distinguish the voices of the disputants, and knew -that they were talking about himself. - -The farmer's wife, good mistress Cooke, was denouncing her husband's -folly in having wounded the soldier, and thus brought the man nigh to -death, and the yeoman, himself, in grave danger of arrest, court -martial, and the gallows. - -"'Tis thy hot temper, of which I have so often spoken, and which thou -never canst control, that has led thee into this mess--and a pretty -mess it is, upon my conscience," said the dame, "What harm had the -poor fellow done to thee or thine, that thou must prod him with the -fork, as thou dost a truss of hay, and tumble him headlong out of the -saddle. A mercy it is he did not break his neck by the fall. As it is, -he is not seriously hurt, though the back of his head will carry a -lump for many a day, and his shoulder will be stiff enough for weeks. -The next thing that will happen, I suppose, will be that thou wilt -have the whole band of them--foot and horse--about the house, and they -will carry thee away a prisoner, and I and the bairns will een be -tumbled out upon the road-side." - -"Stop thy chatter," growled the farmer, his courage somewhat overawed -by the volubility and sting of his wife's tongue. "Wouldst have me let -a Roundhead knave, an enemy to the King, rob and plunder me of the -grey mare, and a sheep from the fold, without using the hay-fork when -'tis in my hand. Death and damnation is too good for all such rogues." - -..."Death and damnation," quoth the dame. "Death and damnation, -forsooth. That is like to be thy reward for the business. Out of the -room, man, for thy presence drives away my patience. Out thou goest, -while I see if I can bring the poor fellow round, and make amends for -thy fool's folly." - -She bundled the farmer out, and at this moment the Roundhead opened -his eyes. Then he shut them suddenly, as though some bright light had -dazzled him, for there, bending close above him, was the bonny face of -the maiden, whose dazzling beauty had been the cause of his undoing. -She had been tending to his hurts, and was gazing at him anxiously, -wondering the while if he were about to die. - -The Roundhead did not long remain with closed eyes, for the vision of -the maid was too sweet to lose for want of the effort of raising his -lids. He gazed straight into her eyes, and smiled; and the girl, -finding him fully alive, and conscious of her presence, blushed -crimson, and drew backwards in confusion. Her movement attracted the -dame, who by this time had got rid of her husband; and having no -special desire to be the recipient of attentions from an old lady--no -matter how estimable and kindly disposed she might be--the Roundhead, -with an effort sat up. He had not been seriously injured by his fall, -which had done nothing more than deprive him of his senses for a short -time; and the thrust in the shoulder was nothing more serious than a -flesh wound; now that the bleeding had been stopped, he was really -little the worse for his misadventure. - -"I thank you, madam," said he to the farmer's wife, "for your kindness -and attention. Doubtless your good offices, and those of the young -lady, have saved my life; and I promise you they shall not be -forgotten in my report to my commanding officer." - -Relieved as she was to find the Roundhead out of all danger, poor Dame -Cooke was terribly upset on hearing the concluding words of the -soldier. - -"Oh, sir," said she, the tears springing to her eyes, "must you indeed -report the misdeeds of my hot-headed husband. If he is taken, -and called to account for this mishap, I much fear that his -punishment will be severe. If you could overlook--could find some -excuse--could----" - -She broke off, utterly unable to say more, but her eyes pleaded with -the soldier. - -Restraining an inclination to smile, with an effort, the Roundhead -said solemnly: - -"A bandaged head and shoulder must of necessity give rise to comment. -And how can I escape from the necessity of a report? Moreover, there -is the matter of the grey mare, and the sheep." - -"They shall be sent to your camp within the hour," put in the woman -eagerly; "and more likewise, if ye will only be merciful to my good -man." - -Other talk followed, but for reasons of his own, the Roundhead omitted -to assure the dame as fully as she could have wished, that she should -hear no more about the matter. It was not without a feeling of great -trepidation that she listened to his last words of gratitude for her -personal attentions, and witnessed his departure. - -Mounted on his horse, he rode slowly down the lane, and not till the -farmhouse had disappeared from sight--hidden by a bend in the lane, -and a dip in the road--did he meet a single soul. Now, however, he -reined in his charger suddenly; and he felt his heart beat quicker as -he beheld the pretty maid standing in the road barring his path. - -Off came his hat, with a sweeping bow, that would have done credit to -a Cavalier; and he bent gallantly in the saddle to converse with the -fair being who had waylaid him with the evident intention of speaking -to him. - -"Oh, sir," said the maid, her voice trembling with emotion, her face -rosy with excitement and bashfulness; "you will forgive my father will -you not? He is not a bad man, and if anything happened to him, it -would break my heart, and my mother's also. Do not punish him, and -mother and I will make amends in some way." - -The Roundhead looked at the maid, then cast his eyes rapidly up and -down the lane, and a twinkle of merriment shone in his glance. - -"You are quite willing to compensate for your father's sins--to render -a service if I pledge myself to silence on his misdeeds." - -"I will do anything," said the maid, eagerly. - -The Roundhead bent low in his saddle, until his face was dangerously -near that of his companion. There was a look in his eyes which caused -the maid to blush a deeper red, and set her heart pit-a-pat with a -thrill of strange and joyous excitement. - -"Then kiss me," was all he said. - -The girl dropped her eyes a moment, then looked full into his, and -finally raised her lips and kissed him. - -"Now," she said, "remember your promise, and keep it." - -Then with a mischievous nod of her head, that caused her curls to -dance in the sun, she skipped out of his reach, and ran up the lane -towards the farm. - -He turned the horse as though to pursue her, but contented himself -with calling after her, "Tell your mother not to trouble about the -grey mare and the sheep. I will come for them myself--another day." - -He doffed his hat, and the girl waved her hand; and then the Roundhead -trotted off to explain in some cunning fashion how he had foolishly -met with an accident, and if his colonel had no objection he would go -for the grey mare and the sheep another day. The young man was a -favourite officer with his superiors, and his colonel had no objection -whatever, so the farmer heard no more about his attack upon the -Parliamentary forager. - - * * * * * - -It is not to be supposed that human nature of the masculine gender, -however much inclined to Puritanism, could, after having once tasted -the sweet lips of the farmer's daughter, resist the longing for more -of such delights. And so the Roundhead more than once or twice made -his way towards the farm; and either, owing to his cleverness, or