Part 2 (1/2)
At night, when it thunders, if you should happen to see men flying in the lurid light of the clouds, or on the rolling waves of the air, these are no other than the Sarregousets. A woman who lives at the Grand Mielles knows them well. One evening, when some Sarregousets happened to be a.s.sembled at a crossroad, this woman cried out to a man with a cart, who did not know which route to take, ”Ask them your way. They are civil folks, and always ready to direct a stranger.” There can be little doubt that this woman was a sorceress.
The learned and judicious King James I. had women of this kind boiled, and then tasting the water of the cauldron, was able to say from its flavour, ”That was a sorceress;” or ”That was not one.”
It is to be regretted that the kings of these latter days no longer possess a talent which placed in so strong a light the utility of monarchical inst.i.tutions.
It was not without substantial grounds that Gilliatt lived in this odour of sorcery. One midnight, during a storm, Gilliatt being at sea alone in a bark, on the coast by La Sommeilleuse, he was heard to ask--
”Is there a pa.s.sage sufficient for me?”
And a voice cried from the heights above:
”Pa.s.sage enough: steer boldly.”
To whom could he have been speaking, if not to those who replied to him?
This seems something like evidence.
Another time, one stormy evening, when it was so dark that nothing could be distinguished, Gilliatt was near the Catiau Roque--a double row of rocks where witches, goats, and other diabolical creatures a.s.semble and dance on Fridays--and here, it is firmly believed, that the voice of Gilliatt was heard mingling in the following terrible conversation:--
”How is Vesin Brovard?” (This was a mason who had fallen from the roof of a house.)
”He is getting better.”
”Ver dia! he fell from a greater height than that of yonder peak. It is delightful to think that he was not dashed to pieces.”
”Our folks had a fine time for the seaweed gathering last week.”
”Ay, finer than to-day.”
”I believe you. There will be little fish at the market to-day.”
”It blows too hard.”
”They can't lower their nets.”
”How is Catherine?”
”She is charming.”
Catherine was evidently the name of a Sarregouset.
According to all appearance, Gilliatt had business on hand at night: at least none doubted it.
Sometimes he was seen with a pitcher in his hand, pouring water on the ground. Now water, cast upon the ground, is known to make a shape like that of devils.
On the road to St. Sampson, opposite the Martello tower, number 1, stand three stones, arranged in the form of steps. Upon the platform of those stones, now empty, stood anciently a cross, or perhaps a gallows. These stones are full of evil influences.
Staid and worthy people, and perfectly credible witnesses, testified to having seen Gilliatt at this spot conversing with a toad. Now there are no toads at Guernsey. The share of Guernsey in the reptiles of the Channel Isles consisting exclusively of the snakes. It is Jersey that has all the toads. This toad, then, must have swum from the neighbouring island, in order to hold converse with Gilliatt. The converse was of a friendly kind.
These facts were clearly established; and the proof is that the three stones are there to this day. Those who doubt it may go and see them; and at a little distance, there is also a house on which the pa.s.ser-by may read this inscription:--
”DEALER IN CATTLE, ALIVE AND DEAD, OLD CORDAGE, IRON, BONES, AND TOBACCO FOR CHEWING, PROMPT PAYMENT FOR GOODS, AND EVERY ATTENTION GIVEN TO ORDERS.”