Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (17).pdf/19

( 19 ) e t him the chief magiſtrate not ſeeing his toaſt round called out, what ſticks the miniſtry at? At nothing, cries George, and ſo drank off his glaſs.

George being one day along with the king and his nobles a hunting, and being but very ſorrily mounted, when he was ſupring up his horſe, obſerved the horſe to have a trick of falling down on his knees, George immediately thought how he would make use of that very thing to divert his Majeſty: therefore pretended that his horſe would ſet bares; and knowing ſome hare fears rode that way to ſhew the company the truth of what he affirmed, but when he had found the hare by giving his horſe a ſpur, he immediately clapped down: this he repeated ſeveral times, till he put the whole company in belief that what he had ſaid was truth; and one of the noblemen being charmed with the performance of George's horſe would have George change with him, George ſeemed at firſt unwilling to part with his horſe; but at laſt was prevailed upon to part with him for the nobleman's horſe and a hundred guineeas to boot. But afterwards ridding thro' a' river pretty deep, the the nobleman ſpurring his new horſe, he clapped down on his belly, which George ſeeing called out to the company to return with the dogs, for the nobleman's horſe had certainly ſet a hare: which ſet the whole company a laughing. The poor noblemen was obliged to leave his horſe in the water, and waddle thro' on foot, all wet to the ſhoulders.

A Scotſman being reduced to poverty, made his court to George to put him in a way: George told him he would providing he would do as he directed him. There was an old miſer, an uſurer and money changer hard by: George deſired the poor fellow to pretend an errand to the miſer and when he came to the table where the heaps of money lay, to thurſt his hand among the gold, but lift none and run off. The poor fellow did, and was chaſed by the miſer and his ſervants, who ran after him into the ſtreet, calling to ſtop, the thief. The poor fellow was ſtopped, as George had deſired him to let them catch him. George appearing in the mob, went along with the poor fellow, who was carried before a judge where he was ſearched, and nothing being found upon him he was acquitted, and the miſer fined in a large ſum for accuſing him. Afterwards George deſired him to go to the ſame place and thurſt in both his hands, and lift as much as he could and run off. This he did, but the miſer told him he was not ſuch a fool as to follow him, for he knew he only deſigned to play the fool to have him fined again. But by this means the poor fellow was enriched, and afterwards lived very happy.