nd had, yet all beholders might perceive by the roundness of her
belly, that she was able to draw a pot dry at a draught, and ne'er unlace
for the matter.

Well, to the fire I went, where I dried my outside and wet my inside. The
ale being good, and I in good company, I lapt in so much of this nappy
liquor, that it begot in me a boldness to talk, and desire of them to know
what was the reason that the people of that country were called
Long-tails[1]. The host said, all the reason that ever he could hear was,
because the people of that country formerly did use to go in side-skirted
coats. "There is," said an old man that sat by, "another reason that I have
heard: that is this. In the time of the Saxons' conquest of England there
were divers of our countrymen slain by treachery, which made those that
survived more careful in dealing with their enemies, as you shall hear.

"After many overthrows that our countrymen had received by the Saxons, they
dispersed themselves into divers companies into the woods, and so did much
damage by their sudden assaults to the Saxons, that Hengist, their king,
hearing the damage that they did (and not knowing how to subdue them by
force), used this policy. He sent to a company of them, and gave them his
word for their liberty and safe return, if they would come unarmed and
speak with him. This they seemed to grant unto, but for their more security
(knowing how little he esteemed oaths or promises) they went every one of
them armed with a short sword, hanging just behind under their garments, so
that the Saxons thought not of any weapons they had: but it proved
otherwise; for when Hengist his men (that were placed to cut them off) fell
all upon them, they found such unlooked a resistance, that most of the
Saxons were slain, and they that escaped, wondering how they could do that
hurt, having no weapons (as they saw), reported that they struck down men
like lions with their tails; and so they ever after were called Kentish
Long-tails."

I told him this was strange, if true, and that their country's honour bound
them more to believe in this than it did me.

"Truly, sir," said my hostess, "I think we are called Long-tails, by reason
our tales are long, that we used to pass the time withal, and make
ourselves merry." "Now, good hostess," said I, "let me entreat from you one
of those tales." "You shall," said she, "and that shall not be a common one
neither, for it is a long tale, a merry tale,