Chapter 6

  The Witchcraft Trails Proceed

  An excerpt from an interrogation of Good (Sarah Good), Osburn (Sarah Osburn), and Tituba conducted at the Meeting House. Exact date and time unknown. Among those who presided were Dr. Griggs, the Reverend Parris, and the Honorable Judge John Hathorne esq. The others are unknown. Often the interrogator is not specified. In such cases Judge Hathorne is the most likely interlocutor.

  In the original text, any mention of the stranger has been crossed out. Those edits (and the original text) are included below, demarcated in strikethrough text.

  Q) Sarah Good, what evil spirit have you familiarity with?

  A) None. But recently, I did encounter a strange man I believe to be an agent of the Devil!

  Q) Please explain.

  A) There came a knock at my door one day, quite unexpectedly. When I answered, a hunchbacked man wearing a dirty robe and hood introduced himself as an alchemist. He asked me all sorts of questions regarding potions and spells and whether I had in my possession any magic books for sale.

  Q) And how did you answer?

  A) I can assure you I thought he was possessed.

  I have no knowledge of, and have never practiced witchcraft.

  Q) And what did the man do then?

  A) He insisted I invite him into my house He said he did not believe what I had said and agreed to “Make a display of his powers.”

  I am not sure I believe you, either, Judge Hathorne said as an aside.

  Q) And did you invite him in?

  A) Absolutely not!

  The judges discussed something between themselves a moment and then said, “All of this is but a distraction. All testimony thus far, is to be stricken from the record. I would remind you, the Accused, not to waste our time with non-existent strangers and other nonsense...”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Let us begin again.”

  Q) Sarah Good. What evil spirits have you familiarity with?

  From then on her answers made no mention of the stranger. She knew the evidence was stacked against her. The children had named her. The spectral evidence was clear. Sarah Good was often seen whispering to the children. She, of course, denied everything at first, but eventually accused Sarah Osburn of, “Tormenting the children.” Nonetheless, the judges saw through her spiteful and disrespectful nature...

  Next was Tituba.

  Q) Do you know who hurt the children?

  A) The Devil, for aught I know.

  Q) Have you ever seen the Devil?

  A) The Devil came to me and bid me serve him. Sometimes he appeared as a man, others a wolf or bat.

  Q) And what name did he go by?

  A) He said he had many names, but the one he used in my presence was Barboux and his eyes glowed red in the darkness...

  The judges mumbled to themselves.

  Q) When did he meet you?

  A) Only at night. That is his dominion. At first, he asked me to bring him children.

  Q) The Afflicted Children?

  A) Yes, to start with. He especially wanted babies. For what purpose, he did not say...No good, I can assure you...Often he talked of potions and spells. I showed him my creams and salves for wounds, my elixirs for minor aches and stomach problems, but he showed no interest in these. He said he could hypnotize the weak, especially young women.

  She went on and on. Finally, the judges stopped her.

  Q) Why did Barboux the Devil (inserted) come to speak with you?

  A) Because he thought I had a gift.

  Q) What gift?

  A) To see into the future.

  Q) Did the Devil state the purpose of his visit?

  A) To form a pact with us.

  Q) Witches?

  A) That's what he called us.

  Q) Did he visit others?

  A) Very many, I suspect.

  Q) Did any join him?

  A) Not to my knowledge.

  Once again, the judges did not believe the testimony. They warned her, and started again.

  Q) Did you hurt the children?

  At first she denied it, but under a guilty conscience, she eventually confessed. She named Sarah Good and Sarah Osburn. She mentioned seeing animals as well. A black dog, a hog and a yellow bird, all of which spoke to her and urged her to do evil things. Abigail Williams had also said the yellow bird could turn into Goodie Osburn. Tituba said a great many other things which did not fool the judges.

  Then Sarah Osburn was questioned. The outcome was much the same.

  From a slip of paper, glued in:

  One Sunday, after Mass, the Reverend Parris accosted Sheriff Corwin.

  “Sheriff...I pray you've forgotten all about the stranger and are giving proper attention to the real problems plaguing us?”

  “Fine day, Reverend,” replied the sheriff. “Wonderful sermon at Mass,” he said, as he headed down a different path of the Parsonage garden.

  From another slip of paper, also glued in:

  Sometime later, Jim Pickman happened to bump into Sheriff Corwin at the Cat and Wheel Tavern, a place he did not know he frequented. The sheriff was surprised to see him as well and as he had been avoiding contact with him, was also somewhat embarrassed by their encounter. The two sat at a small table in a back room, away from the other customers.

  “I hear you and your men have been quite busy,” Jim Pickman said.

  “The witches occupy much of our time.”

  “Only that? What about the other?”

  “Oh that...A part time venture.”

  “Did you discover anything?”

  “Nothing so far.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Yes, nothing.”

  “But I overheard one of your men just the other day talking about a ghoul's head he had severed?”

  “That may've happened at some point. I can't remember.”

  “I'd still like to discuss our strategy.”

  “Soon,” the sheriff replied. “As soon as I've wrapped up a few things.”