Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (11).pdf/3



3

young lady he fancied. George followed at a distance; so when the young man found a flower to his pleasure, he would not pull it, but to find it again without further searching, he covered it with his hat and went away for his sweetheart. No sooner was he gone, but up goes George, lifts the hat, pulls the flower, then eases himself on the spot, and covers it with the hat again, and away he goes. Soon after the young gentleman returned, leading his sweetheart to pull the flower below the hat; but as soon as he lifted the hat, and saw what was below it, he looked like a fool; and the lady flying in a passion, sets off, and would never countenance him any more. The young gentleman being sadly vexed at this affront given him by George, sent him a challenge to fight him, appointing day and place where they were to meet. Being to fight on horseback, George gets an old stiff horse, and for harnessing covers him about with blown bladders, with small stones in each, without either sword or spear; away to the field he goes, where the duel was appointed. So, when George saw his enemy coming against him, all in glittering armor, armed with sword and spear, he made up to him with all the speed his horse could carry him; when the small stones made such a rattling noise, that the gentleman's fine gelding would not stand the battle, but ran away and threw his master to the ground, which caused all the spectators to laugh and say the gentleman was more fool than George. The gentleman being still more enraged at this second affront, he would fight with George on foot; but his friends persuaded him that it would be no honor for him to fight and kill the King's fool, and far less to be killed by the fool; so they were advised both to agree. But the gentlemen would try another exploit with George, for to have it said he was still the cleverest man, viz. To hold him a jumping bout publicly, the next day thereafter. With