Part 27 (1/2)
That was it, no doubt; but a ht was done Soone in their cups, already; and Monceux had given over the buttery to the butchers for the night ”I'll stay here then,” decided Robin; and, pretending to be suddenly overco ale, he tumbled hireat snoring, until Little John, taking hih the kitchen into a little larder, and there shut the door on hi,” cried Little John frousted air, for his fellow-servants to note ”Lie there in a clean sty for once; and if you grunt again I will surely souse you under the pump!” At this threat Robin's snores abated somewhat in their violence
”_I_ would drop hi Robin into fierce astonish those tones: so cruel, so false, so er” One of these two villains it was of a surety! But Robin had seen them both slain on the day of that battle wherein poor Will of Cloudesley had perished?
Treot upon his knees and peeped through the keyhole In the flagged kitchen, amidst the reek of hot foods and disordered dishes, were two men--one of them Little John The other was dressed as a cook, and as he turned his face towards the light of the fire Robin knew hied little
Little John answered his reer, if you could,” was all he said; but he spoke in sneering tone
”Ay, ossip,”
said Roger, busying hiold in the ruddy light of the fire ”I would not have _you_ as help hands and heavy hands and thieving hands Ah, I need not be wizard to know theer,” said Little John, very angry And he soundly cuffed the cook about the head Roger snarlingly drew back and snatched up a dish Full viciously he flung it at Little John, and after it another and another
[Illustration: LITTLE JOHN FIGHTS WITH THE COOK IN THE SHERIFF'S HOUSE
_At last he rew furious Dishes, plates, covers, pots and pans--all that ca_]
The first struck the giant's shoulder and fell clattering upon the red tiles The second dish struck Little John as he recoiled and cut his forehead and head Blood ran down instantly over his cheek The third s in his breath, Little John co chase of his foe, who had raced off to the other side of the table
Neither er shone on one face, jealous hate upon the other They moved round and round the table carefully
There were knives in plenty upon it; and every now and again Roger would seize one and fling it hurriedly at his ene or abating his set purpose by one jot
At last he rew furious Dishes, plates, covers, pots and pans--all that ca The noise ful; then suddenly ceased--for Little John had grasped his prey by the short skirt of his tunic In another second of tireen with a sick terror
Little John lifted hiainst the wall of the kitchen He rebounded froripped hold of those utensils near him All fell, with reverberations of sound, doith hiht and hideous twitching of his mouth
Little John opened the door to Robin ”Hasten--hasten away froer and death”
”And you?”
”I shall escape I have a story for them” Little John suddenly pushed Robin back into the larder ”'Tis too late: be silent on your life”
Some servants, alarmed by the din, entered They found Little John, the new kitchen-drawer, bending in consternation over the lifeless for at theiven way See how the foam flecks upon his lips Get me water for him Or stay, help me carry him to his bed”
Little John picked hi concern The others, aghast at the iant carried the unconscious Roger out of the kitchen
The servants ca the kitchen to order One of theth upon the top shelf So he was not discovered
The night wore on and ly to bed Little John returned, telling the feho remained that the cook was recovered from his fit; but was still delirious and unsafe ”I will bank the fire and sleep here, so that I o to him,” continued Little John, with a kind air ”By htily scare me when first the distemper showed in him He sliced me with the spit See how my head is cut, and my cheek shows you how his horrid teeth did meet in my flesh”
”Did he indeed bite you, Master Nailor?”