One morning Giles showed himself with a disconsolate face before Lord
William at the Tower; he could bear his condition no longer.
"T'other night," said he, "the witches set me astride o' t' riggin' o'
my own house.[42] It was a bitter cold time, an' I was nearly perished
when I wakened. I am weary of my life, and will flit; for this country,
the deil, I do think, holds in his own special keeping!"
Then Robin stept forward, offering to take the mill on his master's
quittance. He cared not, he said, for all the witch-women in the parish.
He had "fettled" one of them, and, by his Maker's help, he hoped fairly
to drive them off the field. The bargain was struck, and Robin that day
entered into possession.
By a strange coincidence, this transaction happened on the eve of
All-Hallows before mentioned; and Lord William requested that Robin
would on that night keep watch. His courage, he said, would help him
through; and if he could rid the mill of them, the Baron promised him a
year's rent, and a good largess besides. Robin was fain of the offer,
and prepared himself for the strife, determined, if possible, to eject
these ugly vermin from the premises.
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