Приключения Робин Гуда

           HereinthispleasantspotthesharpestadventurethateverbefellRobinHoodcameuponhim;for,ashewalkeddownthewoodlandpaththinkingofnoughtbutthesongsofthebirds,hecameofasuddentowhereamanwasseateduponthemossyrootsbeneaththeshadeofabroad-spreadingoaktree.RobinHoodsawthatthestrangerhadnotcaughtsightofhim,sohestoppedandstoodquitestill,lookingattheotheralongtimebeforehecameforward.Andthestranger,Iwot,waswellworthlookingat,forneverhadRobinseenafigurelikethatsittingbeneaththetree.Fromhisheadtohisfeethewascladinahorse’shide,dressedwiththehairuponit.Uponhisheadwasacowlthathidhisfacefromsight,andwhichwasmadeofthehorse’sskin,theearswhereofstuckuplikethoseofarabbit.Hisbodywascladinajacketmadeofthehide,andhislegswerecoveredwiththehairyskinlikewise.Byhissidewasaheavybroadswordandasharp,double-edgeddagger.Aquiverofsmoothroundarrowshungacrosshisshoulders,andhisstoutbowofyewleanedagainstthetreebesidehim.

           "Halloa,friend,"criedRobin,comingforwardatlast,"whoartthouthatsittestthere?Andwhatisthatthatthouhastuponthybody?ImakemyvowIha’neverseensuchasightinallmylifebefore.HadIdoneanevilthing,ordidmyconsciencetroubleme,Iwouldbeafraidofthee,thinkingthatthouwastsomeonefromdownbelowbringingamessagebiddingmecomestraightwaytoKingNicholas.