 CHAPTER 1 HOW ROBINHOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW LIST AND HARKEN GENTLEMAN, THAT BE A FREEBORN BLOOD, I SHALL TELL YOU OF A GOOD YOMAN, HIS NAME WAS ROBINHOOD. Robin was a proud outlaw, while as he walked on the ground, so courteous an outlaw as he was one, was never none else found. In the days of Good King Harry II of England, he of the warring sons, there were certain forests in the North Country set aside for the king's hunting, and no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death. These forests were guarded by the king's foresters, the chief of whom, in each wood, was no mean man but equal in authority to the sheriff in his walled town, or even to my lord bishop in his abbey. One of the greatest of royal preserves was Sherwood and Barnsdale Forest, near the two towns of Nottingham and Barnsdale. Here for some years, dealt one Hugh Fitzsuth as head forester, with his good wife and son Robert. The boy had been born in Laxley Town, in the year 1160, stern records say, and was often called Laxley, or Robb of Laxley. He was a comely, well-knit stripling, and as soon as he was strong enough to walk, his chief delight was to go with his father into the forest. As soon as his right arm received few and sinew, he learned to draw the longbow and speed a true arrow. While on winter evenings, his greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold will of the green, the outlaw, who for many summers defied the king's foresters and feasted with his men upon king's deer. And on other stormy days, the boy learned to whittle out a straight shaft for the longbow and tip it with gray goose feathers. The fine mother sighed when she saw the boy's face light up at these woodland tales. She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son famous at court or abbey. She taught him to read and to write, to doff his cap without awkwardness, and to answer directly and truthfully both Lord and peasant. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. Two playmates had Robb in these gladsome early days. One was Will Gamewell, his father's brother's son, who lived at Gamewell Lodge, hard by Nottingham Town. The other was Marion Fitzwalter, the only child of the Earl of Huntingdon. The castle of Huntingdon could be seen from the top of one of the tall trees in Sherwood, and on more than one bright day, Robb's white signal from this tree told Marion that he awaited her there. For you must know that Robb did not visit her at the castle. His father and her father were enemies. Some people whispered that Hugh Fitzsuth was the rightful Earl of Huntingdon, but that he had been defrauded out of his lands by Fitzwalter, who had won the king's favor by a crusade to the Holy Land. But little cared Robb or Marion for this enmity, however it had arisen. They knew that the great green wood was open to them, and that the wide, wide world was full of the scent of flowers and the song of birds. Days of youth speed all too swiftly, and troubled skies come all too soon. Robb's father had two other enemies besides Fitzwalter, in the persons of the lean sheriff of Nottingham and the fat bishop of Herford. These three enemies one day got possession of the king's ear and whispered therein to such good or evil purpose that Hugh Fitzsuth was removed from his post of king's forester. He and his wife and Robb, then a youth of 19, were descended upon during a cold winter's evening and dispossessed without warning. The sheriff arrested the forester for treason, of which poor man he was as guiltless as you or I, and carried him to Nottingham jail. Robb and his mother were sheltered overnight in the jail also, but next morning were roughly bathed to go about their business. Thereupon they turned for succor to their only kinsman, Squire George of Gamewell, who sheltered them in all kindness. But the shock and the winter's night's journey proved too much for Dame Fitzsuth. She had not been strong for some time before leaving the forest. In less than two months she was no more. Robb felt as though his heart was broken at this loss, but scarcely had the first spring flowers begun to blossom upon her grave when he met another crushing blow in the loss of his father. That stern man had died in prison before his accusers could agree upon the charges by which he was to be brought to trial. Two years passed by. Robb's cousin Will was away at school, and Marion's father, who had learned of her friendship with Robb, had sent his daughter to the court of Queen Eleanor. So these years were lonely ones to the orphan lad. The bluff old Squire was kind to him, but secretly could make nothing of one who went about brooding and as though seeking for something he had lost. The truth is that Robb missed his old life in the forest no less than his mother's gentleness and his father's companionship. Every time he twang the string of the longbow against his shoulder and heard the gray goose shaft sing, it told him of happy days that he could not recall. One morning as Robb came into breakfast, his uncle greeted him with, I have news for you Robb, my lad. And the hearty old Squire finished his draught of ale and set his pewter tankered down with a crash. What may that be, Uncle Gamewell? asked the young man. Here is a chance to exercise your good longbow and win a pretty prize. The fair is on at Nottingham, and the sheriff proclaims an archer's tournament. The best fellows are to have places with the king's foresters, and the one who shoots straightest of all will win for prize a golden arrow. A useless bobble enough, but just the thing for your lady love, eh Robb, my boy? Here the Squire laughed and whacked the table again with his tankered. Robb's eyes sparkled. Toer indeed were shooting for, Uncle Mine, he said. I should dearly love to let fly arrow alongside another man, and a place among the foresters is what I have long desired. Will you let me try? To be sure, rejoined his uncle, well I know that your good mother would have had me make a clerk of you, but well I see that the green wood is where you will pass your days. So here's luck to you in the bout, and the huge tanker came a third time into play. The young man thanked his uncle for his good wishes, and set about making preparations for the journey. He traveled lightly, but his you-bowl must needs have a new string, and his clothyard arrows must be of the straightest and soundest. One fine morning, a few days after, Robb might have been seen passing by way of loxley, through Sherwood Forest to Nottingham Town. Briskly walked he, and gaily, for his hopes were high, and never an enemy had he in the wide world. But twas the very last morning in his life when he was to lack an enemy. For as he went his way through Sherwood, whistling a blithe tune, he came suddenly upon a group of foresters, making merry beneath the spreading branches of an oak tree. They had a huge meat pie before them, and were washing down prodigious slices of it with nut-brown ale. One glance at the leader, and Robb knew at once that he had found an enemy. Twas the man who had usurped his father's place his head forester, and who had roughly turned his mother out in the snow. But never a word said he for good or bad, and would have passed on his way, had not this man clearing his throat with a huge gulp bellowed out. By my troth, here is a pretty little archer. Where go you, my lad, with that two penny bow and toy arrows? Be like he would shoot at knotting him fair. Ho-ho! A roar of laughter greeted this sally. Robb flushed, for he was mightily proud of his shooting. My bow is as good as yours, he retorted, and my shafts will carry a straight and as far, so I'll not take lessons of any of ye. They laughed again loudly at this, and the leader said with frown, Show us some of your skill, and if you can hit the mark, here's twenty silver pennies for you, but if you hit it not, you are in for a sound-drubbing for your pertness. Pick your own target, quote Robb in a fine rage. I'll lay my head against that purse that I can hit it. It shall be as you say, retorted the forester angrily, your head for your sauciness that you hit not my target. Now, at a little rise in the wood, a herd of deer came grazing by, distance full five-score yards. They were kings-deer, but at that distance seemed safe from any harm. The head forester pointed to them. If your young arm could speed a shaft for half that distance, I'd shoot with you. Done! cried Robb. My head against twenty pennies I'll cause yawn find fellow in the lead of them to breathe his last. And without more adieu, he tried the string of his longbow, placed a shaft thereon, and drew it to his ear. A moment, and the quivering string sang death as the shaft whistled across the