All through the examination that ensued he took a leading part, and with him, to be accused was to be set down at once as guilty.

Never, among either Christian or heathen people, was there a greater travesty of justice than these examinations and trials for witchcraft, conducted by the very foremost men of the Massachusetts colony.
The accounts of the examination of these three women in the manuscript book I have alluded to, are substantially the same as in the official records, which are among those that have been preserved.

I will give some quotations to show how the examinations were conducted:-- "Sarah Good, what evil spirit are you familiar with ?" She answered sharply, "None!" "Have you made no contracts with the Devil ?" "No!" "Why then do you hurt these children ?" "I do not hurt them.

I would scorn to do it." "Here the children who were facing her, began to be dreadfully tormented; and then when their torments were over for the time, again accused her, and also Sarah Osburn.
"Sarah Good, why do you not tell us the truth?
Why do you thus torment them ?" "I do not torment them." "Who then does torment them ?" "It may be that Sarah Osburn does, for I do not." "Her answers," says the official report, "were very quick, sharp and malignant." It must be remembered in reading these reports, that the accused were not allowed any counsel, either at the preliminary examinations, or on the trials; that the apparent sufferings of the children were very great, producing almost a frenzied state of feeling in the crowd who looked on; and that they themselves were often as much puzzled as their accusers, to account for what was taking place before their eyes.
In the examination of Sarah Osburn, we have similar questions and similar answers.

In addition, however, three witnesses alleged that she had said that very morning, that she was "more like to be bewitched herself." Mr.Hathorne asked why she said that.