THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER
How Thrasileon was disguised in a Beares skin, and how he was handled.
HEN the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we
devised with our selves, that one of us being more valiant than the rest
both in body and courage (so that he would consent thereto) should
put on the skin, and feigning that he were a Beare, should be led to
Demochares house in the night, by which means we thought to be received
and let in. Many were desirous to play the Beare, but especially one
Thrasileon of a couragious minde would take this enterprise in hand.
Then wee put in into the Beares skin, which him finely in every point,
wee buckled it fast under his belly, and covered the seam with the
haire, that it might not be seen. After this we made little holes
through the bears head, and through his nosthrils and eyes, for
Thrasileon to see out and take wind at, in such sort that he seemed a
very lively and natural beast: when this was don we went into a cave
which we hired for the purpose, and he crept in after like a bear with
a good courage. Thus we began our subtility, and then wee imagined thus,
wee feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanor which dwelt
in the Country of Thracia, which was of great acquaintance with this
Demochares, wherein we wrote, that hee had sent him being his friend,
the first fruits of his coursing and hunting. When night was come, which
was a meet time for our purpose, we brought Thrasileon and our forged
letters and presented them to Demochares. When Demochares beheld
this mighty Beare, and saw the liberality of Nicanor his friend, hee
commanded his servants to deliver unto us x. crowns, having great store
in his coffers. Then (as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir
mens minds to behold the same) many persons
