Page 346 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

that no mercy was to be had in this battle. Up and down
they fought, till all the sweet green grass was crushed and
ground beneath the trampling of their heels. More than
once the point of Robin Hood’s sword felt the softness of
flesh, and presently the ground began to be sprinkled with
bright red drops, albeit not one of them came from Robin’s
veins. At last Guy of Gisbourne made a fierce and deadly
thrust at Robin Hood, from which he leaped back lightly,
but in so leaping he caught his heel in a root and fell heav-
ily upon his back. ‘Now, Holy Mary aid me!’ muttered he, as
the other leaped at him, with a grin of rage upon his face.
Fiercely Guy of Gisbourne stabbed at the other with his
great sword, but Robin caught the blade in his naked hand,
and, though it cut his palm, he turned the point away so
that it plunged deep into the ground close beside him; then,
ere a blow could be struck again, he leaped to his feet, with
his good sword in his hand. And now despair fell upon Guy
of Gisbourne’s heart in a black cloud, and he looked around
him wildly, like a wounded hawk. Seeing that his strength
was going from him, Robin leaped forward, and, quick as
a flash, struck a back-handed blow beneath the sword arm.
Down fell the sword from Guy of Gisbourne’s grasp, and
back he staggered at the stroke, and, ere he could regain
himself, Robin’s sword passed through and through his
body. Round he spun upon his heel, and, flinging his hands
aloft with a shrill, wild cry, fell prone upon his face upon
the green sod.
Then Robin Hood wiped his sword and thrust it back
into