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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9fa015e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66169 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66169) diff --git a/old/66169-0.txt b/old/66169-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index de13cbf..0000000 --- a/old/66169-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3611 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Robin Hood and his Merry Foresters, by -Stephen Percy - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Robin Hood and his Merry Foresters - -Author: Stephen Percy - -Illustrator: Day & Haghe - J. Gilbert - -Release Date: August 29, 2021 [eBook #66169] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/American - Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY -FORESTERS *** - - - - - -[Illustration: MARRIAGE OF ALLEN A DALE. - -J. Gilbert - -Day & Haghe lithographers to the Queen] - - - - - ROBIN HOOD - AND - HIS MERRY FORESTERS. - - BY STEPHEN PERCY, - AUTHOR OF “TALES OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND” - - “Merry it is in the good green-wood, - When the mavis and merle are singing.” - - LONDON: - TILT AND BOGUE, FLEET STREET. - MDCCCXLI. - - LONDON: - CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE. - - - - - TO - MY SISTER ELIZA, - WITH - A BROTHER’S MOST AFFECTIONATE LOVE, - I DEDICATE - These Stories of my Boyhood. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - EARLY SCHOOL DAYS.—THE OLD SYCAMORE-TREE.—ROBIN HOOD’S - YOUTH.—THE OUTLAWS OF SHERWOOD.—ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE - JOHN.—ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER.—THE GAY FORESTER. Page 1 - - OUR SECOND MEETING.—ALLEN-A-DALE’S MARRIAGE.—THE MONKS’ - PRAYER—ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER.—GUY OF GISBORNE.—WILL - STUTELY’S CAPTURE.—THE RESCUE.—ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR. 29 - - THE THIRD EVENING.—THE OUTLAWS’ SPORTS.—ROBIN HOOD AND THE - FRIAR OF FOUNTAINS’ DALE.—THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD.—A PRIESTLY - QUARREL.—A MERRY DANCE. 63 - - OUR HALF-HOLIDAY.—THE WOOD.—ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S DAY.—FINSBURY - FIELD.—THE QUEEN’S CHAMPION.—THE OUTLAW’S PARDON.—THE KNIGHT OF - WIERYSDALE.—ROBIN HOOD’S GENEROSITY.—THE ABBOT OF ST. MARY’S. 87 - - OUR FIFTH MEETING.—REYNOLDE GRENELEFE.—THE SILVER - BUGLE-HORN.—THE SHERIFF’S PANTRY.—A CURIOUS COLOURED STAG.—THE - SHERIFF’S COUCH.—A RURAL FAIR.—THE MONKS OF ST. MARY’S.—THE - KNIGHT’S GRATITUDE. 112 - - OUR LAST EVENING.—THE SHERIFF’S COMPLAINT.—THE GOLDEN - ARROW.—ROBIN HOOD’S SMILE OF TRIUMPH.—A DESPERATE - COMBAT.—WIERYSDALE CASTLE.—THE SHERIFF’S DEATH.—THE OUTLAW’S - ALLEGIANCE AND PARDON.—ROBIN HOOD’S REBELLION.—HIS DEATH. 135 - - - - -LIST OF PLATES. - - - MARRIAGE OF ALLEN-A-DALE _frontispiece_ - - THE FORESTERS’ WELCOME _p._ 14 - - ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE 46 - - ROBIN HOOD AND THE FRIAR 72 - - THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD 82 - - THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE 110 - - THE GOLDEN ARROW 138 - - THE OUTLAWS’ ALLEGIANCE 150 - - - - -ROBIN HOOD. - - - - -EARLY SCHOOL-DAYS. - - -Tales of Robin Hood and his merry foresters were the delight of my -boyhood. - -Many an hour which my school-fellows spent in games of cricket or -leap-frog, I passed happily away in the rustic arbour that we had built -in the corner of our play-ground, deeply intent upon a volume of old -ballads that chance had thrown before me. Sometimes a companion or two, -weary of the sport in which they had been engaged, would join me in my -retreat, and ask me to read aloud; and seldom would they leave me till -the school-bell warned us that it was time to return to our duties. - -After the tasks of the day were done we had two hours at our disposal -before we were again called to study our lessons for the following -morning. In these short intervals it was that, forgetting for awhile -Cæsar, Cicero, and Virgil, freed from restraint, and exulting in health -and spirits, we passed the happiest moments of our early days. - -Though many years have since glided away, I can recall these pleasures -most vividly. Well do I recollect the youth who shared my bed, and who in -school hours sat next me on the first form; and well do I remember, as -we sauntered together one bright summer’s evening through the shrubbery -that encircled our play-ground, his asking me to tell him some tale of -Robin Hood. Willingly I complied. There was an old sycamore tree close -by, standing alone upon a little lawn. Its weather-beaten trunk was girt -round by a low seat, whence, through an opening in the trees, a wide -extent of country presented itself to the view. The shrubbery was upon -the side of a steep hill, at whose base lay broad and verdant meadows: -through these a navigable river winded peacefully along, bearing upon -its surface the white lateen sail of the gay pleasure-boat, or the more -dingy brown canvas of the heavily laden barge, that constantly lent a -fresh charm to the delightful landscape. Beyond the meadows was a little -village, almost concealed by the venerable trees that surrounded it, -while, to the left, the white front of some noble mansion glistened afar -off, amid the dark tint of the distant foliage. Many a time had I chosen -this favourite bench, and now, with my young friend at my side, I again -reclined against the broad old trunk. Scarce had we seated ourselves -when another of our school-fellows happened to pass by, and at the -intercession of my companion stayed to listen to my promised tale. - -I endeavoured to recall the earliest mention of my brave hero in the -ballads that told of his exploits, and thus began:— - - -ROBIN HOOD’S YOUTH. - -“More than six hundred years ago, in the reigns of King Henry the -Second and Richard Cœur de Lion, there lived in the northern part of -England a most famous outlaw, named Robin Hood. The daring exploits and -curious adventures of this renowned hero have been celebrated in songs -throughout almost every country in Europe; and so great a favourite has -he always been in England, that, as the old poet says, - - “‘In this our spacious isle I think there is not one - But he of Robin Hood hath heard, and Little John; - And, to the end of time, the tales shall ne’er be done - Of Scarlet, George-a-Green, and Much, the miller’s son; - Of Tuck, the merry friar, which many a sermon made - In praise of Robin Hood, his outlaws, and their trade.’ - -“Robin Hood, whose true name appears to have been Robert Fitzooth, was -born and bred in the sweet town of Locksley, in merry Nottinghamshire, -about the year 1160. He was a very handsome youth, with light auburn -hair, and dark bright eyes that glanced and sparkled like stars, and was -the most expert archer and bravest wrestler among all the lads of the -county, from whom he oft-times bore away the prize in their rural sports. -One day as Robin Hood was going to Nottingham upon a visit to his uncle -he passed by an ale-house, at the door of which stood several foresters, -keepers of the king’s parks, drinking ale and wine. Young Robin joined -the party, and entered into conversation with them, when he learned that -the king had commanded a shooting match to be held at a town close by in -the course of the following week. - -“‘I will be there,’ cried Robin Hood with great glee, ‘and will show King -Henry a good cloth-yard arrow well shot.’ - -“‘Ha! ha!’ laughed one of the foresters. ‘Dost thou think that a -stripling like thee may shoot before a king? I’ faith, my young fellow, -thou must give place to better men.’ - -“Robin Hood’s brow flushed with anger at this slight, and he half drew -his dagger from its sheath, but recollecting himself—‘I’ll wager thee -twenty crowns,’ he replied, ‘that I will strike a deer at five hundred -yards.’ - -“‘Done,’ cried the forester. ‘I bet thee twenty crowns thou canst not. -Our host shall hold the stakes while we go into yonder wood.’ - -“‘Agreed,’ said Robin Hood; ‘and if I do not _kill_ the deer thou shalt -win the bet.’ Each then paid twenty crowns to the host, and the whole -party set out merrily to the wood. Young Robin strung his noble bow, and -chose one of his best arrows, and in a few minutes a hart bounded across -the plain. Although the animal was at a considerable distance farther -off than the space agreed upon, Robin would not lose the chance; he drew -his arrow to the head, and let fly with such force that when it struck -the deer upon its side the poor creature fell plunging to the earth in a -stream of its own blood. - -“‘Give me the money,’ said Robin Hood proudly, to the host, ‘if ’twere a -thousand pound, I’ve won the wager.’ - -“‘The wager’s none of thine,’ cried the man with whom he had laid the -bet. ‘Thou hadst better take up thy bow and begone, or by’r lady I’ll -make thee rue this day;’ and thus saying he bestowed a buffet on the -young archer’s head, while the other keepers stood by and laughed. - -“Robin Hood took up his bow as he was bidden, without saying a word, -and smiled as he ran away from them across the plain. When he had got -some good distance off, he turned round, and aiming at the treacherous -forester, let fly a shaft which struck him upon the breast, pierced -his heart, and laid him dead upon the spot. Before his companions had -recovered from their surprise, Robin Hood sent arrow after arrow among -them, wounding some severely, and stretching others lifeless upon the -grass. - -“The people of Nottingham hearing of this, came out in great numbers -to take the bold young archer, but he had escaped far away before they -arrived; therefore, contenting themselves with taking the bodies of the -dead foresters, they buried them ‘all in a row,’ in the churchyard in -Nottingham. - -“For a long time afterwards Robin Hood dared not show himself in any town -or village, as a reward was offered for his apprehension; but he lived in -the forests under the green-wood trees, where he quickly met with several -other youths who for various causes had been outlawed like himself. - -“In these times immense tracts of land, especially in Nottinghamshire and -Yorkshire, were covered with dense woods, which generally abounded in -deer and every description of game; and as these were the property of the -king, rangers or foresters were appointed for their protection, and the -penalty against any one who dared to slay a stag was death. - -“Robin Hood and his companions cared very little for these rangers, who -indeed stood but a poor chance against them. They shot the king’s deer -whenever they were in want of food, and cooked it well enough by a fire -kindled with branches of the royal trees. - -“They likewise were sometimes bold enough to stop his majesty’s liege -subjects upon the highway, and politely request the loan of a few pounds, -which was most frequently granted them without their giving any security -for its repayment, the poor traveller being glad to escape with a safe -body. - -“As the young outlaw thus continued to live in Sherwood forest, his -superior skill in archery and his prowess at all manly exercises gained -him great fame. Many young men joined him in his retreat, and placed -themselves under his leadership, so that he soon found himself captain of -at least three-score gallant youths. - -“Robin Hood and his followers all dressed themselves in cloth of Lincoln -green, and generally wore a scarlet cap upon their heads. Each man was -armed with a dagger and a short basket-hilted sword, and carried a long -bow in his hand, while a quiver filled with arrows a cloth-yard long hung -at his back. The captain, besides wearing a better cloth than his men, -always carried with him a bugle horn, whose notes he taught his followers -to distinguish at a most incredible distance. - -“One day Robin Hood said to his men, ‘My brave fellows, here have we -been fourteen long days without any kind of sport. Stay ye here awhile -among the green leaves, while I go forth in search of some adventure. -If I want your assistance three blasts on my bugle horn will tell ye -where I am.’ And bidding them adieu for the present, he shook hands with -them, and with his trusty bow in his hand set out on his expedition. He -soon reached the high road, where he thought he should most easily meet -with something to do, and marched along boldly for a considerable way. -Presently he came to a wide but shallow brook that ran across the road, -over which there was but one narrow bridge, that would only permit a -single person to cross at a time. Just as Robin Hood set his foot upon -the plank at one end a traveller appeared upon the other side, and as -neither would return they met in the middle of the bridge. The stranger -was a tall handsome young fellow nearly seven feet high, but unarmed, -except with a stout oaken staff. - -“‘Go back,’ cried he to Robin Hood, ‘or ’twill be the worse for thee.’ - -“‘Ha! ha!’ laughed Robin, ‘surely thou jestest, man. Were I to bend this -good bow of mine I could send an arrow through thy heart before thou -could’st even strike;’ and stepping back a pace or two he drew a shaft -from his quiver and fixed it ready to shoot. - -“‘Thou talk’st like a coward,’ replied the stranger; ‘with a long bow -drawn against one who has but an oaken staff.’ - -“‘I am no coward,’ answered Robin Hood, ‘and that thou shalt see. Stay on -the bridge awhile. I’ll be with thee again in the twinkling of an arrow.’ -And laying aside his bow he ran back along the plank, plunged into a -thicket close at hand, and quickly returned bearing a good oak branch. - -“‘Now,’ cried he to the traveller, ‘now we are equally matched; let’s -fight out our quarrel on the bridge; whoever throws the other into the -water shall win the day, and so we’ll part.’ - -“‘With all my heart,’ replied the stranger, ‘for go back I will not;’ and -without a word farther he bestowed such a thwack on the head of Robin -Hood that his teeth chattered together. - -“‘Thou shalt have as good as thou giv’st,’ cried Robin, and laid such a -blow on the shoulder of his opponent that every bone in his body rung -again. At it they then went in right earnest, and thick and fast rattled -the staves upon their heads and backs, appearing like men threshing corn. -Getting more enraged at every stroke, they laid about each other with so -much fury that their jackets smoked as if they had been on fire; but at -last the stranger gave Robin Hood a blow upon the side of his head that -made him stagger, and losing his balance the outlaw tumbled into the -brook. - -“‘Where art thou now, my fine fellow?’ cried the victorious stranger, -laughing. - -“‘Good faith,’ replied Robin Hood, ‘I’m in the water, and floating -bravely with the tide. But thou art a bold yeoman I needs must say, and -I’ll fight no more with thee. Thou hast got the day and there’s an end -of our battle.’ Then wading to the bank he caught hold of a projecting -branch of a tree, pulled himself out of the brook, and setting his bugle -to his lips blew three such loud and lusty blasts that the woods and -valleys echoed and re-echoed them, till they reached the ears of his -merry bowmen. In a few minutes they all appeared dressed in their bright -green coats, and ranged themselves round Robin Hood, who was lying on the -grass to rest his bruised limbs. - -“‘Good master,’ cried one of them, named Will Stutely, ‘what wantest thou -with thy merry men? Hast thou fallen into the brook?’ - -“‘No matter,’ replied their captain; ‘this youth and I have had a famous -fight, and he knocked me into the water.’ - -“‘We’ll duck him, we’ll duck him,’ exclaimed the men, running up to the -stranger, and seizing him by the arms. - -“‘Forbear!’ shouted Robin Hood. ‘He is a brave young fellow, and must be -one of us.’ Then, springing to his feet, he advanced towards him. ‘No one -shall harm thee, friend,’ he said; ‘these merry men are mine. There are -three-score and nine, and if thou wilt join them thou shalt have a coat -of Lincoln green like theirs, a dagger, a good broadsword, and a bow and -arrows, with which we will soon teach thee to kill the fat fallow-deer.’ - -“‘Here’s my hand on it,’ replied the stranger, striking his palm into -that of the bold outlaw; ‘I’ll serve thee with my whole heart. My name is -John Little, but thou’lt find I can do much, and that I’ll play my part -with the best.’ - -“‘His name must be altered,’ said Will Stutely. ‘I’ll be his godfather, -and we’ll have a merry christening in the green-wood.’ - -“A brace of fat does were presently shot, and a fresh barrel of humming -strong ale was broached for the occasion. Robin Hood and his followers -then stood in a ring, while Will Stutely, attended by seven of the -tallest, dressed themselves in black garments that had once belonged to -some unfortunate priests, and prepared to baptize this pretty infant. -They carried him into the midst of the ring, and throwing a bucket of -water over his face, for fear a little sprinkling might not be enough, -Will Stutely in a very solemn tone said, ‘This infant has hitherto been -called John Little; we do now hereby change his name, which from the -present day to the end of his life shall be called Little John.’ - -“A loud shout from the men made the forest ring again. When this ceremony -was concluded, and when Robin Hood had given his new attendant a coat -of Lincoln green, and a curiously carved long-bow, they all sat down on -the grass to a merry feast. Music succeeded, and their bold captain, in -honour of his new guest, trolled forth the following song:— - - “‘You’re welcome, my lad, to the forests o’ green, - Where the wild deer so merrily bounds; - Where the foresters bold their gay revels hold, - And their bugle-horn cheerily sounds. - - “‘Thou shalt be an archer, as well as the best, - And range in the green-wood with us; - Where we’ll not want gold nor silver, behold, - While bishops have aught in their purse. - - “‘We live here like ’squires, or lords of renown, - Without e’er a foot of free land; - We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer, - And ev’ry thing at our command. - - “‘Then welcome, my lad, to the merry green-wood, - Where the wild deer so joyously bounds; - Where the foresters bold their gay revels hold, - And their bugle-horn cheerily sounds.’ - -[Illustration: “THOU’RT WELCOME MY LAD TO THE MERRY GREEN-WOOD.” - -J. Gilbert] - -“Merrily and gaily did they pass the evening; now dancing round some old -monarch of the forest, and now listening to the rude but pleasing ditty -of one of their companions. At length the sun went down, and the deep -shades of the forest began to draw around them. Robin Hood drew forth his -bugle, sounded a few notes, and in a minute or two the whole band were -dispersed in groups to their huts and caves. - - -ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER. - -“Shortly after this merry-making Robin Hood was one morning sitting by -the way-side, amusing himself with trimming his bow and arrows, when he -espied a jolly butcher hastening to market with a basket of meat before -him upon his horse. - -“‘Good morrow, my fine fellow,’ quoth Robin Hood as he passed by. ‘What -may’st thou have in that basket there?’ - -“‘What’s that to thee,’ replied the butcher: ‘thou’lt not buy it I’ll -warrant me.’ - -“‘Nay, now, my good friend, be civil,’ returned the outlaw, rising -from the grass, and patting the man’s horse upon the neck. ‘What value -settest thou upon this beast of thine, and the basket, altogether?’ - -“‘Well! an thou mean’st to buy,’ answered the butcher, still doubting, -‘thou shalt have the whole lot for four silver marks.’ - -“‘Throw that greasy frock of thine into the bargain,’ said Robin, ‘and -here’s thy money:’ at the same time he took some silver pieces from a -leathern pouch that hung from his girdle, and held them to the butcher. -With great joy at having made so good a bargain, the man instantly -dismounted, and giving his horse’s reins to his new owner, he quickly -stripped off his outer garment. The bold outlaw as quickly encased -himself in it, and, mounting the horse, took the basket from the butcher, -and galloped off to Nottingham. - -“When he reached the town, Robin Hood made his way to the part where the -meat was sold; and having put up his horse at an inn, he uncovered his -basket, and began to sell its contents. He knew very little and cared -very little about the price that was usually paid for meat, and the -ladies in the market quickly discovered that he gave about five times as -much for a penny as any other butcher. His stall was soon surrounded, -and his brethren in the trade were left without a customer. At first they -could not imagine what could be the reason of so strange an occurrence; -but when one of them learned that the new butcher had actually sold a -whole leg of pork for a shilling, a general council was held, and it was -unanimously agreed that he must either be mad, or some prodigal son who -had run away with his father’s property: but they were all determined to -learn something certain about him. - -“When the market was over, one of them stepped up to Robin Hood. ‘Come, -brother,’ said he to him, ‘we are all of one trade, come and dine with us -to-day.’ - -“‘Right willingly that will I,’ replied the outlaw; ‘and a jolly dinner -will we have. ’Tis my first day among ye, and by my faith it shall be -a merry one.’ They were soon seated at the board, at the head of which -presided the sheriff of Nottingham, while ‘mine host’ sat at the other -end. Robin Hood, being a new comer, said grace, and they commenced a most -fearful attack upon divers smoking flanks of beef, and many a goodly -haunch of venison. The jovial outlaw did his duty with the rest, and -when at last the dishes were allowed to be taken away, ‘Fill us more -wine,’ he cried, ‘let’s be merry, my brethren; drink till ye can drink no -more; I’ll pay the reckoning.’ - -“‘This is a mad blade,’ said the sheriff to his next neighbour; ‘we must -find out who he is.’—‘Hast thou, friend,’ he continued aloud, addressing -Robin Hood, ‘hast thou any horned beasts to dispose of?’ - -“‘Aye, good master sheriff, that have I,’ answered Robin, ‘some two or -three hundreds, and a hundred acres of as good free land too as thou’st -ever seen.’ - -“‘I want a few head of cattle,’ rejoined the former, ‘and if thou wilt, -I’ll ride this day to look at thine.’ - -“‘Fill me a bumper of sack,’ cried Robin Hood; ‘here’s to a good -bargain;’ and tossing off a goblet of wine, he rose up, threw a handful -of silver upon the table, and with the sheriff left the astonished -butchers to finish their wine and talk of their extraordinary comrade. - -“The man of dignity saddled his palfrey, and tying a heavy bag of gold, -wherewith to pay for his purchase, to his girdle, set out with Robin Hood -to Sherwood forest. Merry were the jokes and loud was the laughter of -the bold outlaw as they trotted along the road, and the sheriff thought -that he had never met with so pleasant a companion. ‘Heaven preserve us,’ -said he, ‘from a man they call Robin Hood, who often frequents these -woods.’ - -“‘Fear not, master sheriff,’ replied Robin; ‘I saw him in Nottingham town -not two hours ago, and I’ll warrant me he has not overtaken us.’ - -“‘In Nottingham!’ cried the sheriff, with astonishment: ‘why didst not -thou tell me that before? I must go back and capture him.’ - -“‘’Twill be a profitless errand for thee,’ answered the outlaw. ‘Though -I know Robin Hood as well as my own self, ’twas with difficulty I -recognised him in his disguise.’ The sheriff looked hard at his -companion, as he claimed so intimate a knowledge with the outlawed -forester, but said not a word, only spurring his horse on faster, and -keeping as far from his fellow-traveller as the width of the road -permitted. - -“Presently they arrived at the borders of the forest, and striking -into a narrow road that led through it, reached an open lawn of some -considerable extent. Just as they entered upon it, a whole herd of deer -tripped gaily across the path. - -“‘How likest thou my horned beasts, master sheriff?’ asked Robin Hood; -‘they are fat and in good condition, are they not?’ - -“‘I must tell thee, good fellow,’ returned the sheriff, reining up his -palfrey, ‘that I would rather be elsewhere than in thy company.’ - -“Robin Hood replied by taking his bugle-horn from his side, and blowing -three distinct blasts that made the woods re-echo, and his companion’s -ears to tingle with no small degree of apprehension. - -“‘Thou art a knave,’ cried he, ‘and hast played me false; take that for -payment:’ and the terrified sheriff drew his sword and struck fiercely at -the outlaw, who, spurring his steed aside, dexterously avoided the blow. -In a moment after, sixty or more foresters, with Little John at their -head, burst from the thickets and surrounded the two horsemen. - -“‘Welcome, good master;’ said Little John to his captain. ‘What will’st -thou with thy merry men?’ - -“‘I have brought the sheriff of Nottingham to dine with ye to-day,’ -replied Robin Hood; ‘make good cheer, and give him of the best.’ - -“‘Aye, marry, that will we,’ returned the tall forester, ‘for I know he -has gold to pay for it:’ and gently obliging the sheriff to dismount, -he unfastened the bag from the unfortunate man’s girdle, and taking his -cloak from his shoulders, he spread it upon the grass, and emptied the -gold upon it. - -“‘Three hundred pounds will serve us for many a carouse,’ said Little -John, when he had counted the money and replaced it in the bag. ‘And now, -master sheriff,’ he continued, laughing, ‘would’st thou like venison for -thy dinner? Hast thou any stomach for a smoking haunch?’ - -“‘Let me away,’ cried the sheriff, running to his horse’s side, ‘or -you’ll all rue this day.’ - -“Robin Hood sprang to his assistance, held the stirrup while he mounted, -and politely wishing him a pleasant journey home, desired to be -especially commended to his wife. The poor sheriff, glad to escape sound -in body, returned no answer; but striking spurs into his palfrey was soon -out of sight. The merry foresters quickly repaired to their wonted spot, -and with many a bumper of ale or wine, drank to the health and prosperity -of the liberal sheriff of Nottingham. - - -ROBIN HOOD AND WILL SCARLET. - -“The bold outlaws were afraid to show themselves for some time after this -adventure, and for several weeks retired to a distant forest, where their -haunts were not so well known as in Sherwood. - -“Robin Hood was one morning rambling among the woods, when, through the -branches of the trees, he caught sight of a gay young fellow walking -carelessly along and whistling merrily. The stranger was clothed in -a silken doublet of beautiful scarlet, his hose were likewise of the -same bright colour, and his gay green cap was ornamented with a crimson -feather. By his side hung a handsome broadsword, the hilt of which -was studded with precious stones, and in his left hand he carried an -elegantly carved bow; while a quiver of polished oak, inlaid with silver, -was suspended by a silken baldric at his back. - -“As he emerged from the thicket upon a little plain, on which the -noon-day sun was permitted to shine unobscured by the deep foliage that -on all sides surrounded him, the traveller’s heart leapt with joy at the -sight of a herd of deer grazing quietly at the other end of the verdant -glade. - -“‘The fattest among ye,’ quoth he, loud enough for the outlaw to -over-hear him, ‘shall serve my dinner to-day:’ and drawing an arrow from -his quiver, he fixed it upon his bow, and discharged the weapon with such -keen velocity that the noblest animal among the herd fell dead at the -distance of forty yards. - -“‘Well shot! well shot, my friend!’ cried Robin Hood, advancing from his -concealment. ‘Would’st like to be a forester in this merry green-wood?’ - -“‘Where springest thou from?’ said the stranger, turning round sharply at -the sound of a voice: ‘Go thou thine own way; I’ll go mine.’ - -“‘If thou’lt accept the place,’ returned the outlaw, unheeding this angry -reply, ‘I’ll make thee a bold yeoman, and give thee livery of mine.’ - -“‘Livery!’ cried the other. ‘By St. George, an thou dost not take to -thine heels, I’ll give thee such a buffet as shall make thine ears ring -for many a mile.’ - -“Robin Hood drew back a step, and bent his ever-ready bow, and at the -same time the stranger, quick as thought, drew another arrow from his -quiver, and pointed it at the outlaw. - -“‘Hold! hold!’ cried the latter. ‘This is cowards’ play. Take thy sword, -man, and let’s fight it out under yonder tree.’ - -“‘With all my heart,’ replied the traveller; ‘and by my faith I will -not leave thee till thou dost cry “‘a mercy.”’ Then laying aside their -bows, each drew his sword, and stepping beneath the shade of a broad old -oak, began the combat in right good earnest. The bold outlaw, seizing an -unguarded moment, laid a blow upon the shoulder of his opponent that made -him wince again; but, in retaliation, the stranger rushed furiously at -Robin Hood, and struck him so violently upon the head that the blood ran -trickling down from every hair. - -“‘Mercy, good fellow—mercy,’ he cried, dropping his sword’s point to the -earth, and leaning himself against the tree; ‘thou hast fairly beaten me. -Tell me,—who art thou? and what seek’st thou here?’ - -“‘Ha! thou alterest thy tone now,’ answered the victor with a laugh; -‘but, if thou’rt a true man, thou may’st stand my friend. Know’st thou -where dwells a yeoman they call Robin Hood?’ - -“‘Wherefore dost thou seek him?’ inquired the outlaw. - -“‘I am his sister’s son,’ replied the youth. ‘I had the misfortune to -slay my father’s steward in a quarrel, and am forced to flee from home.’ - -“‘Thy name?’ asked Robin Hood anxiously. - -“‘Is Will Gamwell, of the town of Maxwell,’ replied the stranger. - -“‘My brave boy, I am thine uncle,’ exclaimed the outlaw, clasping him in -his arms with delight; ‘thou should’st have said this before we shed each -other’s blood.’ - -“‘Forgive me—forgive me,’—cried the youth, bending on his knee; ‘and I’ll -serve thee day and night.’ - -“‘Give me thy hand,’ replied Robin; ‘thou art a bold fellow, a true -marksman, and a right valiant swordsman, as I know to my cost. Let us go -seek my merry men.’ And with many a pleasant discourse the newly-found -relations beguiled their path to the haunt of the outlaws. As they -approached the spot, Robin Hood drew his bugle from his girdle, and -sounded a few short notes. Before the music had ceased Little John stood -at his side. - -“‘Is danger at hand, good master?’ he said. ‘Where hast thou tarried so -long? Whence this blood?’ - -“‘I met with this youth,’ replied Robin Hood, ‘and full sore has he -beaten me.’ - -“‘Then I’ll have a bout with him,’ cried the tall forester, and see if -he will beat me too;’ and with a staff in his hand he stepped before the -stranger. - -“‘Nay nay,’ said his captain, interfering, ‘that must not be; he is my -own dear sister’s son, and next to thee shall be my chief yeoman.’ - -“‘Welcome, my friend, to merry Sherwood,’ exclaimed Little John, shaking -the new comer by the hand. ‘We’ll have a rare feast for thee to-night. -But by what name shall we call thee among our jovial comrades?’ - -“‘His name is Gamwell,’ replied Robin Hood; ‘but we had better -re-christen him as we did thee; he has forsooth a fine scarlet doublet, -and Will Scarlet shall be his name.’ Then again taking his bugle, he set -it to his lips, and winded it till - - “‘The warbling echoes wak’d from every dale and hill.’ - -“More than a hundred tall yeomen, clad in Lincoln green, soon attended -this summons, bounding among the trees like so many playful deer. - -“Will Scarlet, frightened at the sight of so many men, all armed with -bows, cried to his uncle to fly from them, and was himself starting off -at his full speed, when Robin Hood caught him by the arm, and laughing -heartily at his terror, bade him behold his future companions. - -“‘What want’st thou, good master?’ said Will Stutely, the leader of the -band. ‘Thy bugle sounded so shrill we thought there had been work for us.’ - -“‘The danger’s over now,’ replied Robin Hood; ‘but welcome your new -comrade; he is my own sister’s son, and has proved himself a gallant -youth, for he has given me a famous beating.’ - -“The foresters set up a simultaneous shout, and each advancing in his -turn took the hand of the delighted youth. The rest of the day was spent -in feasting and sporting, till the departing rays of the sun warned them -to their caves and bowers.” - -Just as I had thus concluded, and my young companions were making their -various remarks upon the merry life of the bold outlaws, the deep tone -of our school-bell rang in our ears. Off we started, like a herd of deer -frightened at the notes of Robin Hood’s bugle-horn. - - - - -OUR SECOND MEETING. - - -ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN-A-DALE. - -On the next evening, when I took my seat beneath the sycamore, I found -that it was surrounded by no less than six of my school-fellows; so -popular had been the legends of Robin Hood with my hearers of the -previous day. I was mightily pleased at this, and with renewed confidence -began the following tale:— - -“Shortly after the accession of Will Scarlet to his company, Robin Hood -was one morning roaming through the forest, when he beheld a young man, -very elegantly dressed in crimson silk, skipping merrily over the green -plain, singing a roundelay; his face was lighted up with gladness, and -his heart seemed overflowing with joy. - -“On the very next morning Robin Hood again encountered the same youth. -All his finery was gone. He wore a russet suit, and his countenance was -overspread with melancholy. He walked slowly, absorbed in meditation, -and now and then broke out into exclamations of the keenest grief. The -outlaw’s heart was moved. ‘What can have caused this sudden change,’ he -said to himself: ‘perhaps I may relieve his sorrows;’ and emerging from -the grove he stood before the young man’s path. - -“‘What ailest thou my friend?’ he said to him; ‘but yesterday thou wert -as gay as a lark, and to-day as thou wert at a funeral.’ - -“‘Why dost thou ask?’ said the youth: ‘thou canst not help me in my -distress.’ - -“‘I have a hundred as good yeomen as ever drew bow in the green-wood,’ -replied the outlaw, ‘that will do my bidding as I list.’ - -“‘Lend me thine aid,’ cried the young man eagerly, ‘and I’ll be thy true -servant for ever. My name is Allen-a-Dale. But yesterday I was to have -wedded the fairest maiden upon whom the sun ever shone. To-day she is -taken from me, and will be forced to marry a rich old knight whom she -detests.’ - -“‘Where is the wedding to take place,’ inquired Robin Hood. - -“‘At the little church in the vale ’twixt here and Nottingham,’ replied -the lover; ‘’tis not five miles distant.’ - -“‘We will try what’s to be done,’ rejoined Robin. ‘Come with me, and by -my faith it shall go hard but thou gettest thy fair maiden yet;’ and -taking the now hopeful youth by the hand, the outlaw led him away. - -“Great preparations were made for the approaching wedding in the village -church that Allen-a-Dale had mentioned. The lord bishop of the diocese -was there, dressed in his gorgeous robes; and the cottagers, decked out -in their holiday costume, were waiting anxiously to witness so grand a -marriage. An old man with a long flowing beard likewise demanded and -received admission into the interior of the sacred edifice. He wore a -sombre-coloured mantle that entirely covered him, and carried, slung by -a belt across his shoulders, a harp, which, as he seated himself near -the altar, he placed at his feet, ready to strike on the appearance of -the bridal party. Presently the grave old knight entered the church, -leading the beautiful damsel by the hand. Young girls, dressed in white, -scattered roses in their path as they advanced, and the harper sounded -his noble instrument. The poor maiden seemed totally unconscious of all -that passed. She walked slowly, with her head bent to the earth; and -tears burst from her eyes, and coursed each other down her lovely cheeks: -but the old knight was unmoved, and hurried her to the altar. The bishop -opened his book and began the ceremony. - -“‘I forbid this match,’ exclaimed a voice that seemed to proceed from -where the harper sat. - -“The reverend father, surprised at so unusual an interruption, stopped, -and looked around:—‘Stand forth, whoever thou art, and state thy -reasons,’ said he, after a long pause. - -“‘This old knight is not the damsel’s free choice,’ cried the old man, -rising from his seat, ‘and I forbid the marriage.’ At the same moment -pulling away his false beard, and casting aside his cloak, ROBIN HOOD -drew a bugle-horn from his baldric, and stunned the ears of bishop, -knight, and maiden, with the loudness of his blast. At the summons four -and twenty yeomen darted out of a grove that was close at hand, bounded -like wild deer over the plain, and quickly entered the church. The first -man among them was Allen-a-Dale. He ran to Robin Hood, and gave him his -trusty bow; then, rushing to the altar, he hurled the old knight aside, -and clasping the lovely maiden in his arms, bore her to the outlaw. - -“‘Now, my good lord bishop,’ said Robin Hood, ‘thou may’st marry this -fair lady to her own true love.’ - -“‘That cannot be,’ returned the bishop, closing his book with a loud -clap; ‘the law requireth that the banns be published three times in the -church.’ - -“‘We will soon remedy that,’ cried Little John, stepping forward from -among the bowmen. ‘Lend me thy gown awhile, good master bishop, and I -will do that office;’ and as he spake, he entered the enclosed space by -the altar, and stood by the side of the reverend father, who, with a very -ill will, suffered his robe to be taken from his person. - -“The foresters and villagers, one and all, could not restrain their -mirth when the tall yeoman put the garment upon himself, and took up the -bishop’s volume. For fear that thrice might not be enough, he published -the banns seven times, while Allen-a-Dale and his betrothed took their -places at the altar steps. - -“‘Who gives away this maid?’ asked Little John when he had finished that -part of his duty. - -“‘That do I,’ answered Robin Hood, who stood at the damsel’s side. -‘Where’s the man who dares dispute my gift?’ and clapping the bridegroom -upon his shoulders—‘Cheer ye, my gallant friend,’ he cried; ‘by my troth -thou hast boldly won the fairest maiden in Christendom.’ - -“Neither the old knight nor the bishop interposed, but while Little John -proceeded with the ceremony they both left the church. As soon as all -was concluded, the young girls again strewed flowers in the path of the -now joyous bride, the bells struck up a merry peal, and the villagers -and foresters, rushing out of the church, greeted the happy pair with -loud shouts of joy. Robin Hood and his men escorted them home, and having -drunk to the welfare and happiness of young Allen-a-Dale and his fair -lady, they again returned to their green-wood shades. - - -ROBIN HOOD’S GOLDEN PRIZE. - -“There were many days in which the outlaws of Sherwood scarcely knew -how to pass away their time. They often grew tired of their easy and -careless life, and longed for an adventure where more active exertions -would be required. Robin Hood, especially, could ill brook the monotony -of a forester’s life. He was ever bent upon some enterprise, either by -himself alone, or with the assistance of his followers; and rarely a week -passed but that the bold captain threw a good store of gold into his -treasury. One day he disguised himself in the dress of a friar. A long -dark-coloured gown completely covered his green doublet, and a large cowl -over his head nearly concealed his features. His waist was girt round -with a white woollen rope, from which were suspended a string of beads -and an ivory crucifix. Thus attired, with a staff in his hand, he took -the high road, and trudged on merrily. The first persons he met were, -an honest husbandman, clad in tattered garments, carrying a chubby boy -in his arms, and his wife, with an infant, following mournfully in his -steps. Robin Hood stopped them, inquired the cause of their grief, and -learned that their cottage had been burned down by a party of marauders, -and that they were then on their way to Nottingham, where the poor man -hoped to obtain employment. - -“The seeming priest, moved with compassion at their forlorn state, drew -forth a broad piece of gold and gave it to the wanderers, who ever after -blessed the day they met the generous friar. - -“Robin Hood walked on nearly a mile farther without meeting a single -traveller, when at last he espied two monks in black gowns coming towards -him, riding upon mules. - -“‘Benedicite,’ said Robin Hood meekly, as they drew near him; ‘I pray ye, -holy brethren, have pity upon a poor wandering friar, who has neither -broken bread nor drank of the cup this day.’ - -“‘We are grieved, good brother,’ replied one of the monks, ‘we have not -so much as a penny. Robbers met us on the way, who have stripped us of -all our gold.’ - -“‘I fear thou tellest not the truth,’ returned the friar. ‘Wherefore did -they leave ye those beasts?’ - -“‘Now by’r lady,’ cried the second monk, ‘thou art an insolent fellow,’ -and pushing on their mules he and his companion galloped off. The outlaw -laughed at their precipitate decampment, then starting off at his best -speed, he soon overtook them. ‘Brethren,’ he cried, as one after the -other he pulled them from their saddles, ‘since we have no money, let us -pray to our dear lady to send us some;’ and falling on his knees he made -the monks kneel down beside him. The old ballad says - - “‘The priests did pray, with mournful cheer, - Sometimes their hands did wring, - Sometimes they wept and cried aloud, - Whilst Robin did merrily sing.’ - -“After some time thus spent, the outlaw rose. ‘Now, my brethren,’ quoth -he, ‘let us see what money has been sent us—we will all share alike;’ and -putting his hand in his pocket he pulled forth twenty pieces of gold, -and laid them on the grass. The monks fumbled a long time amid their -garments, but could find nothing. - -“‘Let me search,’ cried the friar; ‘perchance ye have not hit upon the -right pocket.’ The monks reluctantly consented, and presently the outlaw -drew forth two purses, and counted out five hundred golden crowns. - - “‘Here is a brave show,’ said Robin Hood, - ‘Such store of gold to see; - And ye shall each of ye have a part - ’Cause you prayed so heartily.’ - -“He then gave them back each fifty pieces, which the monks eagerly -seized, and running to the side of their mules they were about to ride -off. ‘Stay,’ cried the outlaw; ‘two things ye must swear: first—that ye -will never tell lies again; and secondly—that ye will be charitable to -the poor.’ The priests fell on their knees and gave the required promise -to Robin Hood, and then - - “‘He set them on their beasts again, - And away then they did ride; - And he returned to the merry green-wood - With great joy, mirth, and pride.’” - -“Can you remember the whole of any ballad?” asked one of my hearers. “If -you could I should like very much to hear it.” - -“And so should I.”—“And I.”—“And I.”—cried two or three other voices. - -“I fear there will be some parts that you will scarcely understand,” I -replied; “but as you wish it, you shall hear of - - -ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER; OR, TRUE FRIENDSHIP AFTER A FIERCE FIGHT. - - “When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice, - And likewise the mountains of snow, - Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away, - To frolic abroad with his bow. - - “He left all his merry men waiting behind, - Whilst through the green valleys he pass’d, - Where he did behold a forester bold, - Who cry’d out, ‘Friend, whither so fast?’ - - “I am going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck, - For me and my merry men all; - Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe, - Or else it shall cost me a fall.’ - - “‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then, - ‘For these are his majesty’s deer; - Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute, - For I am head forester here.’ - - “‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure, - My arrows I here have let fly; - Where freely I range, methinks it is strange - You should have more power than I. - - “‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own, - And so are the nimble deer too; - Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear, - I’ll not be affronted by you.’ - - “The forester he had a long quarter staff, - Likewise a broadsword by his side; - Without more ado, he presently drew, - Declaring the truth should be tried. - - “Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best, - Thus, ere he could take any wrong, - His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush, - And thus they fell to it ding dong. - - “The very first blow that the forester gave, - He made his broad weapon cry twang; - ’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead, - O that was a terrible bang! - - “But Robin he soon recovered himself, - And bravely fell to it again; - The very next stroke their weapons they broke, - Yet never a man there was slain. - - “At quarter staff then they resolved to play, - Because they would have the other bout; - And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood; - Unwilling he was to give out. - - “Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows, - The other return’d them as fast; - At every stroke their jackets did smoke; - Three hours the combat did last. - - “At length in a rage the forester grew, - And cudgel’d bold Robin so sore - That he could not stand, so shaking his hand, - He cry’d, ‘Let us freely give o’er. - - “‘Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess - I never knew any so good; - Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me, - And range in the merry green-wood.’ - - “Robin Hood set his bugle horn to his mouth, - A blast then he merrily blows; - His yeomen did hear, and straight did appear - A hundred with trusty long bows. - - “Now Little John came at the head of them all, - Cloth’d in a rich mantle of green; - And likewise the rest were gloriously drest, - A delicate sight to be seen! - - “‘Lo! these are my yeomen,’ said bold Robin Hood, - ‘And thou shalt be one of the train, - A mantle and bow, and quiver also, - I give them whom I entertain.’ - - “The forester willingly entered the list, - They were such a beautiful sight; - Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe, - And made a rich supper that night, - - “What singing and dancing was in the green-wood, - For joy of another new mate! - With might and delight they spent all the night, - And liv’d at a plentiful rate. - - “Quoth he, ‘My brave yeomen, be true to your trust, - And then we may range the woods wide.’ - They all did declare, and solemnly swear, - They would conquer, or die by his side.” - -This ballad was highly approved of; and when, as usual, a few remarks had -been made upon the valour of the champions, I resumed my tales, and told -of - - -ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE. - -“How delightful are the woods upon a summer’s morn. The bright foliage -of the trees now shines in its deepest verdure; the lawns and glades -are clothed with luxuriant grass and sweet wild flowers, upon which the -dew-drops glisten in the rising sun. The merry birds sitting upon the -tender branches pour forth their morning lays; and yon lark, now soaring -high towards the blue expanse of heaven, makes hill and dale re-echo -with her melodious carol;—all telling of the goodness of their Creator, -and praising him for his wondrous works. Thus thought Robin Hood as, on -a bright morning in the pleasant month of June, he wandered amid the -trees of Barnesdale. He had been awakened earlier than usual from his -slumbers by the loud and incessant singing of a golden thrush: he arose, -and rambled forth, enjoying the freshness of the morning breeze, and the -sweet music that was borne upon it. Many a hart darted across his path, -and many a young fawn skipped playfully at his side, and then bounded -into the recesses of the forest. At another time the outlaw’s keen arrow -would have followed them, but now he smiled at their merry gambols, and -charmed with the loveliness of the scene, he rested upon his bow, and -contemplated with heart-felt pleasure the tranquil beauty of the morn. -He continued thus, absorbed in meditation, when suddenly a distant sound -broke upon the stillness of the air. - -“The outlaw listened for a moment. ‘’Tis the tramp of horses,’ he -whispered to himself; and stepping to a tree, quick as thought he -climbed amid its branches. Thence he could plainly distinguish the -glitter of spear-heads and bright helmets, and scarce had he secured -himself from observation, when several horsemen, followed by a troop of -soldiers, passed within a few yards of his hiding-place. In the leader, -Robin Hood at once recognised his old friend, the sheriff of Nottingham, -who he had no doubt was now come with his men to seek for the traitorous -butcher of Sherwood. - -“It was not till some time after this little band had gone by that the -outlaw ventured to descend the tree; and then, striking into a narrow -path, he endeavoured to retrace his steps to the spot where his men were -dwelling. On his way he was obliged to cross the high road, where a -stranger arrested his steps. - -“‘Hast thou seen the sheriff of Nottingham in the forest?’ he inquired. - -“‘Aye, my good fellow, and with a fine band at his tail,’ replied Robin -Hood. ‘Art thou seeking him?’ - -“‘Not him,’ returned the stranger, who was a bold yeoman, dressed in a -coat of the untanned skin of some wild beast, and who carried a bow in -his hand, and a sword and dagger at his side. ‘I seek not the sheriff, -but him whom he seeks.’ - -“‘And who may that be?’ said the forester, at the same time forming a -pretty shrewd guess. - -“‘A man they call Robin Hood,’ answered the stranger. ‘If thou canst show -me where he is, this purse shall be thine;’ and taking a well-filled -leathern bag from his girdle, he rattled the contents together. - -“‘Come with me, my friend, and thou shalt soon see Robin Hood,’ returned -the outlaw. ‘But thou hast a brave bow; wilt thou not try thy skill -with me in archery?’ The stranger at once consented. Robin Hood with -his dagger cut down the branch of a tree, and fixing it in the earth, -suspended upon the top a little garland, which he entwined with the long -grass. The archers took their station at the distance of three hundred -yards, and the stranger drew the first bow. His arrow flew past the mark -far too high. The outlaw next bent his weapon, and shot within an inch -or two of the stick. Again the yeoman essayed; and this time his shaft -flew straight and passed through the garland; but Robin Hood stepped -up boldly, and drawing his arrow to the very head, shot it with such -vehemence that it clave the branch into two pieces, and still flew -onwards for some yards. - -“‘Give me thy hand,’ cried the stranger,—‘thou’rt the bravest bowman -I’ve seen for many a day, an thy heart be as true as thy aim, thou art a -better man than Robin Hood. What name bearest thou?’ - -“‘Nay—first tell me thine,’ replied Robin, ‘and then by my faith I will -answer thee.’ - -“‘They call me Guy of Gisborne,’ rejoined the yeoman. ‘I’m one of the -king’s rangers; and am sworn to take that outlawed traitor, Robin Hood.’ - -“‘He’s no traitor, sirrah,’ returned the forester angrily; ‘and cares as -much for thee as for the beast whose skin thou wearest. I am that outlaw -whom thou seek’st,—I am Robin Hood:’ and in a moment his drawn sword was -in his hand. - -“‘That’s for thee then,’ cried the yeoman, striking fiercely. ‘Five -hundred pounds are set upon thine head, and if I get it not I’ll lose -mine own.’ - -[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD & GUY OF GISBORNE - -J. Gilbert] - -“Robin Hood intercepted the intended blow, and fought skillfully with his -fiery and more athletic antagonist, who poured down an incessant shower -of strokes upon him. Once the bold outlaw fell; but recovering himself -sufficiently to place a foot upon the earth, he thrust his sword at the -ranger, and as he drew back to avoid it, Robin Hood sprung up, and with -one sudden back-handed stroke slew poor Guy of Gisborne upon the spot. -He immediately stripped off the hide from the dead man, upon whom he put -his own green mantle; and then taking his unfortunate opponent’s bow and -arrows and bugle-horn, he drew him into a thicket, and darted off swiftly -to assist his men. - -“In the mean while the sheriff of Nottingham and his attendants had -pushed their way through the woods to Barnesdale, where they had been -informed the outlaw was lying. - -“The bold foresters, ever on the alert, heard the unusual sound of the -tramp of armed men, and with their bugles gave notice to each other of -the danger. Little John had been in pursuit of a fat doe, which he was -bringing home upon his shoulders, when the warning sounded upon his ears. -Concealing his booty among the underwood, he bounded through the forest -to the scene of danger, where he found that Will Stutely and many of -his comrades were urging their utmost speed to escape from some of the -sheriff’s men, and two bold foresters lying dead upon the grass. Little -John’s wrath was kindled. Forgetful of the imprudence of the action, he -drew his bow, and let fly an arrow at the cause of this mischief, but -the treacherous weapon brake in his hand, and the shaft flew wide of the -sheriff, but striking one of his followers stretched him lifeless upon -the turf. - -“Left almost defenceless by the loss of his bow, Little John could make -but a poor resistance to the crowd of men who instantly surrounded him. -By the sheriff’s order he was bound hand and foot, and tied to a young -oak, receiving at the same time a promise that so soon as more of his -comrades were taken he should with them be hanged on the highest tree in -Barnesdale. Just then a loud blast from a bugle rang through the wood. - -“‘Here comes good Guy of Gisborne,’ quoth the sheriff; ‘and by his blast -I know that he hath slain that bold knave, Robin Hood. Come hither, good -Guy,’ he continued as the outlaw appeared, effectually concealed in the -yeoman’s clothing. ‘What reward wilt thou have of me?’ - -“‘I must finish my work first, good master sheriff,’ replied the -disguised hero. ‘I’ve slain the master, and now I must kill the knave; -but ’twere cruel ere he has confessed his sins.’ - -“‘Thou’rt a pretty fellow truly to turn father-confessor,’ replied the -sheriff; ‘but go, do as thou list, only be quick about it.’ - -“The outlaw stepped to the side of Little John,—who had easily recognised -his beloved master’s voice,—and pretended to listen attentively to what -the poor captive might be saying, but drawing his dagger, he gently cut -the cords that bound his comrade, and gave him the bow and arrow that he -had taken from Guy of Gisborne. - -“Robin Hood then placed his own bugle to his lips and sounded a -peculiarly shrill blast, that rung in the sheriff’s ears as a death -knell, so well did he remember the sound. The two outlaws were quickly -supported by a band of sixty foresters, who had collected together, and -all drew their bows at once against the intruders. A dense flight of -arrows fell upon them. Those who were not too badly wounded immediately -set spurs to their horses, or took to their heels in the most abrupt -confusion. One poor forester, Will Stutely, they bore off with them. -Robin Hood and his men pursued, and it was not till they had got half -way on their road back to Nottingham that the defeated sheriff and his -attendants drew rein. - - -THE CAPTURE OF WILL STUTELY. - -“Robin Hood was sorely grieved when he learned that his bold follower had -been carried off. Calling his men together, he made them swear that they -would rescue their brave comrade, or die in the attempt. Will Scarlet was -despatched at once to learn to what place he was taken; and hastening -with all speed to Nottingham, he found that the news of the terrible -affray, and the sheriff’s precipitate flight, had already caused a great -sensation among the gossips of the town. From them he easily ascertained -that the captive outlaw was imprisoned in the castle, and that he was to -be hanged on the following morning at sun-rise. Scarlet flew back with -this intelligence to Robin Hood, who communicated it to his men, and all -again swore to bring Will Stutely safely back to Barnesdale, or fearfully -avenge his death. - -“Early on the morning after his capture, the unfortunate prisoner, -tightly bound and guarded on every side, was led from his cell towards -the gallows that had been erected on the plain in front of the castle. -He cast his eyes anxiously around, in the hope that succour might be at -hand, but he could perceive no signs of the presence of his comrades. -Turning to the sheriff, who attended in person at the execution of so -notorious an outlaw, - -“‘Grant me one boon, I pray thee,’ cried he; ‘never has one of Robin -Hood’s men died like a thief; let me not be the first. Give me my good -sword in my hand, and do ye all set upon me. I shall then die as a brave -man should.’ - -“‘I’ve sworn to hang thee on the highest gallows in Nottingham,’ replied -the sheriff; ‘and when I catch that still greater villain, Robin Hood, he -shall dance by thy side.’ - -“‘Thou’rt a dastard coward!’ cried Stutely in a rage, ‘a faint-hearted -peasant slave! By’r lady, if e’er thou meet’st bold Robin Hood, thou’lt -have payment for the deed thou’rt doing. He scorns and despises thee, -and all thy cowardly crew, who will as soon take King Henry prisoner as -brave Robin Hood;’ and the forester laughed loudly in defiance. - -“At the sheriff’s command the executioner seized him by the arms, and -hurried him to the fatal tree; he was just about to affix the rope, when -a tall yeoman leaped out of an adjacent bush, and with a stroke of his -sword felled the officer to the earth. - -“‘I’m come to take leave of thee, Will, before thou diest,’ cried the -intruder; ‘and, good master sheriff, thou must spare him to me awhile.’” - -“‘As I live,’ cried the sheriff, to his attendants, ‘yon varlet’s a rebel -too, and one of Robin Hood’s men,—seize him—five pounds for his head, -dead or alive.’ But, in a moment, Little John, for he it was, cut the -bonds that secured his comrade, and snatching a sword from one of the -soldiers, gave it him, shouting, ‘Fight, Will, defend thyself, man—Help -is near.—To the rescue—To the rescue.’—And turning back to back, the two -outlaws gallantly parried the attacks of their assailants. - -“‘To the rescue! To the rescue!’ echoed a host of voices from a -neighbouring wood; and Robin Hood, with seven-score men, bounded across -the green plain. A flight of arrows from their bows rattled upon the -armour of the soldiers, and more than one stuck into the sheriff’s robe. - -“‘Away, my men, away!’ cried he, flying to the castle for shelter. ‘’Tis -Robin Hood himself;’ and the knowledge that the outlaw would especially -choose him for a mark added wings to the speed of the valiant sheriff. -His men—nothing loth to follow such an example, vied with each other in -the race, so greatly to the amusement of the merry outlaws that they -could not for laughter discharge an arrow in pursuit of them. - -“‘I little thought, good master, to have seen thy face again,’ said Will -Stutely; ‘and to thee, my bold comrade,’ he added, addressing Little -John, ‘to thee I owe my best thanks. ’Twill be a long day ere Will -Stutely forgets thy kindness.’ - -“‘May we ever thus support each other in danger,’ said Robin Hood, loud -enough for the whole band to hear him. ‘But, my brave yeomen, we must -away, or we shall have the whole nest of hornets about our ears;’ and, -with many a laugh at the sudden flight of the sheriff, and the glorious -rescue of one of their favourite companions, the bold foresters plunged -again into the woods and returned to Barnesdale, where they celebrated -the joyful occasion with feasting and music, till the stars glittering -through the topmost branches of the trees warned them that the hour of -rest was at hand. - - -ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR - -“For some long time after this last daring adventure, Robin Hood and his -men were so hotly pressed by the sheriff that it was with difficulty that -they eluded the pursuit. Now concealing themselves in the recesses of -a cavern, now in the thickest coverts of the forest, they were obliged -almost daily to change their abode, until at last, tired of the incessant -chase, the sheriff disbanded his forces and returned to Nottingham. - -“When the outlaws were well assured of this, they quickly came back to -their old haunts in Barnesdale and Sherwood, and pursued their usual -course of life. One evening Robin Hood was roving through the woods, when -he espied a sturdy-looking beggar, clad in an old patched cloak, come -jogging along. In his hand he carried a thick oaken staff, with which he -assisted himself in walking, and round his neck a well-filled meal-bag -was suspended by a broad leathern belt, while three steeple crowned hats -placed within each other, sheltered his bald pate from the rain and snow. - -“‘Stay, good friend,’ said Robin Hood to him as they met; ‘thou seem’st -in haste to-night.’ - -“‘I’ve far to go yet,’ answered the beggar, still pushing onwards, ‘and -should look foolish enough to get to my lodging house when all the -supper’s done.’ - -“‘Ay! ay!’ returned Robin Hood, walking by his side. ‘So long as thou -fillest thine own mouth, thou carest but little about mine. Lend me some -money, my friend, till we meet again. I’ve not dined yet, and my credit -at the tavern is but indifferent.’ - -“‘If thou fastest till I give thee money,’ replied the mendicant, -‘thou’lt eat nothing this year. Thou’rt a younger man than I am, and -ought to work:’ and the old fellow pushed on still more briskly. - -“‘Now, by my troth, thou’rt but a churl,’ cried the outlaw. ‘If thou hast -but one farthing in thy pouch, ’tshall part company with thee before I -go. Off with thy ragged cloak, and let’s see what treasures it conceals, -or I’ll make a window in it with my good broad arrows.’ - -“‘Dost think I care for wee bits of sticks like them?’ said the beggar, -laughing; ‘they’re fit for nothing but skewers for a housewife’s -pudding-bag.’ Robin Hood drew back a pace or two, and fitted an arrow -to his bow-string, but before he could let it fly the beggar swung his -staff round his head, and with one stroke splintered bow and arrow into -twenty pieces. The outlaw drew his sword, and was about to repay this -with interest, when a second blow from the old man’s stick lighted upon -his wrist, and so great was the pain it caused that his blade fell -involuntarily from his grasp. Poor Robin Hood was now completely in the -beggar’s power;— - - “‘He could not fight—he could not flee,— - He wist not what to do; - The beggar, with his noble tree, - Laid lusty slaps him to. - - “‘He paid good Robin back and side, - And baste him up and down; - And with his pike-staff laid on loud, - Till he fell in a swoon.’ - -“‘Stand up, man,’ cried the beggar jeeringly, ‘’tis hardly bed-time yet. -Count thy money, man—buy ale and wine with it, and give thy friends a -jovial carouse. How they’ll laugh at the poor beggar.’ - -“Robin Hood answered not a word, but lay still as a stone; his cheeks -pale as ashes, and his eyes closed. The beggar gave him a parting thwack, -and thinking that he had killed the saucy highwayman, went boldly on his -way. - -“It fortunately happened that Will Scarlet and two of his comrades -were soon after passing by, and seeing a man lying by the road-side, -apparently dead, walked up to him. What was their consternation and grief -when they beheld their loved chief weltering in his blood. Will Scarlet -bended upon one knee, and raised his master’s head upon the other. One -forester ran to a brook that flowed close by, and brought back his cap -filled with water, which they sprinkled upon his face, and his companion -drew from his pouch a little leathern bottle, the contents of which -speedily revived the unfortunate outlaw. - -“‘Tell us, dear master,’ exclaimed Will Scarlet, ‘who has done this?’ - -“Robin Hood sighed deeply. ‘I’ve roved in these woods for many years,’ he -said, ‘but never have I been so hard beset as on this day. A beggar with -an old patched cloak, for whom I would not have given a straw, has so -hasted my back with his pike-staff that it will be many a day ere Robin -Hood will lead his merry men again.—See! see!’ he added as he raised his -head;—‘there goes the man, on yonder hill, with three hats upon his head. -My friends,—if you love your master,—go and revenge this deed;—bring him -back to me, and let me see with mine own eyes the punishment you’ll give -him.’ - -“‘One of us shall remain with thee,’ replied Will; ‘thou’rt ill at ease. -The other two will quickly bring back yon evil-minded miscreant.’ - -“‘Nay, nay,’ returned the discomfited outlaw; ‘by my troth ye will have -enough to do if he once get scope for that villanous staff of his.—Go, -all of ye,—seize him suddenly—bind him fast, and bring him here, that I -may repay him for these hard blows that he has given me.’ - -“Will Scarlet and his two companions started off as fast as they could -run, dashing onward through many a miry pool, and over many a tiring -hill, until they arrived at a part of the road that wound through the -forest by a way at least a mile and a half nearer than the beaten path -that the beggar had taken. There was a dense copse of trees in the -bottom of a valley through which a little brook gently streamed, and -the road-way ran close to it. The foresters, well acquainted with every -acre of the ground which they so often traversed, took advantage of this -grove, and concealed themselves behind the well covered branches. In -the mean while the old beggar rejoicing in the victory he had so lately -obtained, walked sturdily on, as briskly as age and his weary limbs would -allow him. He passed by the copse without the least suspicion of lurking -danger, but had proceeded only a step or two farther when his staff was -violently seized by one of the foresters, and a dagger was pointed to his -breast, with threats of vengeance if he resisted. - -“‘Oh! spare my life,’ cried the beggar, at once relinquishing his hold, -‘and take away that ugly knife. What have I done to deserve this? I am -but a poor beggar, who has never wronged thee or thine.’ - -“‘Thou liest, false carle,’ replied Will, ‘thou hast well nigh slain -the noblest man that e’er trod the forest grass. Back shalt thou go to -him, and before yon sun sinks down thy carcase shall be dangling from the -highest tree in Barnesdale.’ - -“The beggar was sorely frightened at this terrible threat; he had lost -his only weapon, and his aged limbs were but a poor match against three -stout young men. He began to despair and to give himself up as lost, when -a thought struck him. ‘Brave gentlemen,’ he said, ‘why take ye a poor -man’s blood? ’Twill make ye none the richer. If ye will give me liberty, -and promise to do me no more harm, I have a hundred golden pounds in this -meal-bag, that shall be yours.’ The foresters whispered together and -determined to get the money first, come afterwards what might. - -“‘Give us thy money,’ said Will, ‘and we’ll let thee go thy way.’ The -beggar unfastened the clasp of his belt, and taking it from his neck, -spread the meal-bag upon the grass, while the young men anxious for the -gold, bent over, eager to seize upon the expected prize. The old fellow -pretended to search very diligently at the bottom of the bag, and pulled -out a peck or two of meal, which he piled into a heap; then watching his -opportunity, he filled both hands full, and threw it violently in the -faces of the outlaws, who, blinded and astonished, began to rub their -eyes most woefully. The beggar sprung up in a moment, seized his staff, -and in a twinkling began to belabour their backs and shoulders. - -“‘I have mealed your coats,’ he cried, ‘but I’ve a good pike-staff here -that will soon beat them clean again;’ and before the youths could -recover from their consternation the old man plied his staff so manfully -that his arm ached from the exertion, and he was obliged to stay for rest. - -“The young outlaws did not attempt to retaliate; indeed they could not -see where to strike; but trusting to their swiftness, scampered away even -more briskly than they had come; and the beggar laughing at the success -of his wile, plunged into the woods, and made the best of his way from -Barnesdale forest. - -“When Will Scarlet and his comrades presented themselves before Robin -Hood, the bold outlaw, ill as he was, could not refrain from bursting -into laughter at their sheepish appearance. They hung down their heads, -and still rubbed their eyes, while the meal on their coats made known -the trick that had been played upon them. - -“‘What have ye done with the bold beggar?’ inquired Robin Hood; ‘surely -three of ye were a match for him.’ Will Scarlet replied; told him of -their first success, and the old man’s promise of money; but when he came -to the meal and the drubbing they had received, Robin Hood laughed till -his bruised limbs ached. Although he would fain have revenged himself -upon his opponent, yet the cleverness of the trick so pleased his fancy -that he swore that if ever he met the sturdy beggar again, he would, by -fair means or foul, make him join his band in merry Barnesdale.” - -This tale was frequently interrupted with the loud laughter of my -hearers, who all praised the dexterity of the old beggar-man. - - - - -THE THIRD EVENING. - - -THE OUTLAW’S SPORTS. - -Upon the next evening that we met together I found my school-fellows -waiting for me under the old tree, and taking my usual seat, I -immediately began:— - -“Many a gay meadow bedecked with daisies and buttercups stretches its -verdant surface by the banks of the fair river Trent; and many a wood -filled with merry birds lines its brink so closely that the pendent -branches of the trees lave themselves in its transparent waters. It was -upon the evening of a lovely day in spring, when every flower looked -fresh and beautiful, and the early leaves of the forest shone in their -brightest green tint, that a party of young men emerging upon one of -these meadows from the surrounding woods, began to amuse themselves in -the athletic exercises in which our forefathers so much delighted. -Some of them struck slight branches into the earth, and placing a pole -transversely upon them, leaped over it at nearly their own height from -the ground. Presently a signal was given, and four or five youths bounded -across the lawn with the speed of young stags, vieing with each other in -the first attainment of the solitary elm that graced the centre of the -meadow. High swelled the bosom of the victor as, breathless and panting, -he received the reward of his achievement, perhaps a new scarlet cap, or -a bright new girdle, and proud was he to know that the chief to whom he -had sworn allegiance beheld and smiled approvingly on his success. - -“But now a more important contest began. One of the foresters stood -forward, and fixed up a target, the face of which was rudely painted in -circles of various colours, a small white spot serving as a centre. A -line was drawn at the distance of five hundred feet from this mark, near -which about twenty bowmen took their station; one after another each -stept up to it, bent his bow, and let fly an arrow with all the force he -could command. Many shafts had flown far wide of the target, and some few -had struck it near the side, when the turn arrived for a gaily-dressed -archer to make his trial. Walking deliberately to the line, he very -carefully placed his arrow upon the bow-string, raised it till it was on -a level with his ear, and instantly discharged it. The quivering shaft -sank deeply within two inches of the white centre. - -“‘Bravely done, Will Scarlet,’ exclaimed a forester who stood apart from -the rest, and who evidently controlled their movements; ‘thou’lt soon -become as good a bowman as e’er trod the green-wood.’ - -“‘I do my best, good master,’ replied Will to Robin Hood, who had taken -advantage of the cool evening, in order to exercise his men; ‘but here -is one whom I fear I scarcely equal:’ and a bold forester, who was known -to his companions by the cognomen of ‘Much, the Miller’s Son,’ stood -forward, and drew his bow. The nicely-balanced arrow shot swift as -lightning through the air, and pierced the very centre of the target. -A loud huzza followed this achievement, and Robin Hood himself shouted -louder than the rest. In a moment after all was hushed, for the tall -forester, brave Little John, took the last turn, and his comrades, -knowing well his dexterity, breathlessly awaited the result of the -contest. After carefully selecting a well-feathered arrow, he stood -erect as a young tree, drew back his bow-string with the strength of a -giant, and suddenly let it slip. For a minute or two no one could tell -where the arrow had gone; it was just possible to trace its flight as it -whizzed through the air, but it was not to be seen on the target. Little -John, smiling as he beheld the looks of surprise, ran swiftly across the -intervening space, and, to their astonishment, drew forth his shaft from -out of that of the miller’s, which it had struck, and cloven about half -way down. - -“Robin Hood and his followers shouted with rapture, and the victor -bending upon one knee, received from his master, as a reward for his -prowess, a beautiful arrow of silver. - -“‘By my troth,’ said the outlaw, as he gave it to him, ‘I would ride a -hundred miles, any day, to find an archer like thee.’ - -“‘Thou’st no need to go so far,’ cried Will Scarlet, rather envious of -the better success of his companions. ‘There’s a friar in Fountains’ Dale -that will bend a bow against him or thee, ay, or against all thy men.’ - -“‘I’ll neither eat nor drink till I find him,’ said the bold outlaw. -‘’Tis too late to seek him this evening, but ere I break my fast -to-morrow I’ll see this valiant friar.’ And as he spake he drew an arrow -from his quiver, and fixed it upon his bow-string. - -“A young hart had innocently trotted forth from the shelter of the woods, -and was making its way towards the brink of the river, when the noise of -the foresters reached its ear. Startled at the sound, the creature turned -its pretty head, gazed for a moment, and, frightened at the unaccustomed -scene, bounded at full speed back towards the concealment of the forest. -The outlaw’s keen eye had followed its motions, and wishing to display -the superiority of his skill, he let fly an arrow at it while in its -swiftest flight; the poor fawn immediately dropped, although the distance -between it and the archer was, at the least, a quarter of a mile. - -“‘Dost think the friar of Fountains’ Abbey will beat that?’ asked Robin -Hood as he slackened his bow-string. - -“‘Ay marry, that will he,’ replied Will Scarlet; ‘many’s the buck he has -killed at half a mile.’ - -“‘I’ll never draw bow again,’ returned the chief, ‘if a lazy friar once -beats me in archery. What say ye, my friends, shall we find out this -gallant priest?’ - -“‘Make him join us,’ cried several voices. - -“‘To-morrow at earliest dawn be ready to attend me,’ said Robin Hood; and -with Little John by his side, he left the meadow. - -“The foresters then parted into groups and strolled away, some to the -banks of the stream, others to the darkening woods, while a few, not yet -content as to their inferiority, sought again to try their speed against -the victors. - - -ROBIN HOOD AND THE FRIAR. - -“Upon the next morning, ere the sun had risen above the horizon, Robin -Hood started from his couch, and armed himself. He put on his helmet and -breast-plate, he took up his good broadsword, his long tried buckler, -and his trustiest bow, and then placing his bugle-horn to his lips, he -played so loud a _réveille_ that his men, frightened from their slumbers, -seized their nearest weapons, as if an army had appeared against them. -A few gentler notes made them remember the appointed time, and soon -fifty bold youths attended the summons of their master. He bade them -hasten to Fountains’ Dale by the shortest path, but on no account to show -themselves till he had sounded three blasts upon his bugle; and with a -light foot and merry heart he sprang into his horse’s saddle, and set out -to encounter the renowned friar. - -“This friar, whose fame was spread far and wide, had once been an inmate -and one of the brethren of Fountains’ Abbey, but his irregular course -of life and lawless pursuits had brought down upon him the wrath of -the superior, and he had been expelled. Friar Tuck, so was he called, -bore his disgrace boldly; he immediately retired to the forests, and -there built himself a rude hut of the large stones with which the -country abounded, thatching it with branches of trees. There he lived -in solitude, gaining from the country people, who frequently came to -him for religious consolation, a character of the greatest sanctity. -The friar took care to turn this to his advantage, and many were the -presents of butter, milk, and sometimes of a more enlivening liquid, that -he received. But these did not constitute his chief means of livelihood; -early in the morning the friar had more than once been seen with a good -long bow in his hand, and a quiver of arrows at his side, and a report -had gone abroad that few could equal him in the use of this favourite -weapon. - -“The friar was a tall burly man, at least six feet high, with a broad -expanded chest, and a muscular arm that the sturdiest blacksmith might -have been proud of. He usually wore a dark mulberry coloured cloak that -reached nearly to his ancles, and girded it with a black woollen rope, -the two ends of which hung down before him, about half a yard in length. -On the morning upon which Robin Hood had determined to discover him, from -some unaccountable reason friar Tuck had put a steel cap upon his head, -and a corslet upon his breast, and with his long oaken staff in his hand -had rambled to the margin of the fair river Skell, where he stood gazing -steadfastly upon the waves, as they rippled by. Presently he heard the -sound of a horse’s step, and turning, he beheld within a few feet of him -an armed horseman. The stranger quickly dismounted, and fastening his -steed by his bridle, to the branch of a tree, advanced towards him. - -“‘Art thou the Friar of Fountains’ Abbey?’ he asked, when each had -regarded the other in silence for a short space. - -“‘They that speak of me call me so,’ replied the priest; ‘why dost thou -seek me?’ - -“‘Carry me over this stream, thou burly friar, and I will tell thee,’ -replied Robin Hood. The priest, without a word, tucked up his garments to -the waist, took the daring outlaw upon his back, and gravely waded across -the stream. Robin Hood leaped off lightly upon the opposite bank. - -“‘Now do thou carry me back, thou gay gallant,’ said the friar. The -outlaw stooped, took him upon his shoulders, and with great difficulty -bore his weighty burden across. - -“‘Now by my faith thou’rt double the weight that I am,’ cried Robin Hood -as the priest alighted, ‘and I’ll have two rides to thy one.’ The friar -did not answer, but taking up the merry forester again, bore him to the -middle of the stream, and bending down, pitched him headlong into the -water. - -“‘Choose thee, my fine fellow, whether thou’lt sink or swim!’ he said; -‘a morning bath will do thine health good.’ Robin Hood scrambled to the -bank, fitted an arrow to his bow, and let it fly at the treacherous -friar; but the wet had sodden both the bow-string and the feathers of the -shaft, and it flew far wide. The priest not wishing to stand a second -trial, flourished his staff and knocked the bow from the grasp of the -forester, who quickly drew his sword and retaliated by severely wounding -his vigorous opponent upon the shoulder. The friar at this grew wrathful, -and returned a most terrible thwack upon the outlaw’s head. Blow followed -upon blow; now the thick oaken staff beat down the less weighty but more -deadly weapon, and again the sharp edge of the sword drank blood. They -fought thus for more than an hour, and each began to weary of such warm -work before breakfast. - -“‘A boon, a boon,’ cried Robin Hood, retiring from the contest. ‘Give me -leave to sound three blasts upon my bugle-horn.’ - -[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD & THE FRIAR - -J. Gilbert] - -“‘Blow till thy cheeks crack,’ returned the friar. ‘Think’st thou I fear -a bugle blast?’ The outlaw sounded the horn thrice, so loudly that the -friar clapped his hands to his ears, and beat a retreat for several -yards. The signal was immediately returned, and apparently from close at -hand. In two minutes more a tall yeoman leaped from the adjacent wood, -and followed by fifty young foresters, with bows ready in their hands, -ran to the side of their commander. - -“‘Whose men are these?’ asked the friar, greatly surprised at this sudden -reinforcement. - -“‘They’re Robin Hood’s bold foresters,’ said the outlaw; ‘and I am Robin -Hood. Wilt join our merry troop? Thou’rt the bravest friar that e’er wore -cowl, and if thou canst let fly an arrow as well as thou canst wield a -quarter-staff, thou’rt a match for my boldest man.’ - -“‘Let’s have a bout,’ said friar Tuck, unwilling to fight against such -odds as were opposed to him. ‘If there’s an archer here that can beat me -at the long-bow, I’ll be thy man. If I’m the best, swear that thou wilt -leave me free in mine own woods.’ - -“‘Agreed!’ cried the outlaw. ‘Stand forth, brave Little John, and for the -credit of Robin Hood choose thy truest shaft.’ - -“‘Ne’er fear me,’ replied the tall forester, as he carelessly advanced. -‘Shoot on, my brave fellow, and at what mark you may, only for St. -Hubert’s sake, let it be some five hundred feet or so from us.’ - -“‘Seest thou yon bird?’ said the friar, pointing to a hawk that, with -fluttering wings, hovered at a considerable height above a neighbouring -brake. ‘I will kill it. If thou canst strike it again ere it reaches the -earth, I’ll say thou art a better man than friar Tuck.’ Drawing an arrow -from his quiver, with apparent ease he shot the ill-fated bird, which -instantly fell to the earth, but not before a second shaft had transfixed -its body. A young forester darted away, and quickly returned with the -prize, when it appeared that the friar’s arrow had pinioned the hawk’s -wings to its sides, and that Little John’s had pierced through from its -breast to its back. - -“‘Well done, my brave archers,’ cried the outlaws’ chief; ‘there’s many a -bowman in merry England would give his best weapon to shoot like ye. What -says my gallant friar? will he keep his promise?’ - -‘What I have said, that will I do,’ replied the priest; ‘but first I must -return to my hut, and possess myself of its valuable contents.’ Robin -Hood offered to accompany him, and dismissing his followers, he and the -friar by turns rode upon the horse, first to the hut and then to the -green woods of Sherwood. - - -ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD. - -“Robin Hood used frequently to disguise himself, and pay visits to the -neighbouring villages, in order to learn if any thing were going on in -which he might take a part. In one of these excursions, he overheard a -conversation between two priests, by which he learned that the bishop -of Hereford was expected to pass that way very shortly, upon a visit to -his holy brother, the archbishop of York. The outlaw lost no time in -ascertaining the route which the reverend father would travel, and with a -merry heart he hurried back to his followers in Sherwood forest. At the -sound of his well known bugle, two-score yeomen quickly surrounded him, -Little John and Will Scarlet among them. - -“‘We shall have noble company to dine with us,’ said Robin Hood. ‘Kill -a good fat buck or two, and prepare a feast.’ Three or four foresters -quickly darted away to execute this commission. - -“‘Who may it be, master,’ asked Little John, ‘that loves to be merry -under the green-wood tree?’ - -“‘Love or not love,’ cried the captain laughing, ‘a holy bishop dines -with us to-day, though he brings a dozen companions with him. But ’tis -time to meet his reverence. Do thou and Will Scarlet attend me, and thou -too,—and thou,—and thou,’—he added, tapping with his bow the heads of -three of his tallest followers, who most willingly and joyfully complied. - -“The bishop of Hereford, as many bishops were in those days, was very -rich, very avaricious, and exceedingly tyrannical. By the nobles he -was regarded as a powerful prelate, and a support to the dignity of -the church; but the people looked upon him with fear, as a proud, -overbearing priest. Upon the occasion of his visit to his brother of -York, the bishop of Hereford rode on horseback, dressed in the white -robes of his sacred office; a massive gold chain was suspended round his -neck, supporting a golden crucifix, and in his right hand he carried his -crosier, of the same precious metal. His milk-white steed, also, was -richly caparisoned with silken trappings. The dean of Hereford, attired -in a plain black cassock, rode humbly by the side of his superior, who, -from time to time, deigned to hold converse with him upon the vanities -of this wicked world. Behind them, twenty horsemen, armed at all points, -with broad-swords by their sides and lances in rest, followed slowly -upon chargers of the jettest black, and three or four servants leading -sumpter mules closed the rear. Notwithstanding all this pompous array, -it was with many a misgiving that the bishop ventured to enter upon the -dangerous road through Sherwood forest. - -“‘Holy brother,’ said he to the dean, ‘dost thou think that the man -called Robin Hood will dare to molest the Lord’s anointed, if perchance -he should have heard of our journeying?’ - -“‘They say, reverend father,’ replied the dean, ‘that he holds the holy -brethren of the church but cheaply, and pays but little respect to any of -our cloth. I would that we had taken a more circuitous route, and avoided -the paths of this wicked man.’ - -“‘It is too late to return now,’ said the bishop; ‘and have we not -twenty armed men to support us in the hour of trial!—Comfort ye, my -brother,—with this will I drive off the enemies of holy church;’ and as -he spake he flourished his crosier above his head. They had proceeded -but a short way farther, when they suddenly came upon six shepherds, -dancing merrily round a fire, with which they were cooking venison, by -the road-side. - -“‘Ha!’ cried the bishop when he smelt the savoury odour that exhaled from -the roasting flesh. ‘Dare ye, villains as ye are, slay the king’s deer, -and cook it upon the open road? By St. Paul, ye shall answer for this.’ - -“‘Mercy! mercy! good bishop,’ cried one of the shepherds; ‘surely it -beseemeth not thy holy office to take away the lives of so many innocent -peasants.’ - -“‘Guards, seize these villains,’ cried the prelate, indignant at the -presumption of the serf;—‘away with them to York,—they shall be strung -on the highest gibbet in the city.’ The armed horsemen turned not -over-willingly against the offenders, and endeavoured to seize them, but -with a loud laugh they darted among the trees, where the steeds could not -possibly follow. Presently the shepherd who had begged for mercy pulled -from under his frock a little bugle-horn, and blew a short call upon it. -The bishop and his retinue started with affright, and had already begun -to urge on their horses, when they found themselves surrounded on every -side by archers, dressed in green, with bows drawn in their hands. - -“‘Mercy! mercy!’ cried the bishop in great trepidation at the sight of -fifty or more arrows ready to pierce him through. ‘Have mercy upon an -unfortunate traveller.’ - -“‘Fear not, good father,’ replied Robin Hood, who was the shepherd that -had before spoken; ‘we do but crave thy worshipful company to dine with -us under the green-wood tree, and then, when thou hast paid the forest -toll, thou shalt depart in safety;’ and, stepping into the road, the bold -outlaw laid one hand upon the embossed bridle of the bishop’s steed, and -held the stirrup with the other. - -“‘Oh! that we had but gone the outer road,’ groaned the bishop to his -holy brother; ‘we should have avoided these limbs of the evil one.’ - -“‘Nay, nay reverend father,’ cried Robin Hood, laughing at the poor -bishop’s rueful countenance; ‘call us not by so bad a name. We do but -take from the rich to administer to the necessities of the poor and if -we do now and then slay a fat buck or two, our good king will never know -his loss. But dismount, holy sir; and do ye, my friends, come likewise; -right merry shall we be with such a jovial company.’ The horsemen quickly -did as they were bidden, but the bishop most reluctantly unseated -himself, and with many a deep sigh obeyed the injunction of the outlaw. -Some of the foresters immediately seized the horses, and tied their -bridles to the lower branches of the trees; but the sumpter mules were -hurried away through the wood as quickly as the narrow foot-paths would -allow. - -“At Robin Hood’s command, two young fellows took the unwilling bishop -between them upon their shoulders, and followed by the whole company, -bore him to their favourite lawn. A solitary beech tree, whose arms, -covered with thick foliage, extended far around, stood in the centre, -affording a delightful shade from the bright summer sun. Robin Hood -seated himself upon one of the twisted roots that grew above the surface -of the turf, and commanded that his visitor should be brought before him. -Little John, taking off his cap as he approached, gently led him to the -outlaw, while, to show his spite against him, one of the young foresters -had the audacity to tie the prelate’s arms behind his back. - -“‘Thou art accused of deep crimes,’ exclaimed Robin Hood. ‘It is said -that thou dost gripe the poor man with a hard hand, and showest but -little mercy to the unfortunate. How answerest thou?’ - -“‘By what right, mean serf,’ replied the bishop, the blood rushing to his -temples, ‘dost thou question an anointed servant of the church?’ - -“‘Pax vobiscum,’ cried friar Tuck, coming forward, and folding his arms -in an attitude of defiance. ‘Wherefore not, good father? Answer boldly, -and swear by St. Paul that thou ne’er robbed the fatherless and the -widow.’ - -“‘What canting priest art thou?’ exclaimed the bishop. ‘For thine -insolence thou shall be expelled the church; thy gown shall be stripped -from thee, and thou shalt be branded as an impostor.’ - -“‘Save thyself the trouble,’ replied the friar, laughing. ‘The holy abbot -of Fountains’ Dale has forestalled thee in thy kind intentions.’ - -“‘Hold,’ cried Robin Hood, rising from his seat, ‘we’ll have no more of -these priestly quarrels. Reverend father, accompany us to our trysting -tree, and we’ll drink to thy speedy amendment.’ Then cutting his bonds -with a dagger, he took the hand of his unwilling guest, and led him to -the spot where they usually partook of their repasts. - -“Upon the grass was spread a large cloth, covered with viands. Smoking -haunches of venison perfumed the air, and huge pasties baked in pewter -vessels, roasted wild swans, peacocks, and a host of minor dishes, filled -up any vacancies upon the cloth. At Robin Hood’s request, the bishop said -grace, and fifty or more foresters quickly seated themselves to partake -of this gallant feast. The prelate, for one in his situation, ate most -heartily. His merry host no sooner saw that his platter was empty than he -again filled it from the most savoury dishes. Wine flowed in abundance, -and when, in obedience to Robin Hood, every man filled his goblet to the -brim, and quaffed its contents to the health of the bishop of Hereford, -the good father for some moments quite forgot his misfortunes, and -striking his palm into the sinewy hand of Robin Hood, swore that he was -a jovial fellow. - -[Illustration: THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD - -J. Gilbert - -Day & Haghe lithographers to the Queen] - -“Many a ballad was then trolled forth by the foresters, and in the -excitement of the scene even the bishop ventured upon a stave; but, at -the moment he had concluded the first verse, his eye caught sight of one -of his mules, from whose back an outlaw was busily removing the trunk -that contained his treasure. - -“‘Bring me the reckoning, good host,’ said he meekly, stopping short in -his song; ‘I would fain discharge it, and proceed upon my journey.’ - -“‘Lend me thy purse, good bishop,’ cried Little John, ‘and I will save -thee the trouble.’ - -“‘Take it,’ replied the prelate, throwing a very light bag of money to -the forester, ‘and give the surplus to the poor.’ - -“Little John opened the mouth of the purse, and emptied out ten golden -nobles upon the grass. ‘And dost thou think,’ he exclaimed, laughing -heartily at the owner’s rueful countenance,—‘dost thou think that a -bishop pays no more toll than this? Verily, reverend father, the meanest -farmer in Nottinghamshire readily grants us so poor a trifle. Ho there!’ -he cried to the man who was disburthening the mules, ‘bring hither yonder -trunk.’ It was quickly brought, and with the help of a broadsword soon -opened. Little John first pulled out a handsome cloak, which he spread -upon the grass; a gown of the purest white lawn, an ermined robe, and a -golden mitre, were each brought forth in succession, and greatly admired -by the delighted foresters; but presently a clink of metal was heard, -and the bold robber drew forth a beautiful ivory casket. The point of a -dagger was in a moment applied to the fastening, and treasures invaluable -were revealed. The bishop, who had sat shivering with anxiety during the -search, now suddenly sprang to his feet with wonderful alacrity, and -would have seized his precious wealth, had not Robin Hood caught him by -the arm. - -“‘Calm thyself, good father,’ said the outlaw; ‘do but fancy that -thou art distributing this gold in alms to the poor, and thou wilt -ne’er repent thee of thy charity.’ The bishop did not reply, but gazed -steadfastly on the glittering coin, the sparkling jewels, and the holy -beads, that Little John was exhibiting to his companions. - -“‘Rouse ye, my merry men,’ cried the chief; ‘see ye not how sad ye have -made our reverend guest!’ A young man quickly brought a rude harp, upon -which he struck a lively air, and the gallant outlaw taking the bishop by -the hand, led him forth, followed by the foresters in pairs. The dance -commenced, and the poor prelate, unwilling to provoke his tormentors to -extremities, joined in the nimble step, which was prolonged till his -weary feet could no longer sustain their burden. The reverend father fell -fairly to the earth from sheer exhaustion. - -“At Robin Hood’s bidding, the two young men again took the bishop upon -their shoulders, and bore him to the spot where his steed and those of -his retinue were fastened. They placed him upon his saddle, with his -face to the animal’s tail, and giving it him instead of the bridle, they -pricked the creature with their daggers, and started it off at full -gallop, the terrified rider clinging both with hands and knees to its -back. The dean, the armed horsemen, and the servants were allowed to -follow their superior in peace; but the sumpter mules and their burdens -were detained as payment for the feast that had been given to their -owners.” - - - - -OUR HALF-HOLIDAY. - - -THE WOOD. - -It was, I remember, upon a Saturday afternoon that I was again asked -to tell a tale of Robin Hood. On this, the last day of our week of -seclusion, how great were the pleasures of our half-holiday! Frequently -we had permission granted us to stroll among the fields in the -neighbourhood; in the spring time, to gather the bright yellow primrose, -or search for the nests of the poor innocent birds; and, in the autumn -season, to pluck the delicious blackberries that, in some places,—and we -knew them well,—abounded among the thorny hedges. - -At about the distance of a quarter of a mile from our old school-house -there was an extensive park. Many hundred acres of land were covered with -fine trees—oaks, elms, and firs, variously intermixed—while here and -there were open lawns, clothed only with grass and the beautiful wild -flowers, that spring up, unnurtured, in their native soil. An ancient -mansion stood in the midst, upon the summit of a hill, whence, looking -over the woods, the face of the country for miles around could be traced -as upon a map. The house was deserted—the owner resided in a foreign -land, and his noble English park was neglected: it had once been paled -round, but in many places the wooden staves were broken, and a gap made, -through which every passenger might enter. We often did, and chased each -other among the crowded thickets; and now, glad of the opportunity of -escaping from our confined play-ground, we repaired to this delightful -park, where, seated upon the grass, with my companions lying around me, I -told them the tale of - - -ROBIN HOOD IN FINSBURY FIELD. - -“In the time of Henry the Second, and for many years afterwards, until -the use of gunpowder was known, the science of archery was greatly -encouraged in England among all ranks and classes; and even the good -citizens of London constantly exercised their bows in ‘Finsburie fielde.’ - -“The feast of St. Bartholomew was particularly celebrated by games of -this kind: a finely wrought bow or a golden arrow was given as a prize to -the best marksman, and the presence of the king and his court contributed -not a little to add interest to the long looked-for contests. - -“One year, towards the close of King Henry’s reign, proclamation was as -usual made, that the ‘royal games of archery’ would be held in Finsbury -field, upon St. Bartholomew’s day. Queen Eleanor was passionately fond of -the sport, and rarely missed an opportunity of witnessing the superior -skill displayed by the royal archers. She had heard much of Robin Hood, -but had never seen that gallant outlaw; and as the fame of his rencontre -with the bishop of Hereford had spread far and wide, she felt a secret -desire to behold so daring and so celebrated a man. Summoning a young -page who waited her commands, she gave him a beautiful golden ring, and -bade him hasten with all speed to Sherwood forest, and deliver it to -the forester, with her request that he would come to London and take a -part in the approaching games. The youth lost no time in executing his -mistress’ command, and in two days arrived at Nottingham, where, from a -good yeoman, he learned the dwelling-place of Robin Hood, and on the next -morning he appeared before the bold outlaw. Falling gracefully upon one -knee, he doffed his cap, and presented the ring to him, saying,—‘My royal -and most gracious mistress, Eleanor, queen of England, greets thee well. -She bids thee haste with all speed to fair London court, that thou may’st -be her champion in the sports upon the feast of St. Bartholomew, in token -whereof accept this ring.’ - -“The outlaw took the royal present, and placed it upon his finger. ‘Rise, -my pretty page,’ he said; ‘wend thou back upon the fleetest steed that -thou canst find. Deliver this arrow to Queen Eleanor, and say that Robin -Hood will claim it ere three suns have set.’ The young page rose, placed -the arrow in his belt, and with much courtesy bade the outlaw adieu; then -hastening to his inn at Nottingham, he chose the swiftest horse in the -stables, and flew back again to his royal mistress. - -“Early in the morning of St. Bartholomew’s day, Finsbury field presented -a gay and most enlivening scene. The large open space, which then -existed where streets and squares are now crowded together, was covered -with the good citizens of London and their wives and daughters, bedecked -in their newest holiday costume. Lists, three hundred yards in length, -were marked out in the centre of the field, and railed round, to prevent -the entrance of the spectators. At one end a scaffold was erected for the -accommodation of the king and queen and their attendants; it was hung -with green silk, emblazoned with the royal arms in gold, and covered -over with a beautiful bright blue cloth, spangled with silver stars. -Near it were tents pitched for the use of the contending bowmen, and -immediately opposite, at the far end of the lists, a broad target was -placed, with a large wooden screen behind it, to stop the flight of any -stray arrows that did not hit the mark. All were in busy expectation,—for -the royal party had not yet arrived,—and many were the wagers laid upon -the favourite archers of Finsbury. At length a blast of trumpets was -heard, and two heralds, dressed in glittering coats of golden tissue, -with emblazoned banners hanging from their spirit-stirring instruments, -entered the ground. The king, mounted on a barbed charger, and the queen -upon a milk-white palfrey, both magnificently caparisoned, then appeared, -amid the waving of caps, and the deafening acclamations of the assembled -thousands. Next followed, upon steeds of the purest white, a bevy of fair -ladies in attendance upon their royal mistress; and a band of knights and -gentlemen, well mounted and richly dressed, closed the procession. - -“As soon as the royal party had alighted, and had taken their seats upon -the gallery, proclamation was made by sound of trumpet, that a tun of -the best Rhenish wine, and a hundred of the fattest harts that ran in -‘Dallom Chase,’ would be given to the truest marksman. The archers were -then ordered to advance to their posts, and a line was drawn upon which -they were to step when they discharged their arrows. Six bowmen appeared, -wearing the king’s livery, and marching to the gallery, they doffed their -caps to their royal master, and took their appointed station. - -“‘Is there no one,’ asked King Henry aloud,—‘is there no bold forester to -oppose my gallant archers?’ - -“‘A boon, my liege,—a boon,’—cried Queen Eleanor. ‘Promise me by the -saint whose feast we celebrate, that whoever draws bow on my side shall -depart uninjured and free for forty days.’ - -“‘I grant thy boon, fair Eleanor,’ replied the king; ‘but who are these -gallant bowmen that require thine intercession?’ - -“‘Bid the heralds sound again,’ said Eleanor, ‘and thou shalt see them.’ -The trumpets again played, and the challenge from the king’s archers was -repeated. - -“‘The queen waved a light green scarf, and six tall yeomen entered -the lists, and advancing to the gallery, bowed lowly to their royal -patroness. One of them, evidently the commander of the little band, was -clothed in a rich scarlet doublet and trunk hose of the same bright -colour; a baldric of light blue silk, interwoven with threads of gold, -crossed his shoulder, supporting his quiver and a small golden bugle, and -in his hand he carried a most beautifully wrought bow. His companions -were dressed in the favourite Lincoln green, and like their commander, -each wore a black bonnet with a white streaming feather. - -“‘Welcome, good Locksley,’ said the queen, addressing the yeoman in -scarlet. ‘Thou must draw thy best bow for Queen Eleanor;’ then turning -to the noblemen around her, ‘Who will support our brave party?’ she -asked. ‘My good lord bishop of Hereford, wilt thou not in gallantry be on -our side?’ - -“‘Thou hast six of the best archers of Finsbury to contend against, -gracious madam,’ replied the prelate, ‘and thy men are all strangers; we -know not if they can draw a bow-string.’ - -“‘Will your grace wager against us?’ asked Locksley of the bishop. - -“‘Aye! by my mitre, willingly,’ returned the bishop rather warmly; ‘I’ll -wager a purse of gold against thee and thy whole band;’ and he drew forth -about fifty golden nobles. Locksley replied by throwing upon the turf -before the gallery a little bag containing at least an equal quantity of -the precious metal, and both stakes were given to the king as umpire of -the sport. - -“The royal archers now took their station upon the line, and one after -another let fly an arrow at the broad target. ‘Why give us such a mark as -that?’ cried one of them, named Clifton, as his arrow pierced the centre. -‘We’ll shoot at the sun and moon. ‘Boldly said, my fine fellow,’ replied -Locksley as he drew his bow-string; ‘you and I will have a bout together -presently:’ and carelessly discharging his arrow, it quivered within a -hair’s breadth of his opponent’s. The spectators pleased at such fine -archery, shouted at the sight, but the king and the bishop of Hereford -could ill conceal their surprise and disappointment. Locksley’s men -followed, and each one’s arrow alighted within a few inches of the centre -of the target, but so had those of the royal archers. - -“‘The game is equal,’ said the king, when he had mounted his horse and -galloped across the field; ‘ye must shoot again, my brave men. Finsbury -has ne’er before seen such archery as this.’ - -“‘If my gallant friend here,’ cried Locksley, ‘who aims at nothing less -than bringing down yon glorious sun, will but agree to the trial, he and -I might decide this contest between ourselves. That is,’ he continued, -‘with your majesty’s royal leave.’ - -“‘What say’st thou, Clifton? art thou content to stake thy reputation -against this braggart’s?’ asked King Henry. - -“‘Right willingly, my liege,’ replied the archer; ‘I’ll lay my own -trusty bow against his, that he hits not the mark that I do.’ - -‘A fair wager,’ cried Locksley, ‘which I readily accept.’ - -“At the instigation of the champions the broad target was removed, and -in its place, a slight willow wand, not above an inch and a half in -circumference, was planted firmly in the earth. The spectators gazed with -increased wonder. ‘They surely will not aim at such a mark as that,’ said -they one to another. But the royal bowman stepped to the line, and after -carefully adjusting his arrow, let it fly: it peeled off the bark of -the wand as it passed by, and alighted in the earth a few yards farther -on. A loud huzza rent the air, and ‘Clifton! a Clifton!’ was shouted -from one end of the lists to the other. The gay yeoman did not wait till -these cries had subsided. ‘I will notch his shaft,’ he said aloud as -he advanced composedly to his post; and fitting his arrow, he drew the -bow-string to his ear, and after one moment’s deliberation discharged the -weapon with his utmost force. The shaft flew true, and to the amazement -of the beholders, rived asunder that of his opponent. At first a deep -silence prevailed, many could not see where the arrow had struck, and -some were dumb with astonishment; but when one of the attendants pulled -it forth, a shout of applause was raised, so loud, so long, and so -vehement, that those of the good citizens of London who had remained at -home rushed forth from the gates in hundreds to inquire the cause of so -violent an outbreak. - -“The king’s vexation at this defeat of his party quickly changed into -admiration of Locksley’s superior skill. He rode up to his side: ‘Wilt -thou be one of my archers?’ he asked; ‘a hundred pounds a year, the free -use of my pantry, and a new suit of livery each three months, shall be -thy reward.’ - -“‘It grieves me, my liege,’ replied the yeoman, ‘that I cannot comply -with thy request; but grant me one boon, and I and my gallant men will -support thee to our deaths.’ - -“‘Name it, good Locksley; ’tis already granted;’ said the king. - -“‘Pardon, most gracious liege, pardon for the outlawed Robin Hood and his -brave followers.’ - -“‘And art thou Robin Hood?’ asked Henry, his countenance flushed with -anger, ‘whose defiance of the law has filled the whole north country with -alarm. By St. George, but thou art the boldest villain that e’er shot -bow. Ho! guards there, take charge of this over-valiant knave.’ - -“‘Remember thy promise,’ cried a gentle voice from the gallery. ‘Remember -thou hast pledged thine honour. - -“King Henry turned as he recognised the sweet tones of his lovely -consort, and a smile played upon his lips as he replied, ‘’Twas but -in jest, fair Eleanor, ’twas but in jest.’ ‘We will willingly grant -pardon to thee and thy followers,’ he continued to the outlaw, ‘if ye -will forsake your unlawful pursuits, and lead the sober lives of honest -yeomen.’ - -“‘We cannot quit the green woods of Sherwood,’ said Robin Hood; ‘but if -your majesty will grant us leave to range the forest, and now and then -exercise our archery upon one of the thousands of fat deer that bound -so gaily o’er the lawns, we will promise that no traveller shall again -complain of the outlaws of Nottinghamshire.’ - -“The king bit his lips in silence, but at that moment the defeated -archer advanced and tendered his bow to the victor. - -“‘Thou’rt a good marksman, Clifton,’ said he; ‘if thou hadst made a -little more allowance for the distance, thine arrow would not have passed -the wand; keep thy bow, man; though I tell it thee, there’s but one -better archer in merry England.’ - -“‘If I had known that thou wert Robin Hood,’ cried the bishop of -Hereford, as the king delivered the well-filled purses to the outlaw, ‘I -would not have wagered against thee. Thou hast already had more gold of -mine than I e’er intended.’ - -“‘Surely thou dost not forget the jovial dinner we gave thee under our -trysting tree,’ replied Robin Hood; ‘yet if thou dost begrudge the -payment, I will return it even now.’ - -“‘Nay, nay, master,’ cried Little John, who had accompanied his captain, -‘that were unwise; since thou hast promised not to relieve travellers -of their superfluous wealth, ’twere folly not to keep all the gold thou -comest honestly by.’ Robin Hood with a smile threw the purses to his more -considerate follower, bowed low to the king, and still lower to his fair -patroness, and accompanied by his five gay yeomen, departed from the -field. - -“Sherwood forest soon rung again with the sound of his bugle-horn, -but the promise given on Finsbury field was kept during King Henry’s -life-time; no traveller had reason to complain of the bold outlaws. - - -THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE. - -“We must suppose that several years had elapsed since Robin Hood’s -victory in Finsbury field, when the following tale commences. Richard -the Lion-hearted had succeeded to his father’s throne, and with many -of his nobles had joined the memorable crusades. During his absence in -Palestine, the internal state of England had become far worse than it was -at the time of his accession. Baron rose up against baron, and princes -made war upon each other, till discord, tumult, and fierce rapine, -reigned throughout the land. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at, -when the laws were for a time suspended and force of arms alone decided -the contest, that the bold foresters had again recourse to their superior -strength. - -“It was a bright morning in early summer, when a solitary horseman was -proceeding upon his journey through one of the narrow roads that crossed -Barnesdale forest; - - “‘All dreary was his semblance, - And little was his pride, - His one foot in the stirrup stood, - The other waved beside; - - “‘His hood was hanging o’er his eyes, - He rode in simple array, - A sorrier man than he was one - Rode never on summer’s day.’ - -“A deep sigh escaped from the melancholy horseman, and big tears coursed -each other down his cheeks, at every step of his poor lean beast; and -when three men suddenly emerged from the wood, and stood before his path, -he seemed scarcely conscious of their presence. - -“‘God save thee, sir knight,’ cried one of them, a tall forester, nearly -seven feet high, moved with compassion at his forlorn appearance. -‘Welcome to our merry green-wood. Thou must be our guest to-day.’ - -“‘Leave me, good sirs, I pray ye,’ said the knight mournfully, ‘my -sorrows are already too heavy for me to bear; add not to my distress.’ - -“‘Nay, be not so downcast,’ returned the former speaker. ‘Thou art in -good hands, and may’st trust us. Our master waits dinner for a guest, and -thou art the first man who has passed through Barnesdale this day.’ Then -taking the knight’s rein in his hand, the forester led the jaded steed -through the intricate paths of the wood, until he arrived at an open -lawn, where a band of yeomen were reclining under the shade of a huge elm. - -“‘Welcome, sir knight,’ said one of them rising and doffing his cap at -the appearance of a stranger. ‘Welcome to merry Barnesdale.’ - -“‘Who art thou,’ inquired the horseman, ‘that causest travellers to be -constrained from their way? I am but a poor knight, without so much as a -piece of gold, wherewith to buy me food.’ - -“‘More welcome still,’ exclaimed the forester, assisting him from his -horse. ‘We shall have the blessings of charity upon our deeds. Thou -hast heard of Robin Hood,—I am that outlaw, and these are my gallant -followers.’ - -“‘Unless report belie thee,’ replied the knight, ‘thou art a friend to -the unfortunate. Dismiss me at once, and let me speed on.’ - -“‘Dine with us first,’ said the forester, ‘and freely shalt thou -depart.’ A cloth was spread beneath the shady branches, and covered with -a profusion of the most delicious viands. Rhenish wine also, and ale -plentifully abounded, and with cheerful hearts about twenty yeomen seated -themselves around. ‘Eat gladly, sir knight,’ said Robin Hood; ‘here’s to -thy health, and a more merry countenance;’ and as he spake he tossed off -the contents of a goblet. - -“‘Thanks, thanks, my noble host,’ replied the stranger; ‘it grieves me -that I shall ne’er be able to return thy goodness.’ - -“‘Truly, good sir, thou look’st but grievous,’ answered the outlaw. ‘Tell -me, is there aught in which my services can avail thee; what is the cause -of thy deep sorrow?’ - -“‘I have lost land and gold,’ returned the knight, ‘and I fear that my -good name must follow them.’ His tears burst out afresh. ‘They call me,’ -he continued, ‘Sir Rychard o’ the Lee. I am sprung of noble blood, and -for these last three hundred years have mine ancestors wore spurs. Twelve -short months ago I had a noble house and fine estate, with four hundred -pounds a year; but now, except my lovely wife and my sweet children, I -have nothing in the world.’ - -“‘How hast thou lost thy riches?” inquired Robin Hood anxiously. - -“‘’Tis a short story,’ replied the knight; ‘I fought in a fair field with -a knight of Lancashire, and slew him. To save my liberty, I mortgaged -the broad lands of Wierysdale to St. Mary’s Abbey, and if I pay not the -amount to-morrow, my castle will be forfeited.’ - -“‘What is the sum thou owest, and what wilt thou do if thou losest thy -land?’ asked the outlaw. - -“‘Four hundred golden pounds must I pay, if I would keep fair -Wierysdale,’ he replied. ‘I go to beg grace for another year; if the holy -abbot will not grant it, I must flee away across the broad seas to a -country where they know me not.’ - -“‘Where are thy friends?’ asked Little John; ‘will they not be security -for thee?’ - -“‘Alas,’ replied Sir Rychard, ‘when I had money and house, and lands, I -lacked not friends, but now my oldest companions turn from me as a herd -of deer would from a poor wounded hart. My only trust is in God and the -blessed saints.’ - -“‘Will Peter, or Paul, or John, be surety for thee?’ asked the outlaw. -‘By my troth, good sir, thou must find wealthier friends than they.’ - -“‘I have none other,’ replied the knight mournfully, ‘except it be the -Blessed Mary, who in all my trials has never failed me.’ - -“‘Thou hast indeed a good friend,’ said Robin Hood; ‘and if thou wilt -swear by our dear Lady that in twelve months from this day it shalt be -restored to me, I will lend thee what thou wantest.’ The knight fell upon -his knees, gave the required promise, and drawing forth a silver image of -the Virgin, he devoutly kissed it. - -“In the meanwhile Little John had gone to the outlaws’ treasury, and now -returned with a heavy bag. He quickly counted out four hundred pieces of -gold and offered them to the knight, with a beautiful doublet of scarlet -cloth. These he readily accepted. At Robin Hood’s bidding, a gallant -grey steed with rich housings was next brought forth, and after having -received a pair of golden spurs from the hands of the noble outlaw, the -knight vaulted into the saddle. - -“‘’Twould be a shame,’ said Robin Hood, ‘that so well equipped a knight -should ride without esquire; ‘I will lend thee my brave man, Little John, -until thou gettest a yeoman for thy service.’ The forester willingly -agreed, and mounting a stout palfrey, he was soon ready to accompany his -new master. With tears of joy instead of sorrow, the knight bade farewell -to his kind and generous host, struck his spurs into his new charger, and -followed by Little John, galloped swiftly over the plain. - -“On the morning after this adventure, the holy superior of St. Mary’s -Abbey, in the old city of York, was seated in his hall, attended by -several of the monks. - -“‘Upon this day twelve months ago,’ said he to his attentive listeners, -‘there came a knight who borrowed four hundred pounds, upon the security -of his lands and castle. The hour is near at hand; unless he appear and -pay the money before yon glass has run, the fair lands of Wierysdale will -belong to this sanctuary.’ - -“‘It is early yet, holy father,’ replied the prior; ‘the poor man may be -in a far country, and it would be hard to use him thus harshly. Methinks -thy conscience, my lord abbot, would but ill bear so rude a treatment to -an unfortunate knight.’ - -“‘Thou art ever in my beard,’ exclaimed the superior angrily. ‘By all the -saints I swear that, unless the knight of Wierysdale appear ere the sun -has set, he shall be disinherited.’ - -“‘He is either dead or he cannot pay,’ said a fat monk, who was high -cellarer, ‘and St. Mary’s Abbey will be enriched with a goodly sum. Shall -I not seek the lord justice, holy father, and bid him attend to prepare -deeds for the transfer of the land.’ - -“‘Yea, brother,’ replied the abbot; ‘’tis but lost time to wait for our -debtor, therefore use despatch, good brother—use despatch.’ The cellarer -left the room as quickly as his fat limbs would carry him, and in less -than an hour returned with the lord chief justice. - -“In the mean time Sir Rychard o’ the Lee and his esquire had arrived -in York, and taken up their abode at an inn. After they had rested for -awhile from the fatigue of their journey, they dressed themselves in -their sorriest habiliments, and set out to the abbey. Upon knocking at -the great gates, they were immediately admitted, and conducted into -a lofty and spacious room, whose high pointed roof ornamented with -grotesque images, narrow Gothic windows, and beautifully tesselated -pavement, combined to strike the beholder with admiration, and increase -his reverence for the inmates of such a noble dwelling. - -“The knight and his attendant doffed their caps and bowed low as they -entered the hall, and advanced to the upper end, where, upon a carved -oaken throne, sat the abbot of St. Mary’s, with the lord chief justice of -York by his side. - -“‘God save thee, holy father,’ said the knight, as he kneeled before him; -‘I have attended thee this day as thou didst bid me.’ - -“‘Hast thou brought any money, sir knight?’ asked the priest in a harsh -tone. - -“‘Not one penny,’ replied the suppliant. ‘I am come to beg that thou -wilt extend the time of payment for one more year.’ - -“‘That is unfortunate,’ rejoined the abbot, with difficulty repressing -his delight at the intelligence. ‘The day is nearly gone, and unless -thou canst pay down four hundred pounds ere the setting of the sun, thy -lands must pass to the accruement of St. Mary’s Abbey. Sir justice,’ he -continued, looking askance, ‘here’s to thee;’ and in the height of his -satisfaction he emptied a goblet of wine at a single draught. - -“‘Good sir justice,’ said the knight imploringly, ‘wilt thou not assist -me in my distress. Day by day will I serve thee until I have repaid thy -goodness.’ - -“‘Nay, sir,’ returned the justice, ‘I cannot do it if I had the will.’ -‘Give him two hundred pounds more, holy father, and the good knight will -sign thee a release of the lands that he can no longer claim.’ - -“‘Never,’ replied the knight fiercely, as he started to his feet. -‘Merciless tyrants as ye are, ye get not my lands thus. Never shall monk -or friar be heir to Wierysdale.’ - -“‘What,’ cried the priest, rising from his seat; ‘darest thou beard the -abbot of St. Mary’s; out upon thee for a false knight, thy castle is no -longer thine.’ - -‘Thou liest,’ returned the knight, stamping his heel upon the pavement -until it rung again: ‘never was I false. I’ve stood in tournaments -against noble earls and greater men than thou, and have oft proved myself -a true knight and good. Take back thy gold,’ he continued, as he poured -out the contents of his purse at the abbot’s feet; ‘and think not that -thou canst so easily get the fair lands of Wierysdale. Hadst thou shown -courtesy to a suppliant knight, thou should’st have had recompense.’ Then -snatching away the papers which the justice had before him, Sir Rychard -darted a look of defiance at the abbot, and with a firm step departed -from the hall, leaving the holy father overwhelmed with astonishment, -disappointment, and regret. - -[Illustration: THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE - -J. Gilbert] - -“Sir Rychard returned to his inn, gave away his old garments to the first -beggar that passed by, and after dismissing his gallant esquire with the -warmest thanks for his assistance, again started off with an attendant -whom Little John had procured for him. He rode on, singing merrily, until -he drew rein at his own gate in Wierysdale. His lady, with tears in -her eyes, had been watching his approach, but when she saw the joyful -countenance and proud bearing of her husband, she ran forth to clasp him -in her arms, and learn the cause of such unexpected joy. The story was -briefly told, and from that day to the end of their lives the good knight -and his lady did not fail to remember in their prayers the name of Robin -Hood.” - -I had just finished this tale, when the chimes from the distant steeple -faintly reached our ears. The hour at which we were expected back had -arrived, and we were at least a quarter of an hour’s walk away. We -started to our feet, bounded through the wood, and over the low palings, -and made many a passenger laugh heartily as we chased past him to our -home. - - - - -OUR FIFTH MEETING. - - -REYNOLDE GRENELEFE. - -This evening we resumed our old seats under the sycamore tree in the -shrubbery, when I thus continued my tales:— - -“After the departure of the knight of Wierysdale, Little John determined -upon seeking an adventure, that he might have something to boast of -among his companions, when he returned to Barnesdale woods. By chance he -learned that there was to be a grand archery meeting near Nottingham, -and that the high sheriff was to award a prize to the best marksman. -Without delay, he rode across the country bypaths which no one but a -daring forester would have chosen, and upon the next morning reached the -appointed ground, just as the sports were about to commence. - -“The best bowmen of the county had entered the lists, and as a silver -bugle-horn was to be awarded to the victor, each man had resolved to do -his best to gain it. Upon the appearance of the new competitor, they -looked at each other, and after whispering together, laughed at the -presumption of the stranger, who had dared to offer himself as their -rival. One by one the well-known and oft victorious archers advanced, and -shot their arrows so near the centre of the target that it was next to -impossible to say whose aim had been the truest; Little John shot last, -and with such success that his arrow knocked out one of the very nearest -of his opponents’. The sheriff, surprised at his dexterity, rode up, -examined the target and declared that he could not pronounce a decision. -At the suggestion of the forester, to whom the others now paid greater -respect, a thick white wand, which a ranger had been using to keep back -the spectators, was placed upright in the ground at twenty paces farther -distance. Again the sports began.—The Nottingham men supported their -reputation, and no less than three arrows stuck in the mark; the outlaw -fired last, and also hit the wand. These four again shot, when two of -the bowmen missed, and the contest remained to be decided between the -first marksman of Nottingham, and the bold stranger. - -“The populace had often given vent to their admiration of such gallant -archery, by loud huzzas, but now a breathless silence prevailed. The -sheriff, anxious for the honour of his county, rode up and down in -a perfect fever of excitement, and spoke encouraging words to the -Nottingham champion. The man coolly took up his position and drew his bow -with the greatest care, but the shaft unfortunately flew half an inch -above the mark. Little John smiled, advanced and shot his arrow a third -time into the middle of the wand. A feeling of disappointment seemed to -spread over the spectators, and the defeated archer could ill conceal his -chagrin. - -“‘Tell me, my good friend,’ said the sheriff as he rode up to the victor, -and presented him with the prize, ‘what name bearest thou? and what -country dost thou dwell in?’ - -“‘My name is Reynolde Grenelefe,’ replied the forester; ‘I was born and -bred in merry Holdernesse, and am now roving from town to town to seek a -better fortune.’ - -“‘By St. Hubert,’ rejoined the sheriff, ‘thou art the best archer that -e’er drew bow in Nottingham. Wilt dwell with me, and protect the king’s -deer from the cursed outlaws?’ - -“‘Willingly, an thou’lt pay me well,’ answered the forester boldly. - -“‘Thou shalt have forty pounds a year, and three new suits of clothes, -and shalt dine every day off the king’s venison,’ said the sheriff. - -“The artful forester readily agreed, and on the same day took up his -abode in his new master’s mansion, where he soon became on good terms -with all the household, except the steward, who took a mortal aversion to -him on account of his favour with their master. One day the sheriff went -out hunting early in the morning, leaving Reynolde Grenelefe asleep in -bed, where he lay until it was nearly noon; he then rose, and going to -the kitchen, asked the steward for his dinner. - -“‘Thou lazy villain,’ he replied, ‘dost think thou hast earned it. By -my troth thou shalt have neither to eat nor drink till my lord hears of -thine idleness.’ - -“The forester laughed, and gave a stride towards the pantry door, but -the steward was too quick for him: he turned the key in the lock, pulled -it out, and placed it in his pocket. Without a word the outlaw stepped -up and struck him with his open palm upon the ear, and the poor steward, -stunned with the shock, fell heavily down. Reynolde then spurned the door -with his foot, bursting lock and bar asunder, and entering the pantry, -he found a goodly venison pasty and a bottle of strong ale, upon which, -without either grace or ceremony, he began a most furious attack. While -he was thus busy the cook came in, and seeing the steward lying on the -floor, and the new servant devouring the contents of the pantry, he soon -guessed the true state of the matter. Arming himself with a huge rolling -pin, he crept quietly towards the offender, and before he could protect -himself, struck him upon the back of his head; the outlaw well nigh -fell, but catching at a board, he sustained himself, and then drawing -his sword, rushed at his cowardly antagonist. For full an hour did they -thump and belabour each other till they could scarcely stand. ‘Give -me thy hand,’ cried Reynolde, dropping his sword. ‘Thou art a valiant -fellow, and ’twere pity to break thy bones. Come with me to the woods; I -am one of Robin Hood’s men, and if thou’lt join us we’ll give thee a suit -of Lincoln green, and teach thee the merry life of a forester.’ - -“The cook consented; and after breaking open their master’s treasury -and seizing upon all the silver plate and money that it contained, the -treacherous servants left the house, and mounting two of the finest -horses in the sheriff’s stable, galloped off with their booty to -Barnesdale forest. - -“Welcome, my brave yeoman. Where hast thou tarried?’ exclaimed Robin -Hood, as Little John presented himself and his companion before the -gallant captain. ‘And who bringest thou to the green-wood?’ - -“‘Thou shalt hear all, good master,’ replied the tall forester. ‘Thy -worthy friend, the sheriff of Nottingham, hath sent thee his cook, his -silver chalices, and three hundred golden pounds:’ and he related the -story of his adventures with the greatest glee, while Robin Hood, who -owed the poor sheriff many a grudge, laughed till the tears ran down his -cheeks, and he was obliged to throw himself upon the grass from sheer -exhaustion. - -“Just as Little John was concluding his narration, a huntsman’s bugle -sounded in the distance. He stopped and listened for a moment. ’Tis my -dear master’s horn,’ he exclaimed; ‘I must away to him;’ and darting -through the woods, he ran over hill and dale until he reached the spot -where the sheriff of Nottingham and his attendants were beating among the -thickets in search of game. - -“‘Ha! Reynolde Grenelefe,’ he exclaimed, as his servant stood before him, -‘where hast thou been?’ - -“‘Roving through the forest, good master,’ replied Reynolde; ‘and by my -troth I have beheld the strangest sight that mortal eyes e’er saw. In -yon dense wood is a fine stag, whose hide is of a bright green colour, -and a herd of seven-score more lie scattered around him. His horns are -so large and sharp that I dare not shoot for fear that he might rush at -me and tear me, and hearing thy bugle-horn, I have hastened to tell -thee of so strange a creature.’ The sheriff, filled with wonder, desired -to be immediately conducted to the animal, and the outlaw started off -again at his full speed, followed by his master until they arrived at the -spot where Robin Hood was still lying upon the turf. ‘This is the hart, -good master,’ said Little John, pointing to his captain; ‘and there is -the gallant herd;’ and he directed the sheriff’s attention to a band of -yeomen who were reclining under the shade of some neighbouring trees. - -“‘Thou hast betrayed me,’ he cried, drawing his sword, and biting his -lips with rage. ‘Thus shalt thou suffer for thy treachery;’ and he struck -a fierce blow at his conductor. - -“‘Calm thee, good master,’ exclaimed Little John, nimbly avoiding the -weapon. ‘Thou hast given me many a good dinner, and now thou shalt have -a jovial supper in return.’ Two foresters advanced, and gently disarmed -the still threatening prisoner, who very quietly suffered himself to -be seated at a well spread cloth. At the entreaty of the outlaws he -began to eat; but when Little John brought him wine in his own cup, his -mortification was so great that he could not swallow another morsel. The -foresters pressed him so much the more, and laughed loud and long at his -rueful countenance, while two or three sang ballads celebrating their own -victory over the sheriff of Nottingham. - -“The poor man could endure the scene no longer. He started to his feet, -and would gladly have made his escape, but his flight was arrested. -‘For one night, sir sheriff, thou shalt be an outlaw like us,’ said -Robin Hood to him. ‘Thou shalt have thy couch under the green trees of -Barnesdale, and if on the morrow thou likest thy fare, we will give -thee a green mantle, and teach thee to shoot the grey goose-wing.’ -Night drew on; the foresters, wrapping themselves in their cloaks, laid -themselves down under the most shady trees, and binding their prisoner, -that he might not escape during the darkness, compelled him to share -their broad couch. All night long he tossed about and groaned, and when, -oppressed with weariness, he at length fell asleep, dreams of the most -hideous nature wakened him to fresh torment. The darkness seemed to him -interminable; but at length the sun rose, and the foresters one and all -roused themselves from their slumbers. ‘Hast thou passed a good night, -sir sheriff?’ asked Robin Hood. ‘How likest thou our downy beds?’ - -“‘The beasts of the field lie more softly,’ replied the sheriff. ‘Rather -than make me pass another night like this, I pray thee send an arrow -through my heart, and I’ll forgive thee. But wherefore dost thou detain -me? I have no gold, and that traitor Reynolde Grenelefe has robbed me of -what I possessed at home. Suffer me to go and I will be thy best friend -to my dying day.’ - -“‘Swear that thou wilt never harm the foresters of Barnesdale,’ replied -Robin Hood, ‘and thou shalt depart;’ and he presented the cross of his -sword to the sheriff’s lips. - -“He took the oath, and the outlaw immediately cut his bonds; then -ordering his horse to be brought, he helped the anxious sheriff to his -saddle, and bade him a merry ride. The goaded steed flew along the narrow -pathway, and quickly emerging from the woods, bore his glad rider home to -Nottingham. - -“A twelvemonth was nearly elapsed since Robin Hood had lent the four -hundred pounds to the knight of Wierysdale, and but two days yet remained -to Lammas-tide, when the money would become due. - -“By economy and service in arms the worthy knight had been enabled to -save much more than the required sum. He purchased a hundred tough yew -bows, with strings of twisted silk, a hundred beautiful quivers, well -stored with arrows, each of which was notched with silver, feathered with -the plume of a peacock, and tipped with a head of burnished gold; and -mounted on the outlaw’s steed, he set out to Barnesdale wood, followed by -a troop of his attendants, bearing the weapons of the chase before them. - -“On his way the knight passed through a little town, where the -inhabitants were celebrating a rural fair. The banks of a stream, over -which he crossed by a rustic wooden bridge, were crowded with gaily -dressed peasants, anxious to purchase the rare commodities which they -were able only once a year to procure at this long-expected mart. There -were tents of blue, and white, and crimson cloths, and long streaming -banners floated proudly above them. There were open stalls too, and rich -displays of costly goods, and the busy throngs, as they incessantly -poured on and on, seemed full of merriment and gladness. It was a joyous -scene, and the knight gazed upon it with heart-felt pleasure. He wished -to join in it, but he remembered that the day was close at hand when he -had promised repayment to the generous outlaw, and he struck his spurs -into his charger’s sides. He had proceeded but a short way, when a loud -noise broke upon the distant murmur that had hitherto reached him from -the meadows, and caused him again to draw his rein. It seemed like the -quarrelling of men in angry strife, and every moment it grew louder and -louder. ‘There may be need of our assistance,’ said the knight to his -followers; and he instantly galloped to the spot whence the confusion -arose. At the sight of a band of armed horsemen the crowd became calm, -and opened a passage-way. - -“‘What means this uproar?’ asked the leader. ‘Are ye not celebrating -games of joy and peace?’ A dead silence prevailed. ‘Tell me, my friend,’ -he continued, addressing one who stood nearest him, ‘why are ye thus at -variance?’ - -“‘Yon stranger,’ replied the man, pointing to a gallant looking yeoman -who rested upon his bow, apart from the rest;—‘Yon stranger has borne off -every prize this day. We know him not; and think ’tis unfair that the -best men in our county should get no victory.’ - -“‘Come hither, sirrah,’ cried the knight to the offender. ‘Who art thou -that darest to shoot and wrestle better than any man in Nottinghamshire?’ - -“The yeoman stepped forward boldly:—‘What can it matter, sir knight, who -I am?’ he replied. ‘I’ve won the prizes, and have a right to them, but -these poor clowns cannot stomach a heavy fall, or my arrow in the centre -of their bull’s eye.’ - -“‘Shame on ye, my friends; would ye wrong a victor of his lawful reward?’ -exclaimed the knight, turning to the multitude. ‘Where are the prizes?’ -An old man advanced, and taking the horseman’s bridle, led him to a tent, -where were spread upon the grass a handsome saddle and bridle, ornamented -with gold, the prize of the swiftest runner; a finely carved bow, and -an arrow, three feet long, of the purest white silver, to be given to -the truest marksman; and a pipe of the best Rhenish wine to be awarded -to him who should gain the day at wrestling. All these had the stranger -indubitably won; but when he demanded them, the disappointment of the -native peasants broke out into loud murmurings, and as few espoused the -cause of the victor, it had well nigh gone hard with him. Staves had -been brought into play, and more than one sword had been drawn, when the -arrival of the knight and his attendants quieted the tumult. - -“‘Hast thou a steed to bear this goodly saddle?’ said the knight to the -stranger; ‘and how wilt thou carry off this pipe of wine?’ - -“‘I came a-foot,’ replied the man; ‘but rather than leave so brave a -prize, I will bear the saddle on my own back; as for the cask, these good -peasants are welcome to it.’ - -“‘Thou’rt a noble fellow,’ returned the knight of Wierysdale, throwing -him a purse of gold. ‘There’s for thy wine, and if thou wilt follow me, -thou shalt have a charger for thy saddle.’ The yeoman readily complied. -One of the knight’s men dismounted, and gave up his horse to him; he -quickly clapped on his elegant furniture, and with the how at his back, -and quiver by his side, he sprung into the seat, and ranged himself with -the rest of the attendants. The noble intercessor next ordered that the -wine should be broached, and distributed to all who would partake of it. -The command was quickly obeyed, amidst the cheers of the peasants, who -soon forgot their previous quarrels and disappointments in the pleasures -of the jovial cup. The knight waved his hand to them and rode on, but he -had lost so much time at the fair, that the sun sank down long before he -reached the woods of Barnesdale, and he was obliged to halt at a little -cottage by the way-side. - -“The morrow was Lammas-day; Robin Hood ordered a fat buck to be dressed, -and preparations made for his expected guest; but noon passed without any -appearance of him. - -“‘Go thou,’ said the outlaw to his favourite attendant, ‘and see if thou -canst espy this slothful knight. Take Will Scarlet and the Miller’s Son -with thee, and if his faithful surety send any over-burdened travellers -to pay my debt, bring them hither. But, I charge ye, if a poor man, or a -merry jester, or a damsel in distress pass by, help them to your utmost, -give them gold and assist them on their way.’ - -“The three foresters gladly obeyed, and soon reached the high road that -ran through the wood. Many a stout yeoman and honest peasant did they -encounter, and pass with a fair salutation, and one poor beggar, half -clothed in rags, they sent on his path rejoicing. As they reached the -summit of a hill, two monks riding upon palfreys, attended by about a -score armed men on foot, and six sumpter mules heavily laden, appeared -just ascending upon the opposite side. - -“‘I’ll wager my best bow-string,’ exclaimed Little John, ‘that these -holy fathers have brought our captain’s money. Bend your bows, my lads, -and scatter the herd that follows them.’ The foresters let fly arrow -after arrow in such quick succession that the frightened travellers -turned and fled precipitately; the archers pursued, and soon gained upon -the fugitives, who one and all rushed into the woods, and endeavoured -to escape amid the concealment of the foliage. Those on foot soon -disappeared, but the two monks on their palfreys and the sumpter mules -were easily captured by the outlaws. They immediately tied the hands of -their prisoners behind them, and fastening the reins of their steeds -together, they drove them to the presence of the chief, who doffed his -cap, and advanced with great courtesy to meet his guests. - -“‘I pray ye, holy fathers,’ he said to them, ‘take not offence at the -rough usage of my followers. I care not to dine unless in goodly company, -and therefore did they bring ye from your straight journeying.’ The monks -preserved a sullen silence, and suffered their bonds to be cut, and -themselves dismounted without speaking a word. - -“‘Gramercy, good sirs,’ cried Robin Hood, ‘methinks ye have but a small -share of courtesy. What holy house do ye inhabit?’ - -“‘We are but poor brethren of St. Mary’s Abbey,’ replied one of the -monks, who was the high cellarer, ‘and were on our way to London to do -reverence to the pope’s legate, who has required our presence.’ - -“‘May his blessing attend ye,’ said the outlaw, in a mock solemn tone. -‘Come now, my good friends, the feast is spread, sit ye and make -merry.’ It is probable that in their present condition the monks would -have declined this request, had not the savoury odour that arose from -a smoking haunch of venison and a roasted wild swan smoothed down -their angry feelings. They were soon seated by the side of the gallant -forester; sparkling wine was brought, and the health of the pope’s legate -was drunk with great glee. The monks ate heartily, and quaffed many a cup -to their host and his merry men; forgetting, in their enjoyment, that -they would pay dearly for the treat. Robin Hood laughed and sang, and his -men trolled out their legendary ballads, till the sun had nearly reached -the horizon. - -“‘I fear me,’ said the outlaw to Little John, ‘that our dear Lady is -wroth with us. The day is well nigh spent, and our four hundred pounds -are yet to come.’ - -“‘Ne’er fear,’ replied the tall forester. ‘These kind monks have brought -it, I dare swear—for they come from her holy abbey. Tell us, good -fathers, have ye not repayment for us from your sainted patroness?’ - -“‘We have heard naught of this before,’ replied the high cellarer. -‘We possess but twenty marks wherewith to defray the expenses of our -travelling. Let us away, kind sirs, or we shall ne’er reach Nottingham -this night.’ - -“‘If ye have but twenty marks,’ returned Robin Hood, ‘ye will have to beg -for charity ere ye reach your journey’s end. See, my bold Little John, -how much thou canst find in yonder heavy looking trunks. If ’tis as ye -say I will charge ye nothing for your feast; but if ye have a prize, ye -must e’en be content to part company with it.’ - -“Little John soon returned with the trunk upon his shoulders, and -spreading his mantle upon the grass, he poured out a heap of gold upon it. - -“‘Good master, here are eight hundred pounds or more,’ he said, when -he had counted out some few pieces and divided the rest into similar -quantities. ‘By my troth thou could’st not have wished for better -payment.’ - -“The monks’ vexation was now at its height; they bit their lips and cast -anxious glances towards their palfreys. - -“‘Ye will need some few of these,’ said Robin Hood, as he gave a handful -of golden pieces to each of them; ‘the patron saint of St. Mary’s has -sent us the rest as repayment for the money we lent to the knight -of Wierysdale.’ They eagerly clutched the offered gold, and without -opposition from the outlaws mounted their steeds with most surprising -celerity, and, leaving the sumpter mules behind them, rode off amid loud -shouts of laughter. - -“The topmost branches of the trees alone were gilded with the rays of -the setting sun, and the foliage had begun to cast a deeper shade, when -a party of horsemen emerged from the woods upon the lawn where the bold -foresters were merrily regaling themselves at the expense of the poor -monks whom they had plundered. - -“In an instant they started to their feet, and fifty shafts were levelled -at the intruders, but when the foremost rider leaped from his horse and -threw himself into the arms of Robin Hood, they easily recognised him as -Sir Rychard o’ the Lee. - -“‘Welcome, sir knight, thrice welcome,’ exclaimed the outlaw. ‘Truly thou -look’st more merry than when last I saw thee in these woods? Hast thou -recovered thy fair domains?’ - -“‘Ten thousand thanks to thee, my noble, my generous friend,’ cried the -knight. ‘I still hold my fathers’ lands, and with the blessing of our -Lady, I am come to return the sum I borrowed of thee.’ - -“‘’Tis already paid, my gallant sir,’ returned Robin Hood. ‘Two monks -from the Abbey of the Holy Virgin have this day brought me back my gold -with interest; so keep thy money, and when thou seest a man in need, -remember Robin Hood.’ - -“‘Nay, thou wilt overwhelm me with thy kindness,’ replied the knight. -‘I would have been with thee ere the noon-tide, but yonder knave had -the audacity to win every prize at a village festival, and, had I not -interceded, he would have received but a sorry recompense for his -achievements.’ - -“‘Ha! hast thou one of my truest men among thy followers?’ exclaimed the -outlaw, as he recognised the victor. ‘George o’ the Green would have -stood toughly against a score of lazy peasants, methinks.’ - -“‘Yes, good master,’ joined in the forester; ‘but what can one arm do -against three-score? Of a truth I should have had a morning bath, an it -had not been for this gallant knight.’ - -“Robin Hood whispered a few words to Little John, who left them and -almost instantly returned with a bag of gold. - -“‘Take this, good sir,’ said the chief outlaw, as he handed it to the -knight. ‘The monks of St. Mary’s paid me too much by four hundred -pounds. Thou canst not yet be rich; take it as a reward for thy generous -intercession.’ - -“The knight would have refused, but he knew that by so doing he should -displease his generous friend. ‘I accept thy gift,’ he replied. ‘One day -I may be able to repay thy goodness; till then I shall remain a heavy -debtor. But I entreat thee, receive this poor present as a humble tribute -of my gratitude;’ and at his command, his followers alighted from their -steeds, and laid the bows and quivers at the outlaw’s feet. - -“The foresters all shouted for joy, as their chief distributed the -handsome gifts among them. Many started off at once to try their new -weapons; while the others resuming their seats upon the grass, helped the -knight and his followers with unbounded liberality, and passed the rest -of the evening in drinking and singing, till darkness closed upon their -gaiety. Couches of fern and dried rushes were prepared for the guests, -who slept soundly in the foresters’ rude bowers, until the bugle-horn -wakened them from their dreams, at the dawn of morning. The knight, -anxious to return to his lady, stayed not to break his fast: bidding -farewell to the kind outlaws, he sprung into his horse’s saddle, and with -his attendants rode off to his beloved home in Wierysdale.” - - - - -OUR LAST EVENING. - - -THE GOLDEN ARROW. - -My legends of Robin Hood were well nigh exhausted: the Midsummer holidays -were drawing near, and we should soon be busily engaged in striving for -the prizes that were awarded to the most proficient scholars. - -“This is the last time I shall tell you of bold Robin Hood,” said I, when -my school-fellows had gathered round me; “but if, after the holidays are -passed, we all meet again, I will endeavour to find some other by-gone -stories to relate to you, that I hope will be equally interesting.” They -thanked me warmly, and I thus continued:— - -“When the monks of St. Mary’s Abbey had escaped from the hands of the -outlaws, they urged on their steeds to the utmost, nor did they draw rein -until they reached the good town of Nottingham. Without delay, they -sought the sheriff of the county, and made known to him the treatment -they had received in the woods of Barnesdale. - -“That worthy functionary listened with great attention to their -complaint, and still burning with revenge for the many insults that he -had received from the outlaws, he promised that he would rest neither -night nor day till Robin Hood and his men were taken. Not knowing exactly -how to accomplish this, to him, desirable object, he determined upon -laying the matter before the king, and mounting his fleetest steed, he -rode with great haste to London, where he demanded an audience of the -valiant monarch, who had just returned from his long captivity in Austria. - -“‘What!’ cried Richard, when the sheriff had finished his complaint. -‘Canst thou not take a sorry rebel who owns not a single castle? Get thee -gone for a coward. An thou dost not bring me that outlaw’s head within -half-a-year, thy shrievalty shall be given to a better man.’ - -“The poor sheriff felt his disgrace, and returned slowly home to -Nottingham, pondering on the king’s words, and devising plans by which -he might retrieve his lost character. He thought of a notable scheme. -He caused it to be proclaimed that an archery meeting would be held at -Nottingham, and that a golden arrow would be given to the victor of the -games. The day arrived, but he in vain looked for the coats of Lincoln -green, that he had hoped would be among the crowd, and he rode about -anxiously endeavouring to discover the outlaws of Sherwood. There were -gallant yeomen in mantles of blue, and buff, and scarlet, and some there -were in green, but they were good bowmen of Nottingham, and the sheriff -was almost in despair. He ordered the sports to commence, and never was -better archery shown before. A tall stranger, with a light blue jacket, -excited the admiration of every one, and the arrow would have been his -prize, but a rival yeoman followed and shot with such dexterity that -he fairly eclipsed all those who had preceded him. He was dressed in a -bright scarlet coat, crossed by a silken belt, from which was suspended a -little bugle-horn of silver and gold; his lower limbs were clothed in the -skin of a deer, bleached as white as snow; and upon his head he wore a -long black hood, which fell gracefully down his back. - -“When the sports were concluded, this gay forester was unanimously -declared the winner of the day, and amid the shouts of the spectators, -he was led to the tent, beneath which the sheriff of Nottingham stood -to award the golden arrow. The stranger fell upon one knee, and, with -much praise of his gallant archery, the prize was delivered to him. He -rose, placed the arrow in his belt, and a triumphant smile lighted up -his features as, for one moment, he looked at the donor’s face. It was -enough, the sheriff caught the glance, and it acted like magic upon him. - -“‘Ho! guards, seize him!’ he shouted with his utmost strength. ‘’Tis -Robin Hood, the outlawed rebel! Five hundred pounds for his head!’ In a -second, the forester had gained the middle of the field, and had blown -a long shrill blast upon his horn. At the signal, yeomen flew from -every part of the field and ranged themselves around him. The sheriff -was astounded, he cried to his men to follow; and, mounting his horse, -galloped towards the daring rebels. A flight of arrows met him half way, -and his steed fell tumbling to the earth; the rider arose unhurt, but his -men had fled on all sides, and he was obliged to follow them. - -[Illustration: THE GOLDEN ARROW. - -J. Gilbert] - -“‘Base cowards,’ he cried, ‘ye shall be hung on the highest gibbets in -Nottingham;’ and snatching a huge cross-bow from the hands of one of -the fugitives, he levelled it at the retreating band and fired. One man -dropped; it was the tall forester in the light blue coat. - -“At this, the sheriff’s followers took courage, and with a loud shout, -dashed onwards in pursuit of the outlaws, who had taken up their wounded -companion, and were now full half a mile in advance. Arrows innumerable -fell like hailstones on each party, and many of the Nottingham men fell, -sorely hurt; but the chase continued, and the sheriff seemed still -determined to pursue. For hours did the foresters use their fleetest -speed, turning ever and again to discharge their bows, until they -were well nigh exhausted. They would have stopped and fought, but the -overwhelming numbers that pursued gave them but a poor chance of victory. -In this extremity, a young knight, riding upon a grey charger, and -attended by several armed horsemen, met them upon the road. Surprised -at so unusual a sight, the knight reined up his steed and disposed his -men around him, as if to dispute the road. This bold step had well nigh -proved his ruin. A hundred arrows were pointed at him, and, at a word, -would have pierced through his breast-plate to his heart. - -“‘Hold,’ shouted Robin Hood, dropping his bow, ‘’tis Sir Rychard o’ the -Lee! ’Tis the good knight of Wierysdale.’ The knight recognised the -voice, leaped from his horse, and threw himself into the outlaw’s arms. A -few words briefly explained to him the reason of their flight. - -“‘To my castle, to my castle,’ he cried; ‘’tis close at hand, and will -defy the sheriff of Nottingham, with ten thousand of his men.’ Then -vaulting into his saddle, he took the wounded forester, Little John, -before him upon his steed, pointed out his fortress to Robin Hood and -galloped away. - -“The castle of Wierysdale, surrounded on every side by noble trees, -stood upon a slight eminence in the middle of an extensive valley. The -building itself was of immense strength; it was girded by a lofty stone -wall, six feet in thickness, and two ditches of considerable breadth and -depth encompassed it. Over these were bridges that could be raised or -lowered at pleasure; and a strong iron door was the only way of entrance -to the castle. - -“The outlaws increased their speed, and soon reached this promised -refuge. The gates were wide open; they rushed in, and at a word the -draw-bridges were raised, and the portcullis dropped. In a few more -minutes the sheriff, with his followers at his heels, loudly demanded -admittance. ‘Sir knight,’ he cried, ‘if thou dost not deliver up the -outlaws of Sherwood thou shalt be branded as a traitor.’ - -“‘Away, proud braggart,’ retorted the knight. ‘Dost thou threaten me? By -my good sword thou shalt one day rue thine insolence.’ A flight of arrows -stopped farther parley, and the sheriff was in despair. It was useless, -even with the multitude that he had at his command, to attempt forcing -the castle, and the knight had set his authority at defiance. Burning -with disappointment and rage, he denounced him as a traitor to his king, -and rushing through the mass who crowded behind him, he returned to -Nottingham. - -“For twelve days did Robin Hood and his foresters dwell with the good -knight of Wierysdale, feasting upon the most delicate food, such as they -seldom met with in their forest retreats. Little John’s wound quickly -healed, and ere long he winded his bugle-horn as merry as the rest, among -the echoing woods of Barnesdale. - -“The defeated sheriff neither forgot nor forgave the treatment that he -had received. He was determined upon being revenged on the rebellious -knight, and set spies round his castle to give him intelligence when he -stirred from it. For a long time they watched in vain; but one summer’s -morning the knight and his lady rode out to amuse themselves in the -delightful sport of falconry. Their steeds bounded gaily along the -meadows, by the banks of a river, and they rode far away from home. A -solitary heron that had been patiently watching for fish in a shallow -part of the stream, frightened at their approach, rose with a shrill -scream, and soared high up in air. The lady checked her palfrey, untied -the jesses that confined a falcon to her wrist, and threw it off. The -bird flew upwards as if shot from a bow, and rapidly ascended higher than -the quarry: fluttering its wing, it hovered for an instant above, and -then shooting downwards, struck the heron with its sharp beak and bore -it to the earth. The lady was delighted, and applying a silver whistle -to her mouth, recalled the well-trained hawk, which flew back again to -her hand, and seemed proud of her caresses. Pleased with the sport, they -galloped over many a verdant plain and flowery mead, and noon was long -past ere they bethought themselves of returning. They were conversing -about Robin Hood and his bold foresters, and wondering that they had -heard nothing more of the sheriff of Nottingham, when they became aware -of six armed horsemen galloping towards them at their utmost speed. -Little imagining their intentions, the knight quietly pursued his course, -when, to his surprise, the men checked their steeds as they approached, -and with drawn swords in their hands surrounded him. In the leader the -unfortunate knight easily recognised the sheriff of Nottingham, and he -guessed his fate. He was fastened with thongs to his saddle, his arms -were tied behind his back, and he was led away captive. - -“His lady, aware that resistance was fruitless, turned her horse’s head, -and galloped swiftly from the spot. Full of courage and love for her -gallant husband, she rode on without drawing rein until she reached the -forest of Sherwood, into which she fearlessly entered. A youth was lying -upon the grass under a broad tree. ‘My friend,’ she cried to him, ‘canst -tell me where to find bold Robin Hood?’ - -“The young man started to his feet, and doffing his cap, replied, ‘I am -one of Robin Hood’s foresters, gracious lady, and will conduct thee to -him;’ and taking the palfrey’s rein in his hand, he led it through the -narrow paths to the spot where the bold outlaw was shading himself from -the summer’s heat beneath a rustic bower. - -“‘God save thee, good Robin Hood,’ said the lady as the forester -advanced; ‘grant me thine aid, and that quickly. Thine enemy, the -sheriff, hath bound my dear husband, and led him captive to Nottingham.’ - -“The outlaw replied by setting his bugle-horn to his lips, and sounding -a shrill blast, it was answered from every side, and seven-score men soon -gathered round him. - -“‘Busk ye, my merry men,’ he cried to them. ‘To the rescue of the knight -of Wierysdale. That double villain, the sheriff of Nottingham, hath bound -him. He that will not fight for our good friend is no longer follower of -mine.’ - -“The men gave a loud shout to prove their readiness, and their captain, -bidding the lady be of good cheer, and await the issue in her castle, -darted through the woods. The foresters followed him in a crowd close -upon his heels; neither hedge nor stream stopped their progress; they -leaped over every obstacle, and in two hours reached the town of -Nottingham. They were just in time. The gaoler was even at the moment -unbarring the gates of the castle to admit the prisoner, and the sheriff -was unfastening the bonds by which he was held to his horse. At the -appearance of the outlaws a loud cry was raised by the astonished -inhabitants, and the sheriff leaped into his saddle. He had but a small -force at hand, quite insufficient to oppose the assailants, and seizing -his prisoner’s bridle rein, he attempted to fly;—’twas too late. An -arrow from the bow of the foremost outlaw pierced his brain, and he fell -headlong from his steed. His attendants were routed, and the knight -of Wierysdale was recaptured. Robin Hood himself cut his bonds with a -dagger, and after raising a loud shout of victory, he and his gallant -foresters retired to Wierysdale, where they received the warm thanks of -the lady of the castle, and after partaking of a glorious feast, they -returned to their wonted abodes in merry Sherwood. - - -ROBIN HOOD’S PARDON, REBELLION, AND DEATH. - -“The excitement caused by the death of the sheriff of Nottingham was -not easily appeased. Intelligence of the outrage was carried to King -Richard, who summoned a council to devise the best means of putting down -the fearless rebels. They declared the knight of Wierysdale an outlaw; -and his lands, which were forfeited to the crown, were offered as a -reward to whomsoever should take the traitor, Robin Hood, dead or alive. -Fifty knights volunteered their services, and Sherwood forest became -too hot for the brave outlaws, who retired by stealth to Plompton park, -in Cumberland, where they concealed themselves for many weeks. At last, -receiving intelligence that the search was abandoned, they ventured to -return to Sherwood; but, to their great surprise, they were one morning -interrupted by the approach of six priests, who advanced towards them, -riding upon steeds richly caparisoned. The foremost was a man of most -commanding presence. He was of noble countenance, tall stature, well -proportioned, and apparently of Herculean strength; and, as he sat -upright upon his saddle and glanced around him, his stately mien but ill -accorded with the peaceful character of the white robe that covered him. - -“Robin Hood knew him not, and wondered what bold bishop it could be, who -had ventured to enter upon the proscribed domains. - -“‘By thy leave, holy father,’ he cried, as he stepped from a thicket, and -laid his hand upon the horse’s bridle, ‘thou must abide awhile. If thou -hast gold in thy purse, by the laws of Sherwood forest it is forfeited.’ - -“‘Good sir,’ replied the bishop, ‘I have but forty pounds. King Richard -has been at Nottingham, and the gay follies of the court have swallowed -up the rest;’ and drawing a purse from his girdle, he gave it to the -outlaw, who counted out the bright gold pieces into his hand. ‘Thou wilt -need these, perchance,’ he said, as he gave back half the money. ‘We may -meet again and thou canst then repay me.’ - -“‘Gramercy, but thou art a gentle thief,’ exclaimed the bishop. ‘If, as -I strongly suspect, thou art bold Robin Hood, Richard, king of England, -sends thee his seal by me, and bids thee attend him in the good town of -Nottingham.’ - -“The outlaw bent his knee as he beheld the royal signet. ‘I will obey,’ -he cried, ‘I can trust to the honour of King Richard, and for love of -him, sir bishop, thou shalt dine with me under our trysting tree.’ He -winded his bugle-horn merrily, and seven-score men obeyed the summons. - -“A cloth was spread upon the grass, and plentifully supplied with -venison, fowls, and fish; cans of fine brown ale, and bowls of ruby wine. -The bishop and his companions seated themselves, and a jovial feast -ensued. ‘Let us drink to the health of King Richard,’ cried the outlaw, -filling his goblet to the brim. ‘He who fails me in this pledge is no -friend of Robin Hood’s.’ Loud cries of ‘Long live the King,’ rose from -all sides; and in imitation of their host, each man emptied his cup, and -reversed it upon the cloth before him. - -“‘Bend your bows, my gallant followers,’ said the outlaw, ‘and show our -guests the archery of Sherwood.’ A willow wand was fixed in the earth, -at a long distance off, and a garland of wild roses was suspended upon -its top. The laws of the game were, that whoever missed the garland -should lose his bow and arrows, and receive a buffet upon his bare head. -One by one the foresters advanced, and all shot true, until Little John -carelessly missed the wand by three good inches. Robin Hood gave him a -blow upon his ear that made it ring for many an after hour, and then took -his own turn. To his great dismay his shaft flew on the outer side of the -garland. - -“His men shouted with laughter. ‘Thou hast lost thy bow, good master!’ -they cried in the greatest glee. ‘The bishop shall give thee thy pay.’ -The priest laughed too, and turning up the sleeves of his gown stepped -toward the outlaw. - -“Robin Hood stood firm, and folded his arms upon his breast, but the -stalwart bishop bestowed such a buffet upon his head that he rolled over -and over upon the grass. - -“‘By my troth,’ cried he, when he had recovered his feet, there is pith -in that arm of thine. I’ll warrant me thou canst shoot a bow as well -as us.’ The bishop laughed again, and taking up Robin Hood’s forfeited -weapon, let fly at the garland. The arrow, too strongly shot, flew above -the wand, and struck into a tree on the further side of the lawn. - -“‘Now thou must take _thy_ pay,’ exclaimed the outlaw; and striding -towards him, he gave him a vigorous blow, but the priest did not waver -an inch. At that instant a horseman galloped swiftly across the plain, -and leaping from his steed, ran to them: it was the knight of Wierysdale. -‘Away, my brave men,—away,’ he shouted; ‘King Richard is seeking for ye. -The forest is beset with men, and ye will——’ He suddenly paused; his -eye had caught the keen glance with which the bishop was regarding him. -He threw himself at his feet:—‘Pardon, gracious sire,’ he exclaimed, -‘one who has served thee long and faithfully.’ Robin Hood was struck -dumb—the truth flashed across his mind:—it was King Richard whom he had -so unceremoniously buffeted. He fell upon his knees by the knight’s side, -and sued for mercy. - -[Illustration: THE OUTLAW’S ALLEGIANCE. - -J. Gilbert] - -“‘Sir knight,’ exclaimed the noble king, ‘thou hast done wrong, but I -forgive thee; rise,—thy lands are restored to thee. As for thee, thou -valiant traitor, he continued, placing his hand on Robin Hood’s head, ‘on -one condition only can I grant thy pardon. Thou and thy men must follow -me to London, and be my royal archers.’ The outlaws shouted with rapture; -cries of ‘Long live King Richard’ rent the air, and every man bent his -knee to their royal master. - -“The king then mounted his palfrey and retired, accompanied by Robin -Hood, Little John, and Will Scarlet, each of whom he soon afterwards -appointed to some place of dignity. Many of the foresters dispersed to -various parts, but fifty of the most faithful followed their beloved -master to London. - -“Here, it is said, our brave hero assumed his title of earl of -Huntingdon, and lived in most noble style; but soon growing tired of -the confinement of the court, he asked permission to revisit the merry -woods. The king granted him seven days, but when Robin Hood breathed the -delightful air of Sherwood, and heard the songs of the sweet birds, he -could not tear himself away. He ranged through many a well-known thicket -and oft-frequented lawn, and in the ecstacy of his delight he set his -bugle horn to his mouth, and made the old trees re-echo with the blast. -To his great astonishment it was replied to, and four-score youths -bounded towards him. Several had deserted him in London, and many who -were at first disbanded had returned to their favourite haunts, and Robin -Hood was again acknowledged as the leader of a forest band. Little John -and Will Scarlet soon learned the intelligence, and with all speed joined -him with the rest. - -“King Richard was enraged; he sent a renowned knight with two hundred -soldiers to capture the rebellious outlaw, and a desperate fight took -place upon a plain in Sherwood forest. It lasted from sun-rise to -sun-set, but neither party could boast of victory, and the knight lost -many of his men. Robin Hood himself was wounded by an arrow, and was -obliged to be taken to Kirkleys Nunnery, where he was treacherously -suffered to bleed to death by the prioress. As he found his end -approaching he called Little John to him. ‘Carry me into the woods, I -entreat thee,’ he said to him; - - “‘And give me my bent bow in my hand, - And a broad arrow I’ll let flee; - And where this arrow is taken up - There shall my grave digged be.” - -“The outlaw shot his last bow. His shaft flew feebly to a short distance, -and fell beneath an oak. He leaned back into the arms of his faithful -attendant—and died. His wish was complied with; and a stone was placed -upon the green sod to mark the last resting-place of the brave Robin -Hood; it bore this inscription:— - - “Here, underneath this little stone, - Lies Robert, Earl of Huntingdon. - Ne’er archer was as he so good; - And people called him ‘Robin Hood.’ - Such outlaws as he and his men - Will England never see again.” - -I was obliged to hurry the latter part of my stories more than I could -have wished, but I had scarcely finished, before our faithful monitor, -the sonorous school bell, called us to our less pleasing, but more -important pursuits. - -The holidays soon after commenced, and we all returned HOME. - - -THE END. - -CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE, LONDON. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY -FORESTERS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Robin Hood and his Merry Foresters</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Stephen Percy</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Day & Haghe and J. Gilbert</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 29, 2021 [eBook #66169]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY FORESTERS ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus1"> -<img src="images/illus1.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">MARRIAGE OF ALLEN A DALE.</p> -<p class="caption-l">J. Gilbert</p> -<p class="caption-r">Day & Haghe lithographers to the Queen</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="larger">ROBIN HOOD</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">AND</span><br /> -HIS MERRY FORESTERS.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">BY STEPHEN PERCY,<br /> -<span class="smaller">AUTHOR OF “TALES OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND”</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container smaller"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Merry it is in the good green-wood,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">When the mavis and merle are singing.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="titlepage">LONDON:<br /> -TILT AND BOGUE, FLEET STREET.<br /> -<span class="smaller">MDCCCXLI.</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">LONDON:<br /> -CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p class="dedication"><span class="smaller">TO</span><br /> -<span class="larger">MY SISTER ELIZA,</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">WITH</span><br /> -A BROTHER’S MOST AFFECTIONATE LOVE,<br /> -<span class="smaller">I DEDICATE</span><br /> -These Stories of my Boyhood.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> - -</div> - -<table summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td>EARLY SCHOOL DAYS.—<span class="smcap">The Old - Sycamore-Tree.—Robin Hood’s Youth.—The Outlaws of - Sherwood.—Robin Hood and Little John.—Robin Hood and - the Butcher.—The Gay Forester.</span></td> - <td class="tdpg">Page <a href="#EARLY_SCHOOL-DAYS">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>OUR SECOND MEETING.—<span class="smcap">Allen-a-Dale’s - Marriage.—The Monks’ Prayer—Robin Hood and the Ranger.—Guy - of Gisborne.—Will Stutely’s Capture.—The Rescue.—Robin - Hood and the Beggar.</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#OUR_SECOND_MEETING">29</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>THE THIRD EVENING.—<span class="smcap">The Outlaws’ - Sports.—Robin Hood and the Friar of Fountains’ Dale.—The - Bishop of Hereford.—A Priestly Quarrel.—A Merry Dance.</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#THE_THIRD_EVENING">63</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>OUR HALF-HOLIDAY.—<span class="smcap">The Wood.—St. - Bartholomew’s Day.—Finsbury Field.—The Queen’s Champion.—The - Outlaw’s Pardon.—The Knight of Wierysdale.—Robin Hood’s - Generosity.—The Abbot of St. Mary’s.</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#OUR_HALF-HOLIDAY">87</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>OUR FIFTH MEETING.—<span class="smcap">Reynolde Grenelefe.—The - Silver Bugle-Horn.—The Sheriff’s Pantry.—A curious coloured - Stag.—The Sheriff’s Couch.—A Rural Fair.—The Monks of St. - Mary’s.—The Knight’s Gratitude.</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#OUR_FIFTH_MEETING">112</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>OUR LAST EVENING.—<span class="smcap">The Sheriff’s - Complaint.—The Golden Arrow.—Robin Hood’s Smile of Triumph.—A - desperate Combat.—Wierysdale Castle.—The Sheriff’s Death.—The - Outlaw’s Allegiance and Pardon.—Robin Hood’s Rebellion.—His - Death.</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#OUR_LAST_EVENING">135</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">LIST OF PLATES.</h2> - -</div> - -<table summary="List of plates"> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Marriage of Allen-a-Dale</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus1"><i>frontispiece</i></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">The Foresters’ Welcome</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus2"><i>p.</i> 14</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus3">46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Robin Hood and the Friar</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus4">72</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">The Bishop of Hereford</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus5">82</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">The Knight of Wierysdale</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus6">110</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">The Golden Arrow</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus7">138</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">The Outlaws’ Allegiance</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus8">150</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<h1>ROBIN HOOD.</h1> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="EARLY_SCHOOL-DAYS">EARLY SCHOOL-DAYS.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Tales of Robin Hood and his merry foresters were -the delight of my boyhood.</p> - -<p>Many an hour which my school-fellows spent in -games of cricket or leap-frog, I passed happily away -in the rustic arbour that we had built in the corner -of our play-ground, deeply intent upon a volume -of old ballads that chance had thrown before me. -Sometimes a companion or two, weary of the sport in -which they had been engaged, would join me in my -retreat, and ask me to read aloud; and seldom would -they leave me till the school-bell warned us that it -was time to return to our duties.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> - -<p>After the tasks of the day were done we had two -hours at our disposal before we were again called -to study our lessons for the following morning. In -these short intervals it was that, forgetting for awhile -Cæsar, Cicero, and Virgil, freed from restraint, and -exulting in health and spirits, we passed the happiest -moments of our early days.</p> - -<p>Though many years have since glided away, I can -recall these pleasures most vividly. Well do I recollect -the youth who shared my bed, and who in school -hours sat next me on the first form; and well do I remember, -as we sauntered together one bright summer’s -evening through the shrubbery that encircled our play-ground, -his asking me to tell him some tale of Robin -Hood. Willingly I complied. There was an old sycamore -tree close by, standing alone upon a little lawn. -Its weather-beaten trunk was girt round by a low seat, -whence, through an opening in the trees, a wide extent -of country presented itself to the view. The shrubbery -was upon the side of a steep hill, at whose base -lay broad and verdant meadows: through these a -navigable river winded peacefully along, bearing upon -its surface the white lateen sail of the gay pleasure-boat,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span> -or the more dingy brown canvas of the heavily -laden barge, that constantly lent a fresh charm to the -delightful landscape. Beyond the meadows was a -little village, almost concealed by the venerable trees -that surrounded it, while, to the left, the white front -of some noble mansion glistened afar off, amid the -dark tint of the distant foliage. Many a time had I -chosen this favourite bench, and now, with my young -friend at my side, I again reclined against the broad -old trunk. Scarce had we seated ourselves when -another of our school-fellows happened to pass by, -and at the intercession of my companion stayed to -listen to my promised tale.</p> - -<p>I endeavoured to recall the earliest mention of my -brave hero in the ballads that told of his exploits, and -thus began:—</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD’S YOUTH.</h3> - -<p>“More than six hundred years ago, in the reigns of -King Henry the Second and Richard Cœur de Lion, -there lived in the northern part of England a most -famous outlaw, named Robin Hood. The daring -exploits and curious adventures of this renowned hero<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> -have been celebrated in songs throughout almost every -country in Europe; and so great a favourite has he -always been in England, that, as the old poet says,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘In this our spacious isle I think there is not one</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But he of Robin Hood hath heard, and Little John;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And, to the end of time, the tales shall ne’er be done</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of Scarlet, George-a-Green, and Much, the miller’s son;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of Tuck, the merry friar, which many a sermon made</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In praise of Robin Hood, his outlaws, and their trade.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“Robin Hood, whose true name appears to have been -Robert Fitzooth, was born and bred in the sweet town -of Locksley, in merry Nottinghamshire, about the -year 1160. He was a very handsome youth, with -light auburn hair, and dark bright eyes that glanced -and sparkled like stars, and was the most expert archer -and bravest wrestler among all the lads of the county, -from whom he oft-times bore away the prize in their -rural sports. One day as Robin Hood was going to -Nottingham upon a visit to his uncle he passed by an -ale-house, at the door of which stood several foresters, -keepers of the king’s parks, drinking ale and wine. -Young Robin joined the party, and entered into conversation -with them, when he learned that the king<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> -had commanded a shooting match to be held at a -town close by in the course of the following week.</p> - -<p>“‘I will be there,’ cried Robin Hood with great glee, -‘and will show King Henry a good cloth-yard arrow -well shot.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ha! ha!’ laughed one of the foresters. ‘Dost -thou think that a stripling like thee may shoot before -a king? I’ faith, my young fellow, thou must give -place to better men.’</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood’s brow flushed with anger at this slight, -and he half drew his dagger from its sheath, but -recollecting himself—‘I’ll wager thee twenty crowns,’ -he replied, ‘that I will strike a deer at five hundred -yards.’</p> - -<p>“‘Done,’ cried the forester. ‘I bet thee twenty -crowns thou canst not. Our host shall hold the stakes -while we go into yonder wood.’</p> - -<p>“‘Agreed,’ said Robin Hood; ‘and if I do not <i>kill</i> -the deer thou shalt win the bet.’ Each then paid -twenty crowns to the host, and the whole party set -out merrily to the wood. Young Robin strung his -noble bow, and chose one of his best arrows, and in a -few minutes a hart bounded across the plain. Although<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -the animal was at a considerable distance farther off -than the space agreed upon, Robin would not lose the -chance; he drew his arrow to the head, and let fly with -such force that when it struck the deer upon its side -the poor creature fell plunging to the earth in a stream -of its own blood.