Tom asked the man what way he intended to travel. "Marry," said the man,
"I must go back with the horse I have hired." Quoth Tom, "What did you
give for the hire of him?" Said the man, "I gave five shillings."
"Well," said Tom, "I will set you to the next public-house, and then we
will eat one of the turkeys, and I will bring you in good silver the
five shillings for the horse hire." The place appointed being two miles
off, Tom appoints three or four of his companions to meet him, who did
not fail, for they were there before Tom and his friend, who came riding
upon the horses--Tom upon the hired horse, and the man upon his own. Tom
alighted, and called the hostler to set up his horse, and to give him
oats enough, and caused a turkey to be roasted with all possible haste,
which, according as he commanded, was performed. But Tom whispered to
his consorts, and wished them to ply the man with drink; while he, in
the meantime, went to the host and told him they came to be merry, and
money was short with him and desired he would lend him ten shillings
upon his horse. The host having so good a pawn, lent it him, knowing it
would be spent in his house. So Tom went and gave the man five shillings
for the hire of the horse, and spends the other five shillings freely
upon him. By that time the day was pretty nigh spent, so that the man
could get no further that night, but Tom and his companions took their
leaves and returned home, and the man went his way to bed little
suspecting the trick Tom had put upon him. In the morning the man rising
betimes, thinking to be gone, could have but one horse unless he paid
ten shillings, for Tom had left word with his host, that paying the
money he should have both horses. The man seeing himself cozened again
by Tom, paid the ten shillings, and wished all such cheating knaves were
hanged, away he went fretting and foaming to see himself abused.
CHAPTER V.
_How Tom served a Company of Gentlemen._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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