Приключения Робин Гуда

           Thenafterashortspacetheyallthreeshotagain,andoncemoreeacharrowlodgedwithintheclout,butthistimeAdamo’theDell’swasfarthestfromthecenter,andagainthetatteredstranger’sshotwasthebest.Then,afteranothertimeofrest,theyallshotforthethirdtime.ThistimeGilberttookgreatheedtohisaim,keenlymeasuringthedistanceandshootingwithshrewdestcare.Straightflewthearrow,andallshoutedtilltheveryflagsthatwavedinthebreezeshookwiththesound,andtherooksanddawsflewclamoringabouttheroofsoftheoldgraytower,fortheshafthadlodgedclosebesidethespotthatmarkedtheverycenter.

           "Welldone,Gilbert!"criedtheSheriffrightjoyously."FainamItobelievetheprizeisthine,andrightfairlywon.Now,thouraggedknave,letmeseetheeshootabettershaftthanthat."

           Noughtspakethestrangerbuttookhisplace,whileallwashushed,andnoonespokeorevenseemedtobreathe,sogreatwasthesilenceforwonderwhathewoulddo.Meanwhile,also,quitestillstoodthestranger,holdinghisbowinhishand,whileonecouldcountfive;thenhedrewhistrustyyew,holdingitdrawnbutamoment,thenloosedthestring.Straightflewthearrow,andsotruethatitsmoteagraygoosefeatherfromoffGilbert’sshaft,whichfellflutteringthroughthesunlitairasthestranger’sarrowlodgedclosebesidehisoftheRedCap,andintheverycenter.Noonespokeawordforawhileandnooneshouted,buteachmanlookedintohisneighbor’sfaceamazedly.

           "Nay,"quotholdAdamo’theDellpresently,drawingalongbreathandshakinghisheadashespoke,"twoscoreyearsandmorehaveIshotshaft,andmaybenotalltimesbad,butIshootnomorethisday,fornomancanmatchwithyonstranger,whosoe’erhemaybe."Thenhethrusthisshaftintohisquiver,rattling,andunstrunghisbowwithoutanotherword.