he hath afflicted me by times, beating me and pinching me and almost choking me, and urging me continually to write in his book.”

“We, whose names are underwritten, having been conversant with Ann Putnam, have heard her declare what is above written,—­what she said she saw and heard from the apparition of old Pharaoh,—­and also have seen her tortures, and perceived her hellish temptations, by her loud outcries, ’I will not write, old Pharaoh,—­I will not write in your book.’

     THOMAS PUTNAM,
     ROBERT MORRELL.”

She had heard this person spoken of as “old Father Pharaoh,” with his “great nose;” and, from a mere spirit of mischief,—­for the fun of the thing,—­cried out upon him.  Many of the documents exhibit a levity of spirit among these girls, which show how hardened and reckless they had become.  The following depositions are illustrative of this state of mind among them:—­

“THE DEPOSITION OF CLEMENT COLDUM, aged sixty years, or thereabout.—­Saith that, on the 29th of May, 1692, being at Salem Village, carrying home Elizabeth Hubbard from the meeting behind me, she desired me to ride faster.  I asked her why.  She said the woods were full of devils, and said, ‘There!’ and ‘There they be!’ but I could see none.  Then I put on my horse; and, after I had ridden a while, she told me I might ride softer, for we had outridden them.  I asked her if she was not afraid of the Devil.  She answered me, ’No:  she could discourse with the Devil as well as with me,’ and further saith not.  This I am ready to testify on oath, if called thereto, as witness my hand.

     “CLEMENT COLDUM.”

“THE TESTIMONY OF DANIEL ELLIOT, aged twenty-seven years or thereabouts, who testifieth and saith, that I, being at the house of Lieutenant Ingersoll, on the 28th of March, in the year 1692, there being present one of the afflicted persons, who cried out and said, ‘There’s Goody Procter.’  William Raymond, Jr., being there present, told the girl he believed she lied, for he saw nothing.  Then Goody Ingersoll told the girl she told a lie, for there was nothing.  Then the girl said she did it for sport,—­they must have some sport.”

Sarah Buckley was examined May 18, and her daughter Mary Whittredge probably on the same day.  We have Parris’s report of the proceedings in reference to the former.  The only witnesses against her were the afflicted children.  They performed their grand operation of going into fits, and being carried to the accused and subjected to her touch; Ann Putnam, Susanna Sheldon, and Mary Warren enacting the part in succession.  Sheldon cried out, “There is the black man whispering in her ear!” The magistrates and all beholders were convinced.  She was committed to prison, and remained in irons for eight months before a trial, which resulted in her acquittal.  So eminently excellent was the character of Goodwife Buckley, that her arrest and imprisonment led to expressions in her favor as honorable to those who had the courage to utter them as to her.  The following certificates were given, previous to her trial, by ministers in the neighborhood:—­