“Aha!” exclaimed Nicholas, placing his ear to the hole.  “The old hag is unwilling to come forth, and spits and scratches like a cat-a-mountain, while Jem gripes her like a terrier.  It is a hard tussle between them, but he is getting the better of it, and is pushing her forth.  Now look out.”

And as he spoke, Mother Demdike’s terrible head protruded from the ground, and, despite of the execrations she poured forth upon her enemies, she was instantly seized by them, drawn out of the cavern, and secured.  While the men were thus engaged, and while Nicholas’s attention was for an instant diverted, Jem bounded forth as suddenly as a wolf from his lair, and, dashing aside all opposition, plunged down the hill.

“It is useless to pursue him,” said Nicholas.  “He will not escape.  The whole country will be roused by the beacon fire, and hue and cry shall be made after him.”

“Right!” exclaimed Potts; “and now let some one creep into that cavern, and bring out my boots, and then I shall be in a better condition to attend you.”

The request being complied with, and the attorney being once more equipped for walking, the party climbed the hill-side, and, bringing Mother Demdike with them, shaped their course towards the beacon.

And now to see what had taken place in the interim.

Scarcely had the squire quitted Mistress Nutter than Sir Ralph Assheton rode up to her.

“Why do you loiter here, madam?” he said, in a stern tone, somewhat tempered by sorrow.  “I have held back to give you an opportunity of escape.  The hill is invested by your enemies.  On that side Roger Nowell is advancing, and on this Sir Thomas Metcalfe and his followers.  You may possibly effect a retreat in the opposite direction, but not a moment must be lost.”

“I will go with you,” said Alizon.

“No, no,” interposed Richard.  “You have not strength for the effort, and will only retard her.”

“I thank you for your devotion, my child,” said Mistress Nutter, with a look of grateful tenderness; “but it is unneeded.  I have no intention of flying.  I shall surrender myself into the hands of justice.”

“Do not mistake the matter, madam,” said Sir Ralph, “and delude yourself with the notion that either your rank or wealth will screen you from punishment.  Your guilt is too clearly established to allow you a chance of escape, and, though I myself am acting wrongfully in counselling flight to you, I am led to do so from the friendship once subsisting between us, and the relationship which, unfortunately, I cannot destroy.”

“It is you who are mistaken, not I, Sir Ralph,” replied Mistress Nutter.  “I have no thought of turning aside the sword of justice, but shall court its sharpest edge, hoping by a full avowal of my offences, in some degree to atone for them.  My only regret is, that I shall leave my child unprotected, and that my fate will bring dishonour upon her.”