Приключения Робин Гуда

           InvaintheSheriffroaredatthem,callingthemcowards,andurgingthemforwardinabody;theywouldnotbudgeaninch,butstoodandwatchedLittleJohnashemovedslowlyawaytowardtheforest,keepinghisgazefixeduponthem.ButwhentheSheriffsawhisenemythusslippingbetwixthisfingershegrewmadwithhisrage,sothathisheadswamandheknewnotwhathedid.Thenofasuddenheturnedhishorse’shead,andplunginghisspursintoitssideshegaveagreatshout,and,risinginhisstirrups,camedownuponLittleJohnlikethewind.ThenLittleJohnraisedhisdeadlybowanddrewthegraygoosefeathertohischeek.Butalasforhim!For,erehecouldloosetheshaft,thegoodbowthathadservedhimsolong,splitinhishands,andthearrowfellharmlessathisfeet.Seeingwhathadhappened,theSheriff’smenraisedashout,and,followingtheirmaster,camerushingdownuponLittleJohn.ButtheSheriffwasaheadoftheothers,andsocaughtupwiththeyeomanbeforehereachedtheshelterofthewoodlands,thenleaningforwardhestruckamightyblow.LittleJohnduckedandtheSheriff’sswordturnedinhishand,buttheflatofthebladestrucktheotherupontheheadandsmotehimdown,stunnedandsenseless.

           "Now,Iamrightglad,"saidtheSheriff,whenthemencameupandfoundthatLittleJohnwasnotdead,"thatIhavenotslainthismaninmyhaste!Iwouldratherlosefivehundredpoundsthanhavehimdiethusinsteadofhanging,assuchavilethiefshoulddo.