The Rev. George Hustler, M.F.H. 19 



tells the whole story in one hundred and ninety verses. From 

 this it appears that one of the Hustlers served with Lord Howard 

 on his ship, and when they came up with the Lion and matters 

 were looking serious, he was called upon to take good aim and 

 kill a certain officer on the enemy ship. The ballad says : 



Lord Howard hee then called in haste, 



" Hustler, see thou be true in stead, 



For thou shalt from the maine-mast hang 



If thou misse twelvescore one penny bread." ^ 



Then I gather this Hustler slew one named Gordon on Sir 

 Andrew's ship with much skill, and was called upon to repeat 

 the process on another officer named Hambilton. 



But Hustler with a broad arrowe 

 Pierced the Hambilton through the heart 

 And down he fell upon the deck 

 That with his blood did streame amaine. 



This was considered so brilliant that Hustler was now called 

 upon to kill the pirate himself. 



" Oh, come hither, Hustler," says my lord, . 

 " And look your shaft that itt goe right, 

 Shoot a good shoote in time of need 

 And for it, thou shalt be made a knight." 



" He shoot my best," quoth Hustler, " then 

 Your honour shall see with might and mains, 

 But if I were hanged at your maine mast 

 I have now left but arrowes twain." 



I then read that Hustler was again successful, for — 



Upon his breast did Hustler hitt, 

 But the arrowe bounded back agen, 

 Then Hustler spyed a privey place 

 With a perfect eye in a secret part. 

 Under the spole of his right arme 

 He smote Sir Andrew to the heart. 



.... 

 Then Hustler said, " Aboard, my lord, 

 For well T wott Sir Andrew's dead." 

 They boarded then his noble ship, 

 They boarded it with might and maine. 

 Eighteen score Scotts ahve they found, 

 The rest were either maimed or slain. 



In return for these services 



The king then say'd as a reward, 

 '' Hustler, thou shalt be a knight 

 And land and hvings shalt have store." 



Other honours were bestowed on those who took part in this 

 great event, but they have nothing to do with the Hustlers. 



* An old English word for " breadth." 



