Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (10).pdf/10

 The next pardon that came to be ſealed by the king, was to a gentleman who had killed two men before, and had gotten pardons for them by money. This being the third, the king looked very ſilent in looking over the petition; George ſtanding by, aſked the king what he was going to ſeal now? to which he anſwered, It is a remit for a man who had killed three men at ſundry times, I gave him two remits before. O! ſays George, he has killed but one man; and who killed the other two? ſays the king; you did, ſays George, for if you had given him juſtice when he killed the firſt, he had killed no more. When the king heard theſe words, he threw down the pen, and declared that ſuch an act, to ſave a murderer, ſhould be null ever after by him.

One day after this, George having no money, he goes away and gets a pick and ſpade, and then falls a digging at a corner of the king's palace, which the king perceiving from his window, calls what he was wanting there? are you going to undermine my houſe, and make it fall? No, my ſovereign, ſaid he, but it is verily reported that there is plenty of money about this houſe, and where can it be? I cannot find it; for it is not within the houſe to do me ſervice, then ſurely it muſt be below it. O George, that is a crave after the new faſhion: What money you want, I'll order it for you. Then, my ſovereign, I'll dig no more.

One time after this George being in the country, he came to an inn where he alighted to refreſh himſelf and his horſe; the innkeeper charged him double price for every thing he called for; George never grumbled at this but give him all his demands, and away he goes on his journey; and where he quartered the night following, he was uſed after the ſame manner, if not worſe. Now George having little farther to go, he returned the next day, and came that night to the inn where he refreſhed himſelf the day before: ſo when he alighted, the boy aſked him, Sir, what ſhall I give your horſe! What you will, boy, ſays George. No ſooner had he gone into his room, but the drawer aſked him, What will you have to drink, Sir? What you will, ſays George. The maſter of the inn came into his room before ſupper, aſking him, What will you have for ſupper, Sir? What you will, landlord, ſays George. Now after ſupper being ended, and a hearty bowl to put all over, George went to bed, and got up pretty early in the morning, he called for the boy to make ready his horſe in all haſte, for he deſigned to mount