to -the strangest coincidence, it so happened that he never returned to -quarters without having held some converse with the maid. - -In this way the time passed, and to the two lovers it seemed as though -everything was sweet and fair, and as though war, and suffering, and -death were not abroad in the land. Indeed, so far, the revolution had -brought nothing but fortune to the young man, for he was already -promised a captaincy when next the troops were put in motion; and then -he would move onward to fresh adventures, wherein he hoped to add to -his laurels, so that when the wars came to an end, he would have a -position of some standing to offer to his bride. - -At last there came a day when Colonel Dukinfield bade his men make -ready to march. Messengers had ridden in on foam-flecked steeds, and -it was understood that great events were about to transpire. The -troops looked to their arms, burnished up their breast-plates, and -head pieces, and after a busy day spent in preparations, made ready to -pass their last night in Longdendale in the fashion that the Puritan -soldier loved. - -When the night had fallen, groups of soldiers were gathered within the -best rooms of the farms whose owners--being favourers of the -Parliament--had gladly welcomed and billeted the Roundheads, and the -host having brought forth some musical instruments, which were tuned -up forthwith, soon the voices of all were joining in a Puritan chant -of praise. Loud and long that night sang the Puritans, and ever and -anon, in the intervals between the chants, some of them, in nasal -tones, would break out into prayer--strange old-fashioned petitions, -in which the Lord was asked to strengthen the arms of the Parliament, -and to sweep the Royalist faction away as the leaves are scattered -before the wind. Then with the first break of day the bugles sounded; -and, leaving the fair Longdendale land behind them, the Roundheads -passed to scenes of grim contest--some joining in the conflicts in -Yorkshire, others participating in different sieges in Lancashire and -Cheshire. After their departure, Longdendale was visited in turn by -bands of Cavaliers, who rode towards the points of strife; and then -for a time the valley was left to its rural quietness. - -[Illustration: "A PURITAN CHANT OF PRAISE."] - -For some weeks the maid heard nothing of her lover and her only -consolation during his absence was to chat and talk with the wives and -sweethearts of Longdendale men who had joined Colonel Dukinfield's -troops, and ridden off to the fight. - -One day, however, when the tasks about the farm were all done, she -sat in the old-fashioned seat in the advanced porch of the steading, -which looked out towards the west. It was the close of a glorious day, -and far away over the great levels of the Cheshire plain, the sun was -setting--flooding the earth and sky with a light that seemed too -beautiful to be real. It was as though one looked right into the gates -of heaven. The farmer and his wife were seated near, for they, too, -were weary with the toil of the day, and were resting for a space in -the cool of the evening before the darkness fell. - -Suddenly the girl raised her head as though to listen, and then -pointing towards the sunset, she uttered a loud scream. - -"There, there! do you not see them? the Roundheads are beaten back, -and their leader falls. It is he, my love--and oh!--they have slain -him----" - -Then she fell back into the seat and sobbed, and shivered, and moaned. - -The farmer took her by the shoulders, and shook her. - -"Art daft, my lass," said he, "or dreaming. What is it thou see'st?" - -For a moment the girl could not do anything but sob and moan, then, -recovering herself, she told her parents that, as she gazed at the -sunset, it seemed as though the western heavens were alive with the -figures of men--she could see the Roundhead troops rushing to the -assault, at their head was the form of her lover, and even as she -looked, the Royalists repulsed the attack, and in the melee she saw -her lover fall, his brain pierced by a musket ball. It seemed, too, -that she could hear the noise of the piece, and the death-shriek as he -fell. - -"Tut-tut," said the farmer, "'tis nothing but a dream. Thou hast been -dozing, that is all." - -The mother also tried to comfort her, and the two led her inside, but -that night when the farmer and his spouse sought their chamber, the -latter said in an awesome whisper: - -"'Tis the gift of sight, good man. My grandmother had it; and I fear -that the vision she has seen will prove true." - - * * * * * - -Some days passed, and nothing was heard of the great strife which -waged beyond the valley; but one day a man, pale and thin from -suffering, seated upon a jaded steed, rode wearily into Longdendale. -Near Mottram town he met Yeoman Cooke, whom he accosted; and the -latter looked at him with a start of surprise. - -"Why, Jack, is't thee, my man?" said the farmer. "Bless me if I knew -thee. Thou art just like a ghost." - -"And I had nearly been turned into one, farmer," answered the man. -"For I got a blow on my head in the fight just a week gone by to-day, -which stretched me senseless; and other hurts about my body, have -knocked out of me all the fighting for some months to come. 'Twas an -evil day for Longdendale, and I trow that thy own home will be turned -into a house of mourning by it. For this was how we fared. Even as the -victory seemed assured, the Royalist rascals made a great rush, and by -ill-luck our leader was shot dead, and other officers falling, we were -beaten off. As for the Captain--well, I think he loved that lass of -thine--King's man though thou art,--for in his breast, when we came to -carry his body off, were certain keepsakes which I have seen thy -daughter wear. There was also a letter addressed to her, and I have it -with me here. Thou wilt tell her that he died as a brave man should -die, and that he was worthy of her love to the last. I must ride on -now, for it grows late, and I have ill-news to carry to other -Longdendale women besides thy wench. This is the worst side of war." - -[Illustration: ARMS OF THE DUKINFIELD FAMILY.] - -"One moment," said the farmer, placing his hand on the bridle of the -other's horse, "When did this happen?" - -"A week ago to-day," replied the Roundhead. "Just as the sun set; and -it was too late to renew the attack that day." - -With that the man rode on, and the farmer was left alone. - -"The good wife is right after all," he said to himself. "'Twas second -sight, and the lass has the gift. We must keep the matter to -ourselves, or the folk will think she is a witch." - -Then he set his face homewards, and walked off wondering. