Rachel Dyer

But enough. It is quite impossible to doubt the sincerity of the Plymouth settlers, the Pilgrims, or Fathers of New-England, who escaping over sea laid the foundations of a migh...

“A strange infatuation had already begun to produce misery in private families, and disorder throughout the community,” says an old American writer, in allusion to the period of...

Bridget Pope was of a thoughtful serious turn--the little Abby the veriest romp that ever breathed. Bridget was the elder, by about a year and a half, but she looked five years...

It is not a little remarkable that within a few days after the death of Sarah Good, a part of her pretended prophecy, that which was directed by her to the man who called her a...

Here the venerable Increase Mather stood up, and after a short speech to the people and a few words to the court, he begged to know if the individual he saw before him was indee...

Meanwhile other charges grew up, and there was a dread everywhere throughout the whole country, a deep fear in the hearts and a heavy mysterious fear in the blood of men. The ju...

What _should_ I say? replied Burroughs. What would you have me say? standing up and growing very pale. What would you have me say, you that are of counsel for the prisoner, you!...

Well, continued Burroughs, I departed for the shores of that other world, where human life was guarded with such care and jealousy. I inquired for the courts of justice and for...

Here the lawyer started up, and after prevailing upon Burroughs to forbear and be still, argued (with his face to the jury) five or six points of law, as he called them, every o...

The chief judge would not reply--could not perhaps, till after he and his brothers had prayed together; and when he did speak, he spoke with a subdued voice, like one troubled w...

The work of that day was the death of George Burroughs. The unhappy allusion that he made to the knife, just before he stopped so suddenly and fixed his eyes upon a young female...

He _had_ a narrow escape--for the shore was lined with canoes that had come in one by one with the tide, stealing along in the shadow that lay upon the edge of the water, and th...

From that hour he was another man. His heart was alive with a new hope. The dark desolate chambers thereof were lighted up with a new joy. And what if there was no love, nor bea...

Not at all--not in the least--no business of mine, brother George--none at all, if you like Bridget Pope as much as ever--child though she is--no business of mine brother Burrou...

He was not altogether disappointed. Rachel Dyer knew much of the woman who had fabricated the story of the spindle and sheet, and was only waiting for proof to impeach her for i...

Elizabeth dropped on her knees and hid her face in the lap of her sister; and Rachel, who was not of a temper to be easily frightened, gathered her up and folded her arms about...

A brief and faithful account of the issue ... a few words more, and the tale of sorrow is done. “The confessing witches testified,” to give the language of a writer who was an e...

Enough--enough--cried Burroughs, on finding Matthew Paris so disturbed in his intellect--enough--there is no hope now, Rachel. The father himself would be no witness now, though...

Already were they about to give judgment of death upon Rachel Dyer, when two or three of her accusers, who began to fear that she might escape, had another fit.

George Burroughs--I understand thee now, said she, I understand it all. Thee would have me confess that I deserve death--only that I may live. Thee would have me acknowledge (fo...