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Robin Hood Shoots Before Queen Eleanor
KingHenryleanedfarforwardandstaredatthemclosely,buttheBishopofHereford,whenhesawtheirfaces,startedasthoughstungbyawasp.Heopenedhismouthasthoughabouttospeak,but,lookingup,hesawtheQueengazingathimwithasmileuponherlips,sohesaidnothing,butbithisnetherlip,whilehisfacewasasredasacherry.
ThentheQueenleanedforwardandspakeinaclearvoice."Locksley,"saidshe,"IhavemadeawagerwiththeKingthatthouandtwoofthymencanoutshootanythreethathecansendagainstyou.Wiltthoudothybestformysake?"
"Yea,"quothRobinHood,towhomshespake,"Iwilldomybestforthysake,and,ifIfail,Imakemyvownevertofingerbowstringmore."
Now,althoughLittleJohnhadbeensomewhatabashedintheQueen’sbower,hefelthimselfthesturdyfellowhewaswhenthesolesofhisfeetpressedgreengrassagain;sohesaidboldly,"Now,blessingsonthysweetface,sayI.Antherelivedamanthatwouldnotdohisbestforthee—Iwillsaynought,onlyIwouldliketohavethecrackingofhisknave’spate!
"Peace,LittleJohn!"saidRobinHoodhastily,inalowvoice;butgoodQueenEleanorlaughedaloud,andarippleofmerrimentsoundedalloverthebooth.
