The Boggart of Hellen-Pot. a Tale of the Yorkshi

Name: The Boggart of Hellen-Pot. a Tale of the Yorkshire Moors
Author: Sabine Baring-Gould

The narrative unfolds with a protagonist who escapes the industrial environment of shoddy-mills to explore the Yorkshire moors. Accompanied by a friend, he embarks on a picturesque journey, but soon finds himself lost after a day of geological exploration. As darkness falls, he encounters a strange, crippled man who offers to guide him but behaves oddly, leading to a sense of unease. The protagonist's anxiety escalates when he realizes the man is a Boggart, a malevolent spirit known for misleading travelers. The Boggart attempts to drag him into a deep pot, a natural well, but is thwarted by the appearance of a mysterious woman with a lantern. This woman, revealed to be the spirit of a heartbroken wife searching for her unfaithful husband, causes the Boggart to retreat. After escaping, the protagonist seeks shelter at a nearby farmhouse, where he learns the tragic backstory of the Boggart and the woman. The tale recounts how the woman's husband, accused of bigamy, fled and was presumed dead, leaving her to wander the moors in search of him. The farmer suggests that the Boggart is haunted by guilt and fear of the woman’s spirit. Determined to uncover the truth, the protagonist plans to descend the pot the next day, believing it may hold the remains of the Boggart. With the farmer's assistance and a group of local men, he prepares for the descent. As he lowers himself into the darkness, he experiences a chilling atmosphere filled with echoes and the sound of water. During the descent, he encounters the Boggart again, who attempts to seize him. The protagonist loses consciousness, only to awaken later on the surface, where his friend and the farmer are waiting. To their astonishment, his geological bag contains human bones and a skull, suggesting that he inadvertently retrieved the remains of the Boggart. The story concludes with the protagonist reflecting on the surreal events, pondering the thin line between reality and the supernatural, and the implications of his adventure. The Boggart has not been seen since, leaving a lingering sense of mystery and the weight of the past on the moors.

By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1898 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Gothic Fiction · 5,183 words

First lines

I took the opportunity last autumn, just before the break-up of the weather, of shaking off the dust of shoddy-mills, and getting a whiff of air, unadulterated with smoke, in a run among the Yorkshire moors for the better part of a week. I spent the first night at Bolton, and slept soundly, after a ramble through the beautiful Wharfedale, and an examination of the Strid, where the river gushes through a rift in the rock so narrow that it is supposed possible to stride across it, though I never heard of any man venturesome enough to make the attempt. A friend accompanied me, a Mr. Keene, and on the following day we ascended the valley of the Wharfe to Arncliffe, visiting on the way the picturesque ruin called Barden Tower, and the magnificent hanging crags at Kilnsea.[23]

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The Boggart of Hellen-Pot. a Tale of the Yorkshire Moors is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1898 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
Date: 1898 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Gothic Fiction, Folklore, Nature Writing
Length: 5,183 words
Structure: 1 section, 93 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Fantasy — The presence of supernatural elements, such as the Boggart and the ghostly woman, defines the narrative as a fantasy.
Adventure — The protagonist's journey through the Yorkshire moors and the exploration of the pot represent a classic adventure narrative.
Gothic Fiction — The eerie atmosphere, themes of death, and the haunting presence of the Boggart align with Gothic fiction conventions.
Folklore — The story incorporates local legends and folklore, particularly the character of the Boggart, which is rooted in Yorkshire's cultural heritage.