glade. Another moment, and the leader of the herd leaped high in his tracks and fell prone, dying the sword with his heart's blood. A murmur of amazement swept through the foresters, and then a growl of rage. He that had wagered was angriest of all. Know what you have done, rash youth, he said. You have killed a king's deer, and by the laws of King Harry your head remains forfeit. Talk not to me of pennies, but get ye gone straight, and let me not look upon your face again. Robb's blood boiled within him, and he uttered a rash speech. I have looked upon your face once too often already my fine forester, Tijou who wear my father's shoes. And with this he turned upon his heel and strode away. The forester heard his parting thrust with an oath. Red with rage he seized his bow, strung an arrow, and without warning launched it full after Robb. Well was it for the latter that the forester's foot turned on a twig at the critical instant, for as it was the arrow whizzed by his ear so close as to take a stray strand of his hair with it. Robb turned upon his assailant, now two score yards away. Ha! said he, you shoot not so straight as I for all your bravado. Take this from the two penny bow. Straight flew his answering shaft. The head forester gave one cry, then fell face downward and lay still. His life had avenged Robb's father, but the son was outlawed. Forward he rammed through the forest before the band could gather their scattered wits. Still forward into the great greenwood, the swaying trees seemed to open their arms to the wanderer and to welcome him home. Toward the close of the same day, Robb paused hungry and weary at the cottage of a poor widow who dwelt upon the outskirts of the forest. Now this widow had often greeted him kindly in his boyhood days, giving him to eat and drink. So he boldly entered her door. The old dame was right glad to see him and baked him cakes in the ashes and had him rest and tell her his story. Then she shook her head. Tis an evil wind that blows through Sherwood, she said. The poor are despoiled and the rich ride over their bodies. My three sons have been outlawed for shooting King's Deer to keep us from starving and now hide in the wood. And they tell me that two score of as good men as ever drew bow are in hiding with them. Where are they, good mother? cried Robb. By my faith I will join them. Nay, nay, replied the old woman at first. But when she saw that there was no other way, she said, My sons will visit me tonight. Stay you here and see them if you must. So Robb stayed willingly to see the widow's sons that night. For they were men after his own heart, and when they found that his mood was with them, they made him swear an oath of fealty and told him the haunt of the band, a place he knew right well. Finally one of them said, But the band lacks a leader, one who can use his head as well as his hand, so we have agreed that he who has skill enough to go to Nottingham and outlaw and win the prize at archery shall be our chief. Robb sprang to his feet. Said in good time, cried he, For I had started to that self-same fare, and all the foresters and all the sheriff's men in Christendom shall not stand between me and the center of their target. And though he was but barely grown he stood so straight in his eye flashed with such fire that the three brothers seized his hand and shouted, A loxley, a loxley, if you win the golden arrow you shall be chief of outlaws in Sherwood forest. So Robb felt a planning how he could disguise himself to go to Nottingham town, for he knew that the foresters had even then set a price on his head in the marketplace. It was even as Robb had surmised, the sheriff of Nottingham posted a reward of 200 pounds for the capture, dead or alive, of one Robert Fitzuth outlaw. And the crowds thronging the streets upon that busy fair day often paused to read the notice and talk together about the death of the head forester. But what with wrestling bouts and bouts with quarter-staves and wandering minstrels, there came up so many other things to talk about that the reward was forgotten for the nonce, and only the foresters and sheriff's men watched the gates with diligence, the sheriff indeed spurring them to effort by offers of larguess, his hatred of the father had descended to the son. The great event of the day came in the afternoon. It was the archers' contest for the golden arrow and twenty men stepped forth to shoot. Among them was a beggar man, a sorry-looking fellow with leggings of different colors and brown scratched face and hands. Over a tawny shock of hair he had a hood drawn, much like that of a monk. Slowly he leaped to his place in the line while a mob shouted in derision. But the contest was open to all comers, so no man said him nay. Side by side with Rob, for it was he, stood a muscular fellow of swarthy visage and with one eye hid by a green bandage. Him also the crowd jeered, but he passed them by with indifference while he tried his bow with practiced hand. A great crowd had assembled in the amphitheater enclosing the lists. All the gentry and populace of the surrounding country were gathered there in eager expectancy. The central box contained the lean but pompous sheriff, his bejeweled wife, and their daughter, a supercilious young woman enough who, it was openly hinted, was hoping to receive the golden arrow from the victor, and thus be crowned queen of the day. Next to the sheriff's box was one occupied by the fat Bishop of Herford. While in the other side was a box wherein sat a girl whose dark hair, dark eyes, and fair features caused Rob's heart to leap. It was made Marian. She had come up for a visit from the Queen's court at Londontown, and now sat demerly by her father, the Earl of Huntingdon. If Rob had been grimly resolved to win the arrow before, the sight of her sweet face multiplied his determination and hundredfold. He felt his muscles tightening into bands of steel, tense and true, yet with all his heart would throb, making him quake in a most unaccountable way. Then the trumpet sounded, and the crowd became silent while the herald announced the terms of the contests. The lists were open to all comers. The first target was to be placed at 30 L's distance, and all those who hit its center were allowed to shoot at the second target, placed 10 L's farther off. The third target was to be removed yet farther, until the winner was proved. The winner was to receive the golden arrow and a place with the king's foresters. He it was also who crowned the queen of the day. The trumpet sounded again, and the archers prepared to shoot. Rob looked to his string, while the crowd smiled and whispered at the odd figure he cut, with his very colored legs and little cape. What is the first man's shot, they grew silent. The target was not so far, but that twelve out of the twenty contestants reached its inner circle. Rob shot sixth in the line and landed fairly, being rewarded by an approving grunt from the man with the green blinder, who shot seventh, and with apparent carelessness, yet true to the bullseye. The mob cheered and yelled themselves hoarse at even this markmanship. The trumpet sounded again, and a new target was set up at 40 L's. The first three archers again struck true, amid the loud applause of the onlookers, for they were general favorites and expected to win. Indeed, it was whispered that each was backed by one of the three dignitaries of the day. The fourth and fifth archers barely grazed the center. Rob fitted his arrow quietly, and with some confidence sped it unerringly toward the shining circle. The beggar, the beggar, yelled the crowd, another bull for the beggar. In truth, his shaft was nearer the center than any of the others. But it was not so nearer that blinder, as the mob had promptly christened his neighbor, did not place his shaft just within the mark. Again the crowd cheered wildly. Such shooting as this was not seen every day in Nottingham town. The other archers in this round were disconcerted by their preceding shots, or unable to keep the pace. They missed one after another and dropped moodily back, while the trumpet sounded for the third round, and the target was set up 50 L's distant. Why, my hallowed them, you draw a good bow, young mister, said Rob's queer comrade to him in the interval allowed for rest. Do you wish me to shoot first on this trial? Nay, said Rob, but you are a good fellow by this token, and if I win not, I hope you may keep the prize from Jan Strudders. And he nodded scornfully to the three other archers who were surrounded by their admirers, and were being made much of by retainers of the sheriff, the bishop, and the earl. From them his eye wandered toward maid Marion's booth. She had been watching