Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (10).pdf/12

12 that none of us did come from home to be drowned. Nay, marry, said one to the other, let us see that, for there did twelve of us come out. Then they told themselves, and every one told ele- ven. Said the one to the other, there. is one of us drowned. They then went back to the brook where they'd been fishing and sought up and down for him that was drowned, making great lamentation. A courtier coming by, asked what it was they sought for, and why they were sorrowful ? Oh, said they, this day we went to fish in the brook; twelve of as came out together, and one is drowned. Said the courtier, tell how many there be of you. One of them told eleven, but he did not tell himself. Well, said the courtier, what will you give me, and I will find the twelfth man? Sir, said they all the mo- ney we have got. Give me the money, said he. He then began with the fist, and gave him a stroke over the should- ers with his whip, which made him groan, saying, here is one, and so he served them all, and they groaned as