"To the crosses, I say!" But Nicholas placed himself in their path.
"Is it to pray to Beelzebub, thy master, that thou wouldst go to the crosses ?" he asked.
"Out of my way, pestilent fool!" cried the hag.
"Thou shalt not stir till I have had an answer," rejoined Nicholas.
"They say those are Runic obelisks, and not Christian crosses, and that the carvings upon them have a magical signification.

The first, it is averred, is written o'er with deadly curses, and the forms in which they are traced, as serpentine, triangular, or round, indicate and rule their swift or slow effect.

The second bears charms against diseases, storms, and lightning.

And on the third is inscribed a verse which will render him who can read it rightly, invisible to mortal view.

Thou shouldst be learned in such lore, old Pythoness.