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -The following particulars from old historical documents will give the -reader some idea of the part Longdendale played in the Civil War; they -will also afford evidence of the unrest which was the predominant -feature throughout the country, in the days of the great Rebellion. - -Earwaker, the learned historian of East Cheshire, quotes a series of -accounts from the Harleian MSS. These relate to Hollingworth in the -time of the Civil War, and are the accounts "made and sworn unto by -several inhabitants of the Township of Hollingworth" in 1645. The -following extract will serve as a sample of the contents of this -interesting document. - -The accompts of Alexander Hollinworth, of Nearer Hollinworth, in the -above said Townshippe. - - Imprimis: I paid to Collonell - Duckenfield, the 15th day of - Deecmber (1643), for pposicon - money 5 0 0 - - Itm: The same tyme ye said - Collonell had of me a bay - gueldinge ffor to be one in his - Troope, well worth 5 6 8 - Wch continued in his Troope - until Candlemas after, and then - was soe spoyled that he was not - able to do any more service. - - Itm: After the said horse was - soe lamed I sent another horse - in his roome, and a man to ride - him, which horse hath beene in - ye said troope ev since Candlemas - after to this present tyme: - the horse when I put him in - was worth 8 10 0 - - Itm: I was att charges for the - man that did ride ye said horse - sev'all waies above 40tye shillings - 2 0 0 - - Itm: When Sr William Breerton - marched towards Yorke wth - Cheshire fforces ffor ye assistance - of that County, there was - 250 horse and rydrs quartered - at my house; the damage I - had by them in eatinge my - meadowe, killinge my sheepe, - and plunderinge some of my - goods privily, and consuminge - my victualls they found in - my house, to ye value att ye - least of 20tie marks 13 6 8 - - Itm: The damage I sustayned - in quarteringe some of Captaine - Rich horse and foote ye most - pte of halfe a yeare Anno 1642 - att the least 10 0 0 - - Itm: The damage I sustayned - in quarteringe div'se of Captaine - Eyres Troope sev'all - tymes in Ann 1642 and 1643 - was att the least 5 0 0 - - Itm: In quarteringe some of - Collonell Deukenfield souldrs, - Major Bradshawes, and diverse - others, the tyme when Prince - Rupert came to Stockport, was - att the least damages to me 3 6 8 - - Itm: In quarteringe of 18 - Troopers of Sr William Breerton - Companye when they - marched towards Nottingham - (as they said) about 5 or 6 - weeks agoe 1 10 0 - - Itm: I have mainteyned one - musquetyer from the beginninge - of theise unhappy warres, - and never had the value of one - penny towards the charge - thereof from the Publique 25 0 0 - - Item: I have been sometymes - att charge of one and sometymes - 3 souldrs more when any - publique danger was, as div'se - tymes into Darbishire, to Adlington, - to ye raysinge of the - siege of Namptwicke, wch I - verily thinke cost me above 5 - markes att the least 3 6 8 - _____ - Sum £82 6 8 - -John Hollinworth, of Hollingworth, had a similar bill of £70 16s., and -the Booths and the Bretlands also sought recompense for the expense -they had been put to in buying arms and quartering men. - -One other old document may be quoted. - -On the 8th of December, 1653, Colonel Dukinfield and Colonel Henry -Bradshaw sat at Stockport to prepare a list of pensioners in the -Stockport division in connection with the civil wars. The list -contained the following names: Ellen Wagstaffe, whose husband was -wounded at Adlington; Catherine Goodier, whose husband was slain at -Nantwich; Ellen Heape, of Tintwistle, whose husband was slain at -Nantwich; Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Wooley, slain at Chester; Jane -Cooke, whose husband was slain at Middlewich; John Wylde, of Disley, -wounded at Worcester; Thomas Hinchcliffe, wounded at Worcester; -Elizabeth Small, whose husband was slain at Cholmondeley; Joan Small, -whose husband was slain at Middlewich; John Sydebotham, wounded at -Cholmondeley; Margaret Whewall, whose husband was slain at Selby; The -widow of George Hopwood, wounded at Middlewich; Randal Cartwright, -wounded at Hanmore; Margaret Ashton, whose husband was slain at -Lichfield; Ellen Benetson, wife of William Benetson, of Dukinfield, -wounded at Chester, and died. - -It will be noticed that several of the above are names of Longdendale -men. - - - - -XX. - -A Tale of the '))45. - - -The year 1745 was a noteworthy year in the annals of Longdendale. In -that year the valley was roused to excitement by the doings of Prince -Charles Edward Stuart, the young Pretender, who, at the head of a -large army, marched through Manchester and Stockport on his road to -Derby. Many of the male portion of the inhabitants of Longdendale -walked into either Manchester or Stockport to see the army pass, and -to catch a glimpse of the romantic figure which might one day sit upon -the throne of England. Most of these sightseers returned home full of -the grand picture which the Scottish army presented; they told a great -tale of how the Prince forded the river at Stockport, that the water -took him up to the middle, that he wore a light plaid, and a blue -bonnet, in which was set a milk-white rose. - -These accounts greatly interested the inhabitants of Mottram town, -who, like most people, loved to hear of martial doings at a distance. -The Mottram folk, however, were not so highly elated when, a little -later in the year, they heard that portions of the flying Scottish -army were likely to pass through their town during the retreat from -Derby. They would gladly have had the soldiers play the part of the -Levite of old, and "pass by on the other side." - -"A murrain on them," quoth the sexton, as he sat in the ingle of the -"Black Bull's Head"--that homely tavern perched on the hillside just -beneath the graveyard of Mottram Church. "Why cannot they even travel -back the same gait they came, and leave our good Mottram folk in -peace? Like enough if they come, there will be blows, and who knows -but what my trade will flourish mightily. And that will be the only -trade that will flourish if they get to fighting on this side of the -border." - -The maid who was attending to the wants of the customers pricked her -ears at the conversation, and as she filled the sexton's glass, she -joined in with her sweet woman's voice. - -"For my part I should be glad to see them march through Mottram. They -say that the Prince is a handsome gentleman, and brave as he is fair. -One day he will be the King, and then, think what an honour it will be -to Mottram, to have had his army billet in the town when he fought -for his own. Moreover, as I hear, there be some of the best and -bravest of the old families of Lancashire in his train, and we see too -few of the real gentry hereabouts to throw away so fine a chance as -this. As for the fighting, I see no sin in that when the good Prince -but seeks to win back his own." - -The sexton smiled at the maid's enthusiasm. He slowly charged his -pipe, lit it, and when she had done, took the stem from his lips. - -"You are a maid," said he; "and like all women, are easily carried -away by a handsome face and a fine figure. And belike you are a -supporter of the Stuarts. As for me, I am for King George. I know -enough of the Stuarts never to wish them in power again. My -grand-father was a youth when the great war was on, and he saw enough -blood shed then through the follies of Charles the First to turn him -and all his kin against the breed. I could tell you tales he told to -me that would set your heart a sick at the very mention of a Stuart. -And war is not the grand thing some folks think. It's all well when -someone else gets the worry, and pays the price, and leaves to us the -glory of it. But I've no desire to see my thatch blazing above my -head, my goods and chattels carried off, and my earnings squandered to -keep some hungry fighting man in trim." - -John the smith now took up the tale. - -"As