Part 24 (1/2)
”You may be acquainted and yetnot an inch ”This bridge is too narrow for us both One o back”
”Go back then, friend, by all ht well, stripling,” cried the tall el He made a pass or tith it about the head of the youth
The latter jumped back and fitted an arrow to his bow
”Nay, by enerous of you, forester,” cried the tall ht, surely you htly ”Nay, by ht fairly with staves when you are so el, friend,” retorted the big fellow
The youth thren his bow, and, opening a knife which hung at his waist, went forthwith towards the nearest bush He cut hi it deftly
When it was complete he came coolly up to his foe
”Make ready, friend,” said he, giving his cudgel a twirl ”Now take tune fro at hi one, for the youth had such skill and so ready a guard that the other but wasted his anger on hi”
juhtly and unexpectedly, and parried each thrust so surely, that presently the giant relaxed a little froave hi
”Byhis stick that he ht hearty blow” He picked up his stick again ”Fall to, spitfire I aer, and then the giant had his chance He caught the ju over the low parapet of the bridge far into the bubbling brook ”Ho, spitfire? Have you had enough?”
”Marry, that have I,” spluttered his antagonist, trying to scraain, and fell back with a little cry
The big man vaulted down to his help, and plucked his foe to the bank
There he laid hi his broith handfuls of fresh water till the youth opened his eyes again
”Friend,” said the stripling, gravely, sitting up, ”you dealt me that blow iant, a little aardly, ”as for the bloas but an under-cut that I knoell My na but little, friend,” answered the youth, struggling to his feet ”And noill give you my nae, shrill note
Forthwith the greenas alive with rass-colored clothes like the youth's They swarmed about him, full two score and ten of theer askance, gave a signal to the others to seize hiht was a fair one, friends, and the right of this bridge belongs for the hts, friend,” he went on, turning to the giant, ”and go upon your way”
”In a , you have now the better of this adventure, and yet do forbear,” returned Master Nailor ”Wherefore I like you well, and would ask again your name”
”Tell hi up to the giant impudently, then announced his master ”Know, fellow, that this is none other than a dead man--a wraith, indeed! At least, so saith Master Monceux, the lord Sheriff of Nottinghaht sorry that I beat you,” answered Master Nailor ”And had I known you at the first your head would nohole and your body unbruised By my inches, but I would like to join with you and your company”
”Enter our company, then, John Little; and be welcoe: for we shall ask unswerving loyalty of you, and you ive a bond that you will be faithful even unto death”
”I give the bond, with all my soul, and on my very life,” cried the tall man
”Master,” said the little man, as none other than our friend Stuteley, ”surely we cannot consent to welco such a naiant, ”take your new name from me, since you are to be of our brotherhood I christen you Little John!”