him, it seemed, for their eyes met, then hers were hastily averted. Blinders' quick eye followed those of Rob. A fair maid that, he said smilingly, and one more worthy the golden arrow than the sheriff's haughty miss. Rob looked at him swiftly and saw not but kindness in his glance. You are a shrewd fellow, and I like you well, was his only comment. Now the archers prepared to shoot again, each with some little care. The target seemed hardly larger than the inner ring had looked at the first trial. The first three sped their shafts, and while they were fair shots they did not more than graze the inner circle. Rob took his stand with some misgiving. Some flicking clouds overhead made the light uncertain, and a handful of wind frolicked across the range in a way quite disturbing to a bowman's nerves. His eyes wandered for a brief moment to the box wherein sat the dark-eyed girl. His heart leaped. She met his glance and smiled at him reassuringly, and in that moment he felt that she knew him despite his disguise and looked at him to keep the honor of old Sherwood. He drew his bow firmly, and taking advantage of a momentary lull in the breeze, launched the arrow straight and true, singing across the range to the center of the target. The beggar, the beggar, a bull, a bull, yelled the fickle mob, who from during him were now his warm friends. Can you beat that, Blinder? The last archer smiled scornfully and made ready. He drew his bow with ease and grace, and without seeming to study the course, released the winged arrow. Forward it leaped toward the target, and all eyes followed its flight. A loud uproar broke forth when it alighted, just without the center and grazing the shaft sent by Rob. The stranger made a gesture of surprise when his own eyes announced the result to him, but saw his error. He had not allowed for the fickle gust of wind which seized the arrow and carried it to one side, but for all that he was the first to congratulate the victor. I hope we may shoot again, quote he, in truth I care not for the golden bobble and wish to win it in despite of the share for whom I have no love. Now crown the lady of your choice. And turning suddenly he was lost in the crowd, before Rob could utter what was upon his lips to say that he would shoot again with him. And now the herald summoned Rob to the Sheriff's box to receive the prize. You are a curious fellow enough, said the Sheriff, biting his lip coldly. Yet you shoot well. What name go you by? Marian sat nearby and listened intently. I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff, said the archer. Marian leaned back and smiled. Well, Rob the Stroller, with a little attention to your skin and clothes, you would not be so bad a man, said the Sheriff. How like you the idea of entering my service? Rob the Stroller has ever been a free man, my Lord, and desires no service. The Sheriff's brow darkened. Yet for the sake of his daughter in the golden arrow he dissembled. Rob the Stroller, said he, here is the golden arrow which has been offered to the best of archers this day. You are awarded the prize. See that you bestow it worthily. At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward the Sheriff's daughter who sat with a thin smile upon her lips. But Rob heeded him not. He took the arrow and strode to the next box where sat made Marian. Lady, he said, pray accept this little pledge from a poor Stroller who would devote the best shafts in his quiver to serve you. My thanks to you, Rob, in the hood, replied she with a roguish twinkle in her eye, and she placed the gleaming arrow in her hair, while the people shouted, the Queen, the Queen! The Sheriff glowered furiously upon this ragged archer who had refused to service, taking his prize without a word of thanks and snubbed his daughter. He would have spoken but his proud daughter restrained him. He called to his guard and bade them watch the beggar. But Rob had already turned swiftly, lost himself in the throng, and headed straight for the town gate. That same evening within a forest glade a group of men, some two-score clad in Lincoln Green, sat round a fire roasting venison and making merry. Suddenly a twig crackled and they sprang to their feet and seized their weapons. I look for the widows' sons, a clear voice said, and I come alone. Instantly the three men stepped forward. His Rob, they cried, welcome to Sherwood Forest, Rob, and all the men came and greeted him, for they had heard his story. Then one of the widows' sons, Stout Will, stepped forth and said, Comrades all, ye know that our band has sadly lacked a leader, one of birth, breeding, and skill. Be like we have found that leader in this young man, and I and my brothers have told him that the band would choose that one who should bring the sheriff to shame this day and capture his golden arrow. Is it not so? The band gave assent. We'll turn to Rob. What news bring you from Nottingham Town? asked he. Rob laughed. In truth I brought the sheriff to shame for my own pleasure, and won his golden arrow to boot. But as to the prize, ye must eat and take my word, for I bestowed it upon a maid. And seeing the men stood in doubt at this he continued, but I'll gladly join your band, and you take me as a common archer, for there are others older and may have more skill than I. Then stepped one forward from the rest, a tall, swarthy man, and Rob recognized him as the man with the green blinder. Only this was now removed, and his freed eye gleamed as stoutly as the other one. Rob in the hood, for such the lady called you, said he, I can vouch for your tale. You shamed the sheriff, even as I had hoped to do, and we can forgo the golden arrow since it is in such fair hands. As to your shooting in mind, we must let future days decide, but here I, Will Stutley, declare that I will serve none other chief save only you. Then Good Will Stutley told the outlaws of Rob's deeds, and gave him his hand of filthy, and the widows' sons did likewise, and the other members every one write gladly, because Will Stutley had heretofore been the truest bow in all the company, and they toasted him in nut-brown ale and hailed him as their leader, by the name of Robin Hood, and he accepted that name because Maid Marion had said it. By the light of the campfire the band exchanged signs and passwords. They gave Robin Hood a horn upon which he was to blow to summon them. They swore also that while they might take money and goods from the unjust rich, they would aid and befriend the poor and the helpless, and that they would harm no woman, be she Maid, Wife, or Widow. They swore all this with solemn oars, while they feasted about the ruddy blaze under the greenwood tree. And that is how Robin Hood became an outlaw. Oh, here is my hand, the stranger replied. I'll serve you with all my heart. My name is John Little, a man of good metal. Nair doubt me, for I'll play my part. His name shall be altered, quote William Stutley, and I will his godfather be. Prepare then a feast, and none of the least, for we will be merry, quote he. All that summer Robin Hood and his merry men roamed in Sherwood Forest, and the fame of their deeds ran abroad in the land. The sheriff of Nottingham waxed Roth at the report, but all his traps and excursions failed to catch the outlaws. The poor people began by fearing them, but when they found that the men in Lincoln Green, who answered Robin Hood's horn, meant them no harm, but despoiled the oppressor to relieve the oppressed, they began to have great liking for them. And the band increased by other stout hearts, till by the end of the summer, four score good men and true had sworn fealty. But the days of quiet which came on grew irksome to Robin's adventurous spirit. Up rose he one gay morn, and slung his quiver over his shoulders. This fresh breeze stirs the blood, my lads, quote he, and I would be seen what a gay world looks like in the direction of Nottingham Town, but tarry he behind in the borders of the forest, with an earshot of my bugle call. Thus saying, he strode merrily forward to the edge of the wood, and paused there a moment. His agile form erect, his brown locks flowing, and his brown eyes watching the road, and a goodly sight he made, as the wind blew the ruddy color into his cheeks. The highway led clear in the direction of the town, and thither he boldly directed his steps. But at a bend in the road, he knew of a bypass leading across to Brook, which made the way nearer and less open, into which he turned. As he approached the stream, he saw that it had become swollen by recent rains into quite a pretty torrent. The log footbridge was still there, but at this end of it a puddle intervened which could be crossed only with a leap, if you would