did not strike him down as well; but no reason was given that I heard.  But the accusers were brought to Alden to touch them; and this touch, they said, made them well.  Alden began to speak of the providence of God in suffering these creatures to accuse innocent persons.  Mr. Noyes asked Alden why he should offer to speak of the providence of God:  God, by his providence (said Mr. Noyes), governs the world, and keeps it in peace; and so went on with discourse, and stopped Alden’s mouth as to that.  Alden told Mr. Gedney that he could assure him that there was a lying spirit in them; for I can assure you that there is not a word of truth in all these say of me.  But Alden was again committed to the marshal, and his mittimus written.

“To Boston Alden was carried by a constable:  no bail would be taken for him, but was delivered to the prison-keeper, where he remained fifteen weeks; and then, observing the manner of trials, and evidence then taken, was at length prevailed with to make his escape.

     “Per JOHN ALDEN.”

Alden made his escape about the middle of September, at the bloodiest crisis of the tragedy, and just before the execution of nine of the victims, including that of Giles Corey.  He is understood to have fled to Duxbury, where his relatives secreted him.  He made his appearance among them late at night; and, on their asking an explanation of his unexpected visit at that hour, replied that he was flying from the Devil, and the Devil was after him.  After a while, when the delusion had abated, and people were coming to their senses, he delivered himself up, and was bound over to the Superior Court at Boston, the last Tuesday in April, 1693, when, no one appearing to prosecute, he, with some hundred and fifty others, was discharged by proclamation, and all judicial proceedings brought to a close.  It is to be feared, that ever after, to his dying day, when the subject of his experience on the 31st of May, 1692, was referred to, the old sailor indulged in rather strong expressions in relating his reminiscences of Rev.  “Mr. Nicholas Noyes,” “Mr. Bartholomew Gedney,” and the “wenches” of Salem Village.

Captain John Alden was a son of John Alden, ever memorable as one of the first founders of Plymouth Colony.  He had been for more than thirty years a resident of Boston, a member of the church, and in all respects a leading and distinguished man.  For some time, he had been commander of the armed vessel belonging to the colony, and was a brave and efficient officer and an able and experienced mariner.  He had seen service in French and Indian wars, had acted two years before, that is in 1690, as commissioner in conducting negotiations with the native tribes, and, at a later period, was charged with important trusts as a naval commander.  He was a man of large property, and seventy years of age.  He was, as well he might be, utterly confounded and amazed in finding himself