Forest of Rossendale. 271 



the railway now run in close juxtaposition, was at one time so con- 

 tracted at its summit, that it might have been cleared at a leap. 

 A bold hunter of the name of Foster, it is said, actually performed 

 the feat, and the place, until recently, was known as " Foster's 

 Leap." 



At the foot of the hill Coupe Law, is a place named " Th' Arks 

 o' Dearden," where in former times, it is said, horse races were run. 

 A similar race ground is reported to have existed at Pike Law, 

 near to the base of Cribden. 



At one corner of the field adjoining Stackstead's Mill is a large 

 irregularly-shaped mound, made up of earth, clay, and coarse 

 gravel. The railway train, on its way to and from Bacup, passes 

 over a portion of this mound. The material of which it is 

 composed has probably been washed down out of Hell Clough, 

 which is immediately opposite, and deposited at this place, by 

 some operation of Nature, at a remote period of time. But there 

 is a legend connected with it, the recital of which must not be 

 omitted here. It is said that before the river Irwell had scooped 

 out its present channel through the Thrutch Glen, the whole of 

 the valley extending thence up to Bacup foot, was covered by a 

 vast sheet of water — a great Lake, embanked by the surrounding 

 hills. In the deep gorge, in Brandwood, which bears the name 

 of " Hell Clough," it is further said, his Satanic Majesty had his 

 country seat ; and was accustomed to perform his ablutions in the 

 Lake in question. One day the water, swollen by heavy rains, 

 and lashed into fury by the wind, overflowed its banks at the 

 Thrutch, ploughing out a passage through the rock and shale 

 which had hitherto barred its progress. His Majesty of the cloven 

 foot, who stood upon the edge of the Lake enjoying the storm 

 himself had raised, began to perceive the sudden withdrawal of the 

 water from his feet. Divining the cause, he slipped on a large 

 apron, and hastily filling it with soil and gravel, made with all 

 speed to repair the breach. But, just as he reached the place 

 where the mound above described is situated, his apron strings 



