Page:History of Thomas Hickathrift (3).pdf/12

 else he would make bond slaves of them.

But to come to Tom and his master, he did more work in one day, than all his men could do in three; so that his master seeing him very tractable, and to look so well after his business, made him his head man to go into the marsh, to carry beer by himself, for he needed no man with him. Tom went every day in the week to Wisbech, which was a very good journey, and it was twenty miles the road way.

Tom going so long that wearisome journey and finding that way which the giant kept was nearer by half, and Tom before by being so well kept, and drinking so much strong ale as he did; one day he was going to Wisbech, and without saying any thing to his master, or to any of his fellow servants, he was resolved to take the nearest way to the wood; or lose his life to win the