He also gave me some kind of bitter root to chew, and spit towards him, which would certainly prevent my being flogged.

According to order I used his remedy, and for some cause I was let pass without being flogged that time.
I had then great faith in conjuration and witchcraft.

I was led to believe that I could do almost as I pleased, without being flogged.

So on the next Sabbath my conjuration was fully tested by my going off, and staying away until Monday morning, without permission.

When I returned home, my master declared that he would punish me for going off; but I did not believe that he could do it while I had this root and dust; and as he approached me, I commenced talking saucy to him.
But he soon convinced me that there was no virtue in them.