A mob of people came tearing after her, some with torches, and they said she was a witch who had caused several cows to die by a strange disease, and practiced her arts by help of a devil in the form of a black cat.

This poor woman had been stoned until she hardly looked human, she was so battered and bloody.

The mob wanted to burn her.
Well, now, what do you suppose our master did?
When we closed around this poor creature to shelter her, he saw his chance.

He said, burn her here, or they shouldn't have her at all.

Imagine that! They were willing.