_How Tom paid the Man for his Horse Hire._
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;
whilst he, in the mean time, 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 very 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, so away he went fretting and foaming
to see himself abused.