for me, I'm a favourer of the Stuarts. The lad is the true King, -say I, by all good right. But I'm heart and soul with you, sexton, in -hoping the army of the Scots will keep clear of Mottram town." - -And as the talk went on the speakers were divided on questions of -politics, some siding with the Prince, others with the House of -Hanover; but all alike agreed in hoping that the fugitives would give -the Longdendale country a wide berth. - -Military necessity, however, knows no law, and the Scotchmen came at -last--big burly Highland men. They wore kilts, and carried -claymores--for the most part they were bearded, unkempt creatures, men -who followed their leaders with the blind faith of children. As soon -as definite news of the retreat of the rebel army in the direction of -the town became known, the householders of Mottram became greatly -alarmed, and everybody grew busy in hiding his or her valuables, and -in driving the cattle to places of safety. The farmers scattered about -their fields, and horses, cows, sheep, and swine, were hurried into -the hills, and there secreted as comfortably and well as possible. -Even the poultry were collected, and hidden away, so that they should -not become a prey to the hungry Scots. It is said that the sexton had -a busy time among the graves, burying such pieces of plate as were -owned in the neighbourhood; and in many other spots throughout the -district the savings of the householders were committed to the ground. - -Contrary to expectation, however, the Mottramites found the -Highlanders a quiet, harmless lot of mortals, who did not seem -desirous of reckless plunder. When they arrived they showed no -disposition to take more than was absolutely necessary to provide for -their needs, nor did they turn the people out of doors, and take -forcible possession of the houses. During their short halt at Mottram, -they roughed it with the best, killing cattle for food, and then -(through lack of proper utensils) boiling the meat in hides skewered -up at the corners. - -[Illustration: BELFRY DOOR IN MOTTRAM CHURCH.] - -The kilts of the Highlanders were what interested the people most of -all, and the children would often flit about, in and out, near the -legs of the soldiers, looking in awe at the strange petticoats for -men, and the knees all bare and bony. Sometimes the men would take the -children on their knees, and tell them stories of war and panic, of -the charging of horse and foot, and of the glorious deeds of the great -and brave. At which the children were greatly pleased, and could have -listened all day long. - -The soldiers did not camp together, but were divided into companies; -one portion stayed in Mottram, but the bulk of them encamped near -Hollingworth Hall. Some of the inhabitants took pity on the men, and -treated them with great kindness, which appears to have been much -appreciated by the rebels. On departing, one of the soldiers left -behind as a mark of his gratitude a tinder-box--the most valuable -possession he had--and this box was long preserved at Hollingworth -Hall. - -A noticeable feature about the coming of the Highland men was the -excitement and pleasure it occasioned among the female portion of the -inhabitants of Longdendale. The lasses in no way showed those signs of -distress and doubt which were so evident in their elders. On the -contrary, they dressed themselves in their best, became gay with -ribbons, and by every art known to woman sought to enhance their many -charms. Even in those days a soldier's coat was a magnet of attraction -to a maid. - -Among the rest was the pretty maid who had spoken to the sexton in the -"Black Bull." She was a fair lass, of good figure, and winsome ways, -and she was greatly admired by all the lads of Mottram town. One of -these was one whom we will call Robin Shaw, on whom she seemed to look -with favour; and already that handsome yeoman had come to consider her -as especially his property. A sad surprise was in store for poor Robin -when the Scotchmen came marching through the town. - -Robin, young though he was, had strong views upon the situation. He -was a staunch "King's man," and it was with no good grace that he -beheld his lady love sporting the rebel colours as the Highlanders -marched by. His cup of bitterness, however, ran over when, on the next -night, he came across the faithless damsel strolling down a lane, -where he himself had often made love to her, in company with a -handsome youth who followed the fortunes of Prince Charlie. - -It was an angry scene which followed. - -Good Robin lost his temper, and in the most approved Longdendale -fashion, then and there gave forth his opinion of the heartless -conduct of his lady love, and the unjustifiable meddlesomeness of the -soldier. The two would have come to blows there and then (for the Scot -was quite as eager for the fray as his enraged antagonist) had it not -been for the presence of the maid, who placed herself between them, -and firmly decided against hostilities. As it was, she commenced an -onslaught with her tongue, and the unlucky Robin, on whose head she -poured forth her wrath, at last beat an ignominious retreat. - -"I'll be even with you yet, you bare-legged rebel," he cried to the -Highlander as he went. - -And the soldier with a light laugh replied, "At your service, my -friend, whenever you are ready." - -But the fates were against their meeting for the present, for, eager -to get back beyond the border before the English army, which was -massing, should lay them by the heels, the Scots left Longdendale, and -passed hurriedly northwards. - -The day after they left, a fine figure of a man, equipped and ready -for war, strode into the bar of the "Black Bull" at Mottram. It was -Robin Shaw, and he sought the maid. - -"Well, my lass," said he, "I'm off. I've joined the army for the -north, and now I'll be on the track of the rebels. If I meet your -Highland lover, there'll be blows, and the end will be that you'll -have no difficulty to make a choice between us. If I live, I'll come -back to claim you. One kiss now, and then good-bye." - -Without waiting to see if the girl would give consent, he drew her to -him in a grasp that would admit of no resistance, and kissed her. Then -without another word he left the inn, and went swinging on his way. - -The weeks passed, and the grey dawn broke upon the heath near -Culloden, where the English and the Scottish armies lay. With the dawn -the Duke of Cumberland set out on his march, and shortly after mid-day -the roar of the English artillery told that the battle had begun. All -the world knows the history of that fight, how the fierce Highlanders, -rendered desperate by the play of the cannon upon their ranks, burst -into that wild and ill-fated charge which met with a bloody repulse; -but there are personal details of the conflict that the world knows -nothing of. - -When the Highland line darted forward, there moved in the front rank a -"braw" young Scot, whom one at least of the Royal troops welcomed with -a shout of joy. For an instant the weight of the Scottish column -caused the English regiment to waver before the impetus of the charge. -But there was one man who never gave ground an inch--the Longdendale -Loyalist--Robin Shaw. He had seen among the charging host the form of -the soldier who had tampered with his love in distant Longdendale, and -with a shout he set himself in front of his foe. - -"Now, my merry rebel," he cried; "we meet again. We will settle old -scores." - -"Thou art welcome," cried the Highlander, crossing blades. "We fight -for the love of a lass and--King James." - -"For the love of a lass, and King George," said honest Robin Shaw. - -And with that the fight began. - -Now, Robin was no match for his foe save in strength. In skill of -sword play, the Scot was greatly the superior of the two, and the -result was not long in doubt. Before he knew where he was, Robin's -blade was dashed from his grasp, and the sword of the Highlander -thrust him through. Robin grew sick, and a mist rose before his eyes, -but in the mist he could still make out the triumphant face of his -foe. With teeth firmly set, he pulled himself together, and sprang at -the throat of the Scot. In vain the latter drew back. Before he could -draw his dirk, the Longdendale lad had him by the throat, gripping him -like a vice. The men fell to the ground, rolling over and over in the -struggle, but the grip of Robin never slackened, and at length both -lay still. Another moment and the beaten wave of the Highlanders swept -over them, and the victorious English charged past in pursuit. The -battle of Culloden was fought and won; Charles Edward was beaten, and -the Stuart cause for ever lost. - -When the burial parties passed over the battlefield, they found two -corpses firmly locked together--an Englishman run through the body by -the other's sword--a Scotchman strangled to death by the grip of his -foe. The dead man's grip might not be loosened, and they buried the -bodies in one common grave. - -So Robin and his rival lay down together in the last long sleep -beneath the heather at Culloden, and away in merry Longdendale a fair -girl watched and waited for a lover who never came. - - - - -XXI. - -The Haunted Farm. - - -In the township of Godley, on the fringe of what was formerly an -unenclosed common known as Godley Green, stands an old farm, -stone-built, of picturesque appearance. It is pleasantly situated a -short distance from the turnpike road, from which it is approached by -a country lane. Its windows command some beautiful views over the farm -lands of Matley and Hattersley, which stretch away eastwards with many -a clough and dingle, to the bleak hill country where the old church of -Mottram stands out dark against the sky. The farm is said to occupy -the site of an ancient hall, and old folk tell of the remains of -mullioned windows, and a curious antique mounting block, which were to -be seen there in the days when they were young. - -Tradition says that the farm is haunted. In former times it was -occupied by a family, the last survivor of which was an old dame, who -is spoken of by those who remember her as being the very picture of a -witch. She is said to have had a nose and chin so hooked that they -almost met; and to have been very mysterious in her movements. Rumour -had it that there was some treasure or secret buried in or about the -farm, and that after the old dame's death, her spirit, unable to rest -in the grave, commenced to wander through the farm at night, as though -searching for something which was lost. - -Various persons who have at different times resided in the farm--some -of whom are still living,--have related strange stories of their -experiences of the ghostly visitant. In the dead of night, the -doors--even those which were locked--have suddenly opened, footsteps -have been heard, as though some unseen being walked through the rooms -and up the stairs, and then the doors have closed and locked -themselves as mysteriously as they opened. Sleepers have been awakened -by the beds on which they lay suddenly commencing to rock violently; -and at times the bed clothes have been snatched away and deposited in -a heap upon the floor. The ghostly figure of an old woman has been -seen moving about from room to room, and then has vanished. Fire-irons -have been moved, and have tumbled and danced about mysteriously; pots -and pans have rattled, and tumbled on the floor; and there has been -heard a strange noise as though some one invisible was sweeping the -floor. - -In the early and the middle decades of the nineteenth century, the -appearances of the ghost were of frequent occurrence, so much so that -the farmer's family became accustomed to them, and beyond the -annoyance and the loss of sleep which were occasioned, ceased -troubling themselves about the visits. But for guests or strangers the -ghost had terrors. The farmer's daughter had a sweetheart, and one -night he paid a visit to his betrothed, and sat with her before the -kitchen fire. Suddenly there came a gust of wind, there was a noise as -though every pot and pan in the house had been broken, and every door -was flung wide open by a mysterious and invisible agency. - -"What on earth is that?" asked the young man, full of surprise, not -unmixed with terror. - -"It is only the ghost of the old dame prowling about," answered his -sweetheart. - -But the youth had seen and heard enough, and seizing his hat, he -dashed outside and made off rapidly over the fields. Scarcely had he -departed, when the doors shut themselves, and all was quiet as before. - -Some time afterwards, the farmer engaged a farm-hand from a place -beyond Charlesworth. The new man took up his abode and slept one night -in the haunted farm. The next morning he came downstairs with blanched -face and startled eyes. - -"I have seen a boggart," said he; "the ghost of an old woman; and I -think it must be my mother. On her deathbed I promised her to place a -stone upon her grave; I have been too greedy to spare the money for -the purpose. It must be her ghost come to upbraid me; and I cannot -rest until I have placed the stone above her grave." - -Never again would the poor fellow spend a night in the farm, but for -years he walked to and from his home beyond distant Charlesworth and -his work at the haunted farm. - -Other farm-hands and servants were equally terrified by the strange -noises and apparitions; and the farmer found it almost impossible to -get anyone to remain long in his service. At length, so annoying did -the ghost visits become that it was decided to call in the aid of some -minister of the Gospel for the purpose of "laying the boggart." The -Rev. James Brooks--the respected pastor of Hyde Chapel, Gee Cross, -from 1805-1851--was asked to undertake the task, and he readily -complied. Accompanied by other devout men, he spent several nights in -the haunted rooms, reading passages from the Bible, and uttering -prayers specially adapted for driving evil spirits away. The -ministrations of the reverend gentleman were so far successful that -the ghost did not again appear for some time, and its visits have not -since been of such frequent occurrence as formerly. It was widely -believed that had Mr. Brooks continued his visits and his prayers long -enough, the boggart would have been effectively "laid." - -As it is, the strange noises and visitations have continued, and are -borne witness to by several persons. Between 1880 and 1890 the -following strange thing happened. It was in the middle of the -afternoon, when most of the household were out of doors, and there -were only the farmer's wife and a boy, and girl within the house. -Presently the mother went into the