Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (15).pdf/14

                        14. T H E W I T T Y  E X P L O I T S a drinking bout with an Engliſh captain of a ſhip, and at laſt, the Engliſh captain and he came to be very hearty over their cups; ſo they called in their ſervants to have a ſhare of their liquor: the drover's ſervant looked like a wild man, going without breeches, ſtockings, or ſhoes, not ſo much as a bonnet on his head, with a long peel'd rung in his hand. The captain aſked how long it was ſince he catched him; about two years ſince I hauled him out of the sea with a net, and afterwards he ran unto the mountains, where I catched him with a pack of hounds. The captain believed it was ſo: But, ſays he, I have a fervant the beft ſwimmer in Europe: Oh but ſays the drover, my ſervant will ſwim him to death. No, ſays the captain, I will lay two hundred guineas on it. Then ſays the drover, I hold at one for one, and ſtakes directly: the day being appointed when trial was to be made. Now the drover when he came to himſelf, thinking 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 entirely broken, and durſt never return home to his own country, for he was ſure to loſe. 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 that he was well; to be ſure he returned with an anſwer again that day fe'ennight: So as he went into the ſea, he looked back to his maſter, and cries out to him for his claymore. And what waits he for now, ſays he 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 meet a whale or a monſtrous beaſt, it is to defend his life: I know he will have to fight his way thro' the north ſeas, e'er he go to Lochaber. Then cries the other, I will ſwim none