not get your feet wet. But Robin cared little for such a handicap. Taking a running start, his nimble legs carried him easily over and bounced neatly upon the end of the broad log. But he was no sooner started across than he saw a tall stranger coming from the other side. Thereupon Robin quickened his pace, and the stranger did likewise, each thinking to cross first. Midway they met, and neither would yield an inch. Give way, fellow, roared Robin, whose leadership of a band, I am afraid, had not tended to mend his manners. The stranger smiled. He was almost a head taller than the other. Nay, he retorted, fair and softly, I give way only to a better man than myself. Give way, I say, repeated Robin, or I shall have to show you a better man. His opponent budged not an inch, but laughed loudly. Now, by my halodome, he said good-naturedly, I would not move after hearing that speech, even if minded to it before, for this better man I have sought my life long. Therefore, show him to me, and it please you. That will I write soon, quote Robin. Stay you here a little while till I cut me a cudgel like unto that you have been twiddling in your fingers. So saying, he sought his own bank again with a leap, laid aside his long bow and arrows, and cut him a stout staff of oak, straight, knotless, and a good six feet in length. But still, it was a full foot shorter than his opponents. Then back came he boldly. I am I not telling you, fellow, said he, that about with archery would have been an easier way with me. But there are other tunes in England besides that the arrow sings. Here, he whirled the staff about his head by way of practice, so make you ready for the tune I am about to play upon your ribs. Have at you, one, two, three, roared the giant smiting head him instantly. Well was it for Robin that he was quick and nimble afoot, for the blow that grazed a hair's breath from his shoulder would have fell the knocks. Nevertheless, while swerving to avoid this stroke, Robin was poising for his own, and back came he forthwith. Whack! Whack! parried the other. Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! The fight waxed fast and furious. It was strength pitted against subtlety, and the match was a merry one. The mighty blows of the stranger went whistling around Robin's ducking head, while his own swift undercuts were feigned to give the other an attack of indigestion. Yet each stood firmly in his place, not moving backward or forward a foot for a good half hour, nor thinking of crying enough, though some chance blow seemed likely to knock one or the other off the narrow footbridge. The giant's face was getting red, and his breath came snorting forth like a bull's. He stepped forward with a furious onslaught to finish this audacious fellow. Robin dodged his blows lightly, then sprang in swiftly and unexpectedly and dealt the stranger such a blow upon the short ribs that you would have sworn the tanner was trimming down his hides from market. The stranger reeled and came within an ace of falling, but regained his footing right quickly. By my life you can hit hard, he gasped forth, giving back a blow almost while he was yet staggering. This blow was a lucky one. It caught Robin off his guard. His stick had rested a moment while he looked to see the giant topple into the water when down came the other upon his head. Wack! Robin saw more stars in that one moment than all the astronomers have since discovered, and forthwith he dropped neatly into the stream. The cool rushing current quickly brought him to his senses, albeit he was still so dazed that he groped blindly for the swaying reeds to pull himself up on the bank. His assailant could not forebear laughing heartily at his plight, but was also quick to lend his aid. He thrust down his long staff to Robin crying, lay hold of that, and your fists whirl not so much as your head. Robin laid hold and was hauled to dry land for all the whirl like a fish, except that the fish would never have come forth so wet and dripping. He lay upon the worm bank for a space to regain his senses. Then he sat up and gravely rubbed his paint. By all the saints, said he, you hit full stoutly, my head hums like a hive of bees on a summer morning. Then he seized his horn which lay near and blew thereon three shrill notes that echoed against the trees. A moment of silence ensued, and then was heard the rustling of leaves and crackling of twigs like the coming of many men. And forth from the glade burst a score or two of stalwart yeoman, all clad in Lincoln Green like Robin, with good Will Stutley and the Will's three sons at their head. Good Master, cried Will Stutley, how was this? In sooth there is not a dry thread on your body. Why, Mary, replied Robin, this fellow would not let me pass the footbridge, and when I tickled him in the ribs, he must needs answer by a pat on the head which landed me overboard. Then shall he taste some of his own porridge, both Will, seize him, lads. Nay, let him go free, said Robin. The fight was a fair one, and I abide by it. I surmise you also are quits, he continued, turning to the stranger with a twinkling eye. I am content, said the other, for verily you now have the best end of the cudgel. Wherefore, I like you well, and would feign know your name. Why, said Robin, my men and even the sheriff of Nottingham know me as Robin Hood, the outlaw. Then I am right sorry that I beat you, exclaimed the man, for I was on my way to seek you, and to try to join your merry company. But after my unmanly use of the cudgel, I fear we are still strangers. Nay, never say it, cried Robin. I am glad I fell in with you. Though soothed to say, I did all the falling. And amid a general laugh the two men clasped hands, and in that clasp the strong friendship of a lifetime was begun. But you have not yet told us your name, said Robin, be thinking himself. Once I came, men call me John Little. Enter our company then, John Little. Enter and welcome. The rites are few, the fee is large. We ask your whole mind and body and heart even unto death. I give you the bond upon my life, said the tall man. Thereupon, Will Stutley, who loved a good jest, spoke up and said, The infant in our household must be christened, and I'll stand Godfather. This fair little stranger is so small a bone in sinew that his old name is not to the purpose. Here he paused long enough to fill a horn in the stream. Hark ye, my son, standing on tiptoe to splash the water on the giant. Take your new name on entering the forest. I christen you, little John. At this jest the men roared long and loud. Give him a bow and find a full sheath of arrows for little John, said Robin joyfully. Can you shoot as well as you fence with the staff, my friend? I have hid an ash twig at forty yards, said little John. Thus chatting pleasantly the band turned back into the woodland and sought their secluded dell. Where the trees were the thickest, the moss was the softest, and a secret path led to a cave, at once a retreat and a stronghold. Here, under a mighty oak, they found the rest of the band, some of whom had come in with a brace of fat doves. And here they built a ruddy fire and sat down to the meat and ale, Robin Hood in the center with Will Stutley on the one hand and little John on the other. And Robin was right well pleased with the day's adventure, even though he had got a drubbing, for sore ribs and heads will heal, and tis not every day that one can find a recruit as stout of bone and true of soul as little John. So ends Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadeon. