ful ſavages was alſo black; they ſeated themſelves on the blocks of the ſtone, from which their entrance had drove the king and Edmund.
Slowly, in a kind of meaſured ſtep, the three hags advanced backward to the fire, which when they reached, they bent three times each knee to the ground; nine times, with ſolemn and flow pace, hand in hand, they went round the fire, repeating, in meaſured cadences, words which neither James or his friend understood, except that their own names were oft repeated; three times they ſeverally poured ſome of the liquid their horns contained into the fire, which blazed fiercely, diffuſing a ſtrong aromatic perfume.
Silently had the wondering mortals beheld theſe ſtrange figures perform their odd devotions, if ſuch they might be deemed; nor had they as yet appeared to have attracted their attention; but Edmund could no longer contain himſelf; and drawing his dagger, advanced, and ſtood before them.
The three women, if ſuch they were, turned toward him; one touched the arm of the intrepid youth with her wand, and the dagger dropped from his hand, which was ſuddenly benumbed.
The imperfect accent died on his tongue.
“What wouldeſt thou attempt, raſh youth?” ſhe cried; “know, no human hearts are lodged in our breaſts; thou wiſheſt to understand what is our nature; ſpeak, doſt thou not? Take up thy uſeleſs weapon; whet it here on my ſide, if thou likeſt; that may ſuffice thee to learn our ſubſtance is not, like thine, ſubject to wounds or diſeaſe.”
Edmund retreated ſome paces; then cried, “I am anſwered; thou divined truly, I wiſhed to learn who or what ye are, who thus, dwelling in this place, replete with wonders, practiſe ceremonies, of which I am now satisfied I had better remain ignorant; all I aſk, is liberty for my friend and ſelf; for that we depart not hence without your leave, I feel now moſt thoroughly convinced.”
“Ere the ſun riſes on this middle world, your re-