yard, and the youngsters, bent on -mischief, rushed into the pantry for the purpose of feasting on the -jams and honey which they knew to be there, when lo! they were -suddenly startled by a loud and strange noise overhead, giving them -the impression that some burglars must have got in the upstairs rooms -by some means or other. Full of fear, they rushed for their mother, -who boldly went upstairs, the children following at her heels. When -they entered the room from which the noise came, they beheld the -curious sight of an old rocking-chair, violently rocking itself as -though some person might have been seated in it, and the rocking -continued unabated for a considerable time. A farm labourer, who was -called in to stop the chair, was too terrified to do anything, and -finally the farmer's wife had to sit in the chair to stop it. - -It is said that the old dame whose ghost haunts the place, died in her -rocking-chair in that very corner of the room; and the belief was that -it was her spirit, invisible to the inhabitants of the farm, which had -set the chair rocking so mysteriously. - -To add to the mystery and the uncanny character of the place, there is -a certain part of the garden connected with the farm, on which nothing -will grow. Time after time have the tenants endeavoured to cultivate -this little spot, but always unsuccessfully. Some years ago human -bones were dug up, and the secret attached to their interment is -supposed to account for the sterile nature of the soil. The present -tenant of the farm asserts that he has paid special attention to the -piece of ground, has applied quantities of the best manure, and in -other ways has endeavoured to bring the soil to the same state of -fruitfulness as the rest of the garden, but all to no purpose. So -recently as the month of April, 1906, primroses growing on that part -of the garden are pale and withered; while those in other parts are -fine and healthy flowers. - -The present tenant's wife relates a strange story of a supernatural -death-warning which occurred in connection with this haunted house. -Her brother lay ill in the farm, and she had occasion to go to Gee -Cross on business. Returning homewards, she met a black cat, which, do -what she would she was unable to catch. Then, whilst walking along the -lane leading to the farm, in company with her mother who had met her, -a strange thing happened. It was a beautiful summer night, hot and -still; not a breath of air stirred the leaves upon the trees; and -there was no sound. Suddenly the high thorn hedge on their right -commenced to rock violently; and behind it there sailed along from the -direction of the farm a female figure draped in white. The beholders -were spellbound, and they entered the house with bated breaths. There -they found that the sick man had just died. - -The history of this haunted farm is but another testimony to the truth -of the saying that there are more things in heaven and earth than are -dreamt of by ordinary mortals. Things such as these are beyond human -ken; and in all probability the apparition and the ghost-noises of -this old farm house in Godley will baffle the wisdom and the cunning -of generations yet unborn. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -It is quite probable that the majority of those who read the foregoing -account of "The Haunted Farm" will come to the conclusion that it is -entirely the outcome of the writer's imagination. I therefore hasten -to explain that there is not a single detail in the account which has -been imagined by me. Every incident recorded has been supplied to me -by persons who have resided in the farm, and all that I have done has -been to put them in the form in which they now appear. - -Most of my informants are still living; indeed, I saw and interviewed -four of them so recently as the last week in March, 1906. One of these -was the old lady, who, as a young woman, was one of the lovers -mentioned in the account; after her marriage she resided in the farm -and is "the farmer's wife" referred to, who witnessed, and stopped the -mysterious rocking-chair. The other individuals, who were much -younger, related to me the story of the strange noises, invisible -footsteps, and uncanny opening and closing of doors, which they -witnessed towards the close of the nineteenth century. They are -persons of the most reputable character, and of social standing, and -they solemnly assure me that the things recorded in the above article -are literally true. - -I also visited the farm in the month of April, 1906, and obtained from -the present occupants their experiences, which are also embodied in -the above narrative. The sterility of the "haunted" part of the garden -I saw for myself; and can unhesitatingly testify that, from some cause -or other, the flowers growing on it are quite withered and weak, -whilst similar flowers in other parts of the garden are healthy and -blooming. There is no apparent reason for this fact, inasmuch as the -unfruitful portion of the ground is as advantageously situated as the -rest of the garden. - - - - -XXII. - -The Spectre Hound. - - -Until the latter half of the nineteenth century there might have been -numbered among the curious old buildings for which the township of -Godley has long been famed, a low, old-world farmstead of the style -that is now fast fading away. It was a small, picturesque building, -and stood upon a portion of Godley Green, surrounded by a prettily -laid-out cottage garden. Its occupants combined farming with other -pursuits, and in one part of the building handloom weaving was carried -on to a comparatively late period. The farm was pulled down, as -already indicated, in the latter half of the nineteenth century; and a -handsome modern residence has been erected near the site on which it -stood. - -There is a curious legend told about this old building. It is said to -have been haunted; and the ghost, in the form of a spectre hound, is -still supposed to roam at nights over the fields which were formerly -attached to the farm. The legend runs that some persons were done to -death in some mysterious fashion in the building; and that ever since, -an evil spirit, in the shape of a great yellow hound, has haunted the -neighbourhood. Old people who can remember the farm, state that in it -there was a certain flag on the stone floor, which bore the stains of -blood; and that no amount of swilling and scrubbing could ever remove -the stains. What became of the stone when the house was pulled down is -not known. - -Many persons--residents in Godley, and others who have had occasion to -be in the neighbourhood said to be haunted--have seen the spectre -hound, careering over the fields and through the lanes during the -night-time. The occupants of the adjoining farms have been awakened -from their sleep in the dead of the night by the noises made by the -cattle in the fields; and on looking from their windows have seen the -terrified animals dashing wildly across the fields, chased by the -horrible form of the great ghost-hound, which with hanging tongue, -protruding eyes, and deep sepulchral baying, drove them round and -round. - -Children, returning along the country lanes from school on winter -evenings, have seen the hound dash past, and have reached home -well-nigh frightened out of their wits. Young lovers, walking arm in -arm along