</p> - -<p>“‘Give me the money,’ said Robin Hood proudly, -to the host, ‘if ’twere a thousand pound, I’ve won -the wager.’</p> - -<p>“‘The wager’s none of thine,’ cried the man with -whom he had laid the bet. ‘Thou hadst better take -up thy bow and begone, or by’r lady I’ll make thee -rue this day;’ and thus saying he bestowed a buffet -on the young archer’s head, while the other keepers -stood by and laughed.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood took up his bow as he was bidden, -without saying a word, and smiled as he ran away -from them across the plain. When he had got some -good distance off, he turned round, and aiming at -the treacherous forester, let fly a shaft which struck -him upon the breast, pierced his heart, and laid him -dead upon the spot. Before his companions had recovered -from their surprise, Robin Hood sent arrow<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span> -after arrow among them, wounding some severely, -and stretching others lifeless upon the grass.</p> - -<p>“The people of Nottingham hearing of this, came -out in great numbers to take the bold young archer, -but he had escaped far away before they arrived; -therefore, contenting themselves with taking the bodies -of the dead foresters, they buried them ‘all in a row,’ -in the churchyard in Nottingham.</p> - -<p>“For a long time afterwards Robin Hood dared not -show himself in any town or village, as a reward -was offered for his apprehension; but he lived in the -forests under the green-wood trees, where he quickly -met with several other youths who for various causes -had been outlawed like himself.</p> - -<p>“In these times immense tracts of land, especially -in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, were covered with -dense woods, which generally abounded in deer and -every description of game; and as these were the property -of the king, rangers or foresters were appointed -for their protection, and the penalty against any one -who dared to slay a stag was death.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood and his companions cared very little -for these rangers, who indeed stood but a poor chance<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -against them. They shot the king’s deer whenever -they were in want of food, and cooked it well enough -by a fire kindled with branches of the royal trees.</p> - -<p>“They likewise were sometimes bold enough to stop -his majesty’s liege subjects upon the highway, and -politely request the loan of a few pounds, which was -most frequently granted them without their giving -any security for its repayment, the poor traveller being -glad to escape with a safe body.</p> - -<p>“As the young outlaw thus continued to live in -Sherwood forest, his superior skill in archery and -his prowess at all manly exercises gained him great -fame. Many young men joined him in his retreat, -and placed themselves under his leadership, so that -he soon found himself captain of at least three-score -gallant youths.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood and his followers all dressed themselves -in cloth of Lincoln green, and generally wore -a scarlet cap upon their heads. Each man was armed -with a dagger and a short basket-hilted sword, and -carried a long bow in his hand, while a quiver filled -with arrows a cloth-yard long hung at his back. -The captain, besides wearing a better cloth than his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -men, always carried with him a bugle horn, whose -notes he taught his followers to distinguish at a most -incredible distance.</p> - -<p>“One day Robin Hood said to his men, ‘My brave -fellows, here have we been fourteen long days without -any kind of sport. Stay ye here awhile among the -green leaves, while I go forth in search of some adventure. -If I want your assistance three blasts on my -bugle horn will tell ye where I am.’ And bidding -them adieu for the present, he shook hands with them, -and with his trusty bow in his hand set out on his -expedition. He soon reached the high road, where he -thought he should most easily meet with something -to do, and marched along boldly for a considerable -way. Presently he came to a wide but shallow brook -that ran across the road, over which there was but -one narrow bridge, that would only permit a single person -to cross at a time. Just as Robin Hood set his -foot upon the plank at one end a traveller appeared -upon the other side, and as neither would return they -met in the middle of the bridge. The stranger was -a tall handsome young fellow nearly seven feet high, -but unarmed, except with a stout oaken staff.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Go back,’ cried he to Robin Hood, ‘or ’twill be -the worse for thee.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ha! ha!’ laughed Robin, ‘surely thou jestest, -man. Were I to bend this good bow of mine I could -send an arrow through thy heart before thou could’st -even strike;’ and stepping back a pace or two he -drew a shaft from his quiver and fixed it ready to -shoot.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou talk’st like a coward,’ replied the stranger; -‘with a long bow drawn against one who has but -an oaken staff.’</p> - -<p>“‘I am no coward,’ answered Robin Hood, ‘and -that thou shalt see. Stay on the bridge awhile. -I’ll be with thee again in the twinkling of an arrow.’ -And laying aside his bow he ran back along the -plank, plunged into a thicket close at hand, and -quickly returned bearing a good oak branch.</p> - -<p>“‘Now,’ cried he to the traveller, ‘now we are -equally matched; let’s fight out our quarrel on the -bridge; whoever throws the other into the water shall -win the day, and so we’ll part.’</p> - -<p>“‘With all my heart,’ replied the stranger, ‘for -go back I will not;’ and without a word farther he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span> -bestowed such a thwack on the head of Robin Hood -that his teeth chattered together.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou shalt have as good as thou giv’st,’ cried -Robin, and laid such a blow on the shoulder of his -opponent that every bone in his body rung again. -At it they then went in right earnest, and thick and -fast rattled the staves upon their heads and backs, -appearing like men threshing corn. Getting more -enraged at every stroke, they laid about each other -with so much fury that their jackets smoked as if -they had been on fire; but at last the stranger gave -Robin Hood a blow upon the side of his head that -made him stagger, and losing his balance the outlaw -tumbled into the brook.</p> - -<p>“‘Where art thou now, my fine fellow?’ cried the -victorious stranger, laughing.</p> - -<p>“‘Good faith,’ replied Robin Hood, ‘I’m in the -water, and floating bravely with the tide. But thou art -a bold yeoman I needs must say, and I’ll fight no -more with thee. Thou hast got the day and there’s -an end of our battle.’ Then wading to the bank he -caught hold of a projecting branch of a tree, pulled -himself out of the brook, and setting his bugle to his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -lips blew three such loud and lusty blasts that the -woods and valleys echoed and re-echoed them, till they -reached the ears of his merry bowmen. In a few -minutes they all appeared dressed in their bright green -coats, and ranged themselves round Robin Hood, who -was lying on the grass to rest his bruised limbs.</p> - -<p>“‘Good master,’ cried one of them, named Will -Stutely, ‘what wantest thou with thy merry men? -Hast thou fallen into the brook?’</p> - -<p>“‘No matter,’ replied their captain; ‘this youth -and I have had a famous fight, and he knocked me -into the water.’</p> - -<p>“‘We’ll duck him, we’ll duck him,’ exclaimed the -men, running up to the stranger, and seizing him by -the arms.</p> - -<p>“‘Forbear!’ shouted Robin Hood. ‘He is a -brave young fellow, and must be one of us.’ Then, -springing to his feet, he advanced towards him. -‘No one shall harm thee, friend,’ he said; ‘these -merry men are mine. There are three-score and -nine, and if thou wilt join them thou shalt have a -coat of Lincoln green like theirs, a dagger, a good<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span> -broadsword, and a bow and arrows, with which we -will soon teach thee to kill the fat fallow-deer.’</p> - -<p>“‘Here’s my hand on it,’ replied the stranger, -striking his palm into that of the bold outlaw; ‘I’ll -serve thee with my whole heart. My name is John -Little, but thou’lt find I can do much, and that I’ll -play my part with the best.’</p> - -<p>“‘His name must be altered,’ said Will Stutely. -‘I’ll be his godfather, and we’ll have a merry christening -in the green-wood.’</p> - -<p>“A brace of fat does were presently shot, and a fresh -barrel of humming strong ale was broached for the -occasion. Robin Hood and his followers then stood in -a ring, while Will Stutely, attended by seven of the -tallest, dressed themselves in black garments that had -once belonged to some unfortunate priests, and prepared -to baptize this pretty infant. They carried him into -the midst of the ring, and throwing a bucket of water -over his face, for fear a little sprinkling might not be -enough, Will Stutely in a very solemn tone said, -‘This infant has hitherto been called John Little; -we do now hereby change his name, which from the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -present day to the end of his life shall be called Little -John.’</p> - -<p>“A loud shout from the men made the forest ring -again. When this ceremony was concluded, and when -Robin Hood had given his new attendant a coat of -Lincoln green, and a curiously carved long-bow, they -all sat down on the grass to a merry feast. Music -succeeded, and their bold captain, in honour of his -new guest, trolled forth the following song:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘You’re welcome, my lad, to the forests o’ green,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Where the wild deer so merrily bounds;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Where the foresters bold their gay revels hold,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And their bugle-horn cheerily sounds.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘Thou shalt be an archer, as well as the best,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And range in the green-wood with us;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Where we’ll not want gold nor silver, behold,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">While bishops have aught in their purse.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘We live here like ’squires, or lords of renown,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Without e’er a foot of free land;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And ev’ry thing at our command.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘Then welcome, my lad, to the merry green-wood,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Where the wild deer so joyously bounds;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Where the foresters bold their gay revels hold,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And their bugle-horn cheerily sounds.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus2"> -<img src="images/illus2.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">“THOU’RT WELCOME MY LAD TO THE MERRY GREEN-WOOD.”</p> -<p class="caption-l">J. Gilbert</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span></p> - -<p>“Merrily and gaily did they pass the evening; now -dancing round some old monarch of the forest, and -now listening to the rude but pleasing ditty of one -of their companions. At length the sun went down, -and the deep shades of the forest began to draw around -them. Robin Hood drew forth his bugle, sounded a -few notes, and in a minute or two the whole band were -dispersed in groups to their huts and caves.</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER.</h3> - -<p>“Shortly after this merry-making Robin Hood was -one morning sitting by the way-side, amusing himself -with trimming his bow and arrows, when he espied a -jolly butcher hastening to market with a basket of -meat before him upon his horse.</p> - -<p>“‘Good morrow, my fine fellow,’ quoth Robin Hood -as he passed by. ‘What may’st thou have in that -basket there?’</p> - -<p>“‘What’s that to thee,’ replied the butcher: ‘thou’lt -not buy it I’ll warrant me.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, now, my good friend, be civil,’ returned -the outlaw, rising from the grass, and patting the -man’s horse upon the neck. ‘What value settest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -thou upon this beast of thine, and the basket, altogether?’</p> - -<p>“‘Well! an thou mean’st to buy,’ answered the -butcher, still doubting, ‘thou shalt have the whole -lot for four silver marks.’</p> - -<p>“‘Throw that greasy frock of thine into the bargain,’ -said Robin, ‘and here’s thy money:’ at the same -time he took some silver pieces from a leathern pouch -that hung from his girdle, and held them to the -butcher. With great joy at having made so good a -bargain, the man instantly dismounted, and giving his -horse’s reins to his new owner, he quickly stripped off -his outer garment. The bold outlaw as quickly encased -himself in it, and, mounting the horse, took the basket -from the butcher, and galloped off to Nottingham.</p> - -<p>“When he reached the town, Robin Hood made his -way to the part where the meat was sold; and having -put up his horse at an inn, he uncovered his basket, -and began to sell its contents. He knew very little -and cared very little about the price that was usually -paid for meat, and the ladies in the market quickly -discovered that he gave about five times as much for a -penny as any other butcher. His stall was soon surrounded,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -and his brethren in the trade were left without -a customer. At first they could not imagine what -could be the reason of so strange an occurrence; but -when one of them learned that the new butcher had -actually sold a whole leg of pork for a shilling, a -general council was held, and it was unanimously -agreed that he must either be mad, or some prodigal -son who had run away with his father’s property: but -they were all determined to learn something certain -about him.</p> - -<p>“When the market was over, one of them stepped -up to Robin Hood. ‘Come, brother,’ said he to him, -‘we are all of one trade, come and dine with us -to-day.’</p> - -<p>“‘Right willingly that will I,’ replied the outlaw; -‘and a jolly dinner will we have. ’Tis my first day -among ye, and by my faith it shall be a merry one.’ -They were soon seated at the board, at the head of -which presided the sheriff of Nottingham, while ‘mine -host’ sat at the other end. Robin Hood, being a new -comer, said grace, and they commenced a most fearful -attack upon divers smoking flanks of beef, and many -a goodly haunch of venison. The jovial outlaw did his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span> -duty with the rest, and when at last the dishes were -allowed to be taken away, ‘Fill us more wine,’ -he cried, ‘let’s be merry, my brethren; drink till ye -can drink no more; I’ll pay the reckoning.’</p> - -<p>“‘This is a mad blade,’ said the sheriff to his next -neighbour; ‘we must find out who he is.’—‘Hast -thou, friend,’ he continued aloud, addressing Robin -Hood, ‘hast thou any horned beasts to dispose of?’</p> - -<p>“‘Aye, good master sheriff, that have I,’ answered -Robin, ‘some two or three hundreds, and a hundred -acres of as good free land too as thou’st ever seen.’</p> - -<p>“‘I want a few head of cattle,’ rejoined the former, -‘and if thou wilt, I’ll ride this day to look at thine.’</p> - -<p>“‘Fill me a bumper of sack,’ cried Robin Hood; -‘here’s to a good bargain;’ and tossing off a goblet -of wine, he rose up, threw a handful of silver upon -the table, and with the sheriff left the astonished -butchers to finish their wine and talk of their extraordinary -comrade.</p> - -<p>“The man of dignity saddled his palfrey, and -tying a heavy bag of gold, wherewith to pay for his -purchase, to his girdle, set out with Robin Hood to -Sherwood forest. Merry were the jokes and loud was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -the laughter of the bold outlaw as they trotted along -the road, and the sheriff thought that he had never -met with so pleasant a companion. ‘Heaven preserve -us,’ said he, ‘from a man they call Robin Hood, -who often frequents these woods.’</p> - -<p>“‘Fear not, master sheriff,’ replied Robin; ‘I saw -him in Nottingham town not two hours ago, and I’ll -warrant me he has not overtaken us.’</p> - -<p>“‘In Nottingham!’ cried the sheriff, with astonishment: -‘why didst not thou tell me that before? I -must go back and capture him.’</p> - -<p>“‘’Twill be a profitless errand for thee,’ answered -the outlaw. ‘Though I know Robin Hood as well as -my own self, ’twas with difficulty I recognised him in -his disguise.’ The sheriff looked hard at his companion, -as he claimed so intimate a knowledge with -the outlawed forester, but said not a word, only spurring -his horse on faster, and keeping as far from -his fellow-traveller as the width of the road permitted.</p> - -<p>“Presently they arrived at the borders of the forest, -and striking into a narrow road that led through -it, reached an open lawn of some considerable extent.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -Just as they entered upon it, a whole herd of -deer tripped gaily across the path.</p> - -<p>“‘How likest thou my horned beasts, master -sheriff?’ asked Robin Hood; ‘they are fat and in -good condition, are they not?’</p> - -<p>“‘I must tell thee, good fellow,’ returned the sheriff, -reining up his palfrey, ‘that I would rather be elsewhere -than in thy company.’</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood replied by taking his bugle-horn from -his side, and blowing three distinct blasts that made -the woods re-echo, and his companion’s ears to tingle -with no small degree of apprehension.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou art a knave,’ cried he, ‘and hast played me -false; take that for payment:’ and the terrified sheriff -drew his sword and struck fiercely at the outlaw, -who, spurring his steed aside, dexterously avoided the -blow. In a moment after, sixty or more foresters, -with Little John at their head, burst from the thickets -and surrounded the two horsemen.</p> - -<p>“‘Welcome, good master;’ said Little John to his -captain. ‘What will’st thou with thy merry men?’</p> - -<p>“‘I have brought the sheriff of Nottingham to dine<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -with ye to-day,’ replied Robin Hood; ‘make good -cheer, and give him of the best.’</p> - -<p>“‘Aye, marry, that will we,’ returned the tall forester, -‘for I know he has gold to pay for it:’ and -gently obliging the sheriff to dismount, he unfastened -the bag from the unfortunate man’s girdle, and taking -his cloak from his shoulders, he spread it upon the -grass, and emptied the gold upon it.</p> - -<p>“‘Three hundred pounds will serve us for many a -carouse,’ said Little John, when he had counted the -money and replaced it in the bag. ‘And now, master -sheriff,’ he continued, laughing, ‘would’st thou like -venison for thy dinner? Hast thou any stomach for a -smoking haunch?’</p> - -<p>“‘Let me away,’ cried the sheriff, running to his -horse’s side, ‘or you’ll all rue this day.’</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood sprang to his assistance, held the stirrup -while he mounted, and politely wishing him a pleasant -journey home, desired to be especially commended -to his wife. The poor sheriff, glad to escape sound in -body, returned no answer; but striking spurs into -his palfrey was soon out of sight. The merry foresters<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -quickly repaired to their wonted spot, and with many -a bumper of ale or wine, drank to the health and -prosperity of the liberal sheriff of Nottingham.</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND WILL SCARLET.</h3> - -<p>“The bold outlaws were afraid to show themselves -for some time after this adventure, and for several -weeks retired to a distant forest, where their haunts -were not so well known as in Sherwood.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood was one morning rambling among the -woods, when, through the branches of the trees, he -caught sight of a gay young fellow walking carelessly -along and whistling merrily. The stranger was -clothed in a silken doublet of beautiful scarlet, his hose -were likewise of the same bright colour, and his gay -green cap was ornamented with a crimson feather. By -his side hung a handsome broadsword, the hilt of -which was studded with precious stones, and in his -left hand he carried an elegantly carved bow; while a -quiver of polished oak, inlaid with silver, was suspended -by a silken baldric at his back.</p> - -<p>“As he emerged from the thicket upon a little plain, -on which the noon-day sun was permitted to shine<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> -unobscured by the deep foliage that on all sides surrounded -him, the traveller’s heart leapt with joy at -the sight of a herd of deer grazing quietly at the -other end of the verdant glade.</p> - -<p>“‘The fattest among ye,’ quoth he, loud enough -for the outlaw to over-hear him, ‘shall serve my -dinner to-day:’ and drawing an arrow from his quiver, -he fixed it upon his bow, and discharged the weapon -with such keen velocity that the noblest animal among -the herd fell dead at the distance of forty yards.</p> - -<p>“‘Well shot! well shot, my friend!’ cried Robin -Hood, advancing from his concealment. ‘Would’st -like to be a forester in this merry green-wood?’</p> - -<p>“‘Where springest thou from?’ said the stranger, -turning round sharply at the sound of a voice: ‘Go -thou thine own way; I’ll go mine.’</p> - -<p>“‘If thou’lt accept the place,’ returned the outlaw, -unheeding this angry reply, ‘I’ll make thee a bold -yeoman, and give thee livery of mine.’</p> - -<p>“‘Livery!’ cried the other. ‘By St. George, an -thou dost not take to thine heels, I’ll give thee such a -buffet as shall make thine ears ring for many a mile.’</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood drew back a step, and bent his ever-ready<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span> -bow, and at the same time the stranger, quick -as thought, drew another arrow from his quiver, and -pointed it at the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“‘Hold! hold!’ cried the latter. ‘This is cowards’ -play. Take thy sword, man, and let’s fight it out under -yonder tree.’</p> - -<p>“‘With all my heart,’ replied the traveller; ‘and -by my faith I will not leave thee till thou dost cry “‘a -mercy.”’ Then laying aside their bows, each drew -his sword, and stepping beneath the shade of a broad -old oak, began the combat in right good earnest. The -bold outlaw, seizing an unguarded moment, laid a -blow upon the shoulder of his opponent that made him -wince again; but, in retaliation, the stranger rushed -furiously at Robin Hood, and struck him so violently -upon the head that the blood ran trickling down from -every hair.</p> - -<p>“‘Mercy, good fellow—mercy,’ he cried, dropping -his sword’s point to the earth, and leaning himself -against the tree; ‘thou hast fairly beaten me. Tell -me,—who art thou? and what seek’st thou here?’</p> - -<p>“‘Ha! thou alterest thy tone now,’ answered the -victor with a laugh; ‘but, if thou’rt a true man, thou<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span> -may’st stand my friend. Know’st thou where dwells a -yeoman they call Robin Hood?’</p> - -<p>“‘Wherefore dost thou seek him?’ inquired the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“‘I am his sister’s son,’ replied the youth. ‘I had -the misfortune to slay my father’s steward in a quarrel, -and am forced to flee from home.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thy name?’ asked Robin Hood anxiously.</p> - -<p>“‘Is Will Gamwell, of the town of Maxwell,’ -replied the stranger.</p> - -<p>“‘My brave boy, I am thine uncle,’ exclaimed the -outlaw, clasping him in his arms with delight; ‘thou -should’st have said this before we shed each other’s -blood.’</p> - -<p>“‘Forgive me—forgive me,’—cried the youth, -bending on his knee; ‘and I’ll serve thee day and -night.’</p> - -<p>“‘Give me thy hand,’ replied Robin; ‘thou art a -bold fellow, a true marksman, and a right valiant swordsman, -as I know to my cost. Let us go seek my merry -men.’ And with many a pleasant discourse the newly-found -relations beguiled their path to the haunt of the -outlaws. As they approached the spot, Robin Hood<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> -drew his bugle from his girdle, and sounded a few -short notes. Before the music had ceased Little John -stood at his side.</p> - -<p>“‘Is danger at hand, good master?’ he said. -‘Where hast thou tarried so long? Whence this -blood?’</p> - -<p>“‘I met with this youth,’ replied Robin Hood, ‘and -full sore has he beaten me.’</p> - -<p>“‘Then I’ll have a bout with him,’ cried the tall -forester, and see if he will beat me too;’ and with a -staff in his hand he stepped before the stranger.</p> - -<p>“‘Nay nay,’ said his captain, interfering, ‘that -must not be; he is my own dear sister’s son, and next -to thee shall be my chief yeoman.’</p> - -<p>“‘Welcome, my friend, to merry Sherwood,’ exclaimed -Little John, shaking the new comer by the -hand. ‘We’ll have a rare feast for thee to-night. -But by what name shall we call thee among our jovial -comrades?’</p> - -<p>“‘His name is Gamwell,’ replied Robin Hood; -‘but we had better re-christen him as we did thee; he -has forsooth a fine scarlet doublet, and Will Scarlet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -shall be his name.’ Then again taking his bugle, he -set it to his lips, and winded it till</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘The warbling echoes wak’d from every dale and hill.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“More than a hundred tall yeomen, clad in Lincoln -green, soon attended this summons, bounding among -the trees like so many playful deer.</p> - -<p>“Will Scarlet, frightened at the sight of so many -men, all armed with bows, cried to his uncle to fly from -them, and was himself starting off at his full speed, -when Robin Hood caught him by the arm, and laughing -heartily at his terror, bade him behold his future -companions.</p> - -<p>“‘What want’st thou, good master?’ said Will -Stutely, the leader of the band. ‘Thy bugle sounded -so shrill we thought there had been work for us.’</p> - -<p>“‘The danger’s over now,’ replied Robin Hood; -‘but welcome your new comrade; he is my own sister’s -son, and has proved himself a gallant youth, for he -has given me a famous beating.’</p> - -<p>“The foresters set up a simultaneous shout, and -each advancing in his turn took the hand of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -delighted youth. The rest of the day was spent in -feasting and sporting, till the departing rays of the -sun warned them to their caves and bowers.”</p> - -<p>Just as I had thus concluded, and my young -companions were making their various remarks upon -the merry life of the bold outlaws, the deep tone of -our school-bell rang in our ears. Off we started, -like a herd of deer frightened at the notes of Robin -Hood’s bugle-horn.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="OUR_SECOND_MEETING">OUR SECOND MEETING.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN-A-DALE.</h3> - -<p>On the next evening, when I took my seat beneath -the sycamore, I found that it was surrounded by no -less than six of my school-fellows; so popular had -been the legends of Robin Hood with my hearers of -the previous day. I was mightily pleased at this, and -with renewed confidence began the following tale:—</p> - -<p>“Shortly after the accession of Will Scarlet to his -company, Robin Hood was one morning roaming -through the forest, when he beheld a young man, very -elegantly dressed in crimson silk, skipping merrily -over the green plain, singing a roundelay; his face was -lighted up with gladness, and his heart seemed overflowing -with joy.</p> - -<p>“On the very next morning Robin Hood again<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> -encountered the same youth. All his finery was gone. -He wore a russet suit, and his countenance was overspread -with melancholy. He walked slowly, absorbed -in meditation, and now and then broke out into exclamations -of the keenest grief. The outlaw’s heart -was moved. ‘What can have caused this sudden -change,’ he said to himself: ‘perhaps I may relieve -his sorrows;’ and emerging from the grove he stood -before the young man’s path.</p> - -<p>“‘What ailest thou my friend?’ he said to him; -‘but yesterday thou wert as gay as a lark, and to-day -as thou wert at a funeral.’</p> - -<p>“‘Why dost thou ask?’ said the youth: ‘thou canst -not help me in my distress.’</p> - -<p>“‘I have a hundred as good yeomen as ever drew -bow in the green-wood,’ replied the outlaw, ‘that will -do my bidding as I list.’</p> - -<p>“‘Lend me thine aid,’ cried the young man eagerly, -‘and I’ll be thy true servant for ever. My name is -Allen-a-Dale. But yesterday I was to have wedded -the fairest maiden upon whom the sun ever shone. -To-day she is taken from me, and will be forced to -marry a rich old knight whom she detests.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Where is the wedding to take place,’ inquired -Robin Hood.</p> - -<p>“‘At the little church in the vale ’twixt here and -Nottingham,’ replied the lover; ‘’tis not five miles -distant.’</p> - -<p>“‘We will try what’s to be done,’ rejoined Robin. -‘Come with me, and by my faith it shall go hard but -thou gettest thy fair maiden yet;’ and taking the now -hopeful youth by the hand, the outlaw led him away.</p> - -<p>“Great preparations were made for the approaching -wedding in the village church that Allen-a-Dale had -mentioned. The lord bishop of the diocese was there, -dressed in his gorgeous robes; and the cottagers, -decked out in their holiday costume, were waiting -anxiously to witness so grand a marriage. An old man -with a long flowing beard likewise demanded and -received admission into the interior of the sacred -edifice. He wore a sombre-coloured mantle that entirely -covered him, and carried, slung by a belt across -his shoulders, a harp, which, as he seated himself -near the altar, he placed at his feet, ready to strike on -the appearance of the bridal party. Presently the -grave old knight entered the church, leading the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> -beautiful damsel by the hand. Young girls, dressed -in white, scattered roses in their path as they advanced, -and the harper sounded his noble instrument. The -poor maiden seemed totally unconscious of all that -passed. She walked slowly, with her head bent -to the earth; and tears burst from her eyes, and -coursed each other down her lovely cheeks: but the -old knight was unmoved, and hurried her to the -altar. The bishop opened his book and began the -ceremony.</p> - -<p>“‘I forbid this match,’ exclaimed a voice that -seemed to proceed from where the harper sat.</p> - -<p>“The reverend father, surprised at so unusual an -interruption, stopped, and looked around:—‘Stand -forth, whoever thou art, and state thy reasons,’ said -he, after a long pause.</p> - -<p>“‘This old knight is not the damsel’s free choice,’ -cried the old man, rising from his seat, ‘and I forbid -the marriage.’ At the same moment pulling away his -false beard, and casting aside his cloak, <span class="smcap">Robin Hood</span> -drew a bugle-horn from his baldric, and stunned -the ears of bishop, knight, and maiden, with the -loudness of his blast. At the summons four and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -twenty yeomen darted out of a grove that was close at -hand, bounded like wild deer over the plain, and -quickly entered the church. The first man among them -was Allen-a-Dale. He ran to Robin Hood, and gave him -his trusty bow; then, rushing to the altar, he hurled -the old knight aside, and clasping the lovely maiden -in his arms, bore her to the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“‘Now, my good lord bishop,’ said Robin Hood, -‘thou may’st marry this fair lady to her own true love.’</p> - -<p>“‘That cannot be,’ returned the bishop, closing -his book with a loud clap; ‘the law requireth that -the banns be published three times in the church.’</p> - -<p>“‘We will soon remedy that,’ cried Little John, -stepping forward from among the bowmen. ‘Lend -me thy gown awhile, good master bishop, and I will -do that office;’ and as he spake, he entered the -enclosed space by the altar, and stood by the side of -the reverend father, who, with a very ill will, suffered -his robe to be taken from his person.</p> - -<p>“The foresters and villagers, one and all, could not -restrain their mirth when the tall yeoman put the -garment upon himself, and took up the bishop’s volume. -For fear that thrice might not be enough, he published<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> -the banns seven times, while Allen-a-Dale and -his betrothed took their places at the altar steps.</p> - -<p>“‘Who gives away this maid?’ asked Little John -when he had finished that part of his duty.</p> - -<p>“‘That do I,’ answered Robin Hood, who stood at -the damsel’s side. ‘Where’s the man who dares -dispute my gift?’ and clapping the bridegroom upon -his shoulders—‘Cheer ye, my gallant friend,’ he cried; -‘by my troth thou hast boldly won the fairest maiden -in Christendom.’</p> - -<p>“Neither the old knight nor the bishop interposed, -but while Little John proceeded with the ceremony -they both left the church. As soon as all was concluded, -the young girls again strewed flowers in the -path of the now joyous bride, the bells struck up a -merry peal, and the villagers and foresters, rushing out -of the church, greeted the happy pair with loud shouts -of joy. Robin Hood and his men escorted them home, -and having drunk to the welfare and happiness of -young Allen-a-Dale and his fair lady, they again -returned to their green-wood shades.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span></p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD’S GOLDEN PRIZE.</h3> - -<p>“There were many days in which the outlaws of -Sherwood scarcely knew how to pass away their time. -They often grew tired of their easy and careless life, -and longed for an adventure where more active exertions -would be required. Robin Hood, especially, could -ill brook the monotony of a forester’s life. He was -ever bent upon some enterprise, either by himself -alone, or with the assistance of his followers; and -rarely a week passed but that the bold captain threw -a good store of gold into his treasury. One day he -disguised himself in the dress of a friar. A long dark-coloured -gown completely covered his green doublet, -and a large cowl over his head nearly concealed his -features. His waist was girt round with a white -woollen rope, from which were suspended a string of -beads and an ivory crucifix. Thus attired, with a staff -in his hand, he took the high road, and trudged on -merrily. The first persons he met were, an honest -husbandman, clad in tattered garments, carrying a -chubby boy in his arms, and his wife, with an infant, -following mournfully in his steps. Robin Hood stopped<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -them, inquired the cause of their grief, and learned -that their cottage had been burned down by a party of -marauders, and that they were then on their way to -Nottingham, where the poor man hoped to obtain -employment.</p> - -<p>“The seeming priest, moved with compassion at -their forlorn state, drew forth a broad piece of gold -and gave it to the wanderers, who ever after blessed -the day they met the generous friar.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood walked on nearly a mile farther -without meeting a single traveller, when at last he -espied two monks in black gowns coming towards -him, riding upon mules.</p> - -<p>“‘Benedicite,’ said Robin Hood meekly, as they -drew near him; ‘I pray ye, holy brethren, have pity -upon a poor wandering friar, who has neither broken -bread nor drank of the cup this day.’</p> - -<p>“‘We are grieved, good brother,’ replied one of the -monks, ‘we have not so much as a penny. Robbers -met us on the way, who have stripped us of all our -gold.’</p> - -<p>“‘I fear thou tellest not the truth,’ returned the -friar. ‘Wherefore did they leave ye those beasts?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Now by’r lady,’ cried the second monk, ‘thou -art an insolent fellow,’ and pushing on their mules -he and his companion galloped off. The outlaw -laughed at their precipitate decampment, then starting -off at his best speed, he soon overtook them. ‘Brethren,’ -he cried, as one after the other he pulled them from -their saddles, ‘since we have no money, let us pray -to our dear lady to send us some;’ and falling on his -knees he made the monks kneel down beside him. -The old ballad says</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘The priests did pray, with mournful cheer,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Sometimes their hands did wring,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Whilst Robin did merrily sing.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“After some time thus spent, the outlaw rose. ‘Now, -my brethren,’ quoth he, ‘let us see what money has -been sent us—we will all share alike;’ and putting -his hand in his pocket he pulled forth twenty pieces -of gold, and laid them on the grass. The monks -fumbled a long time amid their garments, but could -find nothing.</p> - -<p>“‘Let me search,’ cried the friar; ‘perchance ye -have not hit upon the right pocket.’ The monks<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -reluctantly consented, and presently the outlaw drew -forth two purses, and counted out five hundred golden -crowns.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘Here is a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">‘Such store of gold to see;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And ye shall each of ye have a part</div> - <div class="verse indent2">’Cause you prayed so heartily.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“He then gave them back each fifty pieces, which -the monks eagerly seized, and running to the side -of their mules they were about to ride off. ‘Stay,’ -cried the outlaw; ‘two things ye must swear: first—that -ye will never tell lies again; and secondly—that -ye will be charitable to the poor.’ The priests fell on -their knees and gave the required promise to Robin -Hood, and then</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘He set them on their beasts again,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And away then they did ride;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And he returned to the merry green-wood</div> - <div class="verse indent2">With great joy, mirth, and pride.’”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“Can you remember the whole of any ballad?” -asked one of my hearers. “If you could I should -like very much to hear it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span></p> - -<p>“And so should I.”—“And I.”—“And I.”—cried -two or three other voices.</p> - -<p>“I fear there will be some parts that you will -scarcely understand,” I replied; “but as you wish it, -you shall hear of</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER; OR, TRUE FRIENDSHIP AFTER A FIERCE FIGHT.</h3> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And likewise the mountains of snow,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To frolic abroad with his bow.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“He left all his merry men waiting behind,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Whilst through the green valleys he pass’d,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Where he did behold a forester bold,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Who cry’d out, ‘Friend, whither so fast?’</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“I am going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For me and my merry men all;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Or else it shall cost me a fall.’</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">‘For these are his majesty’s deer;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For I am head forester here.’</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">My arrows I here have let fly;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Where freely I range, methinks it is strange</div> - <div class="verse indent2">You should have more power than I.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And so are the nimble deer too;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">I’ll not be affronted by you.’</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The forester he had a long quarter staff,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Likewise a broadsword by his side;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Without more ado, he presently drew,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Declaring the truth should be tried.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Thus, ere he could take any wrong,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And thus they fell to it ding dong.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The very first blow that the forester gave,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">He made his broad weapon cry twang;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">O that was a terrible bang!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“But Robin he soon recovered himself,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And bravely fell to it again;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The very next stroke their weapons they broke,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Yet never a man there was slain.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“At quarter staff then they resolved to play,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Because they would have the other bout;</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Unwilling he was to give out.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The other return’d them as fast;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">At every stroke their jackets did smoke;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Three hours the combat did last.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“At length in a rage the forester grew,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And cudgel’d bold Robin so sore</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">He cry’d, ‘Let us freely give o’er.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess</div> - <div class="verse indent2">I never knew any so good;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And range in the merry green-wood.’</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Robin Hood set his bugle horn to his mouth,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A blast then he merrily blows;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">His yeomen did hear, and straight did appear</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A hundred with trusty long bows.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Now Little John came at the head of them all,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Cloth’d in a rich mantle of green;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A delicate sight to be seen!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘Lo! these are my yeomen,’ said bold Robin Hood,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">‘And thou shalt be one of the train,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">A mantle and bow, and quiver also,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">I give them whom I entertain.’</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The forester willingly entered the list,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">They were such a beautiful sight;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And made a rich supper that night,</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“What singing and dancing was in the green-wood,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For joy of another new mate!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">With might and delight they spent all the night,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And liv’d at a plentiful rate.