Northern mythology

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208 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
young maiij '^ I shall be over in a second." But the boy
grew heavier and heavier, and when they were on Loddcr's
back, he blew hot into the young man^s neck, and struck
his long nails into his shoulders : at the same moment
Lodder vanished, and the young man fell into the water,
where he instantly crossed himself, and so released himself
from the boy. He then scrambled out of the brook
and ran home as fast as he could, while behind him resounded
Hahaha
WITCHERY.
In the village of Oostbrouck, near Utrecht, there lived
a ^^'idow, who kept a man-servant, that performed both
domestic and field labour. This servant, such persons
being generally curious, had through his window frequently
remarked that his mistress, when she thought
that all were asleep, went to a particular place in the
stable, and there took hay from the crib.
This surprised
him, and he wondered within himself why his mistress did
so, and resolved to try what would be the eflfect, if he did
the same. So once, after she had been in the stable, he
went in, looked carefully around, and took some hay.
But scarcely had he taken it in his hand before he was
hurried through the air, and borne away to the little town
of Wyck, and into a large underground cellar, where he
found a numerous assemblage of men and women. AYhen
his mistress and the others perceived him, they were at
first frightened, and asked him how he came among them,
and he then related to them the whole affair. His mistress
on hearing it fell into a violent rage, and began to
deliberate with her associates on the steps it were most
advisable to take; but all were of opinion that the best
course would be to receive the man amicably, and engage
him not to blab. Now came the hour of parting, and it
was again a subject of discussion, whether they should