Page:Saducismus Triumphatus.djvu/389

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Haddock, and you may call me to mind by this Token; That about five Years ago, I and two other Friends were at your Father's House, and you, by your Father's appointment, brought us some Nuts, and therefore be not afraid, says the Apparition. Whereupon Taverner remembring the circumstances, thought it might be Haddock; and those two who passed by before him, he thought to be his two Friends with him, when he gave them Nuts, and couragiously askt him why he appeared to him rather than any other. He answered, Because he was a Man of more resolution than others; and if he would ride his way with him, he would acquaint him with a Business he had to deliver him. Which Taverner refused to do, and would go his own way, (for they were now at a Quadrival) and so rode on homewards. But immediately on their departure, there arose a great Wind, and withal he heard very hideous Screeches and Noises, to his great amazement; but riding forward as fast as he could, he at last heard the Cocks crow, to his Comfort; he alighted off from his Horse, and falling to Prayer, desir'd God's Assistance, and so got safe home.

The Night after, there appeared again to him the likeness of James Haddock, and bid him go to Elenor Welsh, (now the Wife of Davis, living at Malone, but formerly the Wife of the said James Haddock, by whom she had an only Son, to whom the said James Haddock had by his Will given a Lease which he held of the Lord Chichester, of which the Son was deprived by Davis, who had Married his Mother) and to ask her if her Maiden-name was not Elenor Welsh; and if it were, to tell her, that it was the Will of her former Husband, James Haddock, that their Son should be righted in the Lease. But Taverner, partly loath to gain the ill Will of his Neighbours, and partly thinking he should not be credited, but lookt on as deluded, long neglected to do his Message, till having been every Night for about a Months space haunted with this Apparition in several Forms, every Night more and more terrible, (which was usually preceded by an unusual trembling over his whole Body, and great change of Countenance manifest to his Wife, in whose presence frequently the Apparition was, though not visible to her) at length he went to Malone, to Davis's Wife, and askt whether her Maiden-name was not Elenor Welsh; if it was, he had something to say to her. She replied, there was another Elenor Welsh besides her. Hereupon Taverner returned without delivering his Message. The same Night, being fast asleep in his Bed, (for the former Apparitions were as he sate by the Fire with his Wife) by something pressing upon him he