"I don't know that we shall take her unawares, Baldwyn," said Potts; "but I am decidedly of opinion that we should go thither without delay. Is Malkin Tower far off?"
"About a mile fro' Rough Lee," replied the miller. "Go back wi' me to t' mill, where yo con refresh yourselves, an ey'n get together some dozen o' my friends, an then we'n aw go up to t' Tower together."
"A very good suggestion," said Potts; "and no doubt Master Nowell will accede to it."
"We have force enough already, it appears to me," observed Nowell.
"I should think so," replied Richard. "Some dozen men, armed, against a poor defenceless old woman, are surely enough."
"Owd, boh neaw defenceless, Mester Ruchot," rejoined Baldwyn. "Yo canna go i' too great force on an expedition like this. Malkin Tower is a varry strong place, os yo'n find."
"Well," said Nowell, "since we are here, I agree with Master Potts, that it would be better to secure these two offenders, and convey them to Whalley, where their examination can be taken at the same time with that of Mistress Nutter. We therefore accept your offer of refreshment, Baldwyn, as some of our party may stand in need of it, and will at once proceed to the mill."
"Well resolved, sir," said Potts.
"We'n tae th' owd witch, dead or alive," cried Baldwyn.
"Alive—we must have her alive, good Baldwyn," said Potts. "You must see her perish at the stake."