_How Tom served a company of Gypsies._
It happened on a day, towards night that there came a company of
Gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met
them, and asked them, What they made there? They said, they came
to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might
withstand ensuing dangers. Aye, says Tom, and where do you lie
to-night? They told him they could not tell. Nay, said Tom, if you
will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie
dry and warm. They thanked him, and told him they would tell him his
fortune in the morning for nothing. Tom thanked them, and therefore
conveys them into a little thach'd house which had a ditch round about
it, very close to the wall thereof; that house Tom help'd them to fill
with straw, and see them take their lodging; and then, it being dark,
Tom bad them good-night; and as soon as he was over the bridge, which
was a plank, he drew it after him; and in the dead time of the night,
Tom gets a long pole, with a wisp of straw at the end of it, and sets
the straw on fire, calling out to the rest of the fellows to shift for
themselves; who thinking to run over the bridge, fell into the ditch,
crying and calling out for help, while, by Tom's means, most part of
the town stood to see the jest; and as the gypsies waded through the
ditch, they took them, and carried them into an house where there was
a good fire, for it was in the midst of winter; where Tom counsels
them, that they should never make him believe that they could tell him
any thing, that did not know what danger should befal themselves: But,
says he, because you cannot tell me my fortune, I will tell you yours;
For to-morrow in the forenoon you shall be whipped for deceivers, and
in the afternoon be hanged for setting the house on fire. The gypsies
hearing this so strick sentence, made haste to dry themselves, and
next morning stole out of town, and never came any more there.