Page:History of Thomas Hickathrift (1).pdf/9

9 jeered poor Tom, you’ll throw it a great way I’ll warrant you; Tom took the hammer in his hand and flung it; and their was a river about five or six furlongs off and flung it into that: When he had done, he bid the smith fetch the hammer again, and laughed the smith to scorn.

When Tom had done this exploit, he would go to the wrestling, tho’ he had no more skill of it than an ass, but what he had by strength; yet he flung all that came to oppose him, for if once he laid hold of them, they were gone. Some he would throw over his head, some he would lay down silly, and how he pleased; he would not like to strike at their heels, but flung them two or three yards from him, ready to break their necks asunder; so that none at last durst go into the ring to wrestle with him, for they took him to be some devil that was come among them; so Tom’s fame soon spread more and more in the country.