The Hunter Maiden by Ethel Johnston Phelps

Author:Ethel Johnston Phelps
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781936932054
Publisher: The Feminist Press at CUNY
Published: 2017-08-21T04:00:00+00:00

But Bet had a plan. “Take a jug of the strongest and best applejack from the squire’s cellar and bring it to me at sundown,” said Bet.

At sundown the squire was still out hunting. Duffy picked out a large jug of the best jack and carried it down to the green beside the mill.

“Tonight’s a full moon,” said Bet. “The devils and the witches are gathering to dance at the Devil’s Basin out on the moor, and I shall thump the tambourine for them. Come along now before they arrive.”

Wrapping herself in a red cloak and picking up the jug and tambourine, Old Bet hurried off with Duffy trotting behind her. When they arrived at the Devil’s Basin, a hollow in the moor, it was almost dark.

“Hide yourself well in these furze bushes,” ordered Bet, “and whatever happens, do not make a sound.”

So Duffy crouched down in the scratchy furze bushes to wait, with barely a peephole through the branches to peer through.

Soon she heard a great rustling and chattering, and she wondered how many witches had flown in to the meeting place. Through her peephole in the bushes she saw a lit fire. It burned with a high blue flame.

Old Bet was seated near the fire, the jug of applejack in front of her. She thumped her tambourine and the dancing began.

Round and round the fire went the dancers, and the little devil with the long tail danced with them. Every time he came round, he’d pause to take a deep swig from the jug, until finally he became as loud and merry as a grig.

Roaring with drunken laughter, he jumped up and down, twirling his tail and singing:

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