But what rendered Nixon the most noticed was that at the time when the battle of Bosworth-field was fought between King Richard the Third and King Henry the Seventh, he stopped his team on a sudden and pointing with his whip from one to the other cried, “Now, Richard! Now, Harry!” several times; till at last, he said, “Now, Harry, get over that ditch and you gain the day.” The plough-holder, amazed, related what had passed when he came home, and the truth of the prediction was verified by special messengers sent to announce the proclamation of King Henry of England on the field of battle. The messenger who went this circuit related on his return the prediction of Nixon concerning the King’s success; which, though it had been confirmed by his arrival had made it no news to the natives of those parts; but Henry perhaps the wisest Prince of his time not willing to be deceived, nor yet doubting the dispensations of Providence though by the mouth of a fool, sent the same messenger back to find Nixon, and to bring him before him. At the moment the King gave his orders our prophet was in the town of Over, about which he ran like a madman declaring the King had sent for him and that he must go to court and there be _clammed_: that is, be starved to death. Such a declaration caused a great deal of laughing in the town, to think that his Majesty so noted for his wisdom should send for a dirty drivelling clown to court, and that being sent for he should fear to be starved there; but how great was their surprise, in a few days after, when the messenger passing through the town demanded a guide to find Nixon who (then turning the spit at his brother’s at the Bark-house) cried, “He is coming, he is now on the road for me!” but the astonishment of the family can scarcely be imagined when, on the messenger’s arrival he demanded Nixon in the King’s name; the people who before scoffed at his simple appearance and odd sayings, and had pointed to the very children to make him their sport were now confounded on finding the most ridiculous of all he ever foretold (in their opinion) become a truth, which was vouched to their own eyes. Whilst hurried through the country Nixon still loudly lamented that he was going to be starved at the court. He had no sooner arrived there than the cautious King willing to make trial of his foreknowledge devised the following scheme to prove it. Having had a valuable diamond ring which he commonly wore after the most seemingly strict inquiry made through the palace whether any one had seen it; he sent for Nixon, telling him what a loss he had sustained, and that if he could not help him to find it, he had no hopes left. But how much surprised was the King, when he got for answer that old proverb, He who hideth can find; On which he declared with a smile that he had done this only to try the prophet; but ever after ordered that what he said should be carefully put in writing.