_How Doctor Faustus deceived an Horse-courser_
In like manner he served an Horse-courser at a fair called Pheiffring,
for Doctor Faustus through his cunning had gotten an excellent fair
Horse, whereupon he rid to the Fair, where he had many Chap-men that
offered him money: lastly, he sold him for forty Dollars, willing him
that bought him, that in any wise he should not ride him over any
water, but the Horse-courser marvelled with himself that Faustus bade
him ride him over no water (but quoth he), I will prove, and forthwith
he rid him into the river, presently the horse vanished from under him,
and he sat on a bundle of straw, in so much that the man was almost
drowned. The Horse-courser knew well where he lay that had sold him
his horse, wherefore he went angrily to his Inn, where he found Doctor
Faustus fast asleep, and snorting on a bed, but the Horse-courser could
no longer forbear him, took him by the leg and began to pull him off
the bed, but he pulled him so, that he pulled his leg from his body, in
so much that the Horse-courser fell down backwards in the place, then
began Doctor Faustus to cry with an open throat, he hath murdered me.
Hereat the Horse-courser was afraid, and gave the flight,[37] thinking
none other with himself, but that he had pulled his leg from his body;
by this means Doctor Faustus kept his money.
[Illustration]
[Footnote 37: i.e. took to flight.]