Приключения Робин Гуда
How Sir Richard of the Lea Paid His Debts
Then,ofasudden,withatwistandawrench,thestrangerloosedhimself,andheofthescarfoundhimselflockedinapairofarmsthatfairlymadehisribscrack.So,withheavy,hotbreathing,theystoodforawhilestraining,theirbodiesallglisteningwithsweat,andgreatdropsofsweattricklingdowntheirfaces.Butthestranger’shugwassoclosethatatlaststoutWilliam’smusclessoftenedunderhisgrip,andhegaveasob.Thentheyouthputforthallhisstrengthandgaveasuddentripwithhisheelandacastoverhisrighthip,anddownstoutWilliamwent,withasickeningthud,andlayasthoughhewouldnevermovehandnorfootagain.
Butnownoshoutwentupforthestranger,butanangrymurmurwasheardamongthecrowd,soeasilyhadhewonthematch.Thenoneofthejudges,akinsmantoWilliamoftheScar,rosewithtremblinglipandbalefullook.Quothhe,"Ifthouhathslainthatmanitwillgoillwiththee,letmetellthee,fellow."Butthestrangeransweredboldly,"HetookhischancewithmeasItookminewithhim.Nolawcantouchmetoharmme,evenifIslewhim,sothatitwasfairlydoneinthewrestlingring."
"Thatweshallsee,"saidthejudge,scowlingupontheyouth,whileoncemoreanangrymurmurranaroundthecrowd;for,asIhavesaid,themenofDenbywereproudofstoutWilliamoftheScar.
ThenupspokeSirRichardgently."Nay,"saidhe,"theyouthisright;iftheotherdieth,hediethinthewrestlingring,wherehetookhischance,andwascastfairlyenow.