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Quoth he, ‘My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And then we may range the woods wide.’</div> - <div class="verse indent0">They all did declare, and solemnly swear,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">They would conquer, or die by his side.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>This ballad was highly approved of; and when, -as usual, a few remarks had been made upon the -valour of the champions, I resumed my tales, and -told of</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE.</h3> - -<p>“How delightful are the woods upon a summer’s -morn. The bright foliage of the trees now shines in -its deepest verdure; the lawns and glades are clothed -with luxuriant grass and sweet wild flowers, upon -which the dew-drops glisten in the rising sun. The -merry birds sitting upon the tender branches pour<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> -forth their morning lays; and yon lark, now soaring -high towards the blue expanse of heaven, makes hill -and dale re-echo with her melodious carol;—all telling -of the goodness of their Creator, and praising him -for his wondrous works. Thus thought Robin Hood as, -on a bright morning in the pleasant month of June, -he wandered amid the trees of Barnesdale. He had -been awakened earlier than usual from his slumbers -by the loud and incessant singing of a golden thrush: -he arose, and rambled forth, enjoying the freshness of -the morning breeze, and the sweet music that was -borne upon it. Many a hart darted across his path, -and many a young fawn skipped playfully at his side, -and then bounded into the recesses of the forest. At -another time the outlaw’s keen arrow would have -followed them, but now he smiled at their merry -gambols, and charmed with the loveliness of the scene, -he rested upon his bow, and contemplated with heart-felt -pleasure the tranquil beauty of the morn. He -continued thus, absorbed in meditation, when suddenly -a distant sound broke upon the stillness of the air.</p> - -<p>“The outlaw listened for a moment. ‘’Tis the -tramp of horses,’ he whispered to himself; and stepping<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span> -to a tree, quick as thought he climbed amid its branches. -Thence he could plainly distinguish the glitter of spear-heads -and bright helmets, and scarce had he secured -himself from observation, when several horsemen, -followed by a troop of soldiers, passed within a few -yards of his hiding-place. In the leader, Robin Hood -at once recognised his old friend, the sheriff of Nottingham, -who he had no doubt was now come with his -men to seek for the traitorous butcher of Sherwood.</p> - -<p>“It was not till some time after this little band had -gone by that the outlaw ventured to descend the tree; -and then, striking into a narrow path, he endeavoured -to retrace his steps to the spot where his men were -dwelling. On his way he was obliged to cross the -high road, where a stranger arrested his steps.</p> - -<p>“‘Hast thou seen the sheriff of Nottingham in the -forest?’ he inquired.</p> - -<p>“‘Aye, my good fellow, and with a fine band at -his tail,’ replied Robin Hood. ‘Art thou seeking him?’</p> - -<p>“‘Not him,’ returned the stranger, who was a bold -yeoman, dressed in a coat of the untanned skin of -some wild beast, and who carried a bow in his hand,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -and a sword and dagger at his side. ‘I seek not the -sheriff, but him whom he seeks.’</p> - -<p>“‘And who may that be?’ said the forester, at the -same time forming a pretty shrewd guess.</p> - -<p>“‘A man they call Robin Hood,’ answered the -stranger. ‘If thou canst show me where he is, this -purse shall be thine;’ and taking a well-filled leathern -bag from his girdle, he rattled the contents together.</p> - -<p>“‘Come with me, my friend, and thou shalt soon -see Robin Hood,’ returned the outlaw. ‘But thou hast -a brave bow; wilt thou not try thy skill with me in -archery?’ The stranger at once consented. Robin -Hood with his dagger cut down the branch of a tree, -and fixing it in the earth, suspended upon the top a -little garland, which he entwined with the long grass. -The archers took their station at the distance of three -hundred yards, and the stranger drew the first bow. -His arrow flew past the mark far too high. The outlaw -next bent his weapon, and shot within an inch or -two of the stick. Again the yeoman essayed; and -this time his shaft flew straight and passed through -the garland; but Robin Hood stepped up boldly, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> -drawing his arrow to the very head, shot it with such -vehemence that it clave the branch into two pieces, -and still flew onwards for some yards.</p> - -<p>“‘Give me thy hand,’ cried the stranger,—‘thou’rt -the bravest bowman I’ve seen for many a day, an thy -heart be as true as thy aim, thou art a better man -than Robin Hood. What name bearest thou?’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay—first tell me thine,’ replied Robin, ‘and -then by my faith I will answer thee.’</p> - -<p>“‘They call me Guy of Gisborne,’ rejoined the -yeoman. ‘I’m one of the king’s rangers; and am -sworn to take that outlawed traitor, Robin Hood.’</p> - -<p>“‘He’s no traitor, sirrah,’ returned the forester -angrily; ‘and cares as much for thee as for the beast -whose skin thou wearest. I am that outlaw whom -thou seek’st,—I am Robin Hood:’ and in a moment -his drawn sword was in his hand.</p> - -<p>“‘That’s for thee then,’ cried the yeoman, striking -fiercely. ‘Five hundred pounds are set upon thine -head, and if I get it not I’ll lose mine own.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus3"> -<img src="images/illus3.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">ROBIN HOOD & GUY OF GISBORNE</p> -<p class="caption-l">J. Gilbert</p> -</div> - -<p>“Robin Hood intercepted the intended blow, and -fought skillfully with his fiery and more athletic antagonist, -who poured down an incessant shower of strokes<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> -upon him. Once the bold outlaw fell; but recovering -himself sufficiently to place a foot upon the earth, -he thrust his sword at the ranger, and as he drew back -to avoid it, Robin Hood sprung up, and with one -sudden back-handed stroke slew poor Guy of Gisborne -upon the spot. He immediately stripped off the hide -from the dead man, upon whom he put his own green -mantle; and then taking his unfortunate opponent’s -bow and arrows and bugle-horn, he drew him into a -thicket, and darted off swiftly to assist his men.</p> - -<p>“In the mean while the sheriff of Nottingham and -his attendants had pushed their way through the woods -to Barnesdale, where they had been informed the -outlaw was lying.</p> - -<p>“The bold foresters, ever on the alert, heard the -unusual sound of the tramp of armed men, and with -their bugles gave notice to each other of the danger. -Little John had been in pursuit of a fat doe, which he -was bringing home upon his shoulders, when the -warning sounded upon his ears. Concealing his booty -among the underwood, he bounded through the forest -to the scene of danger, where he found that Will -Stutely and many of his comrades were urging their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> -utmost speed to escape from some of the sheriff’s men, -and two bold foresters lying dead upon the grass. Little -John’s wrath was kindled. Forgetful of the imprudence -of the action, he drew his bow, and let fly an -arrow at the cause of this mischief, but the treacherous -weapon brake in his hand, and the shaft flew wide of -the sheriff, but striking one of his followers stretched -him lifeless upon the turf.</p> - -<p>“Left almost defenceless by the loss of his bow, -Little John could make but a poor resistance to the -crowd of men who instantly surrounded him. By the -sheriff’s order he was bound hand and foot, and tied to -a young oak, receiving at the same time a promise that -so soon as more of his comrades were taken he should -with them be hanged on the highest tree in Barnesdale. -Just then a loud blast from a bugle rang through the -wood.</p> - -<p>“‘Here comes good Guy of Gisborne,’ quoth the -sheriff; ‘and by his blast I know that he hath slain that -bold knave, Robin Hood. Come hither, good Guy,’ -he continued as the outlaw appeared, effectually concealed -in the yeoman’s clothing. ‘What reward wilt -thou have of me?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span></p> - -<p>“‘I must finish my work first, good master sheriff,’ -replied the disguised hero. ‘I’ve slain the master, -and now I must kill the knave; but ’twere cruel -ere he has confessed his sins.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou’rt a pretty fellow truly to turn father-confessor,’ -replied the sheriff; ‘but go, do as thou -list, only be quick about it.’</p> - -<p>“The outlaw stepped to the side of Little John,—who -had easily recognised his beloved master’s voice,—and -pretended to listen attentively to what the poor -captive might be saying, but drawing his dagger, he -gently cut the cords that bound his comrade, and -gave him the bow and arrow that he had taken from -Guy of Gisborne.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood then placed his own bugle to his lips -and sounded a peculiarly shrill blast, that rung in the -sheriff’s ears as a death knell, so well did he remember -the sound. The two outlaws were quickly supported -by a band of sixty foresters, who had collected together, -and all drew their bows at once against the intruders. -A dense flight of arrows fell upon them. Those who -were not too badly wounded immediately set spurs to -their horses, or took to their heels in the most abrupt<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -confusion. One poor forester, Will Stutely, they bore -off with them. Robin Hood and his men pursued, -and it was not till they had got half way on their road -back to Nottingham that the defeated sheriff and his -attendants drew rein.</p> - -<h3>THE CAPTURE OF WILL STUTELY.</h3> - -<p>“Robin Hood was sorely grieved when he learned -that his bold follower had been carried off. Calling -his men together, he made them swear that they would -rescue their brave comrade, or die in the attempt. -Will Scarlet was despatched at once to learn to what -place he was taken; and hastening with all speed to -Nottingham, he found that the news of the terrible -affray, and the sheriff’s precipitate flight, had already -caused a great sensation among the gossips of the -town. From them he easily ascertained that the captive -outlaw was imprisoned in the castle, and that he -was to be hanged on the following morning at sun-rise. -Scarlet flew back with this intelligence to Robin -Hood, who communicated it to his men, and all again -swore to bring Will Stutely safely back to Barnesdale, -or fearfully avenge his death.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span></p> - -<p>“Early on the morning after his capture, the unfortunate -prisoner, tightly bound and guarded on every -side, was led from his cell towards the gallows that -had been erected on the plain in front of the castle. -He cast his eyes anxiously around, in the hope that -succour might be at hand, but he could perceive no -signs of the presence of his comrades. Turning to -the sheriff, who attended in person at the execution of -so notorious an outlaw,</p> - -<p>“‘Grant me one boon, I pray thee,’ cried he; -‘never has one of Robin Hood’s men died like a thief; -let me not be the first. Give me my good sword in -my hand, and do ye all set upon me. I shall -then die as a brave man should.’</p> - -<p>“‘I’ve sworn to hang thee on the highest gallows -in Nottingham,’ replied the sheriff; ‘and when I catch -that still greater villain, Robin Hood, he shall dance -by thy side.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou’rt a dastard coward!’ cried Stutely in a -rage, ‘a faint-hearted peasant slave! By’r lady, if e’er -thou meet’st bold Robin Hood, thou’lt have payment -for the deed thou’rt doing. He scorns and despises -thee, and all thy cowardly crew, who will as soon take<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> -King Henry prisoner as brave Robin Hood;’ and the -forester laughed loudly in defiance.</p> - -<p>“At the sheriff’s command the executioner seized -him by the arms, and hurried him to the fatal tree; -he was just about to affix the rope, when a tall yeoman -leaped out of an adjacent bush, and with a stroke of -his sword felled the officer to the earth.</p> - -<p>“‘I’m come to take leave of thee, Will, before thou -diest,’ cried the intruder; ‘and, good master sheriff, -thou must spare him to me awhile.’”</p> - -<p>“‘As I live,’ cried the sheriff, to his attendants, -‘yon varlet’s a rebel too, and one of Robin Hood’s men,—seize -him—five pounds for his head, dead or alive.’ -But, in a moment, Little John, for he it was, cut -the bonds that secured his comrade, and snatching a -sword from one of the soldiers, gave it him, shouting, -‘Fight, Will, defend thyself, man—Help is near.—To -the rescue—To the rescue.’—And turning back -to back, the two outlaws gallantly parried the attacks -of their assailants.</p> - -<p>“‘To the rescue! To the rescue!’ echoed a host -of voices from a neighbouring wood; and Robin -Hood, with seven-score men, bounded across the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span> -green plain. A flight of arrows from their bows -rattled upon the armour of the soldiers, and more -than one stuck into the sheriff’s robe.</p> - -<p>“‘Away, my men, away!’ cried he, flying to the -castle for shelter. ‘’Tis Robin Hood himself;’ and -the knowledge that the outlaw would especially choose -him for a mark added wings to the speed of the -valiant sheriff. His men—nothing loth to follow -such an example, vied with each other in the race, so -greatly to the amusement of the merry outlaws that -they could not for laughter discharge an arrow in -pursuit of them.</p> - -<p>“‘I little thought, good master, to have seen thy -face again,’ said Will Stutely; ‘and to thee, my bold -comrade,’ he added, addressing Little John, ‘to thee -I owe my best thanks. ’Twill be a long day ere -Will Stutely forgets thy kindness.’</p> - -<p>“‘May we ever thus support each other in danger,’ -said Robin Hood, loud enough for the whole band -to hear him. ‘But, my brave yeomen, we must -away, or we shall have the whole nest of hornets -about our ears;’ and, with many a laugh at the sudden -flight of the sheriff, and the glorious rescue of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -one of their favourite companions, the bold foresters -plunged again into the woods and returned to Barnesdale, -where they celebrated the joyful occasion -with feasting and music, till the stars glittering through -the topmost branches of the trees warned them that -the hour of rest was at hand.</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR</h3> - -<p>“For some long time after this last daring adventure, -Robin Hood and his men were so hotly pressed by -the sheriff that it was with difficulty that they eluded -the pursuit. Now concealing themselves in the recesses -of a cavern, now in the thickest coverts of the forest, -they were obliged almost daily to change their abode, -until at last, tired of the incessant chase, the sheriff -disbanded his forces and returned to Nottingham.</p> - -<p>“When the outlaws were well assured of this, they -quickly came back to their old haunts in Barnesdale -and Sherwood, and pursued their usual course of -life. One evening Robin Hood was roving through -the woods, when he espied a sturdy-looking beggar, -clad in an old patched cloak, come jogging along. -In his hand he carried a thick oaken staff, with which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -he assisted himself in walking, and round his neck -a well-filled meal-bag was suspended by a broad -leathern belt, while three steeple crowned hats placed -within each other, sheltered his bald pate from the -rain and snow.</p> - -<p>“‘Stay, good friend,’ said Robin Hood to him as -they met; ‘thou seem’st in haste to-night.’</p> - -<p>“‘I’ve far to go yet,’ answered the beggar, still pushing -onwards, ‘and should look foolish enough to get -to my lodging house when all the supper’s done.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ay! ay!’ returned Robin Hood, walking by his -side. ‘So long as thou fillest thine own mouth, thou -carest but little about mine. Lend me some money, -my friend, till we meet again. I’ve not dined yet, -and my credit at the tavern is but indifferent.’</p> - -<p>“‘If thou fastest till I give thee money,’ replied -the mendicant, ‘thou’lt eat nothing this year. Thou’rt -a younger man than I am, and ought to work:’ and -the old fellow pushed on still more briskly.</p> - -<p>“‘Now, by my troth, thou’rt but a churl,’ cried -the outlaw. ‘If thou hast but one farthing in thy -pouch, ’tshall part company with thee before I go. -Off with thy ragged cloak, and let’s see what treasures<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span> -it conceals, or I’ll make a window in it with my good -broad arrows.’</p> - -<p>“‘Dost think I care for wee bits of sticks like -them?’ said the beggar, laughing; ‘they’re fit for -nothing but skewers for a housewife’s pudding-bag.’ -Robin Hood drew back a pace or two, and fitted an -arrow to his bow-string, but before he could let it fly -the beggar swung his staff round his head, and with -one stroke splintered bow and arrow into twenty -pieces. The outlaw drew his sword, and was about -to repay this with interest, when a second blow from -the old man’s stick lighted upon his wrist, and so -great was the pain it caused that his blade fell -involuntarily from his grasp. Poor Robin Hood was -now completely in the beggar’s power;—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘He could not fight—he could not flee,—</div> - <div class="verse indent2">He wist not what to do;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The beggar, with his noble tree,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Laid lusty slaps him to.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘He paid good Robin back and side,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And baste him up and down;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And with his pike-staff laid on loud,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Till he fell in a swoon.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span></p> -<p>“‘Stand up, man,’ cried the beggar jeeringly, ‘’tis -hardly bed-time yet. Count thy money, man—buy -ale and wine with it, and give thy friends a jovial -carouse. How they’ll laugh at the poor beggar.’</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood answered not a word, but lay still as -a stone; his cheeks pale as ashes, and his eyes closed. -The beggar gave him a parting thwack, and thinking -that he had killed the saucy highwayman, went boldly -on his way.</p> - -<p>“It fortunately happened that Will Scarlet and -two of his comrades were soon after passing by, and -seeing a man lying by the road-side, apparently dead, -walked up to him. What was their consternation and -grief when they beheld their loved chief weltering in -his blood. Will Scarlet bended upon one knee, and -raised his master’s head upon the other. One forester -ran to a brook that flowed close by, and brought back -his cap filled with water, which they sprinkled upon -his face, and his companion drew from his pouch a -little leathern bottle, the contents of which speedily -revived the unfortunate outlaw.</p> - -<p>“‘Tell us, dear master,’ exclaimed Will Scarlet, -‘who has done this?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span></p> - -<p>“Robin Hood sighed deeply. ‘I’ve roved in these -woods for many years,’ he said, ‘but never have I -been so hard beset as on this day. A beggar with an -old patched cloak, for whom I would not have given a -straw, has so hasted my back with his pike-staff that -it will be many a day ere Robin Hood will lead his -merry men again.—See! see!’ he added as he raised -his head;—‘there goes the man, on yonder hill, with -three hats upon his head. My friends,—if you love -your master,—go and revenge this deed;—bring him -back to me, and let me see with mine own eyes the -punishment you’ll give him.’</p> - -<p>“‘One of us shall remain with thee,’ replied Will; -‘thou’rt ill at ease. The other two will quickly bring -back yon evil-minded miscreant.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, nay,’ returned the discomfited outlaw; ‘by -my troth ye will have enough to do if he once get -scope for that villanous staff of his.—Go, all of ye,—seize -him suddenly—bind him fast, and bring him -here, that I may repay him for these hard blows -that he has given me.’</p> - -<p>“Will Scarlet and his two companions started off -as fast as they could run, dashing onward through<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span> -many a miry pool, and over many a tiring hill, until -they arrived at a part of the road that wound through -the forest by a way at least a mile and a half nearer -than the beaten path that the beggar had taken. There -was a dense copse of trees in the bottom of a valley -through which a little brook gently streamed, and the -road-way ran close to it. The foresters, well acquainted -with every acre of the ground which they so often -traversed, took advantage of this grove, and concealed -themselves behind the well covered branches. In the -mean while the old beggar rejoicing in the victory he -had so lately obtained, walked sturdily on, as briskly as -age and his weary limbs would allow him. He passed -by the copse without the least suspicion of lurking -danger, but had proceeded only a step or two farther -when his staff was violently seized by one of the foresters, -and a dagger was pointed to his breast, with -threats of vengeance if he resisted.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh! spare my life,’ cried the beggar, at once -relinquishing his hold, ‘and take away that ugly knife. -What have I done to deserve this? I am but a poor -beggar, who has never wronged thee or thine.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou liest, false carle,’ replied Will, ‘thou hast<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -well nigh slain the noblest man that e’er trod the forest -grass. Back shalt thou go to him, and before yon sun -sinks down thy carcase shall be dangling from the -highest tree in Barnesdale.’</p> - -<p>“The beggar was sorely frightened at this terrible -threat; he had lost his only weapon, and his aged limbs -were but a poor match against three stout young men. -He began to despair and to give himself up as lost, -when a thought struck him. ‘Brave gentlemen,’ he -said, ‘why take ye a poor man’s blood? ’Twill make -ye none the richer. If ye will give me liberty, and promise -to do me no more harm, I have a hundred golden -pounds in this meal-bag, that shall be yours.’ The -foresters whispered together and determined to get the -money first, come afterwards what might.</p> - -<p>“‘Give us thy money,’ said Will, ‘and we’ll let -thee go thy way.’ The beggar unfastened the clasp of -his belt, and taking it from his neck, spread the meal-bag -upon the grass, while the young men anxious for -the gold, bent over, eager to seize upon the expected -prize. The old fellow pretended to search very diligently -at the bottom of the bag, and pulled out a peck -or two of meal, which he piled into a heap; then watching<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -his opportunity, he filled both hands full, and -threw it violently in the faces of the outlaws, who, -blinded and astonished, began to rub their eyes most -woefully. The beggar sprung up in a moment, seized -his staff, and in a twinkling began to belabour their -backs and shoulders.</p> - -<p>“‘I have mealed your coats,’ he cried, ‘but I’ve a -good pike-staff here that will soon beat them clean -again;’ and before the youths could recover from their -consternation the old man plied his staff so manfully -that his arm ached from the exertion, and he was -obliged to stay for rest.</p> - -<p>“The young outlaws did not attempt to retaliate; -indeed they could not see where to strike; but trusting -to their swiftness, scampered away even more briskly -than they had come; and the beggar laughing at the -success of his wile, plunged into the woods, and made -the best of his way from Barnesdale forest.</p> - -<p>“When Will Scarlet and his comrades presented -themselves before Robin Hood, the bold outlaw, ill as -he was, could not refrain from bursting into laughter -at their sheepish appearance. They hung down their -heads, and still rubbed their eyes, while the meal on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span> -their coats made known the trick that had been played -upon them.</p> - -<p>“‘What have ye done with the bold beggar?’ inquired -Robin Hood; ‘surely three of ye were a match -for him.’ Will Scarlet replied; told him of their first -success, and the old man’s promise of money; but -when he came to the meal and the drubbing they had -received, Robin Hood laughed till his bruised limbs -ached. Although he would fain have revenged himself -upon his opponent, yet the cleverness of the trick so -pleased his fancy that he swore that if ever he met the -sturdy beggar again, he would, by fair means or foul, -make him join his band in merry Barnesdale.”</p> - -<p>This tale was frequently interrupted with the loud -laughter of my hearers, who all praised the dexterity of -the old beggar-man.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_THIRD_EVENING">THE THIRD EVENING.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3>THE OUTLAW’S SPORTS.</h3> - -<p>Upon the next evening that we met together I found -my school-fellows waiting for me under the old tree, -and taking my usual seat, I immediately began:—</p> - -<p>“Many a gay meadow bedecked with daisies and -buttercups stretches its verdant surface by the banks -of the fair river Trent; and many a wood filled with -merry birds lines its brink so closely that the -pendent branches of the trees lave themselves in its -transparent waters. It was upon the evening of a -lovely day in spring, when every flower looked fresh -and beautiful, and the early leaves of the forest shone -in their brightest green tint, that a party of young -men emerging upon one of these meadows from the -surrounding woods, began to amuse themselves in -the athletic exercises in which our forefathers so much<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> -delighted. Some of them struck slight branches into -the earth, and placing a pole transversely upon them, -leaped over it at nearly their own height from the -ground. Presently a signal was given, and four or -five youths bounded across the lawn with the speed of -young stags, vieing with each other in the first attainment -of the solitary elm that graced the centre of the -meadow. High swelled the bosom of the victor as, -breathless and panting, he received the reward of his -achievement, perhaps a new scarlet cap, or a bright -new girdle, and proud was he to know that the chief -to whom he had sworn allegiance beheld and smiled -approvingly on his success.</p> - -<p>“But now a more important contest began. One of -the foresters stood forward, and fixed up a target, the -face of which was rudely painted in circles of various -colours, a small white spot serving as a centre. A -line was drawn at the distance of five hundred feet -from this mark, near which about twenty bowmen -took their station; one after another each stept up to -it, bent his bow, and let fly an arrow with all the -force he could command. Many shafts had flown far -wide of the target, and some few had struck it near<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> -the side, when the turn arrived for a gaily-dressed -archer to make his trial. Walking deliberately to the -line, he very carefully placed his arrow upon the bow-string, -raised it till it was on a level with his ear, and -instantly discharged it. The quivering shaft sank -deeply within two inches of the white centre.</p> - -<p>“‘Bravely done, Will Scarlet,’ exclaimed a forester -who stood apart from the rest, and who evidently -controlled their movements; ‘thou’lt soon become as -good a bowman as e’er trod the green-wood.’</p> - -<p>“‘I do my best, good master,’ replied Will to -Robin Hood, who had taken advantage of the cool -evening, in order to exercise his men; ‘but here is -one whom I fear I scarcely equal:’ and a bold -forester, who was known to his companions by the -cognomen of ‘Much, the Miller’s Son,’ stood forward, -and drew his bow. The nicely-balanced arrow shot -swift as lightning through the air, and pierced the very -centre of the target. A loud huzza followed this -achievement, and Robin Hood himself shouted louder -than the rest. In a moment after all was hushed, -for the tall forester, brave Little John, took the last -turn, and his comrades, knowing well his dexterity,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> -breathlessly awaited the result of the contest. After -carefully selecting a well-feathered arrow, he stood -erect as a young tree, drew back his bow-string with -the strength of a giant, and suddenly let it slip. For -a minute or two no one could tell where the arrow -had gone; it was just possible to trace its flight as it -whizzed through the air, but it was not to be seen -on the target. Little John, smiling as he beheld the -looks of surprise, ran swiftly across the intervening -space, and, to their astonishment, drew forth his -shaft from out of that of the miller’s, which it had -struck, and cloven about half way down.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood and his followers shouted with rapture, -and the victor bending upon one knee, received -from his master, as a reward for his prowess, a beautiful -arrow of silver.</p> - -<p>“‘By my troth,’ said the outlaw, as he gave it to -him, ‘I would ride a hundred miles, any day, to find -an archer like thee.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou’st no need to go so far,’ cried Will Scarlet, -rather envious of the better success of his companions. -‘There’s a friar in Fountains’ Dale that will bend a -bow against him or thee, ay, or against all thy men.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span></p> - -<p>“‘I’ll neither eat nor drink till I find him,’ said the -bold outlaw. ‘’Tis too late to seek him this evening, -but ere I break my fast to-morrow I’ll see this valiant -friar.’ And as he spake he drew an arrow from his -quiver, and fixed it upon his bow-string.</p> - -<p>“A young hart had innocently trotted forth from the -shelter of the woods, and was making its way towards -the brink of the river, when the noise of the foresters -reached its ear. Startled at the sound, the creature -turned its pretty head, gazed for a moment, and, frightened -at the unaccustomed scene, bounded at full speed -back towards the concealment of the forest. The outlaw’s -keen eye had followed its motions, and wishing to -display the superiority of his skill, he let fly an arrow -at it while in its swiftest flight; the poor fawn immediately -dropped, although the distance between it and -the archer was, at the least, a quarter of a mile.</p> - -<p>“‘Dost think the friar of Fountains’ Abbey will -beat that?’ asked Robin Hood as he slackened his -bow-string.</p> - -<p>“‘Ay marry, that will he,’ replied Will Scarlet; -‘many’s the buck he has killed at half a mile.’</p> - -<p>“‘I’ll never draw bow again,’ returned the chief, ‘if<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -a lazy friar once beats me in archery. What say ye, -my friends, shall we find out this gallant priest?’</p> - -<p>“‘Make him join us,’ cried several voices.</p> - -<p>“‘To-morrow at earliest dawn be ready to attend -me,’ said Robin Hood; and with Little John by his -side, he left the meadow.</p> - -<p>“The foresters then parted into groups and strolled -away, some to the banks of the stream, others to the -darkening woods, while a few, not yet content as to -their inferiority, sought again to try their speed against -the victors.</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND THE FRIAR.</h3> - -<p>“Upon the next morning, ere the sun had risen above -the horizon, Robin Hood started from his couch, and -armed himself. He put on his helmet and breast-plate, -he took up his good broadsword, his long tried buckler, -and his trustiest bow, and then placing his bugle-horn -to his lips, he played so loud a <i>réveille</i> that his men, -frightened from their slumbers, seized their nearest -weapons, as if an army had appeared against them. -A few gentler notes made them remember the appointed -time, and soon fifty bold youths attended the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> -summons of their master. He bade them hasten to -Fountains’ Dale by the shortest path, but on no account -to show themselves till he had sounded three -blasts upon his bugle; and with a light foot and -merry heart he sprang into his horse’s saddle, and set -out to encounter the renowned friar.</p> - -<p>“This friar, whose fame was spread far and wide, -had once been an inmate and one of the brethren -of Fountains’ Abbey, but his irregular course of life -and lawless pursuits had brought down upon him -the wrath of the superior, and he had been expelled. -Friar Tuck, so was he called, bore his disgrace -boldly; he immediately retired to the forests, and -there built himself a rude hut of the large stones -with which the country abounded, thatching it with -branches of trees. There he lived in solitude, gaining -from the country people, who frequently came -to him for religious consolation, a character of the -greatest sanctity. The friar took care to turn this -to his advantage, and many were the presents of -butter, milk, and sometimes of a more enlivening -liquid, that he received. But these did not constitute -his chief means of livelihood; early in the morning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> -the friar had more than once been seen with a good -long bow in his hand, and a quiver of arrows at his -side, and a report had gone abroad that few could -equal him in the use of this favourite weapon.</p> - -<p>“The friar was a tall burly man, at least six -feet high, with a broad expanded chest, and a muscular -arm that the sturdiest blacksmith might have -been proud of. He usually wore a dark mulberry -coloured cloak that reached nearly to his ancles, -and girded it with a black woollen rope, the two -ends of which hung down before him, about half a -yard in length. On the morning upon which Robin -Hood had determined to discover him, from some -unaccountable reason friar Tuck had put a steel cap -upon his head, and a corslet upon his breast, and -with his long oaken staff in his hand had rambled -to the margin of the fair river Skell, where he stood -gazing steadfastly upon the waves, as they rippled by. -Presently he heard the sound of a horse’s step, and -turning, he beheld within a few feet of him an armed -horseman. The stranger quickly dismounted, and -fastening his steed by his bridle, to the branch of -a tree, advanced towards him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Art thou the Friar of Fountains’ Abbey?’ he -asked, when each had regarded the other in silence -for a short space.</p> - -<p>“‘They that speak of me call me so,’ replied the -priest; ‘why dost thou seek me?’</p> - -<p>“‘Carry me over this stream, thou burly friar, -and I will tell thee,’ replied Robin Hood. The -priest, without a word, tucked up his garments -to the waist, took the daring outlaw upon his back, -and gravely waded across the stream. Robin Hood -leaped off lightly upon the opposite bank.</p> - -<p>“‘Now do thou carry me back, thou gay gallant,’ -said the friar. The outlaw stooped, took him upon -his shoulders, and with great difficulty bore his weighty -burden across.</p> - -<p>“‘Now by my faith thou’rt double the weight -that I am,’ cried Robin Hood as the priest alighted, -‘and I’ll have two rides to thy one.’ The friar -did not answer, but taking up the merry forester -again, bore him to the middle of the stream, and -bending down, pitched him headlong into the -water.</p> - -<p>“‘Choose thee, my fine fellow, whether thou’lt<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> -sink or swim!’ he said; ‘a morning bath will do thine -health good.’ Robin Hood scrambled to the bank, -fitted an arrow to his bow, and let it fly at the treacherous -friar; but the wet had sodden both the bow-string -and the feathers of the shaft, and it flew far -wide. The priest not wishing to stand a second -trial, flourished his staff and knocked the bow from -the grasp of the forester, who quickly drew his -sword and retaliated by severely wounding his vigorous -opponent upon the shoulder. The friar at this -grew wrathful, and returned a most terrible thwack -upon the outlaw’s head. Blow followed upon blow; -now the thick oaken staff beat down the less weighty -but more deadly weapon, and again the sharp edge -of the sword drank blood. They fought thus for more -than an hour, and each began to weary of such warm -work before breakfast.</p> - -<p>“‘A boon, a boon,’ cried Robin Hood, retiring -from the contest. ‘Give me leave to sound three -blasts upon my bugle-horn.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus4"> -<img src="images/illus4.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">ROBIN HOOD & THE FRIAR</p> -<p class="caption-l">J. Gilbert</p> -</div> - -<p>“‘Blow till thy cheeks crack,’ returned the friar. -‘Think’st thou I fear a bugle blast?’ The outlaw -sounded the horn thrice, so loudly that the friar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -clapped his hands to his ears, and beat a retreat for -several yards. The signal was immediately returned, -and apparently from close at hand. In two minutes -more a tall yeoman leaped from the adjacent wood, -and followed by fifty young foresters, with bows ready -in their hands, ran to the side of their commander.</p> - -<p>“‘Whose men are these?’ asked the friar, greatly -surprised at this sudden reinforcement.</p> - -<p>“‘They’re Robin Hood’s bold foresters,’ said the -outlaw; ‘and I am Robin Hood. Wilt join our -merry troop? Thou’rt the bravest friar that e’er wore -cowl, and if thou canst let fly an arrow as well as -thou canst wield a quarter-staff, thou’rt a match for -my boldest man.’</p> - -<p>“‘Let’s have a bout,’ said friar Tuck, unwilling -to fight against such odds as were opposed to him. -‘If there’s an archer here that can beat me at the long-bow, -I’ll be thy man. If I’m the best, swear that -thou wilt leave me free in mine own woods.’</p> - -<p>“‘Agreed!’ cried the outlaw. ‘Stand forth, brave -Little John, and for the credit of Robin Hood -choose thy truest shaft.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ne’er fear me,’ replied the tall forester, as he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> -carelessly advanced. ‘Shoot on, my brave fellow, and -at what mark you may, only for St. Hubert’s sake, -let it be some five hundred feet or so from us.’</p> - -<p>“‘Seest thou yon bird?’ said the friar, pointing to a -hawk that, with fluttering wings, hovered at a considerable -height above a neighbouring brake. ‘I will -kill it. If thou canst strike it again ere it reaches -the earth, I’ll say thou art a better man than friar -Tuck.’ Drawing an arrow from his quiver, with -apparent ease he shot the ill-fated bird, which instantly -fell to the earth, but not before a second shaft -had transfixed its body. A young forester darted -away, and quickly returned with the prize, when it -appeared that the friar’s arrow had pinioned the hawk’s -wings to its sides, and that Little John’s had pierced -through from its breast to its back.</p> - -<p>“‘Well done, my brave archers,’ cried the outlaws’ -chief; ‘there’s many a bowman in merry England -would give his best weapon to shoot like ye. What -says my gallant friar? will he keep his promise?’</p> - -<p>‘What I have said, that will I do,’ replied the -priest; ‘but first I must return to my hut, and possess -myself of its valuable contents.’ Robin Hood offered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> -to accompany him, and dismissing his followers, he -and the friar by turns rode upon the horse, first to the -hut and then to the green woods of Sherwood.</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD.</h3> - -<p>“Robin Hood used frequently to disguise himself, -and pay visits to the neighbouring villages, in order to -learn if any thing were going on in which he might -take a part. In one of these excursions, he overheard -a conversation between two priests, by which he -learned that the bishop of Hereford was expected to -pass that way very shortly, upon a visit to his holy -brother, the archbishop of York. The outlaw lost -no time in ascertaining the route which the reverend -father would travel, and with a merry heart he hurried -back to his followers in Sherwood forest. At the -sound of his well known bugle, two-score yeomen -quickly surrounded him, Little John and Will Scarlet -among them.</p> - -<p>“‘We shall have noble company to dine with us,’ -said Robin Hood. ‘Kill a good fat buck or two, -and prepare a feast.’ Three or four foresters quickly -darted away to execute this commission.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Who may it be, master,’ asked Little John, -‘that loves to be merry under the green-wood tree?’</p> - -<p>“‘Love or not love,’ cried the captain laughing, -‘a holy bishop dines with us to-day, though he brings -a dozen companions with him. But ’tis time to meet -his reverence. Do thou and Will Scarlet attend me, -and thou too,—and thou,—and thou,’—he added, -tapping with his bow the heads of three of his tallest -followers, who most willingly and joyfully complied.</p> - -<p>“The bishop of Hereford, as many bishops were -in those days, was very rich, very avaricious, and exceedingly -tyrannical. By the nobles he was regarded -as a powerful prelate, and a support to the dignity of -the church; but the people looked upon him with -fear, as a proud, overbearing priest. Upon the occasion -of his visit to his brother of York, the bishop -of Hereford rode on horseback, dressed in the white -robes of his sacred office; a massive gold chain was -suspended round his neck, supporting a golden crucifix, -and in his right hand he carried his crosier, -of the same precious metal. His milk-white steed, -also, was richly caparisoned with silken trappings. -The dean of Hereford, attired in a plain black cassock,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -rode humbly by the side of his superior, who, from -time to time, deigned to hold converse with him upon -the vanities of this wicked world. Behind them, -twenty horsemen, armed at all points, with broad-swords -by their sides and lances in rest, followed -slowly upon chargers of the jettest black, and three -or four servants leading sumpter mules closed the -rear. Notwithstanding all this pompous array, it -was with many a misgiving that the bishop ventured -to enter upon the dangerous road through Sherwood -forest.</p> - -<p>“‘Holy brother,’ said he to the dean, ‘dost thou -think that the man called Robin Hood will dare to -molest the Lord’s anointed, if perchance he should -have heard of our journeying?’</p> - -<p>“‘They say, reverend father,’ replied the dean, -‘that he holds the holy brethren of the church but -cheaply, and pays but little respect to any of our cloth. -I would that we had taken a more circuitous route, -and avoided the paths of this wicked man.’</p> - -<p>“‘It is too late to return now,’ said the bishop; -‘and have we not twenty armed men to support us in the -hour of trial!—Comfort ye, my brother,—with this<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -will I drive off the enemies of holy church;’ and as -he spake he flourished his crosier above his head. -They had proceeded but a short way farther, when -they suddenly came upon six shepherds, dancing -merrily round a fire, with which they were cooking -venison, by the road-side.</p> - -<p>“‘Ha!’ cried the bishop when he smelt the savoury -odour that exhaled from the roasting flesh. ‘Dare -ye, villains as ye are, slay the king’s deer, and cook -it upon the open road? By St. Paul, ye shall answer -for this.’</p> - -<p>“‘Mercy! mercy! good bishop,’ cried one of the -shepherds; ‘surely it beseemeth not thy holy office to -take away the lives of so many innocent peasants.’</p> - -<p>“‘Guards, seize these villains,’ cried the prelate, -indignant at the presumption of the serf;—‘away -with them to York,—they shall be strung on the -highest gibbet in the city.’ The armed horsemen -turned not over-willingly against the offenders, and -endeavoured to seize them, but with a loud laugh they -darted among the trees, where the steeds could not -possibly follow. Presently the shepherd who had -begged for mercy pulled from under his frock a little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> -bugle-horn, and blew a short call upon it. The -bishop and his retinue started with affright, and had -already begun to urge on their horses, when they -found themselves surrounded on every side by archers, -dressed in green, with bows drawn in their hands.</p> - -<p>“‘Mercy! mercy!’ cried the bishop in great trepidation -at the sight of fifty or more arrows ready to -pierce him through. ‘Have mercy upon an unfortunate -traveller.’</p> - -<p>“‘Fear not, good father,’ replied Robin Hood, who -was the shepherd that had before spoken; ‘we do but -crave thy worshipful company to dine with us under -the green-wood tree, and then, when thou hast paid -the forest toll, thou shalt depart in safety;’ and, stepping -into the road, the bold outlaw laid one hand upon -the embossed bridle of the bishop’s steed, and held -the stirrup with the other.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh! that we had but gone the outer road,’ -groaned the bishop to his holy brother; ‘we should -have avoided these limbs of the evil one.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, nay reverend father,’ cried Robin Hood, -laughing at the poor bishop’s rueful countenance; -‘call us not by so bad a name. We do but take from<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span> -the rich to administer to the necessities of the poor -and if we do now and then slay a fat buck or two, -our good king will never know his loss. But dismount, -holy sir; and do ye, my friends, come likewise; -right merry shall we be with such a jovial -company.’ The horsemen quickly did as they were -bidden, but the bishop most reluctantly unseated -himself, and with many a deep sigh obeyed the -injunction of the outlaw. Some of the foresters -immediately seized the horses, and tied their bridles -to the lower branches of the trees; but the sumpter -mules were hurried away through the wood as quickly -as the narrow foot-paths would allow.</p> - -<p>“At Robin Hood’s command, two young fellows -took the unwilling bishop between them upon their -shoulders, and followed by the whole company, bore -him to their favourite lawn. A solitary beech tree, -whose arms, covered with thick foliage, extended far -around, stood in the centre, affording a delightful -shade from the bright summer sun. Robin Hood -seated himself upon one of the twisted roots that grew -above the surface of the turf, and commanded that his -visitor should be brought before him. Little John,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -taking off his cap as he approached, gently led him -to the outlaw, while, to show his spite against him, -one of the young foresters had the audacity to tie the -prelate’s arms behind his back.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou art accused of deep crimes,’ exclaimed -Robin Hood. ‘It is said that thou dost gripe the -poor man with a hard hand, and showest but little -mercy to the unfortunate. How answerest thou?’</p> - -<p>“‘By what right, mean serf,’ replied the bishop, -the blood rushing to his temples, ‘dost thou question -an anointed servant of the church?’</p> - -<p>“‘Pax vobiscum,’ cried friar Tuck, coming forward, -and folding his arms in an attitude of defiance. -‘Wherefore not, good father? Answer boldly, and -swear by St. Paul that thou ne’er robbed the fatherless -and the widow.’</p> - -<p>“‘What canting priest art thou?’ exclaimed the -bishop. ‘For thine insolence thou shall be expelled -the church; thy gown shall be stripped from thee, -and thou shalt be branded as an impostor.’</p> - -<p>“‘Save thyself the trouble,’ replied the friar, -laughing. ‘The holy abbot of Fountains’ Dale has -forestalled thee in thy kind intentions.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Hold,’ cried Robin Hood, rising from his seat, -‘we’ll have no more of these priestly quarrels. Reverend -father, accompany us to our trysting tree, and -we’ll drink to thy speedy amendment.’ Then cutting -his bonds with a dagger, he took the hand of his -unwilling guest, and led him to the spot where they -usually partook of their repasts.</p> - -<p>“Upon the grass was spread a large cloth, covered -with viands. Smoking haunches of venison perfumed -the air, and huge pasties baked in pewter -vessels, roasted wild swans, peacocks, and a host -of minor dishes, filled up any vacancies upon the -cloth. At Robin Hood’s request, the bishop said -grace, and fifty or more foresters quickly seated -themselves to partake of this gallant feast. The -prelate, for one in his situation, ate most heartily. -His merry host no sooner saw that his platter was -empty than he again filled it from the most savoury -dishes. Wine flowed in abundance, and when, in -obedience to Robin Hood, every man filled his goblet -to the brim, and quaffed its contents to the health -of the bishop of Hereford, the good father for some -moments quite forgot his misfortunes, and striking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -his palm into the sinewy hand of Robin Hood, swore -that he was a jovial fellow.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus5"> -<img src="images/illus5.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD</p> -<p class="caption-r">J. Gilbert</p> -<p class="caption-l">Day & Haghe lithographers to the Queen</p> -</div> - -<p>“Many a ballad was then trolled forth by the foresters, -and in the excitement of the scene even the -bishop ventured upon a stave; but, at the moment -he had concluded the first verse, his eye caught -sight of one of his mules, from whose back an outlaw -was busily removing the trunk that contained -his treasure.</p> - -<p>“‘Bring me the reckoning, good host,’ said he -meekly, stopping short in his song; ‘I would fain -discharge it, and proceed upon my journey.’</p> - -<p>“‘Lend me thy purse, good bishop,’ cried Little -John, ‘and I will save thee the trouble.’</p> - -<p>“‘Take it,’ replied the prelate, throwing a very -light bag of money to the forester, ‘and give the -surplus to the poor.’</p> - -<p>“Little John opened the mouth of the purse, and -emptied out ten golden nobles upon the grass. ‘And -dost thou think,’ he exclaimed, laughing heartily at -the owner’s rueful countenance,—‘dost thou think -that a bishop pays no more toll than this? Verily, -reverend father, the meanest farmer in Nottinghamshire<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> -readily grants us so poor a trifle. Ho there!’ -he cried to the man who was disburthening the mules, -‘bring hither yonder trunk.’ It was quickly brought, -and with the help of a broadsword soon opened. -Little John first pulled out a handsome cloak, which -he spread upon the grass; a gown of the purest white -lawn, an ermined robe, and a golden mitre, were -each brought forth in succession, and greatly admired -by the delighted foresters; but presently a clink -of metal was heard, and the bold robber drew forth -a beautiful ivory casket. The point of a dagger was -in a moment applied to the fastening, and treasures -invaluable were revealed. The bishop, who had sat -shivering with anxiety during the search, now suddenly -sprang to his feet with wonderful alacrity, -and would have seized his precious wealth, had not -Robin Hood caught him by the arm.</p> - -<p>“‘Calm thyself, good father,’ said the outlaw; ‘do -but fancy that thou art distributing this gold in alms -to the poor, and thou wilt ne’er repent thee of thy -charity.’ The bishop did not reply, but gazed steadfastly -on the glittering coin, the sparkling jewels,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -and the holy beads, that Little John was exhibiting -to his companions.</p> - -<p>“‘Rouse ye, my merry men,’ cried the chief; ‘see -ye not how sad ye have made our reverend guest!’ A -young man quickly brought a rude harp, upon which -he struck a lively air, and the gallant outlaw taking -the bishop by the hand, led him forth, followed by -the foresters in pairs. The dance commenced, and -the poor prelate, unwilling to provoke his tormentors -to extremities, joined in the nimble step, which -was prolonged till his weary feet could no longer -sustain their burden. The reverend father fell fairly -to the earth from sheer exhaustion.</p> - -<p>“At Robin Hood’s bidding, the two young men -again took the bishop upon their shoulders, and -bore him to the spot where his steed and those of -his retinue were fastened. They placed him upon -his saddle, with his face to the animal’s tail, and -giving it him instead of the bridle, they pricked the -creature with their daggers, and started it off at full -gallop, the terrified rider clinging both with hands -and knees to its back. The dean, the armed horsemen,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> -and the servants were allowed to follow their -superior in peace; but the sumpter mules and their -burdens were detained as payment for the feast that -had been given to their owners.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="OUR_HALF-HOLIDAY">OUR HALF-HOLIDAY.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3>THE WOOD.</h3> - -<p>It was, I remember, upon a Saturday afternoon that -I was again asked to tell a tale of Robin Hood. On -this, the last day of our week of seclusion, how great -were the pleasures of our half-holiday! Frequently -we had permission granted us to stroll among the -fields in the neighbourhood; in the spring time, to -gather the bright yellow primrose, or search for the -nests of the poor innocent birds; and, in the autumn -season, to pluck the delicious blackberries that, in some -places,—and we knew them well,—abounded among -the thorny hedges.</p> - -<p>At about the distance of a quarter of a mile from -our old school-house there was an extensive park. -Many hundred acres of land were covered with fine -trees—oaks, elms, and firs, variously intermixed—while -here and there were open lawns, clothed only<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -with grass and the beautiful wild flowers, that spring -up, unnurtured, in their native soil. An ancient mansion -stood in the midst, upon the summit of a hill, -whence, looking over the woods, the face of the country -for miles around could be traced as upon a map. -The house was deserted—the owner resided in a foreign -land, and his noble English park was neglected: -it had once been paled round, but in many places -the wooden staves were broken, and a gap made, -through which every passenger might enter. We -often did, and chased each other among the crowded -thickets; and now, glad of the opportunity of escaping -from our confined play-ground, we repaired to this delightful -park, where, seated upon the grass, with my -companions lying around me, I told them the tale of</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD IN FINSBURY FIELD.</h3> - -<p>“In the time of Henry the Second, and for many -years afterwards, until the use of gunpowder was -known, the science of archery was greatly encouraged -in England among all ranks and classes; and even -the good citizens of London constantly exercised their -bows in ‘Finsburie fielde.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span></p> - -<p>“The feast of St. Bartholomew was particularly -celebrated by games of this kind: a finely wrought -bow or a golden arrow was given as a prize to the best -marksman, and the presence of the king and his -court contributed not a little to add interest to the long -looked-for contests.</p> - -<p>“One year, towards the close of King Henry’s -reign, proclamation was as usual made, that the ‘royal -games of archery’ would be held in Finsbury field, -upon St. Bartholomew’s day. Queen Eleanor was -passionately fond of the sport, and rarely missed an -opportunity of witnessing the superior skill displayed -by the royal archers. She had heard much of Robin -Hood, but had never seen that gallant outlaw; -and as the fame of his rencontre with the bishop of -Hereford had spread far and wide, she felt a secret -desire to behold so daring and so celebrated a man. -Summoning a young page who waited her commands, -she gave him a beautiful golden ring, and bade him -hasten with all speed to Sherwood forest, and deliver -it to the forester, with her request that he would come -to London and take a part in the approaching games. -The youth lost no time in executing his mistress’<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> -command, and in two days arrived at Nottingham, -where, from a good yeoman, he learned the dwelling-place -of Robin Hood, and on the next morning he -appeared before the bold outlaw. Falling gracefully -upon one knee, he doffed his cap, and presented the -ring to him, saying,—‘My royal and most gracious -mistress, Eleanor, queen of England, greets thee well. -She bids thee haste with all speed to fair London court, -that thou may’st be her champion in the sports upon -the feast of St. Bartholomew, in token whereof accept -this ring.’</p> - -<p>“The outlaw took the royal present, and placed it -upon his finger. ‘Rise, my pretty page,’ he said; -‘wend thou back upon the fleetest steed that thou -canst find. Deliver this arrow to Queen Eleanor, -and say that Robin Hood will claim it ere three suns -have set.’ The young page rose, placed the arrow in -his belt, and with much courtesy bade the outlaw -adieu; then hastening to his inn at Nottingham, he -chose the swiftest horse in the stables, and flew back -again to his royal mistress.</p> - -<p>“Early in the morning of St. Bartholomew’s day, -Finsbury field presented a gay and most enlivening<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> -scene. The large open space, which then existed -where streets and squares are now crowded together, -was covered with the good citizens of London and their -wives and daughters, bedecked in their newest holiday -costume. Lists, three hundred yards in length, were -marked out in the centre of the field, and railed round, -to prevent the entrance of the spectators. At one end -a scaffold was erected for the accommodation of the -king and queen and their attendants; it was hung with -green silk, emblazoned with the royal arms in gold, -and covered over with a beautiful bright blue cloth, -spangled with silver stars. Near it were tents pitched -for the use of the contending bowmen, and immediately -opposite, at the far end of the lists, a broad -target was placed, with a large wooden screen behind -it, to stop the flight of any stray arrows that did not -hit the mark. All were in busy expectation,—for the -royal party had not yet arrived,—and many were the -wagers laid upon the favourite archers of Finsbury. -At length a blast of trumpets was heard, and two -heralds, dressed in glittering coats of golden tissue, -with emblazoned banners hanging from their spirit-stirring -instruments, entered the ground. The king,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> -mounted on a barbed charger, and the queen upon a -milk-white palfrey, both magnificently caparisoned, -then appeared, amid the waving of caps, and the -deafening acclamations of the assembled thousands. -Next followed, upon steeds of the purest white, a -bevy of fair ladies in attendance upon their royal -mistress; and a band of knights and gentlemen, well -mounted and richly dressed, closed the procession.</p> - -<p>“As soon as the royal party had alighted, and had -taken their seats upon the gallery, proclamation was -made by sound of trumpet, that a tun of the best -Rhenish wine, and a hundred of the fattest harts that -ran in ‘Dallom Chase,’ would be given to the truest -marksman. The archers were then ordered to advance -to their posts, and a line was drawn upon which they -were to step when they discharged their arrows. Six -bowmen appeared, wearing the king’s livery, and -marching to the gallery, they doffed their caps to their -royal master, and took their appointed station.</p> - -<p>“‘Is there no one,’ asked King Henry aloud,—‘is -there no bold forester to oppose my gallant archers?’</p> - -<p>“‘A boon, my liege,—a boon,’—cried Queen -Eleanor. ‘Promise me by the saint whose feast we<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -celebrate, that whoever draws bow on my side shall -depart uninjured and free for forty days.’</p> - -<p>“‘I grant thy boon, fair Eleanor,’ replied the king; -‘but who are these gallant bowmen that require thine -intercession?’</p> - -<p>“‘Bid the heralds sound again,’ said Eleanor, ‘and -thou shalt see them.’ The trumpets again played, and -the challenge from the king’s archers was repeated.</p> - -<p>“‘The queen waved a light green scarf, and six -tall yeomen entered the lists, and advancing to the -gallery, bowed lowly to their royal patroness. One -of them, evidently the commander of the little band, -was clothed in a rich scarlet doublet and trunk hose -of the same bright colour; a baldric of light blue -silk, interwoven with threads of gold, crossed his -shoulder, supporting his quiver and a small golden -bugle, and in his hand he carried a most beautifully -wrought bow. His companions were dressed in the -favourite Lincoln green, and like their commander, -each wore a black bonnet with a white streaming -feather.</p> - -<p>“‘Welcome, good Locksley,’ said the queen, addressing -the yeoman in scarlet. ‘Thou must draw thy<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> -best bow for Queen Eleanor;’ then turning to the noblemen -around her, ‘Who will support our brave -party?’ she asked. ‘My good lord bishop of Hereford, -wilt thou not in gallantry be on our side?’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou hast six of the best archers of Finsbury -to contend against, gracious madam,’ replied the -prelate, ‘and thy men are all strangers; we know -not if they can draw a bow-string.’</p> - -<p>“‘Will your grace wager against us?’ asked -Locksley of the bishop.</p> - -<p>“‘Aye! by my mitre, willingly,’ returned the bishop -rather warmly; ‘I’ll wager a purse of gold -against thee and thy whole band;’ and he drew forth -about fifty golden nobles. Locksley replied by throwing -upon the turf before the gallery a little bag containing -at least an equal quantity of the precious -metal, and both stakes were given to the king as -umpire of the sport.</p> - -<p>“The royal archers now took their station upon the -line, and one after another let fly an arrow at the -broad target. ‘Why give us such a mark as that?’ -cried one of them, named Clifton, as his arrow pierced -the centre. ‘We’ll shoot at the sun and moon.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> -‘Boldly said, my fine fellow,’ replied Locksley as -he drew his bow-string; ‘you and I will have a -bout together presently:’ and carelessly discharging -his arrow, it quivered within a hair’s breadth of -his opponent’s. The spectators pleased at such fine -archery, shouted at the sight, but the king and the -bishop of Hereford could ill conceal their surprise and -disappointment. Locksley’s men followed, and each -one’s arrow alighted within a few inches of the centre -of the target, but so had those of the royal archers.</p> - -<p>“‘The game is equal,’ said the king, when he -had mounted his horse and galloped across the field; -‘ye must shoot again, my brave men. Finsbury -has ne’er before seen such archery as this.’</p> - -<p>“‘If my gallant friend here,’ cried Locksley, ‘who -aims at nothing less than bringing down yon glorious -sun, will but agree to the trial, he and I might decide -this contest between ourselves. That is,’ he -continued, ‘with your majesty’s royal leave.’</p> - -<p>“‘What say’st thou, Clifton? art thou content to -stake thy reputation against this braggart’s?’ asked -King Henry.</p> - -<p>“‘Right willingly, my liege,’ replied the archer;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> -‘I’ll lay my own trusty bow against his, that he hits -not the mark that I do.’</p> - -<p>‘A fair wager,’ cried Locksley, ‘which I readily -accept.’</p> - -<p>“At the instigation of the champions the broad -target was removed, and in its place, a slight willow -wand, not above an inch and a half in circumference, -was planted firmly in the earth. The spectators -gazed with increased wonder. ‘They surely will -not aim at such a mark as that,’ said they one to -another. But the royal bowman stepped to the line, -and after carefully adjusting his arrow, let it fly: it -peeled off the bark of the wand as it passed by, and -alighted in the earth a few yards farther on. A loud -huzza rent the air, and ‘Clifton! a Clifton!’ was -shouted from one end of the lists to the other. The -gay yeoman did not wait till these cries had subsided. -‘I will notch his shaft,’ he said aloud as he advanced -composedly to his post; and fitting his arrow, he -drew the bow-string to his ear, and after one moment’s -deliberation discharged the weapon with his -utmost force. The shaft flew true, and to the amazement -of the beholders, rived asunder that of his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span> -opponent. At first a deep silence prevailed, many -could not see where the arrow had struck, and some -were dumb with astonishment; but when one of the -attendants pulled it forth, a shout of applause was -raised, so loud, so long, and so vehement, that those -of the good citizens of London who had remained at -home rushed forth from the gates in hundreds to -inquire the cause of so violent an outbreak.</p> - -<p>“The king’s vexation at this defeat of his party -quickly changed into admiration of Locksley’s superior -skill. He rode up to his side: ‘Wilt thou be -one of my archers?’ he asked; ‘a hundred pounds a -year, the free use of my pantry, and a new suit of -livery each three months, shall be thy reward.’</p> - -<p>“‘It grieves me, my liege,’ replied the yeoman, -‘that I cannot comply with thy request; but grant -me one boon, and I and my gallant men will support -thee to our deaths.’</p> - -<p>“‘Name it, good Locksley; ’tis already granted;’ -said the king.</p> - -<p>“‘Pardon, most gracious liege, pardon for the outlawed -Robin Hood and his brave followers.’</p> - -<p>“‘And art thou Robin Hood?’ asked Henry,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -his countenance flushed with anger, ‘whose defiance -of the law has filled the whole north country with -alarm. By St. George, but thou art the boldest -villain that e’er shot bow. Ho! guards there, take -charge of this over-valiant knave.’</p> - -<p>“‘Remember thy promise,’ cried a gentle voice -from the gallery. ‘Remember thou hast pledged -thine honour.</p> - -<p>“King Henry turned as he recognised the sweet -tones of his lovely consort, and a smile played upon -his lips as he replied, ‘’Twas but in jest, fair -Eleanor, ’twas but in jest.’ ‘We will willingly grant -pardon to thee and thy followers,’ he continued to the -outlaw, ‘if ye will forsake your unlawful pursuits, -and lead the sober lives of honest yeomen.’</p> - -<p>“‘We cannot quit the green woods of Sherwood,’ -said Robin Hood; ‘but if your majesty will grant -us leave to range the forest, and now and then exercise -our archery upon one of the thousands of fat -deer that bound so gaily o’er the lawns, we will -promise that no traveller shall again complain of the -outlaws of Nottinghamshire.’</p> - -<p>“The king bit his lips in silence, but at that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -moment the defeated archer advanced and tendered -his bow to the victor.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou’rt a good marksman, Clifton,’ said he; -‘if thou hadst made a little more allowance for the -distance, thine arrow would not have passed the wand; -keep thy bow, man; though I tell it thee, there’s but -one better archer in merry England.’</p> - -<p>“‘If I had known that thou wert Robin Hood,’ -cried the bishop of Hereford, as the king delivered the -well-filled purses to the outlaw, ‘I would not have -wagered against thee. Thou hast already had more -gold of mine than I e’er intended.’</p> - -<p>“‘Surely thou dost not forget the jovial dinner -we gave thee under our trysting tree,’ replied Robin -Hood; ‘yet if thou dost begrudge the payment, I will -return it even now.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, nay, master,’ cried Little John, who had -accompanied his captain, ‘that were unwise; since -thou hast promised not to relieve travellers of their -superfluous wealth, ’twere folly not to keep all the -gold thou comest honestly by.’ Robin Hood with a -smile threw the purses to his more considerate follower, -bowed low to the king, and still lower to his fair<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -patroness, and accompanied by his five gay yeomen, -departed from the field.</p> - -<p>“Sherwood forest soon rung again with the sound -of his bugle-horn, but the promise given on Finsbury -field was kept during King Henry’s life-time; no -traveller had reason to complain of the bold outlaws.</p> - -<h3>THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE.</h3> - -<p>“We must suppose that several years had elapsed -since Robin Hood’s victory in Finsbury field, when -the following tale commences. Richard the Lion-hearted -had succeeded to his father’s throne, and with -many of his nobles had joined the memorable crusades. -During his absence in Palestine, the internal state of -England had become far worse than it was at the -time of his accession. Baron rose up against baron, -and princes made war upon each other, till discord, -tumult, and fierce rapine, reigned throughout the -land. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at, when -the laws were for a time suspended and force of -arms alone decided the contest, that the bold foresters -had again recourse to their superior strength.</p> - -<p>“It was a bright morning in early summer, when<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> -a solitary horseman was proceeding upon his journey -through one of the narrow roads that crossed Barnesdale -forest;</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘All dreary was his semblance,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And little was his pride,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">His one foot in the stirrup stood,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The other waved beside;</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘His hood was hanging o’er his eyes,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">He rode in simple array,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">A sorrier man than he was one</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Rode never on summer’s day.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“A deep sigh escaped from the melancholy horseman, -and big tears coursed each other down his -cheeks, at every step of his poor lean beast; and -when three men suddenly emerged from the wood, -and stood before his path, he seemed scarcely conscious -of their presence.</p> - -<p>“‘God save thee, sir knight,’ cried one of them, a -tall forester, nearly seven feet high, moved with -compassion at his forlorn appearance. ‘Welcome to -our merry green-wood. Thou must be our guest -to-day.’</p> - -<p>“‘Leave me, good sirs, I pray ye,’ said the knight<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> -mournfully, ‘my sorrows are already too heavy for -me to bear; add not to my distress.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, be not so downcast,’ returned the former -speaker. ‘Thou art in good hands, and may’st trust -us. Our master waits dinner for a guest, and thou -art the first man who has passed through Barnesdale -this day.’ Then taking the knight’s rein in his hand, -the forester led the jaded steed through the intricate -paths of the wood, until he arrived at an open lawn, -where a band of yeomen were reclining under the -shade of a huge elm.</p> - -<p>“‘Welcome, sir knight,’ said one of them rising -and doffing his cap at the appearance of a stranger. -‘Welcome to merry Barnesdale.’</p> - -<p>“‘Who art thou,’ inquired the horseman, ‘that -causest travellers to be constrained from their way? -I am but a poor knight, without so much as a piece -of gold, wherewith to buy me food.’</p> - -<p>“‘More welcome still,’ exclaimed the forester, assisting -him from his horse. ‘We shall have the -blessings of charity upon our deeds. Thou hast -heard of Robin Hood,—I am that outlaw, and these -are my gallant followers.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Unless report belie thee,’ replied the knight, -‘thou art a friend to the unfortunate. Dismiss me -at once, and let me speed on.’</p> - -<p>“‘Dine with us first,’ said the forester, ‘and freely -shalt thou depart.’ A cloth was spread beneath the -shady branches, and covered with a profusion of the -most delicious viands. Rhenish wine also, and ale -plentifully abounded, and with cheerful hearts about -twenty yeomen seated themselves around. ‘Eat -gladly, sir knight,’ said Robin Hood; ‘here’s to thy -health, and a more merry countenance;’ and as he -spake he tossed off the contents of a goblet.</p> - -<p>“‘Thanks, thanks, my noble host,’ replied the -stranger; ‘it grieves me that I shall ne’er be able to -return thy goodness.’</p> - -<p>“‘Truly, good sir, thou look’st but grievous,’ answered -the outlaw. ‘Tell me, is there aught in -which my services can avail thee; what is the cause -of thy deep sorrow?’</p> - -<p>“‘I have lost land and gold,’ returned the knight, -‘and I fear that my good name must follow them.’ -His tears burst out afresh. ‘They call me,’ he -continued, ‘Sir Rychard o’ the Lee. I am sprung of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> -noble blood, and for these last three hundred years -have mine ancestors wore spurs. Twelve short -months ago I had a noble house and fine estate, -with four hundred pounds a year; but now, except -my lovely wife and my sweet children, I have nothing -in the world.’</p> - -<p>“‘How hast thou lost thy riches?” inquired -Robin Hood anxiously.</p> - -<p>“‘’Tis a short story,’ replied the knight; ‘I fought -in a fair field with a knight of Lancashire, and slew -him. To save my liberty, I mortgaged the broad -lands of Wierysdale to St. Mary’s Abbey, and if I -pay not the amount to-morrow, my castle will be -forfeited.’</p> - -<p>“‘What is the sum thou owest, and what wilt thou -do if thou losest thy land?’ asked the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“‘Four hundred golden pounds must I pay, if I -would keep fair Wierysdale,’ he replied. ‘I go to -beg grace for another year; if the holy abbot will -not grant it, I must flee away across the broad seas -to a country where they know me not.’</p> - -<p>“‘Where are thy friends?’ asked Little John; -‘will they not be security for thee?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Alas,’ replied Sir Rychard, ‘when I had money -and house, and lands, I lacked not friends, but now -my oldest companions turn from me as a herd of -deer would from a poor wounded hart. My only -trust is in God and the blessed saints.’</p> - -<p>“‘Will Peter, or Paul, or John, be surety for -thee?’ asked the outlaw. ‘By my troth, good sir, -thou must find wealthier friends than they.’</p> - -<p>“‘I have none other,’ replied the knight mournfully, -‘except it be the Blessed Mary, who in all -my trials has never failed me.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou hast indeed a good friend,’ said Robin -Hood; ‘and if thou wilt swear by our dear Lady -that in twelve months from this day it shalt be restored -to me, I will lend thee what thou wantest.’ -The knight fell upon his knees, gave the required -promise, and drawing forth a silver image of the -Virgin, he devoutly kissed it.</p> - -<p>“In the meanwhile Little John had gone to the -outlaws’ treasury, and now returned with a heavy -bag. He quickly counted out four hundred pieces -of gold and offered them to the knight, with a -beautiful doublet of scarlet cloth. These he readily<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span> -accepted. At Robin Hood’s bidding, a gallant grey -steed with rich housings was next brought forth, -and after having received a pair of golden spurs from -the hands of the noble outlaw, the knight vaulted -into the saddle.</p> - -<p>“‘’Twould be a shame,’ said Robin Hood, ‘that so -well equipped a knight should ride without esquire; -‘I will lend thee my brave man, Little John, until -thou gettest a yeoman for thy service.’ The forester -willingly agreed, and mounting a stout palfrey, -he was soon ready to accompany his new master. -With tears of joy instead of sorrow, the knight bade -farewell to his kind and generous host, struck his -spurs into his new charger, and followed by Little -John, galloped swiftly over the plain.</p> - -<p>“On the morning after this adventure, the holy -superior of St. Mary’s Abbey, in the old city of York, -was seated in his hall, attended by several of the -monks.</p> - -<p>“‘Upon this day twelve months ago,’ said he to -his attentive listeners, ‘there came a knight who borrowed -four hundred pounds, upon the security of his -lands and castle. The hour is near at hand; unless<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> -he appear and pay the money before yon glass -has run, the fair lands of Wierysdale will belong to -this sanctuary.’</p> - -<p>“‘It is early yet, holy father,’ replied the prior; -‘the poor man may be in a far country, and it would -be hard to use him thus harshly. Methinks thy -conscience, my lord abbot, would but ill bear so -rude a treatment to an unfortunate knight.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou art ever in my beard,’ exclaimed the superior -angrily. ‘By all the saints I swear that, unless -the knight of Wierysdale appear ere the sun -has set, he shall be disinherited.’</p> - -<p>“‘He is either dead or he cannot pay,’ said a fat -monk, who was high cellarer, ‘and St. Mary’s Abbey -will be enriched with a goodly sum. Shall I not seek -the lord justice, holy father, and bid him attend to -prepare deeds for the transfer of the land.’</p> - -<p>“‘Yea, brother,’ replied the abbot; ‘’tis but lost -time to wait for our debtor, therefore use despatch, -good brother—use despatch.’ The cellarer left the -room as quickly as his fat limbs would carry him, -and in less than an hour returned with the lord -chief justice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span></p> - -<p>“In the mean time Sir Rychard o’ the Lee and -his esquire had arrived in York, and taken up their -abode at an inn. After they had rested for awhile -from the fatigue of their journey, they dressed themselves -in their sorriest habiliments, and set out to the -abbey. Upon knocking at the great gates, they were -immediately admitted, and conducted into a lofty and -spacious room, whose high pointed roof ornamented -with grotesque images, narrow Gothic windows, and -beautifully tesselated pavement, combined to strike -the beholder with admiration, and increase his reverence -for the inmates of such a noble dwelling.</p> - -<p>“The knight and his attendant doffed their caps -and bowed low as they entered the hall, and advanced -to the upper end, where, upon a carved oaken -throne, sat the abbot of St. Mary’s, with the lord -chief justice of York by his side.</p> - -<p>“‘God save thee, holy father,’ said the knight, as -he kneeled before him; ‘I have attended thee this day -as thou didst bid me.’</p> - -<p>“‘Hast thou brought any money, sir knight?’ -asked the priest in a harsh tone.</p> - -<p>“‘Not one penny,’ replied the suppliant. ‘I am<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[109]</span> -come to beg that thou wilt extend the time of payment -for one more year.’</p> - -<p>“‘That is unfortunate,’ rejoined the abbot, with -difficulty repressing his delight at the intelligence. -‘The day is nearly gone, and unless thou canst pay -down four hundred pounds ere the setting of the sun, -thy lands must pass to the accruement of St. Mary’s -Abbey. Sir justice,’ he continued, looking askance, -‘here’s to thee;’ and in the height of his satisfaction -he emptied a goblet of wine at a single draught.</p> - -<p>“‘Good sir justice,’ said the knight imploringly, -‘wilt thou not assist me in my distress. Day by day -will I serve thee until I have repaid thy goodness.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, sir,’ returned the justice, ‘I cannot do it -if I had the will.’ ‘Give him two hundred pounds -more, holy father, and the good knight will sign thee -a release of the lands that he can no longer claim.’</p> - -<p>“‘Never,’ replied the knight fiercely, as he started -to his feet. ‘Merciless tyrants as ye are, ye get not -my lands thus. Never shall monk or friar be heir -to Wierysdale.’</p> - -<p>“‘What,’ cried the priest, rising from his seat; -‘darest thou beard the abbot of St. Mary’s; out<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[110]</span> -upon thee for a false knight, thy castle is no longer -thine.’</p> - -<p>‘Thou liest,’ returned the knight, stamping his -heel upon the pavement until it rung again: ‘never -was I false. I’ve stood in tournaments against noble -earls and greater men than thou, and have oft proved -myself a true knight and good. Take back thy gold,’ -he continued, as he poured out the contents of his -purse at the abbot’s feet; ‘and think not that thou -canst so easily get the fair lands of Wierysdale. Hadst -thou shown courtesy to a suppliant knight, thou -should’st have had recompense.’ Then snatching away -the papers which the justice had before him, Sir -Rychard darted a look of defiance at the abbot, and -with a firm step departed from the hall, leaving the -holy father overwhelmed with astonishment, disappointment, -and regret.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus6"> -<img src="images/illus6.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE</p> -<p class="caption-r">J. Gilbert</p> -</div> - -<p>“Sir Rychard returned to his inn, gave away his -old garments to the first beggar that passed by, and -after dismissing his gallant esquire with the warmest -thanks for his assistance, again started off with an -attendant whom Little John had procured for him. -He rode on, singing merrily, until he drew rein at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[111]</span> -his own gate in Wierysdale. His lady, with tears in -her eyes, had been watching his approach, but when -she saw the joyful countenance and proud bearing of -her husband, she ran forth to clasp him in her arms, -and learn the cause of such unexpected joy. The -story was briefly told, and from that day to the end of -their lives the good knight and his lady did not fail -to remember in their prayers the name of Robin -Hood.”</p> - -<p>I had just finished this tale, when the chimes from -the distant steeple faintly reached our ears. The hour -at which we were expected back had arrived, and we -were at least a quarter of an hour’s walk away. We -started to our feet, bounded through the wood, and over -the low palings, and made many a passenger laugh -heartily as we chased past him to our home.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[112]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="OUR_FIFTH_MEETING">OUR FIFTH MEETING.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3>REYNOLDE GRENELEFE.</h3> - -<p>This evening we resumed our old seats under the -sycamore tree in the shrubbery, when I thus continued -my tales:—</p> - -<p>“After the departure of the knight of Wierysdale, -Little John determined upon seeking an adventure, -that he might have something to boast of among his -companions, when he returned to Barnesdale woods. -By chance he learned that there was to be a grand -archery meeting near Nottingham, and that the high -sheriff was to award a prize to the best marksman. -Without delay, he rode across the country bypaths -which no one but a daring forester would have -chosen, and upon the next morning reached the -appointed ground, just as the sports were about -to commence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[113]</span></p> - -<p>“The best bowmen of the county had entered -the lists, and as a silver bugle-horn was to be awarded -to the victor, each man had resolved to do his -best to gain it. Upon the appearance of the new -competitor, they looked at each other, and after whispering -together, laughed at the presumption of the -stranger, who had dared to offer himself as their -rival. One by one the well-known and oft victorious -archers advanced, and shot their arrows so near the -centre of the target that it was next to impossible to -say whose aim had been the truest; Little John -shot last, and with such success that his arrow -knocked out one of the very nearest of his opponents’. -The sheriff, surprised at his dexterity, rode up, examined -the target and declared that he could not -pronounce a decision. At the suggestion of the -forester, to whom the others now paid greater respect, -a thick white wand, which a ranger had -been using to keep back the spectators, was placed -upright in the ground at twenty paces farther distance. -Again the sports began.—The Nottingham -men supported their reputation, and no less than three -arrows stuck in the mark; the outlaw fired last, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[114]</span> -also hit the wand. These four again shot, when two -of the bowmen missed, and the contest remained to -be decided between the first marksman of Nottingham, -and the bold stranger.</p> - -<p>“The populace had often given vent to their admiration -of such gallant archery, by loud huzzas, but -now a breathless silence prevailed. The sheriff, -anxious for the honour of his county, rode up and -down in a perfect fever of excitement, and spoke encouraging -words to the Nottingham champion. The -man coolly took up his position and drew his bow -with the greatest care, but the shaft unfortunately -flew half an inch above the mark. Little John smiled, -advanced and shot his arrow a third time into the -middle of the wand. A feeling of disappointment -seemed to spread over the spectators, and the defeated -archer could ill conceal his chagrin.</p> - -<p>“‘Tell me, my good friend,’ said the sheriff as he -rode up to the victor, and presented him with the -prize, ‘what name bearest thou? and what country -dost thou dwell in?’</p> - -<p>“‘My name is Reynolde Grenelefe,’ replied the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[115]</span> -forester; ‘I was born and bred in merry Holdernesse, -and am now roving from town to town to seek a better -fortune.’</p> - -<p>“‘By St. Hubert,’ rejoined the sheriff, ‘thou art -the best archer that e’er drew bow in Nottingham. -Wilt dwell with me, and protect the king’s deer from -the cursed outlaws?’</p> - -<p>“‘Willingly, an thou’lt pay me well,’ answered -the forester boldly.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou shalt have forty pounds a year, and three -new suits of clothes, and shalt dine every day off the -king’s venison,’ said the sheriff.</p> - -<p>“The artful forester readily agreed, and on the same -day took up his abode in his new master’s mansion, -where he soon became on good terms with all the -household, except the steward, who took a mortal -aversion to him on account of his favour with -their master. One day the sheriff went out hunting -early in the morning, leaving Reynolde Grenelefe -asleep in bed, where he lay until it was nearly noon; -he then rose, and going to the kitchen, asked the -steward for his dinner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[116]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Thou lazy villain,’ he replied, ‘dost think thou -hast earned it. By my troth thou shalt have neither to -eat nor drink till my lord hears of thine idleness.’</p> - -<p>“The forester laughed, and gave a stride towards -the pantry door, but the steward was too quick for -him: he turned the key in the lock, pulled it out, and -placed it in his pocket. Without a word the outlaw -stepped up and struck him with his open palm upon -the ear, and the poor steward, stunned with the shock, -fell heavily down. Reynolde then spurned the door -with his foot, bursting lock and bar asunder, and -entering the pantry, he found a goodly venison pasty -and a bottle of strong ale, upon which, without either -grace or ceremony, he began a most furious attack. -While he was thus busy the cook came in, and -seeing the steward lying on the floor, and the new -servant devouring the contents of the pantry, he soon -guessed the true state of the matter. Arming himself -with a huge rolling pin, he crept quietly towards the -offender, and before he could protect himself, struck -him upon the back of his head; the outlaw well nigh -fell, but catching at a board, he sustained himself, -and then drawing his sword, rushed at his cowardly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[117]</span> -antagonist. For full an hour did they thump and -belabour each other till they could scarcely stand. -‘Give me thy hand,’ cried Reynolde, dropping his -sword. ‘Thou art a valiant fellow, and ’twere pity to -break thy bones. Come with me to the woods; I am -one of Robin Hood’s men, and if thou’lt join us we’ll -give thee a suit of Lincoln green, and teach thee the -merry life of a forester.’