The tales and jests of Mr. Hugh Peters collected into one volume / published by one that hath formerly been conversant with the author in his life time ... ; together with his sentence and the manner of his execution.

How Mr. Peters examined a country Lad, and the jests that happened at that time. (Book 9)

An unhappy boy that kept his Fathers sheep in the country, did use to carry a pair of Cards in his pocket, and with the same (meeting with companions) played at one and thirtie, (a Game so called) at which sport he would some dayes loose a sheep or two, for which his Father corrected him; in revenge whereof, the boy would drive the sheep home at night over a narrow bridge, where some of them falling into the water, were drowned. The old man wearied with his sons ungracious trick, had him before Mr. Peters (he being a man busie, and having some Authoritie in those parts where he lived) Mr. Peters begins to re∣prove the boy in these words; Sirrah, you are a no∣table Villain, you play at Cards, and lose your Fathers sheep at one and thirtie. The boy (using small reve∣rence and lesse manners,) Replyed it was a lie; A lie quoth Mr. Peters you sawcie Knave, do you give me the lie? No quoth the boy, but you told a lie; for I

never lost sheep at one and thirtie, for when my game was one and thirtie I alwayes won; indeed said Mr. Peters thou saiest true; But I have another accusation against thee, which is, that you drive your Fathers sheep over a narrow bridge, where some of them are often times drowned. Thats a lie too quoth the boy, for those that goe over the bridge are well enuogh, it is onely such as fall besides that are drowned, which Mr. Peters acknowledged for a truth, and bēing well pleased with these clownish answers, gave him a short advice, and then dismissed him.