Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (14).pdf/4

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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 armour, 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 honour for him to fight and kill the King's fool, and far lese to be killed by the fool; so they were advised both to agree. But the gentleman 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 all my heart, says George, and we will end in and about where we began: they not knowing his meaning in this. The place and hour being set where they were to meet next morning, George in the night time caused a deep pit to be made, and the earth of it carried away; then filled it up with dung from a privy, and covered it over with green turf, that it might not be known by the other ground. So, according to premise, they both met in the morning against the appointed time. Now George being the oldest man, and by then counted the greatest fool, the young spark permitted him to jump first, which be, according to