A neighbour gentleman of Hodges lost his horse; who having Hodges's
advice for recovery of him, did again obtain him. Some years after, in a
frolick, he thought to abuse him, acquainting a neighbour therewith,
viz., that he had formerly lost a horse, went to Hodges, recovered him
again, but saith it was by chance; I might have had him without going
unto him: 'Come, let's go, I will now put a trick upon him; I will leave
some boy or other at the town's-end with my horse, and then go to Hodges
and enquire for him.' He did so, gave his horse to a youth, with orders
to walk him till he returned. Away he goes with his friend, salutes Mr.
Hodges, thanks him for his former courtesy, and now desires the like,
having lost a horse very lately. Hodges, after some time of pausing,
said; 'Sir, your horse is lost, and never to be recovered.' 'I thought
what skill you had,' replies the gallant, 'my horse is walking in a lane
at the town's-end.' With that Hodges swore (as he was too much given
unto that vice) 'your horse is gone, and you will never have him again.'
The gentleman departed in great derision of Hodges, and went where he
left his horse: when he came there, he found the boy fast asleep upon
the ground, the horse gone, the boy's arm in the bridle.

He returns again to Hodges, desiring his aid, being sorry for his former
abuse. Old Will swore like a devil, 'be gone, be gone; go look for your
horse.' This business ended not so; for the malicious man brought Hodges
into the star-chamber, bound him over to the assizes, put Hodges to
great expences: but, by means of the Lord Dudley, if I remember aright,
or some other person thereabouts, he overcame the gentleman, and was
acquitted.

Besides this, a gentlewoman of my acquaintance, and of credit, in
Leicestershire, having lost a pillion-cloth, a very new one, went to
desire his judgment. He ordered her such a day to attend at Mountsorrel