Blood and Clay (23 page)

“
No. Little cow, little bitch, what do you know? How can you
know anything you little runt? Always cowering in a corner. How can you know of
my powerful workings. Little spy.
”

Mam
had started screaming and screeching at Nettie. I was pulled to my knees and
bumped my cheek hard against the bench as Mam tried to get to Nettie and the
shackles which held us together yanked me forwards. I was dragged across the
floor as Mam managed to get closer to Nettie. Nettie gave a shriek and backed
further behind Mr Nowell. Mam was going wild now; like a feral fox. She began
to claw at the shackles, her nails tore as she scraped at the metal and her
wrists sprouted dots of blood where her jagged nails snagged her skin. The
crowd were in uproar now, pressing and pushing to get to the door.

“
Take the defendant from the room,
”
I heard Mr Nowell shout. My face was
now throbbing from where my cheek had hit the bench and I could feel my lips
swelling.

“
Mrs Device, you are charged with witchcraft and death by
witchcraft. I find you guilty of all charges. I sentence you to hanging; death
at the gallows. Warden take her back to the cells.
”

“
No
”
screamed Mam
“
No, you can
’
t hang me. Ball, come to me my
familiar, Ball, Tibb, come to me.
”

Mam
looked madly around the courtroom but there were no familiars her. Just humans;
humans who were still shouting and screaming as Mama spat curses at them. I
felt a lightness as my shackles were released from the chain which tethered me
to her.

“
I curse you all to death; I curse your souls to the burning
pits of Hell. I will not die, my familiars will save me, I will not die.....
”

Mam
’
s voice died away as the Warden
dragged her out of the room and down the corridor. A second man slammed the
door behind them and the room started to settle and quieten. I was alone on the
bench now. I turned to face the crowd. They were settling in their seats again
but looked at me warily, as if ready to move back again if I flew into a fit
like Mam. I turned to look at Mr Nowell. Mr Potts stopped writing and set his
quill down. When Mr Nowell began to speak Mr Potts picked up his quill again.

“
Miss Device. We have heard your mother
’
s testimony. Earlier today we heard
your brother
’
s
”

I
looked at Mr Nowell in surprise. I had thought James drunk at home. I had no
idea he had been caught.

“
Your brother was clearly a wicked drunk and a moonstruck
fool. He faces the gallows with your mother. Twill be a service to him to put
him out of his suffering. Now Miss Device it is time for your trial. Are you
ready to give testimony?
”

I
nodded at Mr Nowell. A sense of calm had settled on me now. It was all going to
be ok. Nettie was here, my beloved Nettie. Her word had sent Mam to the gallows
but it would save me. Nettie could tell them that I wasn
’
t like Mam and Gran and I could go
home. I don
’
t know what too, no family but Nettie left, but maybe I
could get a job and take care of us. Maybe Nettie could go to school. I could
be with my Gabe. I looked around the room hoping to see him but he wasn
’
t there.

“
Miss Device, I am now going to question you and then hear
testimony from your sister. I trust that you will not act as your mother did.
If you do you will be removed from this room. Do you understand?
”

“
Aye Sir. I do.
”

I
nodded until my head started to hurt and looked eagerly at him, ready to tell
my story, ready to get out of Lancaster Gaol.

“
When you next speak you speak in front of these good men
and women and under the eyes of God. You speak the truth. Can you do that Miss
Device?
”

“
Aye Sir, I will tell the truth.
”

“
Then let us make a start. You are charged with causing a Mr
Jon Law to be lamed by witchcraft; that you commanded your spirit familiar, a
black dog, to lame him and by such means have cause his face and half of his
body to no longer work. Is this so?
”

“
Aye Sir I believe it is no so. I did no commanding though.
I mean, I didn
’
t mean to command it but I was scared and angry. If it was
my fault I am truly sorry Sir. It was a mistake.
”

I
spoke from the heart, hoping that my honesty and regret would shine through. I
felt hopeful for the first time since I
’
d lamed the peddler. They had listened
to Nettie about Mam. Surely they would listen to her about me.

“
Bring in Mr Law,
”
said Mt Nowell to Mr Potts.

I
watched as Mr Potts went to the door again. This time Mr Law came through the
door, supported by his son. He shuffled and dragged one leg behind him a
little, his face still drooping and scary. The crowd made a collective intake
of breath then leaned forwards, pushing to get a good view. I couldn
’
t look at him anymore. I didn
’
t need to; his face was seared into
my memory. I stared at my hands and focussed on my dirty, torn fingernails. I
listened as Mr Nowell and Mr Law
’
s son spoke but I could not force
myself to look up.

