Sam then laid his sticks down in a pile, and taking out his watch removed the crystal.

This he filled with clear water from the spring, and holding it over the cotton ravellings, moved it up and down until the sunlight, passing through it, gathered itself into a small bright spot on the cotton.

Joe, eager to see, thrust his head over Sam's shoulder, and directly between the glass and the sun.
"Take your head away, Joe, or I'll have to draw the fire right through it," said Sam, laughing.
"Mercy, Mas' Sam, don't do dat.

I'se 'feard o' your witches' ways, anyhow," said Joe, drawing back.

The glass was again put in position and the spot of bright sunlight reappeared.