Page:History of the four Kings of Canterbury, Colchester, Cornwall, and Cumberland.pdf/24

 of Cornwall, there lived a wealthy farmer, who had one only son, common known by the name Jack Hornby.- He was brisk, and of a ready wit, so that whatever he could not perform but strength, he completed by ingenious wit and policy.

For instance, when he was no more than seven years of age, his father sent him into the field to look after his oxen The laird by chance coming across the field, asked Jack many questions, particularly, How many commands there were? Jack told him there were nine The laird replied there were ten. Nay, quoth Jack, Sir, you are out of that, it is true there were ten, but you broke one of them when you coveted my fa- ther's bull. The landlord replied, Thou art an arch wag, Jack.

But, Sir, says Jack, can you tell me how many sticks goes to build a crow's nest? Why, says the landlord, there are as many goes as are sufficient for the size of the nest. Oho, you are out again Sir, quoth Jack, there is none goes, they are all carried.

The landlord finding himself so fooled, trodged away, leaving Jack in a fit of laughter.