“
Mr Law. Alizon Device has been accused of causing this
ailment to your father and confesses to the deed. What have you to say about
his condition today?
”

“
He isn
’
t never going to be right Mr Nowell Sir. He can
’
t walk proper, won
’
t be doing any trade again. Needs me
to fed him, take him to the toilet. It
’
s affecting my work too. We are
losing a lot of money because of that witch. She should be hung.
”

“
That is a decision for me to make Mr Law. What else would
you like to put to the court today?
”

“
Jus
’
that we need money. We might lose our house; landlord isn
’
t happy that we
’
ve now been paying the rent.
”

“
Then this court grants you a shilling a month from the
County purse until your father makes his final sleep. Mr Potts, you can show
Mrs Law junior and senior out now.
”

“
Thank you Sir,
”
said the young Mr Law.

I
waited until I heard the door close again before I looked up. My eyes were
blurry with tears. The guilt was so bad it was like rats knowing at my gut. I
could hardly stand it. I didn
’
t know if God could ever forgive what I
’
d done, what I must have done, even
though I didn
’
t mean it. When I looked up the crowd were staring at me.
Some of the people looked scared but most just curious, loathing. I couldn
’
t look at them so I turned to face Mr
Nowell.

“
Miss Device. Do you have anything to say?
”

“
I didn
’
t mean it Sir. I didn
’
t do anything on purpose. I was
trying to run away when he fell over but I didn
’
t mean to hurt him. It was the dog.
Mam says it
’
s my dog but it weren
’
t my dog. I don
’
t have a dog, but Mam says I
’
m a witch and it is my familiar. But
I don
’
t want a familiar Sir. I just want to do right by people,
do right by God. I
’
m sorry Sir. I try to be good. Nettie will tell you it
’
s so.
”

My
words came out in a hurried blur. I don
’
t even know if the crowd heard what I
was saying or understood what I meant. It didn
’
t matter though. My Nettie was here.
She would tell them that I loved her, that I didn
’
t mean anyone harm. I looked at her
but she avoided my eye. Poor Nettie, I felt so sorry for her in front of all
these people. She must feel terrible shy.

“
Aye we will hear from your sister. Jennet Device, are you ready
to speak of your sister Alizon Device?
”

“
Aye Sir,
”
said Nettie. Her voice was so small. I wanted to run to
her and hug her but I was held fast by my shackles and the Warden.

“
You man, help the little one onto the table so that all may
see her talk.
”

The
man who had let the crowd into the courtroom went to Nettie and picked her up
and set her on a low table. His hands went almost around her whole waist and in
her new dress she looked like a tiny doll. My heart ached for her as she stared
nervously at the crowd. She played with the cuff of her sleeve as she waited
for Mr Nowell to speak.

“
Now Miss Jennet. Could you tell us, in your own words,
about your family?
”

“
I don
’
t rightly know what to say Sir.
”
 
Nettie
’
s voice was small and nervous.

“
Would you like me to ask you questions Miss Jennet?
”
Roger
’
s voice was kindly and I was thankful
for that. Little Nettie must be terrified.

“
Aye Sir. If it please you, I think that would help.
”

I
stared at Nettie. She looked so different; so perfect and pretty. She would
suit a better life. When we were away from here I would work every moment God
sent to get a better life for her.

“
Miss Jennet. Is it true to say that your mother and
grandmother, may God forgive her soul, have acted in malice and with witchcraft?
”

“
Aye Sir. T'is true they did.
”

“
Did they show you any kindness or care in your upbringing?
”

“
No sir. They didn
’
t. T'wasn
’
t them who did my upbringing anyway.
T'was our Lizzie.
”

“
Alizon Device acted as a mother figure for you?
”

“
Aye Sir.
”

Nettie
shot a glance at me then quickly looked back at Mr Nowell. Mr Nowell nodded his
approval at Nettie.

“
What deeds of your grandmother and mother
’
s did you witness?
”

“
Sir I saw a lot when they thought I weren
’
t looking. Chanting, killing of
animals, curses. They
’
d even cut their own hand to get blood for their spells.
They were evil Sir and they beat me.
”

I
stared at Nettie in surprise. A tear rolled down her cheek and the crowd leant
in further. Coos and tuts were going around the crowd.
“
Poor little angel
”
I heard one woman whispering. The
crowd were looking at me uncertainly now. Nettie
’
s words were changing them and they
were looking at me with more pity than hate. I looked at Nettie again and began
to feel even worse. Why had I never noticed? I thought that their beatings of
me had spared her. Why had she never told me? Why had there never been any
bruises? Poor Nettie.