Приключения Робин Гуда
Little John and the Tanner of Blyth
Freshcansofalewerebrought,andwithjestandsongandmerrytalesthehoursslippedawayonfleetingwings.NonethoughtoftimeortidetillthenightwassofargonethatLittleJohnputbythethoughtofsettingforthuponhisjourneyagainthatnight,andsobidedattheBlueBoarInnuntilthemorrow.
NowitwasanillpieceofluckforLittleJohnthathelefthisdutyforhispleasure,andhepaidagreatscoreforit,asweareallapttodointhesamecase,asyoushallsee.
Upheroseatthedawnofthenextday,and,takinghisstoutpikestaffinhishand,hesetforthuponhisjourneyoncemore,asthoughhewouldmakeupforlosttime.
InthegoodtownofBlyththerelivedastouttanner,celebratedfarandnearforfeatsofstrengthandmanytoughboutsatwrestlingandthequarterstaff.Forfiveyearshehadheldthemid-countrychampionbeltforwrestling,tillthegreatAdamo’Lincolncasthimintheringandbrokeoneofhisribs;butatquarterstaffhehadneveryetmethismatchinallthecountryabout.Besidesallthis,hedearlylovedthelongbow,andaslyjauntintheforestwhenthemoonwasfullandthedundeerinseason;sothattheKing’srangerskeptashrewdeyeuponhimandhisdoings,forArthuraBland’shousewasapttohaveaplentyofmeatinitthatwasmorelikevenisonthanthelawallowed.
NowArthurhadbeentoNottinghamTownthedaybeforeLittleJohnsetforthonhiserrand,theretosellahalfscoreoftannedcowhides.
