Приключения Робин Гуда

           Inhishandhecarriedhisstoutoakenstaff,andathissidehunghisbuglehorn.Asthushewalkedupaforestpath,whistling,downanotherpathcametheTinker,mutteringtohimselfandshakinghisheadlikeanangrybull;andso,atasuddenbend,theymetsharplyfacetoface.Eachstoodstillforatime,andthenRobinspoke:

           "Halloa,mysweetbird,"saidhe,laughingmerrily,"howlikestthouthineale?Wiltnotsingtomeanothersong?"

           TheTinkersaidnothingatfirstbutstoodlookingatRobinwithagrimface."Now,"quothheatlast,"IamrightgladIhavemetthee,andifIdonotrattlethyboneswithinthyhidethisday,Igivetheeleavetoputthyfootuponmyneck."

           "Withallmyheart,"criedmerryRobin."Rattlemybones,anthoucanst."Sosaying,hegrippedhisstaffandthrewhimselfuponhisguard.ThentheTinkerspatuponhishandsand,graspinghisstaff,camestraightattheother.Hestrucktwoorthreeblows,butsoonfoundthathehadmethismatch,forRobinwardedandparriedallofthem,and,beforetheTinkerthought,hegavehimarapupontheribsinreturn.AtthisRobinlaughedaloud,andtheTinkergrewmoreangrythanever,andsmoteagainwithallhismightandmain.AgainRobinwardedtwoofthestrokes,butatthethird,hisstaffbrokebeneaththemightyblowsoftheTinker."Now,illbetidethee,traitorstaff,"criedRobin,asitfellfromhishands;"afoulstickartthoutoservemethusinminehourofneed."

           "Nowyieldthee,"quoththeTinker,"forthouartmycaptive;andifthoudonot,Iwillbeatthypatetoapudding."

           TothisRobinHoodmadenoanswer,but,clappinghishorntohislips,heblewthreeblasts,loudandclear.