Today in Salem: The constable is choking on the acrid smell of burning wood, squinting his eyes in the stinging smoke, and pulling hard on the reins to keep his horse under control. The other horses are rearing in all directions, and the constable’s men are holding on tight. A shrieking bolt of lightning has struck a nearby tree with impossible precision, and now an entire stand of trees is on fire. In the chaos, the prisoner George Burroughs struggles with his own horse, but stays close.
The lawmen have been galloping through thunder & driving rain since dawn, bringing the accused Reverend Burroughs to Salem. They’d burst into his home last night and arrested him in the middle of supper, with his eight children watching. They’d left this morning with only two days to make a three-day ride, and there’s no time to spare. Until now, even the powerful storm hasn’t slowed them down.
Now the constable can hardly see past the fog, heavy rain, and falling branches, and he’s shocked when he realizes that George Burroughs is still with them. Burroughs has his own horse, and there was every opportunity to break free and escape. Why hasn’t he fled? At first the constable is impressed with his prisoner’s integrity. But he quickly remembers that this is no ordinary prisoner. Burroughs has been accused of witchcraft. But that’s not the end of it. He’s accused of partnering with the Devil to lead the witches in an organized attack on the church.
There’s only one explanation to the constable: The Devil – the Prince of the Air – must have sent the storm to wrench Burroughs free. But the Devil has failed. He cannot stop the men of God.
Tomorrow in Salem: UNFLINCHING: the minister George Burroughs