Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (14).pdf/16

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That he was a cheat, and a scorner of his house; until the truth was found out.

After this, George being in Cornwall about business, where he chanced to run short of money, and not knowing how to make his way to London without it, being acquainted with none in that country, but knowing his landlord to be loyal to government, and a great favourite of the king his master, he takes a piece of brick, and brays it into small powder, mixed with a little chalk, so that it might seem in colour like arsenic, which is strong poision; then tying it up in two papers, writing on the one, Strong poison for the King, and on the other, Slow poison for the Queen.' Out he goes on purpose, and leaves the parcels on the table, where he knew they would be looking at them, the landlord perceived the directions. So in comes George in a great haste, and calls out, O landlord, did you see two small parcels I have lost, I know not what to do, for it was my main business to take them to London. O you murdering rogue! cries the landlord, I will have you hang'd for what you intend. George hearing this, made off, but the landlord calling for assistance, he was apprehended, made prisoner of state, and conducted to London by troop of horse; where the people knowing him told the guard who he was, they hearing this slipt away shamefully one by one, George thanking them for their good company and safe convoy.

George one day easing himself at the corner of a hedge, was espied by an English 'squire, who began to mock him, asking him, Why he did not keckle like the hens? But, George, whose wit was always ready, told him, he was afraid to keckle lest he would come and snatch up the egg. Which rebuff made the 'squire Walk off as mute as a fish.