Page 148 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

and at every blow great white clouds of flour rose in the air
from their jackets and went drifting down the breeze.
‘Stop!’ roared Robin at last. ‘Give over, good friend, I am
Robin Hood!’
‘Thou liest, thou knave,’ cried the Miller, giving him
a rap on the ribs that sent up a great cloud of flour like a
puff of smoke. ‘Stout Robin never robbed an honest trades-
man. Ha! thou wouldst have my money, wouldst thou?’ And
he gave him another blow. ‘Nay, thou art not getting thy
share, thou long-legged knave. Share and share alike.’ And
he smote Little John across the shoulders so that he sent
him skipping half across the road. ‘Nay, fear not, it is thy
turn now, black beard.’ And he gave the Tanner a crack that
made him roar for all his coughing. ‘How now, red coat, let
me brush the dust from thee!’ cried he, smiting Will Scar-
let. And so he gave them merry words and blows until they
could scarcely stand, and whenever he saw one like to clear
his eyes he threw more flour in his face. At last Robin Hood
found his horn and clapping it to his lips, blew three loud
blasts upon it.
Now it chanced that Will Stutely and a party of Rob-
in’s men were in the glade not far from where this merry
sport was going forward. Hearing the hubbub of voices, and
blows that sounded like the noise of a flail in the barn in
wintertime, they stopped, listening and wondering what
was toward. Quoth Will Stutely, ‘Now if I mistake not there
is some stout battle with cudgels going forward not far
hence. I would fain see this pretty sight.’ So saying, he and
the whole party turned their steps whence the noise came.

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