the quiet lanes, seeking some secluded spot wherein to dream -of love and happiness, have been put to flight by the spectre; and the -more timid maids from the farms have been afraid to venture out after -dark. - -The wife of one of the farmers, when returning home one night, after -delivering the milk in the neighbouring towns, was driving slowly -along the lane past the site of the demolished farmstead, when the -horse suddenly stood still, and began to tremble violently. At that -instant the form of the giant hound, yellow in colour, with horrible -staring eyes, sprang from the field, leaped over the fence into the -lane, and with great strides like the galloping of a horse raced down -the lane in the direction of a well which is sunk close to another -farm. Full of fear the good woman reached home, and told her father -what she had seen. The old man, merely shook his head, and said -quietly: - -"The yellow hound. So you have seen the yellow hound?" - -"What is it--what does it mean?" asked the daughter. - -"Some day I will tell you," said he. "But not now. If you have seen it -once, be sure you will see it again." - -Some time afterwards the old man himself came quietly home, and told -his daughter that he, too, had just seen the hound. - -"It was sitting by the edge of the old well," said he, "looking into -the water. Its eyes were staring wildly, and foam dropped from its -lips." - -"What is it--what does it mean?" again asked the daughter. - -But the old man only shook his head, and answered: - -"Who can tell?" - -Again the woman saw the hound in the fields of their own farm, and -sometimes it appeared without head. A great hound it was, life-like -enough at first appearance, but clearly a spectre, terrible to see. - -Another lady saw the hound when she was a child, and several times -during her life it has appeared before her. This is her narrative: - -"The first time I saw it was in the lanes, when I was walking with a -relation, older than myself. I was a child at the time, and although -startled was not too frightened to think of trying to scare it away. -As it kept pace with us, I looked out for some stones to fling at it; -but my relative caught hold of me and said: 'Don't; you mustn't throw -at it, or it will attack us, and tear us to bits. It is the -ghost-hound.' Since then I have seen it several times. It is not a -pleasant thing to meet, and I have no wish to see it again." - -Yet a third lady saw the ghost-hound between the years 1890 and 1900. -"I was staying at ---- Farm," said she; "and I went down to the well -to get some water. It was a winter night, and on a pool near the well -was a strong sheet of ice. While the buckets were filling I went -towards the ice, thinking to enjoy a slide. But when I reached the -pool, there stood the hound. It was about the size of a lion, its skin -much the same as a lion's in colour, and it had eyes as large as -saucers. At first I thought it must have been a lion that had escaped -from Belle Vue, or from some menagerie; and as it came towards me I -backed away. I was too terrified to turn and run, but kept my face to -it, as I retreated. When I neared the house it disappeared. I shall -never forget the sight as long as I live. It was a dreadful thing to -see." - -A tradesman of Hyde--a fishmonger, who made a weekly journey round -Broadbottom, and came homewards across Godley Green--once saw the -spectre, and his story is equally sensational. - -"It was as big as a cow," said he, "its skin a light tan colour. I was -walking down the lane with my basket on my shoulder, when suddenly I -saw the thing beside me. It kept pace with me as I walked; if I stood -still, it stopped, and if I ran, it ran also. I could not overtake it. -I was not more than a yard from the hedge, and the ghost was between -me and the hedge. I struck at it, but hit nothing; for my hand went -clean through it as through air, and my knuckles were scratched by the -hedge. My blood ran cold, and I was terribly frightened. Then it ran -in front of me, and then came back, and passed me again; it did not -turn round to do this, but, strange to say, its head was in front when -it returned. As soon as it had passed, I took to my heels as fast as I -could run, and it was a long time before I ventured down the lane -again at night. When next I met the farmer whose lands were haunted by -it, and whom I had formerly served with fish, he asked me where I had -been lately; and I then told him I had seen the ghost. He replied that -he and his family had seen it often; and that I must not be afraid." - -"Never mind about that," I said. "You'll have to do without fish at -night, unless you like to fetch it." - -"It was the most hideous thing I ever saw. Its feet went pit-a-pat, -pit-a-pat, with a horrible clanking noise like chains. I wouldn't meet -it again for twenty pounds. I never want to see it again if I live to -be a hundred." - -And so on, the different mortals who have seen this terrible spectre -of the yellow hound relate their grim experiences. - -The legend is that the ghost-hound must haunt the lanes and fields -about the site of the old farmstead, until the crime for which it is -accursed has been atoned for, when its midnight wanderings will cease, -and the troubled spirit will find rest. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -As in the case of the story of the "Haunted Farm," I desire to state -that I have not drawn upon my imagination for any of the incidents -related in the account of "The Spectre Hound." The story of the ghost -came to my ears from the lips of a friend, and being filled with -curiosity at so remarkable a story I determined to investigate it. For -this purpose I saw and interviewed all the persons whose experiences -are related in the story, and from them I received the substance and -detail of the above account. They are all perfectly serious, and -positively affirm that they saw with their own eyes the actions of the -spectre hound as recorded. - -Their statements were given to me in the presence of reliable -witnesses; and my informants are still alive at the time of writing -(May, 1906). - -The fishmonger whose statement is given above is a well-known Hyde -worthy, and I interviewed him at his own house on Thursday evening, -March 29th, 1906. I took with me two friends--well-known public men of -Hyde--as witnesses. My knock at the door was answered by the -fishmonger himself. I told him who I was, and my object in -calling--that it was about a ghost, a spectre hound--a great dog. - -"Great dog," said he; "why, man, it was as big as a blooming cow. Come -inside." - -With that we entered the house, and he related the story which is -recorded in the foregoing narrative. At the conclusion I suggested -that the spectre might have been a cow. - -The man shook his head. - -"It was no cow," said he solemnly. "It was a ghost. I never want to -see the thing again if I live to be a hundred years old." - - - - -XXIII. - -The Boggart of Godley Green. - - -It would, perhaps, be difficult to find in all England a tract of -country of which so many wild stories of ghosts and boggarts are told -as the old common land of Godley Green, and the picturesque cloughs -and dingles which surround it. Some interesting old farmsteads still -stand on and near the "Green," and there were in former times others -still more quaint, which have disappeared