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. How Robin Hood turned butcher and entered the sheriff's service. The butcher he answered jolly Robin, no matter where I do dwell, for a butcher am I, and to Nottingham, am I going my flesh to sell. The next morning the weather had turned ill, and Robin Hood's band stayed close to their dry and friendly cave. The third day brought a diversion in the shape of a trap by a roving party of the sheriff's men. A fine stag had been struck down by one of Will Stutley's fellows, and he and others had stepped forth from the covert to seize it, when twenty bullmen from Nottingham appeared at the end of the glade. Down dropped Will's men on all fours, barely in time to hear a shower of arrows whistle above their heads. Then from behind the friendly trees they sent back such a welcome that the sheriff's men deemed it prudent not to tarry in their steps. Two of them ensuth or back unpleasant wounds in their shoulders from the encounter. When they returned to town the sheriff waxed red with rage. What, he gasped, do my men fear to fight this Robin Hood face to face? Would that I could get him within my reach once? We should see then, we should see. What it was the sheriff would see he did not state, but he was to have his wish granted in short space, and you and I will see how he profited by it. The fourth day, and the one following this friendly bout, little John was missing. One of his men said that he saw him talking with a beggar, but did not know whether they had gone. Two more days passed. Robin grew uneasy. He did not doubt the faith of little John, but he was fearful least a roving band of foresters had captured him. At last Robin could not remain quiet. Upspring he, with bow and arrows and a short sordid aside. I must away to Nottingham town, my men, he cried. The goodly sheriff has long desired to see me, and may hap he can tell me tidings of the best quarterstaff in the shire, meaning little John. Others of the band besought him to let them go with him, but he would not. Nay, he said smilingly, the sheriff and I are two good friends to put doubt upon our meeting, but tear ye in the edge of the wood opposite the west gate of the town, and ye may be of service ere tomorrow night. So sane he strode forward to the road leading to Nottingham, and stood as before looking up and down to see if the way was clear. Back at a bend in the road he heard a rumbling and a lumbering, when up drove a stout butcher, whistling gaily and driving a mare that sped slowly enough because of the weight of meat with which the cart was loaded. A good morrow to you, friend, hailed Robin, whence come you and where go you with your load of meat? A good morrow to you, returned the butcher, civilly enough. No matter where I dwell, I am but a simple butcher, and to Nottingham am I going, my flesh to sell. Tis fair week, and my beef and mutton should fetch a fair penny, and he laugh loudly at his jest, but whence come you? A yeoman am I from Locksley town, men call me Robin Hood. The saints for fenn that you should treat me ill, said the butcher in terror, oft have I heard of you and how you lighten the purses of fat priests and knights, but I am not but a poor butcher selling this load of meat, for chants for enough to pay my quarters rent. Rest you, my friend, rest you, quoth Robin. Not so much as a silver penny would I take from you, for I love an honest Saxon face and a fair name with my neighbors, but I would strike a bargain with you. Here he took from his girdle a well-filled purse and continued, I would feign be a butcher this day and sell meat at Nottingham town. Could you sell me your meat, your cart, your mare, and your good will, without loss, for five marks? Heaven bless ye, good Robin, cried the butcher right joyfully, that can I. And he leaped down forthwith from the cart, and handed Robin the reins in exchange for the purse. One moment more, laughed Robin, we must eon change garments for the nons. Take mine and scurry home quickly, lease the king's foresters try to put a hole through this Lincoln Green. So saying, he donned the butcher's blouse and apron, and climbing into the cart drove merrily down the road to the town. When he came to Nottingham, he greeted the scowling gatekeeper blithely and proceeded to the marketplace. Oldly he led his shuffling horse to the place where the butchers had their stalls. He had no notion for the price to ask for his meat, but put on a foolish and simple air as he called aloud his wares. Hark ye, lasses and dames. Hark ye, good meat, come by, come by. Three pennors, go for one penny, and a kiss is good, say I. Now when the folk found what a simple butcher he was, they crowded around his cart. For he really did sell three times as much for one penny as was sold by the other butchers. And one or two serving lasses with twinkling eyes, liked his comely face so well that they willingly gave boot of a kiss. But the other butchers were wroth when they found how he was taking their trade, and they accordingly put their heads together. One said, he is a prodigal and has sold his father's land, and this is his first venture in trading. Another said, he is a thief who has murdered a butcher and stolen his horse and meat. Robin heard these sayings but only laughed merrily and sang his song the louder. His good humor made the people laugh also, and crowed round his cart closely, shouting uproiously when some box of lasses submitted to be kissed. Then the butchers saw that they must meet craft with craft, and they said to him, come, brother butcher, if you would sell meat with us, you must even join our guild and stand by the rules of our trade. We dine at the sheriff's mansion today, said another, and you must take one of our party. A cursed of his heart, said Jolly Robin, that a butcher will deny. I ll go with you, my brethren true, and as fast as I can hide. Whereupon, having sold all his meat, he left his horse and cart in charge of a friendly hostler and prepared to follow his mates to the mansion house. It was the sheriff's custom to dine various guilds of the trade from time to time on fair days, for he got a pretty profit out of the fees they paid him for the right to trade in the marketplace. The sheriff was already come with great pomp into the banqueting room, when Robin and three or four butchers entered, and he greeted them all with great condescension. And presently, the whole of a large company was seated at a table, groaning beneath the good cheer of the feast. Now the sheriff, Bade Robin, sit by his right hand, at the head of the board, for one or two butchers had whispered to the official, that fellow is a right mad blade, who yet made us much sport today. He sold more meat for one penny than we could sell for three, and he gave extra weight to whatsoever last would bust him. And others said, he is some prodigal who knows not the value of goods, and may be plucked by a shrewd man right closely. The sheriff was will to pluck a prodigal with the next man, and he was more over glad to have a guest who promised to enliven the feast. So, as I have told you, he placed Robin by his side, and he made much of him and laughed boisterously at his jests. Though soothed to say, the laugh were come by easily, for Robin had never been in merry or mood, and his quips and jests soon put the whole table at a roar. Then my Lord Bishop of Hurford came in, last of all, to say a ponderous grace and take his seat on the other side of the sheriff. The prelate's fat body showing up in goodly contrast to the other's lean bones. After grace was said, and while the servants clattered in with the meat platters, Robin stood up and said, and amen, say I to my Lord Bishop's thanks. How now, my fine fellows, be merry and drink deep! For the shot I'll pay ere I go my way, though it costs me five pounds and more. So, my Lord and gentlemen all, spare not the wine, but fall too lustily. Here, here, shouted the butchers, now are you a right jolly soul, quote the sheriff. But this feast is mine own. How be it you must have many a head of horned beast, and many an acre of broad land to spend from your purse so freely. I, that have I, returned Robin, his eyes all at twinkle. Five hundred horned beast have I in my brothers, and none of them have we been able to sell. This is why I have turned butcher, but I know not to trade, and would gladly sell the whole herd, and I could find a buyer. At this the sheriff's greed ganned to rise. Since this fool would be plucked, thought he, why should not he do the plucking? Five hundred beasts, say you, he queried sharply. Five hundred and ten fat beasts by actual count, that I would sell for a just figure. I, to him who will pay me and write money, would I sell them for twenty pieces of gold. Is that too much to ask, Lording? Was there ever such an idiot butcher, thought the sheriff, and he so far forgot his dignity as to nudge the bishop in his fat ribs? Nay, good fellow, quote he chuckling. I am always ready to help any in my shire, and you cannot find a buyer for your herd at this just figure, I will even buy them myself. At this generosity Robin was quite overcome, and felt appraising the sheriff to the skies, and telling him that he should not have cause to forget the kindness. Cut, cut, said the sheriff, tis not but a trade, drive in your herd tomorrow to the marketplace, and you shall have money down. Nay, excellence, said Robin, that can I not easily do, for they are grazing in scattered fashion, but they are over near game well, not more than a mile there from at most. Will you not come and choose your own beasts tomorrow? I, that I will, said the sheriff, his cupidity casting his caution to the winds. Carry with me overnight, and I will go with you in the morning. This was a poser for Robin. Since he liked not the idea of staying overnight at the sheriff's house, he had hoped to appoint a meeting place