I came to the conclusion that Beni Singh's was a substantially true account of what had happened. I examined his three sons carefully and they corroborated his evidence, each so far as his share in the matter was concerned.
Banda, United Provinces, India.
Stray Notes on Oxfordshire Folklore.
(Continued from p. 177.)
VI. Folk-Tales.
Lorenzo Dow and the Devil.—Lorenzo Dow, a roving American, was a very eccentric person who did some outlandish things, both in America and in England and Ireland, in the Methodist following. He appears to have been constantly in hot water, and yet he made many friends. Once he was travelling near Long Compton [on the Oxfordshire border of Warwickshire] when night came on, and it became very dark. Seeing a light he made for it, and entering the house asked leave to stay the night. The woman of the house agreed, but unwillingly, and then barred the door against further visitors. Soon her husband returned, and then a man who was in the house when Dow entered got into a large box and hid himself under some flax "hatchlings."[1] The husband, who had been drinking, was introduced to Dow, and then insisted that he should raise the Devil—"not that he believed in a Devil, but if there was one, he should like to see him." Dow, seeing his opportunity, said, "Well, if you are determined to see him, I suppose you can. Open the door, put out the light, and stand out of the way, or he may take you with him. When he comes he will be in a flame of fire, and I warn you of the consequences," Taking a bunch of brimstone matches dipped at both
- ↑ Refuse flax from spinning.
