THE FIEND'S FIELD. 83
ly believed to trouble the deserted mansionhouse, “I fancy, Master Ryecroft, it was only the wind which shrieks to night. "
“Well, sir, it might have been; but, as I was about to remark when engaged in this little business, I am obliged to be particularly careful, since the White Art has determined enemies in those wicked spirits who are sole agents in the Black Art, and who are sure to trouble me whenever they discover that I am employed in the transmutation of metals. Nay, such is their boldness, that they sometimes intrude upon me, in the form of my most familiar friend; and had you, sir, happened to have been other than you seemed by your voice, you could not have withstood bubasticon itheologysticus. But it is not interruption only from the spiritual world which I have to fear when at my profitable studies, but as there is as much magic in the art of making gold as there is in the shining metal when made, I can only undertake this business under certain conjunctions and influences of the planets; and should mortal shadow cross the heavenly houses, the dominant spirits are offended, and my power lost for the space of seventy hours. "
This absurd jargon, which was relished by Howison in exact proportion to its unintelligibility, so exalted Tony in his credulous hearer's estimation, that, after gazing at him for some minutes in silent awe, he ventured to inquire whether so wise a man could not teach him some secret whereby to ensure good crops and sound cattle in future.
“To say the truth, sir, “replied Ryecroft, “I have long been thinking of you in this very matter; for, admiring Kate Howison as I do, I cannot unmoved behold adversity overtake her sire; and if I have hitherto, when I knew the means of assisting you laid in my power, held my peace, attribute such conduct to any motives but indifference and unkindness. Perhaps I might dread the charge of impertinent interference in family affairs, which concerned not myself; or, perhaps, I might be aware of certain conditions which, of necessity, I must impose upon him whose fallen fortunes I desired to raise, and which would unhappily seem, in his eyes, to compromise the disinterestedness of my heart. "
“Conditions! you mean my daughter's hand! By all that's holy, she shall be yours, “exclaimed Howison, in ecstacy; 66 and, to say the truth, Tony, it was this very matter which brought me here to night. "
“Indeed! “answered the wily Ryecroft, “why, to be candid with you in return, I am not now so anxious about Kate, after her decided rejection of me. But come my conditions are simply these: that you make over all your property to her whom I once loved; or rather, draw up an instrument which shall cause the revenue of your farm to revert, upon your decease, to him who shall then be her husband. "
“It shall be done, “cried Howison, in raptures; “what next?“
“If you can certainly assure me of the performance of this condition-
“I can I do. "
“Then hearken to what I am going to communicate: -You are aware, “he continued, “that Satan, ( bubasticon itheologysticus! ) as Prince of the Air, is entrusted with the sole command of all tempests, winds, frosts, blights, & c., which, falling upon the earth, injure its fruits and cattle. This power then, ought, as far as is allowable, to be conciliated; and, if he be not, fearful is his vengeance upon the presumptuous mortal who insults him by disregarding his supremacy. In Scotland, therefore, it has been, from time immemorial, a sensible custom, to set apart a small portion, as a rood or two, or half an acre of arable ground, as an offering to the evil spirit, whom, for fear of offending, they designate by some friendly title, as good man, good fellow, & c.; this portion, which is left uncultivated, and, with certain ceremonies in which I am competent to instruct you, consecrated to the demon, is termed the ' Goodman's Croft, ' in plain English, Fiend's Field. ' Now, Master Howlson, it has struck me that the late extraordinary losses of a man hitherto so thriving as yourself, can only be referred to your want of respect towards the dark power, who, perceiving you adding acre to acre, purchasing this field, and enclosing that portion of stony, sterile, waste land, without setting apart so much as half an inch for himself, has resented the neglect, you best know how. "
66
6
Nothing more likely, “answered Howison. The advice consequent upon this communication was, that Howison should enclose a fresh portion of common, not the old worn ground, and that there should be an annual sacrifice of a black cock and a sheep's heart stuck with pins, in the croft at midnight. The ceremonies of the consecration, Master Ryecroft was, at his leisure, to arrange. Howison then took his leave, sincerely thankful and marvellously enlightened; repeating incessantly, during his dreary homeward walk, ( as far as he could count the syllables, ) the mysterious exclamation to which the alchymist had attached so magical a meaning.
Kate Howison and Walter now saw with despair, that their hopes were to be frustrated by avarice on one side, and craftiness on the other; and whilst they felt themselves the victims of Ryecroft, they knew that Howison was his dupe. Kate, however, who still retained, in spite of her father's sordid feelings, some little influence over his hard heart, gained, by tears, entreaties, and other all prevailing female arguments, the respite of one entire year ere her dreaded union with Ryecroft; for, as Howison could not help acknowledging, there was some reason in her observation, that she would then be of age, and he himself would have had an opportunity of proving whether Tony had actually ensured to him the promised prosperity.
It was the evening of the 31st of October, the celebrated vigil of All Saint's Day more familiarly known, perhaps, as the Scottish and Irish Hallowe'en when Howison, after frequent conferences with Tony Ryecroft, proceeded to act
