The consequence was that he was suspected of dealing in
the black art, and was accused, tried, and narrowly escaped with his
life.
On the court records of Salem is entered:--
"December 3, 1679. Caleb Powell being complained of for suspicion of
working with ye devill to the molesting of William Morse and his
family, was by warrant directed to constable, and respited till
Monday." "December 8, (Monday) Caleb Powell appeared ... and it was
determined that sd. Morse should present ye case at ye county court
at Ipswich in March."
This order was obeyed, and the trial came on. The following is a
specimen of the testimony presented:--
"William Morse saith, together with his wife, that Thursday night being
November 27, we heard a great noyes of knocking ye boards of ye house,
whereupon myselfe and wife looks out and see nobody, but we had stones
and sticks thrown at us so that we were forced to retire.
"Ye same night, ye doore being lockt when we went to bed, we heerd a
great hog grunt in ye house, and willing to go out. That we might not be
disturbed in our sleep, I rose to let him out, and I found a hog and the
door unlockt.
"Ye next night I had a great awl that I kept in the window, the which
awl I saw fall down ye chimney into ye ashes.
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