94 LOCAL SUPERSTITIONS. 
among the cattle, about eighteen years ago, this fire was pro- 
duced by rubbing two pieces of dry wood together, and carried 
from place to place, all through this district, as a charm against 
cattle taking it. A fire was kindled, and the cattle driven into 
the smoke, and they were kept there for some time. Many 
farmers in this part of the country, I am informed, had the 
“‘ need fire.” 
Witchcraft.—Silver is always considered an antidote. Always 
shoot at a witch, if you wish to hit her, either with a crooked 
sixpence, or with one having a hole through it. Some persons 
are said to have an “ Evil Hye,” and do much harm therewith ; 
if they look at any one churning, butter will never come. Mrs. 
C.’s (of Welton), servants could not get the cream to become 
butter, it was remembered that old Mally had looked in at the 
door when they were at work ; a crooked sixpence was put into 
the churn, and the butter came instantly. A holy stone hung 
behind a door, or a horse shoe nailed upside down is very common. 
To draw blood abovethe mouth isa modeof breaking some spells. 
A tenant of Sir Charles Monck, who lived at Belsay Bank 
Foot, had a cow that got her leg broken, a horse got stuck, and 
a calf died of the quarter ill. All these misfortunes came upon 
him at the same time ; there could be no doubt that somebody 
had bewitched these animals. At last, a new servant, quite a 
youth was blamed. A person, skilled in these things, told the 
farmer that he might break the spell, simply by drawing 
blood above the wizard’s mouth. At foddering time, the farmer 
purposely quarrelled with the poor lad about some trifle, and 
before the boy knew what it was all about, he drew blood above 
his mouth by making his nose bleed, and scratching his face. 
- To use a cant expression of the day, it was a “great success,” 
and the farmer throve ever after. 
The witch of Hawkwell was transformed into a hare. The 
trap hole in the door was well remembered where she used to 
bolt through when hard pressed. The young horses that fed 
behind her cottage were always disabled. A whin stone on the 
road side is shown, which was melted down by her sitting upon it. 
Always sit cross legged when sitting at cards. 
