"Now," said he, "see what a man can do."
"Marry, 't is true," said they, and the woodman asked what reward he'd
take. "Oh, a stick for my mother's fire," said Tom; and espying a tree
bigger than was in the cart, he laid it on his shoulders and went home
with it as fast as the cart and six horses could draw it.
Tom now saw that he had more strength than twenty men, and began to be
very merry, taking delight in company, in going to fairs and meetings,
in seeing sports and pastimes. And at cudgels, wrestling, or throwing
the hammer, not a man could stand against him, so that at last none
durst go into the ring to wrestle with him, and his fame was spread more
and more in the country.
Far and near he would go to any meetings, as football play or the like.
And one day in a part of the country where he was a stranger, and none
knew him, he stopped to watch the company at football play; rare sport
it was; but Tom spoiled it all, for meeting the ball he took it such a
kick that away it flew none could tell whither.
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