for the other, but now saw that this might excite doubt. He looked around at the company. By this time you must know the feast had progressed far, and the butchers were deep in their cups. The sheriff and Robin had talked in a low voice, and my lord bishop was almost asleep. Agreed, said Robin presently, and the words were no sooner out of his mouth than the door opened, and a serving man entered bearing tray of mulled wine. At sight of the fellow's face, Robin gave an involuntary start of surprise, which was instantly checked. The other also saw him stood still a moment, and as if forgetting something, turned about and left the hall. It was little John. A dozen questions flashed across Robin's mind, and he could find answer for none of them. What was little John doing in the sheriff's house? Why had he not told the band? Was he true to them? Would he betray them? But these questions of distrust were dismissed from Robin's open mind as soon as they had entered. He knew that little John was faithful and true. He recovered his spirits and began again upon a vein of foolish banter, for the amusement of the sheriff and his guests, all being now merry with wine. A song, one of them shouted, and the cry was taken up round the table. Robin mounted his chair and trolled forth. A lass and a butcher of Nottingham agreed, twix them, for to wed. Says he, I'll give you the meat, fair dame, and ye will give me the bread. Then they joined in the chorus, amid a pounding of cups upon the board. With a hay and a hoe and a hay-notting-o, a butcher of Nottingham. While the song was at its height, little John reappeared with other servants and refilled the cups. He came up to Robin and, as if asking him if he would have more wine said softly, meet me in the pantry tonight. Robin nodded and sang loudly. The day was already far spent, and presently the company broke up with many hiccupy bows to the sheriff and little notice of the drowsy bishop. When the company was dispersed, the sheriff bade a servant show Robin to his room and promised to see him at breakfast the next day. Robin kept his word and met little John that night and the sheriff next day, but little John has been doing so much in the meantime that he must be allowed a chapter to himself. So let us turn to another story that was sung of in the ballads of olden time and find out how little John entered the sheriff's service. So ends Chapter 3. Chapter 4 of Robinhood by J. Walker McSpaden This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. How little John entered the sheriff's service. List and hearken, gentlemen, all ye that now be here, of little John that was night's man, good Murthy now shall hear. It had come around another fair day at Nottingham Town and folk crowded there by all the gates. Goods of many kinds were displayed in gaily colored booths, and at every cross street a free show was in progress. Here and there, stages had been erected for the play at Quarterstaff, a highly popular sport. There was a fellow, one Eric of Lincoln, who was thought to be the finest man with the staff for miles around. His feats were sung about in ballads through all the shire. A great boaster was he with all, and today he strutted about on one of these corner stages and vaunted his prowess, and offered to crack any man's crown for his shilling. Several had tried their skill with Eric, but he had soon sent them spinning in no gentle manner, amid the jeers and laughter of the onlookers. A beggar man sat over against Eric's stage and grinned every time a pate was cracked. He was an uncouth fellow, ragged and dirty and unshaven. Eric caught sight of his leering face at one of his boasts, for there was a lull in the game, because no man else wanted to come within reach of Eric's blows. Eric, I say, noticed the beggar man grinning at him rather impudently and turned toward him sharply. How now, you dirty villain, quote he, mend your manners to your betters, or by our lady I'll dust your rags for you. The beggar man still grinned. I am always ready to mend my manners to my betters, said he, but I am afraid you cannot teach me any better than you can dust my jacket. Come up, come up, roared the other, flourishing his staff. That I will, said the beggar, getting up slowly and with difficulty. It will pleasure me hugely to take a braggart down a notch, and some good man will lend me a stout quarterstaff. At this, a score of idlers reached him their stabs. Being ready enough to see another man have his head cracked, even if they wished to save their own, and he took the stoutest and heaviest of all. He made a sorry enough figure as he climbed awkwardly upon the stage, but when he had gained it, he towered full half-ahead above the other for all his awkwardness. Nevertheless, he held his stick so clumsily that the crowd laughed in great glee. Now each man took his place and looked the other up and down, watching warily for an opening. Only a moment stood they thus, for Eric intent on teaching this rash beggar a lesson and sweeping him speedily off the stage, launched forth boldly and gave the other a sounding crack on the shoulder. The beggar danced about and made as though he would drop his staff from very pain, while the crowd roared and Eric raised himself for another crushing blow. But just then the awkward beggar came to life. Straightening himself like a flash, he dealt Eric a backhanded blow, the like of which he had never before seen. Down went the boaster to the floor with a sounding thump. And the fickle people yelled and laughed themselves purple, for it was a new sight to see Eric of Lincoln eating dust. But he was up again almost as soon as he had fallen and right quickly retreated to his own ringside to gather his wits and watch for an opening. He saw instantly that he had no easy antagonist and he came in cautiously this time. And now those who stood around saw the merriest game of quarterstaff that was ever played inside the walls of Nottingham town. Both men were on their guard and fenced with fine skill, being well matched in prowess. Again and again did Eric seek to force an opening under the other's guard, and just as often were his blows parried. The beggar stood sturdily in his tracks, contenting himself with beating off the attack. For a long time their blows met like the steady crackling of some huge forest fire, and Eric strove to be wary, for he now knew that the other had no mean wits or metal. But he grew right mad at last, and began to send down blows so fierce and fast that you would have sworn a great hail storm was pounding on the shingles over your head. Yet he never so much as entered the tall beggar's guard. Then at last the stranger saw his chance and changed his tune of fighting. With one upward stroke he sent Eric's staff whirling through the air, with another he tapped Eric on the head, and with a third broad swing, Eric the other could recover himself. He swept him clear off the stage, much as you would brush a fly off the windowpane. Now the people danced and shouted and made so much a do that the shopkeepers left their stalls and others came running from every direction. The victory of the queer beggar made him immensely popular. Eric had been a great bully, and many had suffered defeat and insult at his hands. So the ragged stranger found money and food and drink everywhere at his disposal, and he feasted right comfortably till the afternoon. Then a longbow contest came on, and to it the beggar went with some of his new friends. It was held in the same arena that Robin had formerly entered, and again the sheriff and lords and ladies graced the scene with their presence while the people crowded to their places. When the archers had stepped forward the herald rose and proclaimed the rules of the game. How that each man should shoot three shots, and to him who shot the best, the prize of a yoke of fat steers should belong. A dozen keen-eyed bowmen were there, and among them some of the best fellows in the foresters and sheriff's companies. Down at the end of the line towered the tall beggar man, who must needs twang a bolstering with the best of them. The sheriff noted his queer figure and asked, Who is that ragged fellow? Tis he that hath now so soundly cracked the crown of Eric of Lincoln, was the reply. The shooting presently began, and the target soon showed a fine reckoning. Last of all came the beggar's turn. By your leave, he said loudly, I'd like it well to shoot with any other man here present at a mark of my own placing. And he strode down the lists with a slender peeled sapling which he stuck upright in the ground. There, said he, is a right good mark, will any man try it? But not an archer would risk his reputation on so small a target. Whereupon