Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (10).pdf/13

 a bonnet on his head, with a long peel'd rung in his hand. The captain aſked him how long it was ſince he catched him? it is about two years ſince I haul'd him out of the ſea with a net, and afterwards he ran into the mountains, where I catched him with a pack of hounds. The captain believed it was ſo; but, ſays he, I have a ſervant the beſt ſwimmer in Europe. O but, ſays the driver, my ſervant will ſwim him to death. No, ſays the captain, I'll lay 200 guineas on it. Then ſays the drover, I hold it one for one, and ſtakes it directly; the day being appointed when the trial was to be made. Now, the drover, when he came to himſelf, thinking on what a bargain he had made, did not know what to do, knowing very well his ſervant could ſwim none. He hearing of George being in town, who always was a good friend to a Scotſman; he went unto him, and told him the whole ſtory, and that he would be intirely broke, and durſt never return home to his own country, for he was ſure to loſe it. Now George called the drover and his ſervant aſide, and inſtructed them how to bring him off with ſafety, and gain too; ſo accordingly they met at the place appointed; the captain's ſervant ſtripped directly, and threw himſelf into the ſea, 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 kebbock of cheeſe, a big loaf, and a bottle of gin in it, and this he bound on his ſhoulders, giving him a direction, to tell his wife and children he was well; to be ſure he returned with an anſwer against that day ſe'ennight. So as he went into the ſea, he looked back to his maſter, and call out to him for his claymore. And, what waits he for now? ſays be who was to ſwim along with him. He wants his ſword, ſays his maſter: his ſword! ſays the fellow, what is he to do with a ſword? Why, ſays his maſter, if he meets with a Whale or a monſtrous beaſt, it is to defend his life; I know he'll have to fight his way through the north ſeas, e'er he go to Lochaber. Then, cries the other, 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 like man will kill me in the 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,