THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER - online book

Original Illustrated Version By Mark Twain

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	OLD SCENES RE-EXACTED.                                             83
	forest. Tom flung off his jacket and trousers, turned a suspender into a belt, raked away some brush behind the rotten log, disclosing a rude bow and arrow, a lath sword and a tin trumpet, and in a moment had seized these things and bounded away, bare legged, with fluttering shirt. He presently halted under a great elm, blew an answering blast, and then began to tip-toe and look warily out, this way and that. He said cautiously—to an imaginary company : " Hold, my merry men ! Keep hid till I blow." Now appeared Joe Harper, as airily clad and elaborately armed as Tom. Tom called: " Hold ! Who comes here into Sherwood Forest without my pass? "
				" Guy of Guisborne wants no man's pass. Who art thou that—that— " " Dares to hold such language," said Tom, prompting—for they talked "by the book," from memory. "Who art thou that dares to hold such language? " " I, indeed! I am Robin Hood, as thy caitiff carcase soon shall know." " Then art thou indeed that famous out-law? Right gladly will I dispute with thee the passes of the merry wood. Have at thee !" They took their lath swords, dumped their other traps on the ground, struck a fencing attitude, foot to foot, and began a grave, careful combat, "two up and two down." Presently Tom said: " Now if you've got the hang, go it lively !"
		ROBIN HOOD AND 1        FOE.
	So they " went it lively," panting and perspiring with the work. By and by Tom shouted: " Fall! fall! Why don't you fall ? " " I shan't !* Why don't you fall yourself? You're getting the worst of it."