</p> - -<p>“The cook consented; and after breaking open their -master’s treasury and seizing upon all the silver plate -and money that it contained, the treacherous servants -left the house, and mounting two of the finest horses -in the sheriff’s stable, galloped off with their booty to -Barnesdale forest.</p> - -<p>“Welcome, my brave yeoman. Where hast thou -tarried?’ exclaimed Robin Hood, as Little John presented -himself and his companion before the gallant -captain. ‘And who bringest thou to the green-wood?’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou shalt hear all, good master,’ replied the -tall forester. ‘Thy worthy friend, the sheriff of -Nottingham, hath sent thee his cook, his silver -chalices, and three hundred golden pounds:’ and he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[118]</span> -related the story of his adventures with the greatest -glee, while Robin Hood, who owed the poor sheriff -many a grudge, laughed till the tears ran down his -cheeks, and he was obliged to throw himself upon the -grass from sheer exhaustion.</p> - -<p>“Just as Little John was concluding his narration, -a huntsman’s bugle sounded in the distance. He -stopped and listened for a moment. ’Tis my dear -master’s horn,’ he exclaimed; ‘I must away to -him;’ and darting through the woods, he ran over -hill and dale until he reached the spot where the -sheriff of Nottingham and his attendants were beating -among the thickets in search of game.</p> - -<p>“‘Ha! Reynolde Grenelefe,’ he exclaimed, as his -servant stood before him, ‘where hast thou been?’</p> - -<p>“‘Roving through the forest, good master,’ replied -Reynolde; ‘and by my troth I have beheld the -strangest sight that mortal eyes e’er saw. In yon -dense wood is a fine stag, whose hide is of a bright -green colour, and a herd of seven-score more lie -scattered around him. His horns are so large and -sharp that I dare not shoot for fear that he might -rush at me and tear me, and hearing thy bugle-horn,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[119]</span> -I have hastened to tell thee of so strange a creature.’ -The sheriff, filled with wonder, desired to be immediately -conducted to the animal, and the outlaw started -off again at his full speed, followed by his master -until they arrived at the spot where Robin Hood was -still lying upon the turf. ‘This is the hart, good -master,’ said Little John, pointing to his captain; -‘and there is the gallant herd;’ and he directed the -sheriff’s attention to a band of yeomen who were reclining -under the shade of some neighbouring trees.</p> - -<p>“‘Thou hast betrayed me,’ he cried, drawing his -sword, and biting his lips with rage. ‘Thus shalt -thou suffer for thy treachery;’ and he struck a fierce -blow at his conductor.</p> - -<p>“‘Calm thee, good master,’ exclaimed Little John, -nimbly avoiding the weapon. ‘Thou hast given me -many a good dinner, and now thou shalt have a jovial -supper in return.’ Two foresters advanced, and gently -disarmed the still threatening prisoner, who very -quietly suffered himself to be seated at a well spread -cloth. At the entreaty of the outlaws he began to -eat; but when Little John brought him wine in his -own cup, his mortification was so great that he could<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[120]</span> -not swallow another morsel. The foresters pressed -him so much the more, and laughed loud and long at -his rueful countenance, while two or three sang ballads -celebrating their own victory over the sheriff of Nottingham.</p> - -<p>“The poor man could endure the scene no longer. -He started to his feet, and would gladly have made his -escape, but his flight was arrested. ‘For one night, -sir sheriff, thou shalt be an outlaw like us,’ said Robin -Hood to him. ‘Thou shalt have thy couch under the -green trees of Barnesdale, and if on the morrow thou -likest thy fare, we will give thee a green mantle, and -teach thee to shoot the grey goose-wing.’ Night drew -on; the foresters, wrapping themselves in their -cloaks, laid themselves down under the most shady -trees, and binding their prisoner, that he might not -escape during the darkness, compelled him to share -their broad couch. All night long he tossed about and -groaned, and when, oppressed with weariness, he at -length fell asleep, dreams of the most hideous nature -wakened him to fresh torment. The darkness seemed -to him interminable; but at length the sun rose, and -the foresters one and all roused themselves from their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[121]</span> -slumbers. ‘Hast thou passed a good night, sir -sheriff?’ asked Robin Hood. ‘How likest thou our -downy beds?’</p> - -<p>“‘The beasts of the field lie more softly,’ replied -the sheriff. ‘Rather than make me pass another -night like this, I pray thee send an arrow through -my heart, and I’ll forgive thee. But wherefore dost -thou detain me? I have no gold, and that traitor -Reynolde Grenelefe has robbed me of what I possessed -at home. Suffer me to go and I will be thy best -friend to my dying day.’</p> - -<p>“‘Swear that thou wilt never harm the foresters -of Barnesdale,’ replied Robin Hood, ‘and thou shalt -depart;’ and he presented the cross of his sword to -the sheriff’s lips.</p> - -<p>“He took the oath, and the outlaw immediately -cut his bonds; then ordering his horse to be brought, -he helped the anxious sheriff to his saddle, and bade -him a merry ride. The goaded steed flew along the -narrow pathway, and quickly emerging from the -woods, bore his glad rider home to Nottingham.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[122]</span></p> - -<p>“A twelvemonth was nearly elapsed since Robin -Hood had lent the four hundred pounds to the knight -of Wierysdale, and but two days yet remained to -Lammas-tide, when the money would become due.</p> - -<p>“By economy and service in arms the worthy knight -had been enabled to save much more than the required -sum. He purchased a hundred tough yew bows, with -strings of twisted silk, a hundred beautiful quivers, -well stored with arrows, each of which was notched -with silver, feathered with the plume of a peacock, -and tipped with a head of burnished gold; and mounted -on the outlaw’s steed, he set out to Barnesdale wood, -followed by a troop of his attendants, bearing the -weapons of the chase before them.</p> - -<p>“On his way the knight passed through a little -town, where the inhabitants were celebrating a rural -fair. The banks of a stream, over which he crossed -by a rustic wooden bridge, were crowded with gaily -dressed peasants, anxious to purchase the rare commodities -which they were able only once a year to -procure at this long-expected mart. There were tents<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[123]</span> -of blue, and white, and crimson cloths, and long -streaming banners floated proudly above them. There -were open stalls too, and rich displays of costly goods, -and the busy throngs, as they incessantly poured on -and on, seemed full of merriment and gladness. It -was a joyous scene, and the knight gazed upon it with -heart-felt pleasure. He wished to join in it, but he -remembered that the day was close at hand when he -had promised repayment to the generous outlaw, and -he struck his spurs into his charger’s sides. He had -proceeded but a short way, when a loud noise broke -upon the distant murmur that had hitherto reached him -from the meadows, and caused him again to draw his -rein. It seemed like the quarrelling of men in angry -strife, and every moment it grew louder and louder. -‘There may be need of our assistance,’ said the knight -to his followers; and he instantly galloped to the spot -whence the confusion arose. At the sight of a band of -armed horsemen the crowd became calm, and opened a -passage-way.</p> - -<p>“‘What means this uproar?’ asked the leader. -‘Are ye not celebrating games of joy and peace?’ -A dead silence prevailed. ‘Tell me, my friend,’ he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[124]</span> -continued, addressing one who stood nearest him, -‘why are ye thus at variance?’</p> - -<p>“‘Yon stranger,’ replied the man, pointing to a -gallant looking yeoman who rested upon his bow, -apart from the rest;—‘Yon stranger has borne off -every prize this day. We know him not; and think -’tis unfair that the best men in our county should get -no victory.’</p> - -<p>“‘Come hither, sirrah,’ cried the knight to the -offender. ‘Who art thou that darest to shoot and -wrestle better than any man in Nottinghamshire?’</p> - -<p>“The yeoman stepped forward boldly:—‘What -can it matter, sir knight, who I am?’ he replied. -‘I’ve won the prizes, and have a right to them, but -these poor clowns cannot stomach a heavy fall, or my -arrow in the centre of their bull’s eye.’</p> - -<p>“‘Shame on ye, my friends; would ye wrong a -victor of his lawful reward?’ exclaimed the knight, -turning to the multitude. ‘Where are the prizes?’ -An old man advanced, and taking the horseman’s -bridle, led him to a tent, where were spread upon the -grass a handsome saddle and bridle, ornamented -with gold, the prize of the swiftest runner; a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[125]</span> -finely carved bow, and an arrow, three feet long, of -the purest white silver, to be given to the truest -marksman; and a pipe of the best Rhenish wine to -be awarded to him who should gain the day at -wrestling. All these had the stranger indubitably -won; but when he demanded them, the disappointment -of the native peasants broke out into loud murmurings, -and as few espoused the cause of the victor, -it had well nigh gone hard with him. Staves had -been brought into play, and more than one sword had -been drawn, when the arrival of the knight and his -attendants quieted the tumult.</p> - -<p>“‘Hast thou a steed to bear this goodly saddle?’ -said the knight to the stranger; ‘and how wilt thou -carry off this pipe of wine?’</p> - -<p>“‘I came a-foot,’ replied the man; ‘but rather than -leave so brave a prize, I will bear the saddle on my -own back; as for the cask, these good peasants are -welcome to it.’</p> - -<p>“‘Thou’rt a noble fellow,’ returned the knight of -Wierysdale, throwing him a purse of gold. ‘There’s -for thy wine, and if thou wilt follow me, thou shalt -have a charger for thy saddle.’ The yeoman readily<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[126]</span> -complied. One of the knight’s men dismounted, and -gave up his horse to him; he quickly clapped on his -elegant furniture, and with the how at his back, and -quiver by his side, he sprung into the seat, and ranged -himself with the rest of the attendants. The noble -intercessor next ordered that the wine should be -broached, and distributed to all who would partake -of it. The command was quickly obeyed, amidst the -cheers of the peasants, who soon forgot their previous -quarrels and disappointments in the pleasures of the -jovial cup. The knight waved his hand to them -and rode on, but he had lost so much time at the -fair, that the sun sank down long before he reached -the woods of Barnesdale, and he was obliged to halt -at a little cottage by the way-side.</p> - -<p>“The morrow was Lammas-day; Robin Hood ordered -a fat buck to be dressed, and preparations made -for his expected guest; but noon passed without any -appearance of him.</p> - -<p>“‘Go thou,’ said the outlaw to his favourite attendant, -‘and see if thou canst espy this slothful -knight. Take Will Scarlet and the Miller’s Son with -thee, and if his faithful surety send any over-burdened<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[127]</span> -travellers to pay my debt, bring them hither. -But, I charge ye, if a poor man, or a merry jester, -or a damsel in distress pass by, help them to your -utmost, give them gold and assist them on their -way.’</p> - -<p>“The three foresters gladly obeyed, and soon -reached the high road that ran through the wood. -Many a stout yeoman and honest peasant did they -encounter, and pass with a fair salutation, and one -poor beggar, half clothed in rags, they sent on his -path rejoicing. As they reached the summit of a -hill, two monks riding upon palfreys, attended by -about a score armed men on foot, and six sumpter -mules heavily laden, appeared just ascending upon -the opposite side.</p> - -<p>“‘I’ll wager my best bow-string,’ exclaimed Little -John, ‘that these holy fathers have brought our -captain’s money. Bend your bows, my lads, and -scatter the herd that follows them.’ The foresters -let fly arrow after arrow in such quick succession -that the frightened travellers turned and fled precipitately; -the archers pursued, and soon gained upon -the fugitives, who one and all rushed into the woods,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[128]</span> -and endeavoured to escape amid the concealment of -the foliage. Those on foot soon disappeared, but the -two monks on their palfreys and the sumpter mules -were easily captured by the outlaws. They immediately -tied the hands of their prisoners behind -them, and fastening the reins of their steeds together, -they drove them to the presence of the chief, who -doffed his cap, and advanced with great courtesy to -meet his guests.</p> - -<p>“‘I pray ye, holy fathers,’ he said to them, ‘take -not offence at the rough usage of my followers. I -care not to dine unless in goodly company, and therefore -did they bring ye from your straight journeying.’ -The monks preserved a sullen silence, and suffered -their bonds to be cut, and themselves dismounted -without speaking a word.</p> - -<p>“‘Gramercy, good sirs,’ cried Robin Hood, ‘methinks -ye have but a small share of courtesy. What -holy house do ye inhabit?’</p> - -<p>“‘We are but poor brethren of St. Mary’s Abbey,’ -replied one of the monks, who was the high cellarer, -‘and were on our way to London to do reverence to -the pope’s legate, who has required our presence.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[129]</span></p> - -<p>“‘May his blessing attend ye,’ said the outlaw, in -a mock solemn tone. ‘Come now, my good friends, -the feast is spread, sit ye and make merry.’ It is -probable that in their present condition the monks -would have declined this request, had not the savoury -odour that arose from a smoking haunch of venison -and a roasted wild swan smoothed down their angry -feelings. They were soon seated by the side of the -gallant forester; sparkling wine was brought, and -the health of the pope’s legate was drunk with -great glee. The monks ate heartily, and quaffed -many a cup to their host and his merry men; forgetting, -in their enjoyment, that they would pay -dearly for the treat. Robin Hood laughed and sang, -and his men trolled out their legendary ballads, till -the sun had nearly reached the horizon.</p> - -<p>“‘I fear me,’ said the outlaw to Little John, -‘that our dear Lady is wroth with us. The day is -well nigh spent, and our four hundred pounds are -yet to come.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ne’er fear,’ replied the tall forester. ‘These -kind monks have brought it, I dare swear—for -they come from her holy abbey. Tell us, good<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[130]</span> -fathers, have ye not repayment for us from your -sainted patroness?’</p> - -<p>“‘We have heard naught of this before,’ replied -the high cellarer. ‘We possess but twenty marks -wherewith to defray the expenses of our travelling. -Let us away, kind sirs, or we shall ne’er reach -Nottingham this night.’</p> - -<p>“‘If ye have but twenty marks,’ returned Robin -Hood, ‘ye will have to beg for charity ere ye reach -your journey’s end. See, my bold Little John, how -much thou canst find in yonder heavy looking -trunks. If ’tis as ye say I will charge ye nothing -for your feast; but if ye have a prize, ye must -e’en be content to part company with it.’</p> - -<p>“Little John soon returned with the trunk upon -his shoulders, and spreading his mantle upon the -grass, he poured out a heap of gold upon it.</p> - -<p>“‘Good master, here are eight hundred pounds or -more,’ he said, when he had counted out some few -pieces and divided the rest into similar quantities. -‘By my troth thou could’st not have wished for -better payment.’</p> - -<p>“The monks’ vexation was now at its height;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[131]</span> -they bit their lips and cast anxious glances towards -their palfreys.</p> - -<p>“‘Ye will need some few of these,’ said Robin -Hood, as he gave a handful of golden pieces to each -of them; ‘the patron saint of St. Mary’s has sent us -the rest as repayment for the money we lent to the -knight of Wierysdale.’ They eagerly clutched the -offered gold, and without opposition from the outlaws -mounted their steeds with most surprising -celerity, and, leaving the sumpter mules behind them, -rode off amid loud shouts of laughter.</p> - -<p>“The topmost branches of the trees alone were -gilded with the rays of the setting sun, and the -foliage had begun to cast a deeper shade, when a -party of horsemen emerged from the woods upon the -lawn where the bold foresters were merrily regaling -themselves at the expense of the poor monks whom -they had plundered.</p> - -<p>“In an instant they started to their feet, and fifty -shafts were levelled at the intruders, but when the -foremost rider leaped from his horse and threw -himself into the arms of Robin Hood, they easily -recognised him as Sir Rychard o’ the Lee.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[132]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Welcome, sir knight, thrice welcome,’ exclaimed -the outlaw. ‘Truly thou look’st more merry than -when last I saw thee in these woods? Hast thou -recovered thy fair domains?’</p> - -<p>“‘Ten thousand thanks to thee, my noble, my -generous friend,’ cried the knight. ‘I still hold my -fathers’ lands, and with the blessing of our Lady, -I am come to return the sum I borrowed of thee.’</p> - -<p>“‘’Tis already paid, my gallant sir,’ returned -Robin Hood. ‘Two monks from the Abbey of the -Holy Virgin have this day brought me back my -gold with interest; so keep thy money, and when -thou seest a man in need, remember Robin -Hood.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nay, thou wilt overwhelm me with thy kindness,’ -replied the knight. ‘I would have been with -thee ere the noon-tide, but yonder knave had the -audacity to win every prize at a village festival, -and, had I not interceded, he would have received -but a sorry recompense for his achievements.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ha! hast thou one of my truest men among -thy followers?’ exclaimed the outlaw, as he recognised -the victor. ‘George o’ the Green would have<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[133]</span> -stood toughly against a score of lazy peasants, -methinks.’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, good master,’ joined in the forester; ‘but -what can one arm do against three-score? Of a truth -I should have had a morning bath, an it had not -been for this gallant knight.’</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood whispered a few words to Little -John, who left them and almost instantly returned -with a bag of gold.</p> - -<p>“‘Take this, good sir,’ said the chief outlaw, as -he handed it to the knight. ‘The monks of St. -Mary’s paid me too much by four hundred pounds. -Thou canst not yet be rich; take it as a reward for -thy generous intercession.’</p> - -<p>“The knight would have refused, but he knew -that by so doing he should displease his generous -friend. ‘I accept thy gift,’ he replied. ‘One day I -may be able to repay thy goodness; till then I shall -remain a heavy debtor. But I entreat thee, receive -this poor present as a humble tribute of my gratitude;’ -and at his command, his followers alighted -from their steeds, and laid the bows and quivers -at the outlaw’s feet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[134]</span></p> - -<p>“The foresters all shouted for joy, as their chief -distributed the handsome gifts among them. Many -started off at once to try their new weapons; while -the others resuming their seats upon the grass, helped -the knight and his followers with unbounded -liberality, and passed the rest of the evening in -drinking and singing, till darkness closed upon -their gaiety. Couches of fern and dried rushes were -prepared for the guests, who slept soundly in the -foresters’ rude bowers, until the bugle-horn wakened -them from their dreams, at the dawn of morning. -The knight, anxious to return to his lady, stayed -not to break his fast: bidding farewell to the kind -outlaws, he sprung into his horse’s saddle, and with -his attendants rode off to his beloved home in -Wierysdale.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[135]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="OUR_LAST_EVENING">OUR LAST EVENING.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3>THE GOLDEN ARROW.</h3> - -<p>My legends of Robin Hood were well nigh exhausted: -the Midsummer holidays were drawing near, -and we should soon be busily engaged in striving for -the prizes that were awarded to the most proficient -scholars.</p> - -<p>“This is the last time I shall tell you of bold -Robin Hood,” said I, when my school-fellows had gathered -round me; “but if, after the holidays are -passed, we all meet again, I will endeavour to find -some other by-gone stories to relate to you, that I -hope will be equally interesting.” They thanked me -warmly, and I thus continued:—</p> - -<p>“When the monks of St. Mary’s Abbey had escaped -from the hands of the outlaws, they urged on their -steeds to the utmost, nor did they draw rein until they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[136]</span> -reached the good town of Nottingham. Without delay, -they sought the sheriff of the county, and made known -to him the treatment they had received in the woods -of Barnesdale.</p> - -<p>“That worthy functionary listened with great attention -to their complaint, and still burning with revenge -for the many insults that he had received from the -outlaws, he promised that he would rest neither -night nor day till Robin Hood and his men were -taken. Not knowing exactly how to accomplish this, -to him, desirable object, he determined upon laying -the matter before the king, and mounting his fleetest -steed, he rode with great haste to London, where -he demanded an audience of the valiant monarch, who -had just returned from his long captivity in Austria.</p> - -<p>“‘What!’ cried Richard, when the sheriff had -finished his complaint. ‘Canst thou not take a sorry -rebel who owns not a single castle? Get thee gone -for a coward. An thou dost not bring me that outlaw’s -head within half-a-year, thy shrievalty shall be -given to a better man.’</p> - -<p>“The poor sheriff felt his disgrace, and returned -slowly home to Nottingham, pondering on the king’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[137]</span> -words, and devising plans by which he might retrieve -his lost character. He thought of a notable scheme. -He caused it to be proclaimed that an archery meeting -would be held at Nottingham, and that a golden -arrow would be given to the victor of the games. -The day arrived, but he in vain looked for the coats -of Lincoln green, that he had hoped would be among -the crowd, and he rode about anxiously endeavouring -to discover the outlaws of Sherwood. There were -gallant yeomen in mantles of blue, and buff, and -scarlet, and some there were in green, but they were -good bowmen of Nottingham, and the sheriff was -almost in despair. He ordered the sports to commence, -and never was better archery shown before. -A tall stranger, with a light blue jacket, excited the -admiration of every one, and the arrow would have -been his prize, but a rival yeoman followed and -shot with such dexterity that he fairly eclipsed all -those who had preceded him. He was dressed in a -bright scarlet coat, crossed by a silken belt, from -which was suspended a little bugle-horn of silver and -gold; his lower limbs were clothed in the skin of -a deer, bleached as white as snow; and upon his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[138]</span> -head he wore a long black hood, which fell gracefully -down his back.</p> - -<p>“When the sports were concluded, this gay forester -was unanimously declared the winner of the day, and -amid the shouts of the spectators, he was led to -the tent, beneath which the sheriff of Nottingham -stood to award the golden arrow. The stranger fell -upon one knee, and, with much praise of his gallant -archery, the prize was delivered to him. He rose, -placed the arrow in his belt, and a triumphant smile -lighted up his features as, for one moment, he looked -at the donor’s face. It was enough, the sheriff -caught the glance, and it acted like magic upon -him.</p> - -<p>“‘Ho! guards, seize him!’ he shouted with his utmost -strength. ‘’Tis Robin Hood, the outlawed rebel! -Five hundred pounds for his head!’ In a second, -the forester had gained the middle of the field, and -had blown a long shrill blast upon his horn. At -the signal, yeomen flew from every part of the field -and ranged themselves around him. The sheriff was -astounded, he cried to his men to follow; and, -mounting his horse, galloped towards the daring rebels.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[139]</span> -A flight of arrows met him half way, and his -steed fell tumbling to the earth; the rider arose unhurt, -but his men had fled on all sides, and he was -obliged to follow them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus7"> -<img src="images/illus7.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">THE GOLDEN ARROW.</p> -<p class="caption-l">J. Gilbert</p> -</div> - -<p>“‘Base cowards,’ he cried, ‘ye shall be hung -on the highest gibbets in Nottingham;’ and snatching -a huge cross-bow from the hands of one of the fugitives, -he levelled it at the retreating band and fired. -One man dropped; it was the tall forester in the -light blue coat.</p> - -<p>“At this, the sheriff’s followers took courage, and -with a loud shout, dashed onwards in pursuit of -the outlaws, who had taken up their wounded companion, -and were now full half a mile in advance. -Arrows innumerable fell like hailstones on each party, -and many of the Nottingham men fell, sorely hurt; -but the chase continued, and the sheriff seemed still -determined to pursue. For hours did the foresters -use their fleetest speed, turning ever and again to -discharge their bows, until they were well nigh exhausted. -They would have stopped and fought, but -the overwhelming numbers that pursued gave them -but a poor chance of victory. In this extremity, a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[140]</span> -young knight, riding upon a grey charger, and attended -by several armed horsemen, met them upon the road. -Surprised at so unusual a sight, the knight reined up -his steed and disposed his men around him, as if to -dispute the road. This bold step had well nigh proved -his ruin. A hundred arrows were pointed at him, -and, at a word, would have pierced through his -breast-plate to his heart.</p> - -<p>“‘Hold,’ shouted Robin Hood, dropping his bow, -‘’tis Sir Rychard o’ the Lee! ’Tis the good knight -of Wierysdale.’ The knight recognised the voice, -leaped from his horse, and threw himself into the -outlaw’s arms. A few words briefly explained to him -the reason of their flight.</p> - -<p>“‘To my castle, to my castle,’ he cried; ‘’tis close -at hand, and will defy the sheriff of Nottingham, -with ten thousand of his men.’ Then vaulting into -his saddle, he took the wounded forester, Little John, -before him upon his steed, pointed out his fortress to -Robin Hood and galloped away.</p> - -<p>“The castle of Wierysdale, surrounded on every -side by noble trees, stood upon a slight eminence in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[141]</span> -the middle of an extensive valley. The building -itself was of immense strength; it was girded by a -lofty stone wall, six feet in thickness, and two ditches -of considerable breadth and depth encompassed it. -Over these were bridges that could be raised or -lowered at pleasure; and a strong iron door was the -only way of entrance to the castle.</p> - -<p>“The outlaws increased their speed, and soon -reached this promised refuge. The gates were wide -open; they rushed in, and at a word the draw-bridges -were raised, and the portcullis dropped. In a few -more minutes the sheriff, with his followers at his -heels, loudly demanded admittance. ‘Sir knight,’ he -cried, ‘if thou dost not deliver up the outlaws of -Sherwood thou shalt be branded as a traitor.’</p> - -<p>“‘Away, proud braggart,’ retorted the knight. ‘Dost -thou threaten me? By my good sword thou shalt -one day rue thine insolence.’ A flight of arrows -stopped farther parley, and the sheriff was in despair. -It was useless, even with the multitude that he had at -his command, to attempt forcing the castle, and the -knight had set his authority at defiance. Burning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[142]</span> -with disappointment and rage, he denounced him as a -traitor to his king, and rushing through the mass who -crowded behind him, he returned to Nottingham.</p> - -<p>“For twelve days did Robin Hood and his foresters -dwell with the good knight of Wierysdale, feasting -upon the most delicate food, such as they seldom met -with in their forest retreats. Little John’s wound -quickly healed, and ere long he winded his bugle-horn -as merry as the rest, among the echoing woods of -Barnesdale.</p> - -<p>“The defeated sheriff neither forgot nor forgave the -treatment that he had received. He was determined -upon being revenged on the rebellious knight, and set -spies round his castle to give him intelligence when he -stirred from it. For a long time they watched in vain; -but one summer’s morning the knight and his lady rode -out to amuse themselves in the delightful sport of -falconry. Their steeds bounded gaily along the meadows, -by the banks of a river, and they rode far away -from home. A solitary heron that had been patiently -watching for fish in a shallow part of the stream, -frightened at their approach, rose with a shrill scream, -and soared high up in air. The lady checked her palfrey,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[143]</span> -untied the jesses that confined a falcon to her -wrist, and threw it off. The bird flew upwards as if -shot from a bow, and rapidly ascended higher than the -quarry: fluttering its wing, it hovered for an instant -above, and then shooting downwards, struck the heron -with its sharp beak and bore it to the earth. The lady -was delighted, and applying a silver whistle to her -mouth, recalled the well-trained hawk, which flew -back again to her hand, and seemed proud of her -caresses. Pleased with the sport, they galloped over -many a verdant plain and flowery mead, and noon was -long past ere they bethought themselves of returning. -They were conversing about Robin Hood and his bold -foresters, and wondering that they had heard nothing -more of the sheriff of Nottingham, when they became -aware of six armed horsemen galloping towards them -at their utmost speed. Little imagining their intentions, -the knight quietly pursued his course, when, to -his surprise, the men checked their steeds as they approached, -and with drawn swords in their hands surrounded -him. In the leader the unfortunate knight -easily recognised the sheriff of Nottingham, and he -guessed his fate. He was fastened with thongs to his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[144]</span> -saddle, his arms were tied behind his back, and he -was led away captive.</p> - -<p>“His lady, aware that resistance was fruitless, turned -her horse’s head, and galloped swiftly from the spot. -Full of courage and love for her gallant husband, -she rode on without drawing rein until she reached -the forest of Sherwood, into which she fearlessly -entered. A youth was lying upon the grass under a -broad tree. ‘My friend,’ she cried to him, ‘canst -tell me where to find bold Robin Hood?’</p> - -<p>“The young man started to his feet, and doffing -his cap, replied, ‘I am one of Robin Hood’s foresters, -gracious lady, and will conduct thee to him;’ and -taking the palfrey’s rein in his hand, he led it through -the narrow paths to the spot where the bold outlaw -was shading himself from the summer’s heat beneath a -rustic bower.</p> - -<p>“‘God save thee, good Robin Hood,’ said the lady -as the forester advanced; ‘grant me thine aid, and -that quickly. Thine enemy, the sheriff, hath bound -my dear husband, and led him captive to Nottingham.’</p> - -<p>“The outlaw replied by setting his bugle-horn to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[145]</span> -his lips, and sounding a shrill blast, it was answered -from every side, and seven-score men soon gathered -round him.</p> - -<p>“‘Busk ye, my merry men,’ he cried to them. -‘To the rescue of the knight of Wierysdale. That -double villain, the sheriff of Nottingham, hath -bound him. He that will not fight for our good -friend is no longer follower of mine.’</p> - -<p>“The men gave a loud shout to prove their readiness, -and their captain, bidding the lady be of good -cheer, and await the issue in her castle, darted through -the woods. The foresters followed him in a crowd -close upon his heels; neither hedge nor stream stopped -their progress; they leaped over every obstacle, and -in two hours reached the town of Nottingham. They -were just in time. The gaoler was even at the moment -unbarring the gates of the castle to admit the prisoner, -and the sheriff was unfastening the bonds by which -he was held to his horse. At the appearance of the -outlaws a loud cry was raised by the astonished inhabitants, -and the sheriff leaped into his saddle. He -had but a small force at hand, quite insufficient to -oppose the assailants, and seizing his prisoner’s bridle<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[146]</span> -rein, he attempted to fly;—’twas too late. An arrow -from the bow of the foremost outlaw pierced his brain, -and he fell headlong from his steed. His attendants -were routed, and the knight of Wierysdale was recaptured. -Robin Hood himself cut his bonds with -a dagger, and after raising a loud shout of victory, -he and his gallant foresters retired to Wierysdale, -where they received the warm thanks of the lady of -the castle, and after partaking of a glorious feast, -they returned to their wonted abodes in merry -Sherwood.</p> - -<h3>ROBIN HOOD’S PARDON, REBELLION, AND DEATH.</h3> - -<p>“The excitement caused by the death of the -sheriff of Nottingham was not easily appeased. Intelligence -of the outrage was carried to King Richard, -who summoned a council to devise the best means -of putting down the fearless rebels. They declared -the knight of Wierysdale an outlaw; and his lands, -which were forfeited to the crown, were offered as -a reward to whomsoever should take the traitor, -Robin Hood, dead or alive. Fifty knights volunteered -their services, and Sherwood forest became<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[147]</span> -too hot for the brave outlaws, who retired by stealth -to Plompton park, in Cumberland, where they concealed -themselves for many weeks. At last, receiving -intelligence that the search was abandoned, they ventured -to return to Sherwood; but, to their great surprise, -they were one morning interrupted by the approach -of six priests, who advanced towards them, -riding upon steeds richly caparisoned. The foremost -was a man of most commanding presence. He was -of noble countenance, tall stature, well proportioned, -and apparently of Herculean strength; and, as he sat -upright upon his saddle and glanced around him, -his stately mien but ill accorded with the peaceful -character of the white robe that covered him.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood knew him not, and wondered what -bold bishop it could be, who had ventured to enter -upon the proscribed domains.</p> - -<p>“‘By thy leave, holy father,’ he cried, as he -stepped from a thicket, and laid his hand upon the -horse’s bridle, ‘thou must abide awhile. If thou -hast gold in thy purse, by the laws of Sherwood -forest it is forfeited.’</p> - -<p>“‘Good sir,’ replied the bishop, ‘I have but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[148]</span> -forty pounds. King Richard has been at Nottingham, -and the gay follies of the court have swallowed -up the rest;’ and drawing a purse from his girdle, he -gave it to the outlaw, who counted out the bright gold -pieces into his hand. ‘Thou wilt need these, perchance,’ -he said, as he gave back half the money. -‘We may meet again and thou canst then repay me.’</p> - -<p>“‘Gramercy, but thou art a gentle thief,’ exclaimed -the bishop. ‘If, as I strongly suspect, thou art bold -Robin Hood, Richard, king of England, sends thee -his seal by me, and bids thee attend him in the good -town of Nottingham.’</p> - -<p>“The outlaw bent his knee as he beheld the -royal signet. ‘I will obey,’ he cried, ‘I can trust -to the honour of King Richard, and for love of -him, sir bishop, thou shalt dine with me under our -trysting tree.’ He winded his bugle-horn merrily, and -seven-score men obeyed the summons.</p> - -<p>“A cloth was spread upon the grass, and plentifully -supplied with venison, fowls, and fish; cans -of fine brown ale, and bowls of ruby wine. The -bishop and his companions seated themselves, and a -jovial feast ensued. ‘Let us drink to the health of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[149]</span> -King Richard,’ cried the outlaw, filling his goblet to -the brim. ‘He who fails me in this pledge is no -friend of Robin Hood’s.’ Loud cries of ‘Long live -the King,’ rose from all sides; and in imitation of -their host, each man emptied his cup, and reversed -it upon the cloth before him.</p> - -<p>“‘Bend your bows, my gallant followers,’ said -the outlaw, ‘and show our guests the archery of -Sherwood.’ A willow wand was fixed in the earth, -at a long distance off, and a garland of wild roses -was suspended upon its top. The laws of the game -were, that whoever missed the garland should lose -his bow and arrows, and receive a buffet upon his bare -head. One by one the foresters advanced, and all -shot true, until Little John carelessly missed the -wand by three good inches. Robin Hood gave him -a blow upon his ear that made it ring for many an -after hour, and then took his own turn. To his -great dismay his shaft flew on the outer side of the -garland.</p> - -<p>“His men shouted with laughter. ‘Thou hast lost -thy bow, good master!’ they cried in the greatest glee. -‘The bishop shall give thee thy pay.’ The priest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[150]</span> -laughed too, and turning up the sleeves of his gown -stepped toward the outlaw.</p> - -<p>“Robin Hood stood firm, and folded his arms upon -his breast, but the stalwart bishop bestowed such a -buffet upon his head that he rolled over and over -upon the grass.</p> - -<p>“‘By my troth,’ cried he, when he had recovered -his feet, there is pith in that arm of thine. I’ll -warrant me thou canst shoot a bow as well as us.’ -The bishop laughed again, and taking up Robin -Hood’s forfeited weapon, let fly at the garland. The -arrow, too strongly shot, flew above the wand, and -struck into a tree on the further side of the lawn.</p> - -<p>“‘Now thou must take <i>thy</i> pay,’ exclaimed the -outlaw; and striding towards him, he gave him a vigorous -blow, but the priest did not waver an inch. -At that instant a horseman galloped swiftly across -the plain, and leaping from his steed, ran to them: -it was the knight of Wierysdale. ‘Away, my brave -men,—away,’ he shouted; ‘King Richard is seeking -for ye. The forest is beset with men, and ye will——’ -He suddenly paused; his eye had caught the keen -glance with which the bishop was regarding him. He<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[151]</span> -threw himself at his feet:—‘Pardon, gracious sire,’ -he exclaimed, ‘one who has served thee long and faithfully.’ -Robin Hood was struck dumb—the truth -flashed across his mind:—it was King Richard whom -he had so unceremoniously buffeted. He fell upon his -knees by the knight’s side, and sued for mercy.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;" id="illus8"> -<img src="images/illus8.jpg" width="525" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">THE OUTLAW’S ALLEGIANCE.</p> -<p class="caption-l">J. Gilbert</p> -</div> - -<p>“‘Sir knight,’ exclaimed the noble king, ‘thou -hast done wrong, but I forgive thee; rise,—thy lands -are restored to thee. As for thee, thou valiant traitor, -he continued, placing his hand on Robin Hood’s head, -‘on one condition only can I grant thy pardon. Thou -and thy men must follow me to London, and be my -royal archers.’ The outlaws shouted with rapture; cries -of ‘Long live King Richard’ rent the air, and every -man bent his knee to their royal master.</p> - -<p>“The king then mounted his palfrey and retired, -accompanied by Robin Hood, Little John, and Will -Scarlet, each of whom he soon afterwards appointed -to some place of dignity. Many of the foresters dispersed -to various parts, but fifty of the most faithful -followed their beloved master to London.</p> - -<p>“Here, it is said, our brave hero assumed his title -of earl of Huntingdon, and lived in most noble style;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[152]</span> -but soon growing tired of the confinement of the -court, he asked permission to revisit the merry -woods. The king granted him seven days, but -when Robin Hood breathed the delightful air of -Sherwood, and heard the songs of the sweet birds, he -could not tear himself away. He ranged through -many a well-known thicket and oft-frequented lawn, -and in the ecstacy of his delight he set his bugle -horn to his mouth, and made the old trees re-echo with -the blast. To his great astonishment it was replied to, -and four-score youths bounded towards him. Several -had deserted him in London, and many who were at -first disbanded had returned to their favourite haunts, -and Robin Hood was again acknowledged as the leader -of a forest band. Little John and Will Scarlet soon -learned the intelligence, and with all speed joined him -with the rest.</p> - -<p>“King Richard was enraged; he sent a renowned -knight with two hundred soldiers to capture the -rebellious outlaw, and a desperate fight took place -upon a plain in Sherwood forest. It lasted from sun-rise -to sun-set, but neither party could boast of victory, -and the knight lost many of his men. Robin Hood<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[153]</span> -himself was wounded by an arrow, and was obliged -to be taken to Kirkleys Nunnery, where he was -treacherously suffered to bleed to death by the -prioress. As he found his end approaching he -called Little John to him. ‘Carry me into the woods, -I entreat thee,’ he said to him;</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“‘And give me my bent bow in my hand,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And a broad arrow I’ll let flee;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And where this arrow is taken up</div> - <div class="verse indent2">There shall my grave digged be.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“The outlaw shot his last bow. His shaft flew -feebly to a short distance, and fell beneath an oak. -He leaned back into the arms of his faithful attendant—and -died. His wish was complied with; and a -stone was placed upon the green sod to mark the last -resting-place of the brave Robin Hood; it bore this -inscription:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Here, underneath this little stone,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Lies Robert, Earl of Huntingdon.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Ne’er archer was as he so good;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And people called him ‘Robin Hood.’</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Such outlaws as he and his men</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Will England never see again.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[154]</span></p> -<p>I was obliged to hurry the latter part of my stories -more than I could have wished, but I had scarcely -finished, before our faithful monitor, the sonorous -school bell, called us to our less pleasing, but more -important pursuits.</p> - -<p>The holidays soon after commenced, and we all -returned <span class="smcap">home</span>.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">THE END.</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE, LONDON.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY FORESTERS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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