Quoth he, "Thou hast a merry tongue, thou villain; but take care that thou makest not too free with it, or I may cut it out from thy throat for thee." Robin Hood strung his bow and took his place with never a word, albeit his heartstrings quivered with anger and loathing.

Twice he shot, the first time hitting within an inch of the wand, the second time splitting it fairly in the middle.

Then, without giving the other a chance for speech, he flung his bow upon the ground.

"There, thou bloody villain!" cried he fiercely, "let that show thee how little thou knowest of manly sports.

And now look thy last upon the daylight, for the good earth hath been befouled long enough by thee, thou vile beast! This day, Our Lady willing, thou diest--I am Robin Hood." So saying, he flashed forth his bright sword in the sunlight.
For a time Guy of Gisbourne stared upon Robin as though bereft of wits; but his wonder quickly passed to a wild rage.