human
naming the exact number,
gpt
or else give his head to the devil. The poor farmer as the time came round, hid himself in the crossroads, and presently the witches assembled from all sides. Said one witch to another,
human
You know that Farmer So-and-so has sold his head to the devil, for he will never know of what the devil makes his chalice. In fact I don't know myself.
gpt
Don't you? said the other;
human
Ha, ha! said the prince of darkness;
gpt
human
Forewarned is forearmed, thought St. Cuthman, and hies him to sister Celia, superior of a convent which then stood on the spot of the present Dyke House.
gpt
Sister, said the saint,
human
I love you well. This night, for the grace of God, keep lights burning at the convent windows from midnight to day-break, and let masses be said by the holy sisterhood. At sundown came the devil with pickaxe and spade, mattock: and shovel, and set to work in right good earnest to dig a dyke which should let the waters of the seas into the downs.
gpt
Fire and brim-stone! --he exclaimed, as a sound of voices rose and fell in sacred song--
human
Fire and brim-stone! What's the matter with me? Shoulders, feet, wrists, loins, all seemed paralyzed. Down went mattock and spade, pickaxe and shovel, and just at that moment the lights at the convent windows burst forth, and the cock, mistaking the blaze for daybreak, began to crow most lustily. Off flew the devil, and never again returned to complete his work. The small digging he effected still remains in witness of the truth of this legend of the
gpt
Devil's Dyke.