[The Lancashire Witches by William Harrison Ainsworth]@TWC D-Link book
The Lancashire Witches

CHAPTER IV
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This is the surest Way to make her confess her guilt next to swimming.

If it fails, then cast her with her thumbs and toes tied across into a pond, and if she sink not then is she certainly a witch.
Other trials there are, as that by scalding water--sticking knives across--heating of the horseshoe--tying of knots--the sieve and the shears; but the only ordeals safely to be relied on, are the swimming and the stool before mentioned, and from these your witch shall rarely escape.

Above all, be sure and search carefully for the witch-mark.

I doubt not we shall find it fairly and legibly writ in the devil's characters on Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox.

They shall undergo the stool and the pool, and other trials, if required.


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