Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Fardowntheroadalittlecloudofdusthasrisen,anddrawsnearerandgrowslarger,andthepatteringofmanyhoofsgrowslouder,andinandoutbetweenthescatteredgroupsofdrawn-upmen,therepushesonitswayabrilliantcavalcadeofgay-dressedlordsandknights. Andfrontandrear,andeitherflank,thereridetheyeomenoftheBarons,andinthemidstKingJohn. 

           Heridestowherethebargeslieinreadiness,andthegreatBaronsstepforthfromtheirrankstomeethim. Hegreetsthemwithasmileandlaugh,andpleasanthoneyedwords,asthoughitweresomefeastinhishonourtowhichhehadbeeninvited. Butasherisestodismount,hecastsonehurriedglancefromhisownFrenchmercenariesdrawnupinthereartothegrimranksoftheBarons’menthathemhimin. 

           Isittoolate? Onefierceblowattheunsuspectinghorsemanathisside,onecrytohisFrenchtroops,onedesperatechargeupontheunreadylinesbeforehim,andtheserebelliousBaronsmightruethedaytheydaredtothwarthisplans! Abolderhandmighthaveturnedthegameevenatthatpoint. HaditbeenaRichardthere!thecupoflibertymighthavebeendashedfromEngland’slips,andthetasteoffreedomheldbackforahundredyears. 

           ButtheheartofKingJohnsinksbeforethesternfacesoftheEnglishfightingmen,andthearmofKingJohndropsbackontohisrein,andhedismountsandtakeshisseatintheforemostbarge. AndtheBaronsfollowin,witheachmailedhanduponthesword-hilt,andthewordisgiventoletgo.