Page 374 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

tle voice, ‘I owe thee somewhat that I would pay forthwith.’
Then Wat, the Tinker, came forward and stood in front of
Will Scarlet, screwing up his face and shutting his eyes tight-
ly, as though he already felt his ears ringing with the buffet.
Will Scarlet rolled up his sleeve, and, standing on tiptoe to
give the greater swing to his arm, he struck with might and
main. ‘WHOOF!’ came his palm against the Tinker’s head,
and down went stout Wat to the grass, heels over head, as
the wooden image at the fair goes down when the skill-
ful player throws a cudgel at it. Then, as the Tinker sat up
upon the grass, rubbing his ear and winking and blinking
at the bright stars that danced before his eyes, the yeomen
roared with mirth till the forest rang. As for King Richard,
he laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks. Thus the band
shot, each in turn, some getting off scot free, and some win-
ning a buffet that always sent them to the grass. And now,
last of all, Robin took his place, and all was hushed as he
shot. The first shaft he shot split a piece from the stake on
which the garland was hung; the second lodged within an
inch of the other. ‘By my halidom,’ said King Richard to
himself, ‘I would give a thousand pounds for this fellow to
be one of my guard!’ And now, for the third time Robin
shot; but, alas for him! The arrow was ill-feathered, and,
wavering to one side, it smote an inch outside the garland.
At this a great roar went up, those of the yeomen who
sat upon the grass rolling over and over and shouting with
laughter, for never before had they seen their master so miss
his mark; but Robin flung his bow upon the ground with
vexation. ‘Now, out upon it!’ cried he. ‘That shaft had an ill