Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (17).pdf/13

( 13 ) them forthwith to go home, for he wanted no more of England's ſtrength, wiſdom nor folly.

One night after this, a Highland drover chanced to have a drinking boat with an Engliſh captain of a ſhip, and at laſt, the Engliſh caption 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 looking like a wild man, going without breeches, ſtockings, or shoes, not ſo much as a bonnet on his head, with a long peel' 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 into the mountains, where I chaced him with a pack of hounds. The capt in believed it was ſo, but ſays he, I have a ſervant the best ſwimmer in Europe. O 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 it for one, and ſtakes it 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, went unto him, and told him the whole ſtory, and that he would be entirely broken, and never durſt 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 for e time to put his ſervant in order, after he was ſtripped, his maſter took a plaid, and rolled his kebbuck of cheeſe, a big loaf and a bottle of gin in it, and this he bound un his shoulders, giving him a direction to tell his wife and children he was well? and to be ſure he returned with an anſwer againſt that day fen night.. So he went into the ſea then he looked back to his maſter, and cries outto him for his claymore. And what waits he now for, ſays he who was to ſwim along with him? He wants his ſword, ſays his maſter. His ſword, ſay's the fellow what is be to do with a ſword? Why, ſays the maſter, if he meet a whale or monſtrous beaſt, it is to defend his life; I know he will have to fight his way through the north ſeas, or be go to L