The Lost Fisherman found.
It happened that at this time a gentleman from the Court was passing, and seeing them in such distress, asked the cause.
They said, “This morning twelve of us came down to the river to fish, and one is missing, whom we cannot find.”
Then the Gentleman said, “What will you give me if I find your missing companion?” To which they answered, that they would gladly give all the money they had if he could restore their lost brother to them.
He then made them stand in a row, and riding along the back of them gave each such a smart cut with his whip that they cried aloud with pain, and as they did so he numbered them; but when he came to the twelfth he thrashed him till he and all his companions cried out for mercy for him; and the Gentleman said, “This is the twelfth of you!” whereupon they thanked him for restoring their lost brother to them.
[XXXVII.]
The Cobbler’s Wager.
