The King was so enraged when
he heard this, that he ordered Tom to be seized and tried for high
treason; and there being no person who dared to plead for him, he was
condemned to be beheaded immediately.
On hearing this dreadful sentence pronounced, poor Tom fell
a-trembling with fear, but, seeing no means of escape, and observing a
miller close to him gaping with his great mouth, as country boobies
do at a fair, he took a leap, and fairly jumped down his throat. This
exploit was done with such activity that not one person present saw
it, and even the miller did not know the trick which Tom had played
upon him. Now, as Tom had disappeared, the court broke up, and the
miller went home to his mill.
When Tom heard the mill at work he knew he was clear of the court, and
therefore he began to roll and tumble about, so that the poor miller
could get no rest, thinking he was bewitched; so he sent for a doctor.
When the doctor came, Tom began to dance and sing; and the doctor,
being as much frightened as the miller, sent in haste for five other
doctors and twenty learned men.
When they were debating about this extraordinary case, the miller
happened to yawn, when Tom, seizing the chance, made another jump, and
alighted safely upon his feet on the middle of the table.
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