Martin pressed forward, and then turning to the jeering, vengeful crowd:
“By Christ’s Rood, this is an evil work ye have wrought,” he said.
“Nay,” said one of the bystanders, “but it was fair judgment, Minstrel. For years she hath worked her spells and black arts in this place, ay, and cattle have perished and women gone barren through her means. Near two days agone a child was lost and seen last near her door, ay, and never seen again. When we came to question her she cursed at us for meddling mischief-makers, and would but glare and spit, and swear she knew naught of the misbegotten brat.”
“Maybe ’twas true eno’,” said Martin. “I hate these rough-cast witch-findings—’tis not a matter for man’s judgment, unless ’tis sworn and proven in court before the Justiciary.”
“Nay,” joined in an
