Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (3).pdf/16

 caused him to ride a whole winter night, after he had got his bones all beat and bruised. So the one pursued he other as a murderer; and his defence was, 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 the 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 poison; then tying it up in two papers, writing on the one, Slow 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 direction. 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 hanged 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 a troop of horses; where the people knowing him told the guard who he was, then 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