CHAP. XXVIII.
How to tell what card any man thinketh, how to convey the same into •• kernell of a nut or cheristone, &c. and the same again into ones pocket, how to make one draw the same or any card you list, and all under one devise.
* 1.1TAk a nut; or a cheristone, and burn a hole through the side of the top of the shell, and also through the kernell (if you will) with a hot bodkin, or boar it with an awll; and with the eie of a needle pull out some of the kernell, so as the same may be as wide as the hole of the shell. Then write the number or name of the card in a peece of some paper one inch or half an inch in length, and half so much in breadth, and roll it up hard; then put it into a nut, or cheristone, and close the hole with a little red wax, and rub the same with a little dust, and it will not be perceived, if the nut or cheristone bee brown or old. Then let your confederate think that card which you have in your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, &c. and either convey the same nut or cheristone into some bodies pocket, or lay it in some strange place: then make one draw the same out of the stock held in your hand, which by use you may well doe. But say not; I will make you perforce draw such a card: but require some stander by to draw a card, saying that it skils not what card he draw. And if your hand serve you to use the cards well, you shall preferre unto him, and he shall receive (even though he snatch at another) the ve∣ry card which you kept, and your confederate thought, and is written in the nut, and hidden in the pocket, &c. You must (while you hold the stock in your hands, tossing the cards to and fro) remember al∣wayes to keep your card in your eies and not to loose the sight thereof. Which feat, till you be perfect in, you may have the same privily marked and when you perceive his hand ready to draw, put it a little out towards his hand, nimblie turning over the cards, as though you numbred them, holding the same more loose and open than the rest, in no wise suffering him to draw any other; which if he should doe, you must let three or four fall, that you may begin again. This will seem most strange, in your said paper be inclosed in a button, and by confederacie sowed upon the doublet or coat of any body.* 1.2 This trick they commonly end with a nut full of ink, in which case some wag or unhappy boy is to bee required to think a card; and having so done, let the nut be delivered him to crack, which he will not refuse to doe, if he have seen the other feat played be∣fore.