Page:Witty & entertaining exploits of George Buchanan.pdf/20

20 taking a turn until the Highlandman was ready, for the drover took some time to put his servant in order. After he was stripped, his master took his plaid, and rolled a kebbuck of cheese, a big loaf and a bottle of gin in it, and this he bound on his shoulders, giving him directions to tell his wife and children that he was well, and to be sure he returned with an answer against that day se'nnight. As he went into the sea, he looked back to his master, and called out to him for his claymore. And what waits he for now ! says the captain's servant. He wants his sword, says his master. His sword, says the fellow; what has be to do with a sword ! Why, says his master, if he meets a whale or a monstrous beast, it is to defend his life. I know he will have to fight his way through the North seas, ere he geta to Lochaber. Then cried the captain's servant, I'll swim none with him, if he takes his sword. Ay, but says his master, you shall or lose the wager; take you another sword with you. No, says the fellow, I never did swim with a sword, nor any man else, that ever I saw or heard of; I know not but that wild man will kill me in deep water. I would not for the whole world venture myself with him and a sword. The captain seeing his servant afraid to venture, or if he did, he would never see him again alive, therefore he desired an agreement with the drover, who at first seemed unwilling; but the captain putting it in his will, the drover quit him for half the sum. This he came to through George's advice. 8. George was one day met by three bishops, who paid him the following compliments: Says the first, good-morrow, Father Abraham; says the second, good-morrow, Father Isaac: says the third, good-