before the march of time. -Concerning most of these homesteads, ghost tales are told; indeed, one -old native of Godley recently declared that "there were more boggarts -at Godley Green than anywhere else in the kingdom." And perhaps this -statement is true. - -Most of the stories are old tales, which have been handed down from -former generations, no living being laying claim to any personal -experience of the boggarts referred to. But in one or two cases the -boggarts are said to be still haunting the scenes of their former -exploits; and people still living claim to have actually seen the -ghosts, as well as heard about them. The present story belongs to the -latter class. - -There is a certain house in that part of the township of Godley known -as the Green, which is said to be haunted by a boggart in the shape of -an old lady, who formerly belonged to the house. The legend is not -very precise as to the cause of her unrest, but it is said that she -did certain things in her lifetime the memories of which will not -allow her to rest quietly in her grave. Accordingly, her ghost wanders -about the house and grounds, occasionally startling people by its -appearance, and its peculiar actions. - -One old lady--still alive--gives some graphic details of the boggart. -She at one time resided in the house but now she has removed to a -distance. - -"Many a time," says she, "I have seen 'Old Nanny'--the -boggart--wandering about after dark. She is generally outside the -house, but occasionally peeps in at the windows. I can remember the -old woman during her lifetime, and the boggart is just like her. She -wears an old-fashioned cap, and a skirt kilted or tucked up in the -old-fashioned style. She wears an apron, which she shakes, and makes a -peculiar hissing noise. There is a gate leading from the garden into a -meadow and I have seen the boggart standing there, waving her apron, -and saying, 'Ish, ish, ish.'" - -"On one occasion a relative of the old dame, was present, and saw the -boggart. 'It's owd Nanny,' said he, '))reet enough. Why the d---- can't -she rest quiet in her grave. What does she want frightening people -like that.'" - -Another night a serving man was ordered to go into the back garden, -and gather a quantity of rhubarb. He was gone a short time, and then -he rushed back to the house with blanched face, and terror in his -countenance. - -"What is the matter?" asked his mistress; "where is the rhubarb?" - -"It's where it mun stop, missus, for me," he replied. "I've had enough -of rhubarb getting in that garden." - -And then he related how he had proceeded to the rhubarb bed, had -gathered one stick, and was about to pluck another, when he suddenly -became aware of the white figure of an old woman standing before him -in the midst of the rhubarb, looking at him intently. - -"She waved her apron at me," said he, "and then I heard her say, 'Ish, -ish, ish.'" - -While he looked the boggart vanished, and then the man took to his -heels. - -Another lady, who resided at the house in the last years of the -nineteenth century, has also some queer tales to tell of the -appearance of the boggart. Says she: - -"I would not live in that house again if its owner would give it to -me, and the land it stands on. The place is uncanny, and the boggart -is always there. I saw it more than once. I remember going into the -orchard one evening with my sister. We went to pick some apples, and -having got as many as we wanted, were returning to the house. At the -gate, which leads into the meadow, we saw the boggart--in the form of -an old lady, with a withered face. She stood there waving her apron, -and saying 'Ish, ish, ish.'" - -"We dropped the apples, and fled." - -Other persons still alive assert that they have seen this boggart, and -it is firmly believed by many that the ghost of the old woman will -continue to haunt the house until her sins are expiated, or until some -minister or holy man "lays the boggart," by using the forms laid down -by law in the olden time, for exorcising evil spirits. - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE. - -To the two other ghost stories relating to the township of -Godley--namely, the stories of "The Haunted Farm" and "The Spectre -Hound"--I have thought it necessary to append a note of explanation. I -now adopt the same course with regard to the story of "The Boggart of -Godley Green." I wish to repeat in this instance that nothing in the -story must be credited to the imagination of the writer. All the -details have been given to me by persons still living (May, 1906), who -have resided in the house at one time or another, and who solemnly -assert that they have seen the boggart, under the circumstances -related in the above account. Their statements were given to me in the -presence of witnesses, and it is impossible to doubt the earnestness -and honesty of my informants. - -I do not wish to cast any harsh doubt upon their statements, nor do I, -on the other hand, desire to give it forth that I am a convert to the -belief in ghosts and boggarts. I merely record the stories as told to -me by people whose honesty I know to be above suspicion, and who -firmly believe that they have seen the things they describe. - -The houses and the fields and lanes mentioned in the three stories, as -haunts of the ghosts, are all well known to me. I have walked over -them alone, at all times of the night and day, and in all seasons. And -with the house and grounds mentioned in the story of "The Boggart of -Godley Green" I am especially familiar. The land behind the house dips -down to a secluded valley; and the gate mentioned by the narrators as -a favourite haunt of the ghost is half-way up the slope. It is -overshadowed by tall trees, and in certain lights the darkness cast by -these trees is peculiar, and almost palpable. Beyond the gate is a -meadow, from which at certain times the mists rise thick and white. -When seen through the trees the mist sometimes takes strange forms. My -first experience of it was rather startling. I had been in the orchard -alone one night, and when slowly walking up the rise I chanced to look -towards the gate, and there in the gap between the trees appeared a -white form, like the veiled and draped figure of a female. It seemed -to be moving, and for the moment I received a shock. On proceeding -towards the gate, however, I found it was nothing but a moving column -of mist, framed by the thick foliage of the trees. Even then, by an -abnormal imagination, it might have been taken for a spectre. - -But although the mist might in some degree explain away the appearance -of "The Boggart" at the gate, I must candidly admit that it does not -account for the spectre hound, or the strange noises, movings of -furniture, and openings of doors, recorded in the two first stories. -These things are as much a mystery as ever. - - - THE END - - -[Illustration: HYDE: - FRED HIGHAM, - PRINTER, - "CHESHIRE POST," - MARKET PLACE. - MCMVI.] - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Legends of Longdendale, by Thomas Middleton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEGENDS OF LONGDENDALE *** - -***** This file should be named 41108-8.txt or 41108-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41108/ - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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