Childrens: Witch of Fraddam

38 sections

§ 1 The Witch of Fraddam The fame of Lord Pengerswick and his skill in performing white witchcraft spread far and wide around the county, and the time of rest to which he had looked forward at the end of his travels did not come to pass. § 2 From all over Cornwall people brought their troubles to him, and the kindhearted lord never refused. to see them. § 3 He made spells against bewitchings by the dozen; he cast-out one evil spirit after the other; he cured mysterious illnesses, removed curses and made every kind of black magic harmless. § 4 In doing so Pengerswick earned the gratitude of all the people in the district — or nearly all, because one group of people hated him bitterly. § 5 They were the witches and black magicians who had to stand by helpless while their evil deeds were undone. § 6 One by one, in their dark miserable hovels, the witches strove desperately to overcome his white magic, but the power of evil was no match for the brighter power of good which Lord Pengerswick possessed. § 7 One day, the most powerful witch in the county mounted her broomstick and summoned all her sister hags to meet at midnight at Kynance Cove. § 8 It was a fearful sight when they were all gathered together. ‘Sister witches,’ screeched the Witch of Fraddam in a voice like nails scratching on a slate, ‘we can stand no more from Pengerswick. § 9 ‘He is ruining every spell we make; I was once the most powerful of you all, but if things go on lke this we shall all be as useless as new-born lambs. ‘We must destroy the Lord of Pengerswick!’ § 10 ‘Destroy him, destroy him!’ the witches yelled in a chorus of hate. ‘But how, sister hag?’ one of them shouted. ‘We are helpless against him.’ § 11 At the moment we are,’ cackled the Witch of Fraddam, ‘but I will summon our brother the devil, and he will help us.’ § 12 ‘Brother devil,’ they yelled; ‘help us to destroy Pengerswick and all his good works!’ ‘Now go, all of you,’ said the evil woman of Fraddam, ‘and leave me to call our brother, and between us we will think of a plan.’ § 13 The witches departed, some riding on broomsticks, some as hares and some as huge black cats. When she was alone the Witch of Fraddam began to perform the ancient rites that would bring the devil himself into Kynance Cove. § 14 When an awful noise, like the howling of a hundred hunted€ animals, told her that the devil was present, the Witch of Fraddam called out, ‘Brother devil, brother devil, help me to destroy the hated Pengerswick and I will promise my soul to you.’ § 15 The devil laughed at the thought of possessing the soul of the witch. ‘Very well,’ he said, ‘I will help you. § 16 ‘Prepare two hellish potions, one for the lord and one for his horse, and two weeks from now, when the stars are favourable for the practice of black art, go to the crossroads six miles north of Pengerswick. § 17 There you must give the horse its potion to drink. Then anoint the Lord of Pengerswick with the other brew. He will be in your power and you may then torment him in any way you wish. § 18 But remember, you will deliver up your soul to me, and that of Pengerswick too!” A gust of cold wind swept through the cove, and the witch knew that the devil had gone. § 19 When she got home to Fraddam the witch began her task of preparing the two potions. She collected every deadly herb, flower and berry that grew in the county, and put them in her big black cauldron. § 20 To them she added toads and slugs, newts and adders, bats and cockroaches, and all the poisons she could find. Night after dark night she searched. § 21 As the lightning flashed and the thunder cracked her bent form could be seen, riding on her broomstick over the moors and hills, her black cat crouched behind her. § 22 ‘The Witch of Fraddam is about,’ people would say fearfully, ‘Someone had best watch out!’ And they would turn up their lamps, as though the friendly light would drive away the dread of evil things. § 23 As the night of which the devil had spoken drew near the old witch boiled her terrible brews. Boiling and straining, boiling and straining, adding more ingredients, each one more horrid than the last, she sat before the cauldron, stirring its contents until the deadly liquids were ready. § 24 A fierce storm was raging as she set out with her tub of poison, but she reached the crossroads six miles out of Pengerswick without spilling a drop. § 25 Great trees, blown down by the storm, had blocked all roads. but one, so the Lord, when he carne, would be forced to take that one. § 26 She put the tub for the horse to drink from down by the roadside and carefully held the jar from which she would anoint Pengerswick. Then she settled down to await her enemy’s arrival, § 27 Soon, out of the sound of the storm, came the clop-clop of a horse’s hooves. The witch could just make out the outline of a man on horseback coming towards her. § 28 There was no mistaking the straight back and proud bearing of the Lord of Pengerswick. She stood behind the horse’s brew, full of wicked joy at the thought of what was about to happen. § 29 The horse and rider came nearer. For one moment the anxious witch thought that the horse would swerve past the tub. Her heart was in her mouth. § 30 But as the horse drew level with the tub it gave a great snort and looked down at the dark liquid with eyes flashing wildly. Its head started to droop down and its mouth neared the tub’s rim. § 31 Just as it was about to drink, the lord, holding its mane, leaned over and whispered in its ear. The horse lifted its head sharply, neighed, turned quickly round, flung out its back legs and kicked the tub of poison. § 32 The tub tilted backwards and crashed into the witch. She flung out her arms helplessly and the jar of poison leaped out of her hand and its contents poured over her head and shoulders. § 33 With a shriek she fell over, straight into the tub, which immediately turned into a coffin. She heard the Lord of Pengerswick speaking rapidly in a language she had never heard before, and, as if at his bidding, a tremendous whirlwind arose and the air was filled with a low drumming sound. § 34 In the middle of the whirlwind stood the devil. He caught hold of the coffin containing the terrified witch and carried it with him high in the air. § 35 The last thing the Witch of Fraddam heard through all the noise was the Lord of Pengerswick’s mocking laughter and the frantic neighing of his horse. § 36 ‘Farewell, wicked hag!’ the lord called. ‘That is the last we shall ever see of you on our land!’ He spurred his horse to a gallop and disappeared in the direction of his castle. § 37 The witch continued to float in the air like a shipwrecked sailor in a boat and tried to cause mischief by stirring up the seas with her broomstick. § 38 But the Lord of Pengerswick’s power over her still held, and when he stood on his tower and blew three blasts on his trumpet she was forced to stop her tricks. The Witch of Fraddam was tamed for ever.