The power of superstition can be seen in the people’s suspicion about the swamp within “The Devil and Tom Walker” and the resolution of the story. People stay away from the swamp out of fear of the evil spirit the indians had raised, believing the swamp to be a dangerous place because of it. Tom meets the evil spirit, or the devil, in the swamp. Instead of sharing the superstitious fear others possess, Tom makes a deal with the devil. He sells his human soul for monetary gain. Tom’s later use of religion to ward off the devil shows further superstitious belief. Yet, Tom is unable to truly change and save himself in the afterlife. He is taken by the devil and placed on a black horse that sparks fire with its hooves—a mysterious sight the harrowed people of the town have become used to. Last, the old wives’ tale of Tom’s restless spirit claims that he is still seen riding upon the black horse on stormy nights. Tom's tale contributes to local superstition of the swamp, which holds as a warning against dealing with the devil.