As it was, the blow he caught beside the head
was so shrewd that it sent him staggering across the little glade, so
that, if Little John had had the strength to follow up his vantage, it
would have been ill for stout Arthur. But he regained himself quickly
and, at arm's length, struck back a blow at Little John, and this time
the stroke reached its mark, and down went Little John at full length,
his cudgel flying from his hand as he fell. Then, raising his staff,
stout Arthur dealt him another blow upon the ribs.
"Hold!" roared Little John. "Wouldst thou strike a man when he is
down?"
"Ay, marry would I," quoth the Tanner, giving him another thwack with
his staff.
"Stop!" roared Little John. "Help! Hold, I say! I yield me! I yield
me, I say, good fellow!"
"Hast thou had enough?" asked the Tanner grimly, holding his staff
aloft.
"Ay, marry, and more than enough."
"And thou dost own that I am the better man of the two?"
"Yea, truly, and a murrain seize thee!" said Little John, the first
aloud and the last to his beard.
"Then thou mayst go thy ways; and thank thy patron saint that I am a
merciful man," said the Tanner.
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