THE WITCH IN KENT 183 



" he'd remember that " the next time he came that 

 way. Accordingly, when on the return journey they 

 had reached this self-same spot, the wheels locked, 

 and the carriage suddenly stopped. Not all the 

 efforts of the horses, who tugged till they were white 

 with lather, could move it one inch. The blacksmith 

 was sent for, but he could not make the wheels go 

 round, " and that didn't move till the sun set, and as 

 soon as ever as that was set, oif it went, quite easy, of 

 itself." 



It is a little strange that not even the shadow of a 

 tradition remains of the burning of witches ; and in 

 place of ducking we have simpler tests and remedies, 

 in many of which pins play a prominent part, probably 

 only because a pin is the most handy of domestic 

 implements. Thus, should you be desirous of finding 

 out whether So-and-so is a witch, watch her as she 

 comes along, and when she has passed, stick a pin 

 into the track left by the heel of her boot. Then, 

 await her return. Should she be a real witch, she will 

 never come back that way. Should she even get as 

 far as the pin, she cannot pass it ; she must turn round, 

 and go some other way. 



Or, again. Mrs. Davis had a beautiful brood of 

 strong healthy chicks. Each morning as she was 



