Page:History of Valentine and Orson (5).pdf/21



HE Tinker being better pleased with his treatment, often frequented the house, making the Knight merry with his pleasant songs, &c. so that he was much pleased with his conversation, and often gave him money, and one day put him upon a frolick, seeing him an apt fellow. He had seen an old curmudgeon farmer, sleeping and nodding on his horse, as he came from market, and giving the Tinker directions what to do, when he should come by, knowing his hour, and delivering him a parcel of crackers and other fire-works, be caused him to be dressed in a raw hide with horns, when the Tinker, according to order, with the help of a servant, having stopped the farmer's horse, while the rider was sleeping, pitched four stakes, one at each corner of the pannel, aud ungirting, he drew the horse from under, when taking off the bridle, he put his own head into the headstal, so then after he placed the fireworks under the pannel, he put a fuze lighted to them, and so kept motion as the horse used to do with the nodding farmer, who having the reins about his wrist, by his kicking he awaked, and seeing himself on a frightful beast, which he took for Beelzebub, he cried out, when the fire-work taking, blew up him and the pannel, and made him to fall quash to the ground, so that the Tinker made off with the stakes and pannel. The old man no sooner got up, but he fell to running, crying out, "The Devil, the Devil," and never durst come that way again but in company, rather chusing to go five miles about.