the beggar drew his bow with seeming carelessness and split the wand with his shaft. Long lived the beggar, yelled the bystanders. The sheriff swore a full great oath and said, This man is the best archer that ever yet I saw, and he beckoned to him and asked him, How now, good fellow, what is your name, and in what country were you born? In holderness I was born, the man replied. Men call me Rhynald Greenleaf. You are a sturdy fellow, Rhynald Greenleaf, and deserve better apparel than that you wear at present. Will you enter my service? I will give you twenty marks a year above your living, and three good suits of clothes. Three good suits, say you. Then right gladly will I enter your service, for my back has been bare this many a long day. Then Rhynald turned him about to the crowd and shouted, Hark ye good people, I have entered the sheriff's service, and need not the yoke of steers for prize. So take them for yourselves, defeat with all. At this the crowd shouted more merrily than ever, and threw their caps high into the air, and none so popular a man had come to Nottingham Town in many a long day as this same Rhynald Greenleaf. Now you may have guessed by this time who Rhynald Greenleaf really was, so I shall tell you that he was none other than Little John, and forth went he to the sheriff's house and entered his service. But it was a sorry day for the sheriff when he got his new man, for Little John winked his shrewd eye and said softly to himself, By my faith I shall be the worst servant to him that ever yet had he. Two days passed by, Little John, it must be confessed, did not make a good servant. He insisted upon eating the sheriff's best bread and drinking his best wine, so that the steward waxed wroth. Nath Les, the sheriff, held him in high esteem, and made great talk of taking him along on the next hunting trip. It was now the day of the banquet to the butchers, about which we have already heard. The banquet hall, you must know, was not in the main house, but connected with it by a corridor. All the servants were bustling about making preparations for the feast, save only Little John, who must needs lie a bed the greater part of the day. But he presented himself at last when the dinner was half over, and being desirous of seeing the guest for himself, he went into the hall with the other servants to pass the wine. First, however, I am afraid some of the wine passed his own lips while he went down the corridor. When he entered the banquet hall, whom should he see but Robin Hood himself? We can imagine the start of surprise felt by each of these bold fellows upon seeing the other in such strange company. But they kept their secrets, as we have seen, and arranged to meet each other that same night. Meanwhile, the proud sheriff Little knew that he harbored the two chief outlaws of the whole countryside beneath his roof. After the feast was over and night was beginning to advance, Little John felt faint of stomach and remembered him that he had eaten nothing all that day. Back went he to the pantry to see what eatables were laid by, but there, locking up the stores for the night, stood the fat steward. Good sir steward, said Little John, give me to dine, for it is long for green leaf to be fasting. The steward looked grimly at him and rattled the keys at his girdle. Sir, I lie a bed, quote he, his late in the day to be talking of eating. Since you have waited thus long to be hungry, you can eat and take your appetite back to bed again. Now by mine appetite, that will I not do, cried Little John. Your own punch of fat would be enough for any bear to sleep on through the winter, but my stomach craves food and food it shall have. Saying this, he brushed past the steward and tried the door, but it was locked fast. Where at the fat steward chuckled and jangled his keys again. Then was Little John right mad, and brought down his huge fist on the door panel with a sledgehammer blow that shivered an opening you could thrust your hand into. Little John stooped and peered through the hole to see what food lay within reach. When crack went the steward's keys upon his crown, and the worthy danced around him playing a tattoo that made Little John's ears ring. At this he turned upon the steward and gave him such a wrap that his back went nigh in two, and overwent the fat fellow rolling on the floor. Lie there, quoth Little John, till you find strength to go to bed. Meanwhile, I must be about my dinner. And he kicked open the buttery door without ceremony, and brought to light a venison pasty and cold roast pheasant, goodly sights to a hungry man. Placing these down on a convenient shelf, he fell too with right good will, so Little John ate and drank as much as he would. Now the sheriff had in his kitchen a cook, a stout man and bold, who heard the rumpus and came in to see how the land lay. There sat Little John eating away for dear life, while the fat steward was rolled under the table like a bundle of rags. I make my vow, said the cook, you are a shrewd hind to dwell thus in a household and ask thus to dine. So, saying, he laid aside his spit and drew a good sword that hung at his side. I make my vow, said Little John, you are a bold man and hearty to come thus between me and my meat. So defend yourself and see that you prove the better man. And he drew his own sword and crossed weapons with the cook. Then back and forth they clashed with sullen sound. The old ballad, which tells of their fight, says that they thought nothing for to flee, but stiffly fought to stand. There they fought sword together, two miles away and more, but neither might the other harm for the space of a full hour. I make my vow, cried Little John, you are the best swordsman that ever yet I saw. What say you to resting a space and eating and drinking good health with me? Then we may fall to again with the swords. Agreed, said the cook, who loved good fare as well as a good fight, and they both laid by their swords and fell to the food with hearty will. The venison pasty soon disappeared, and the roast pheasant flew at as lively a rate as ever the bird itself had sped. Then the warriors rested a space and padded their stomachs, and smiled across to each other like bosom friends. For a man, when he as dined, looks out pleasantly upon the world. And now, Reinold Greenleaf, said the cook, we may as well settle the spray fight we have in hand. A true saying, rejoined the other, but first tell me, friend, for I protest you are my friend henceforth. What is the score we have to settle? Not save who can handle the sword best, said the cook. By my trough I had thought to carve you like a cape on air now, and I had long since thought to shave your ears, replied Little John. This bout we can settle in right good time, but just now I and my master have need of you, and you can turn your stout blade to better service than that of the sheriff. Who service would that be? asked the cook. Mine, answered a would-be butcher entering the room, and I am Robin Hood. So ends Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpaden. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. How the sheriff lost three good servants and found them again. Make good cheer, said Robin Hood, sheriff for charity, and for the love of Little John, thy life is granted thee. The cook gasped in amazement. This, Robin Hood, and under the sheriff's very roof. Now, by my trough, you are a brave fellow, he said. I have heard great tales of your prowess, and the half has not been told. But who might this tall slasher be? Men do call me Little John, good fellow. Then Little John, or Reinhold Greenleaf, I like you well, on my honor as much the miller's son. And you too, bold Robin Hood, and you take me, I will enter your service right gladly. Spoken like a stout man, said Robin, seizing him by the hand, but I must back to my own bed, lest some sleepy warden stumble upon me, and I be forced to run him through. Lucky for you, twain that wine flowed so freely in the house today, else the noise of your combat would have brought other onlookers besides Robin Hood. Now, if you would flee the house tonight, I will join you in the good Greenwood tomorrow. But good master, said the cook, you would not stay here overnight. Fairly, it is running your head into a noose. Come with us. The sheriff has set strict watch on all the gates, since tis fair week, but I know the warden at the west gate and could bring us through safely. Tomorrow you will be stayed. Nay, that I will not, laughed Robin, for I shall go through with no less escort than the sheriff himself. Now do you, little John, and do you, much de Miller's son, go right speedily. In the borders of the wood you will find my merry men. Tell them to kill two