Троє в човні крім собаки

           AnduptheslopeofCooper’sHill,justopposite,aregatheredthewonderingrusticsandcurioustownsfolk,whohaverunfromStaines,andnonearequitesurewhatthebustleisabout, buteachonehasadifferentversionofthegreateventthattheyhavecometosee;andsomesaythatmuchgoodtoallthepeoplewillcomefromthisday’swork;buttheoldmenshaketheirheads,fortheyhaveheardsuchtalesbefore. 

           AndalltheriverdowntoStainesisdottedwithsmallcraftandboatsandtinycoracles—whichlastaregrowingoutoffavournow,andareusedonlybythepoorerfolk. Overtherapids,whereinafteryearstrimBellWeirlockwillstand,theyhavebeenforcedordraggedbytheirsturdyrowers,andnowarecrowdingupasnearastheydarecometothegreatcoveredbarges,whichlieinreadinesstobearKingJohntowherethefatefulCharterwaitshissigning. 

           Itisnoon,andweandallthepeoplehavebeenwaitingpatientformanyanhour,andtherumourhasrunroundthatslipperyJohnhasagainescapedfromtheBarons’grasp,andhasstolenawayfromDuncroftHallwithhismercenariesathisheels,andwillsoonbedoingotherworkthansigningchartersforhispeople’sliberty. 

           Notso!Thistimethegripuponhimhasbeenoneofiron,andhehasslidandwriggledinvain.