Rendered slippery by the wet, and yet more so by the trampling of the crowd, the road was so bad in places that the horses could scarcely drag the hurdles up it, and more than one delay occurred.

The stoppages were always denounced by groans, yells, and hootings from the mob, and these neither the menaces of the Earl of Derby, nor the active measures of the guard, could repress.
At length, however, the cavalcade reached its destination.

Then the crowd struggled forward, and settled into a dense compact ring, round the circular railing enclosing the place of execution, within which were drawn up the Earl of Derby, the sheriff, Assheton, and the principal gentlemen, together with Demdike and his assistants; the guard forming a circle three deep round them.
Paslew was first unloosed, and when he stood up, he found Father Smith, the late prior, beside him, and tenderly embraced him.
"Be of good courage, Father Abbot," said the prior; "a few moments, and you will be numbered with the just." "My hope is in the infinite mercy of Heaven, father," replied Paslew, sighing deeply.

"Pray for me at the last." "Doubt it not," returned the prior, fervently.

"I will pray for you now and ever." Meanwhile, the bonds of the two other captives were unfastened, but they were found wholly unable to stand without support.