Sir George had overreached himself, and set me at liberty, when he meant to send me to prison.
“Know you aught of this witchcraft?” asked the Captain of Simon, never looking at me.
“I heard somewhat of it,” was the sailor’s answer. “There was talk, when I left Salem, that Captain Amherst and others had done many grievous wrongs to innocent persons. I heard something, too, of a warrant for him, but I was not there at the time, being away on business for my lord. Doubtless Captain Amherst fled ere the warrant could be served. But ’tis strange, though,” went on Simon, “that Sir George should speak of a charge of high treason against the King, and give me only a warrant for witchcraft.”
“His mind may have played him false,” suggested Carteret. “This often occurs to those about to die.”
“Perchance,” said Simon, gloomily.
But I knew what had happened.
“No matter,” came from Carteret, “the wording of the warrant is of small consequence. Witchcraft being a crime, may well be considered treason against His Majesty, and that is what Sir George meant, I suppose. So, albeit I am little versed in the manner of apprehending spirits, yet I must do my duty, for I am the Governor now, and the representative of the King. ’Tis ill to judge a man ere he is tried, and you may prove no witch, Captain Amherst, but an honest gentleman, and a soldier. Therefore assuming that you are such, yet I want your promise, or, seeing that it savors of war now, your parole, that you will not escape.”
“Escape?” I inquired. “Escape? Where to? How?” for I was not yet ready to tell certain things.
“You must promise that you will not try to get away by any means such as witches use; the riding of broom sticks, of fence rails, or on the back of a black cat (though I do not believe we have one in the place) since I have heard all these means mentioned as being of service to witches when they wish to escape through the air.”
“I promise,” I replied, as gravely as I could.