Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (12).pdf/15

 the whole multitude were like to plit their jaws with laughter.

2. About this time there was an act of parliament for the benifit of murderers, that any person who committed murder, if they forfeited five hundred marks, which went under the name of Kinboot, because so much of this fine went to the murdered perons nearet relations, as the price of blood, the murderer got a remit. Now, George knowing this to be contrary to Moes' Laws, was very much grieved to see so many pardons ealed with the king's hand for murder, almot one every week, it being o uual for the king to subscribe them, that he would not read them, nor inquire what they were; for which caue George writes a right to the crown, and ent it to the king to be ubscribed, which he actually did, and never looking what it was returned it to George. No ooner had he received it, but he goes to the king, and told him it was not time for him now to be sitting there, whereat the king, greatly amazed, tarted up, then George, in a great hate ets himself down in the king's chair forthwith, declaring himelf King, aying, you who was king mut be my fool, for I am now the wiet man. The King at this was greatly offended, until George hewed him his eal and uperscription. But from that day forth the king knew what he ubcribed.

3. The next pardon that came to be ealed by the king, was to a gentleman who had killed two men before, and had gotten pardons for