fine hearts against tomorrow eve, for we shall have great company and lordly sport. And Robin left them as suddenly as he had come. Comrade, then said little John, we may as well bid the sheriff's roof farewell, but ere we go it would seem a true pity to fail to take such of the sheriff's silver plate as will cause us to remember him, and also grace our special feasts. Tis well said indeed, quote the cook. Thereupon they got a great sack and filled it with silver plate from the shelves where it would not at once be missed, and they swung the sack between them and away they went, out of the house, out of the town, and into the friendly shelter of Sherwood Forest. The next morning the servants were late a stirrer in the sheriff's house. The steward awoke from a heavy sleep, but his cracked head was still in such a whirl that he could not have sworn whether the sheriff had ever owned so much as one silver dish. So the theft went undiscovered for the nonce. Robin Hood met the sheriff at breakfast when his host soon spoke of what was uppermost in his heart. The purchase of the fine herd of cattle near Gamewell. It was clear that a vision of them purchased for twenty paltry gold pieces had been with him all through the night in his dreams. And Robin again appeared such a silly fellow that the sheriff saw no need of dissembling, but said that he was ready to start at once to look at the herd. Accordingly they set forth Robin in his little butcher's cart behind the lean mare and the sheriff mounted on a horse. Out of Nottingham town, through gates open wide, they proceeded and took the hill road leading through Sherwood Forest. And as they went on and plunged deeper among the trees, Robin whistled blithely and sang snatches of tunes. Why are you so gay, fellow? said the sheriff, or soothed to say the silence of the woods was making him uneasy. I am whistling to keep my courage up, replied Robin. What is there to fear when you have the sheriff of Nottingham beside you? Quoth the other pompously. Robin scratched his head. They do say that Robin Hood and his men care little for the sheriff, he said. Who? said the sheriff. I would not give that for their lives if I could once lay hands upon them. And he snapped his fingers angrily. But Robin Hood himself was on this very road the last time I came to town, said the other. The sheriff started at the crackling of a twig under his horse's foot and looked around. Did you see him? He asked. I, that did I. He wanted the use of this mare and cart to drive to Nottingham. He said he would feign turn butcher. But see! As he spoke, he came to a turn in the road, and there before them stood a herd of the king's deer, feeding. Robin pointed to them and continued. There is my herd of cattle, good master sheriff. How do you like them? Are they not fat and fair to see? The sheriff drew rain quickly. Now fellow, quote he, I would I were well out of this forest, for I care not to see such herds as these or such faces as yours. Choose your own way therefore, whoever you be, and let me go mine. Nay, laughed Robin, seizing the sheriff's bridle. I have been at too much pains to cultivate your company to forego it now so easily. Besides, I wish you'd meet some of my friends and dine with me, since you have so lately entertained me at your board. So saying, he clapped a horn on his lips and winded three merry notes. The deer bounded away, and before the last of them was seen, there came a running and a rustling, and out from behind covert and tree came full two score of men, clad in Lincoln green, and bearing gold you bows in their hands and short swords at their sides. Up they ran to Robin and doff their caps to him respectfully, while the sheriff sat still from very amazement. Welcome to the Greenwood, said one of the leaders, bending the knee with mock reverence before the sheriff. The sheriff glared, it was Little John. Woe the worth, Rhinole Greenleaf, he said. You have betrayed me. I make my vow, said Little John, that you are to blame, master. I was mis-served of my dinner when I was at your house, but we shall set you down to a feast we hope you will enjoy. Well spoken, Little John, said Robin Hood. Take you his bridle and let us do honor to the guest who has come to feast with us. Then turning abruptly, the whole company plunged into the heart of the forest. After twisting and turning till the sheriff's bewildered head sat dizzily upon his shoulders, the Greenwood men passed through a narrow alley amid the trees which led to a gully open space flanked by wide spreading oaks. Under the largest of these a pleasant fire was crackling and near it two fine hearts lay ready for cooking. Around the blaze were gathered another company of Yeoman quite as large as that which came with Robin Hood. Upspraying they as the latter advanced and saluted their leader with deference, but with hearty gladness to see him back again. That merry wag, Will Stutley, was in command, and when he saw the pale-faced sheriff being led in like any culprit, he took his cloak and laid it humbly upon the ground and besought the sheriff to alight upon it as the ground of Sherwood was unused to such dignitaries. Be stir yourselves, good fellows, cried Robin Hood, and while our new cook, whom I see with us is preparing a feast worthy of our high guest, let us have a few games to do him honor. Then while the whole glade was filled with the savory smell of roasting venison and fat capons and brown pastries warmed beside the blaze and mulled wine sent forth a cordial fragrance, Robin Hood placed the sheriff upon a knoll beneath the largest oak and sat himself down by him. First stepped forward several pairs of men armed with the quarterstaff, the widow's sons among them, and so skillfully did they thrust and parry and beat down guards that the sheriff, who loved a good game as well as any man, clapped his hands for getting where he was and shouted, well struck, well struck, never have I seen such blows at all the fairs of Nottingham. Then the best archers of the band set up a small wand at eight scorepaces distant, and thereon they affixed a wreath of green, and the archers began to shoot, and he who shot not through the garland without disturbing its leaves and tendrils was feigned to submit to a good sound buffet from little John. But right cunning was the shooting, for the men had spent a certain time in daily practice, and many were the shafts which sped daintily through the circle. Nathlas now and again some luckless fellow would shoot a rye and would be sent winding from a long arm blow from the tall lieutenant while the glade roared with laughter, and none more hearty a guffaw was given than came from the sheriff's own throat, for the spirit of the greenwood was upon him. But presently his high mood was dashed. The company sat down to meet, and the guest was treated to two more disturbing surprise. The cook came forward to serve the food. When the sheriff beheld in him his own former servant, and one whom he supposed was at the moment in the scullery and nodding him, much the miller's son grinned by way of answer to the sheriff's amazement and served the plates and placed them before the party. Then did the sheriff gasp and fairly choke with rage. The service was his own silverware from the mansion house. You rascals, you rogues, he sputtered. Was it not enough to defraud me out of three of my servants that you must also rob me of my best silver service? Nay, buy my life, but I will not touch your food. But Robinhood bade him pause. Gray mercy, quote he, servants come and go in merry England as so does service. The platters are but used to do your worship honor, and as for your life it is forfeit to your eagerness to buy my herd of cattle so cheaply. Now sit you down again and make good cheer, Sheriff, for charity, and for the love of little John your life is granted you. So the sheriff sat him down again, with the best face he could assume, and soon the cook's vines were disappearing down his gullet as rapidly as the next man's, and they feasted royally and clinked each other's cups until the sun had ceased to print the pattern of the leaves upon the forest carpet. Then the sheriff arose and said, I thank you, Robinhood, one-time butcher, and you, little John, one-time beggar, and you, much, one-time cook, and all you good men who have entertained me and sure would so well. Promises I make not as to how I shall requite you when next you come denoting him, for I am in the king's service. So for the present the score rests with you, but the shadows grow long and I must away, if you will be pleased to pilot me to the road. Then Robinhood and all his men arose and drank the sheriff's health, and Robin said, if you must needs go at once, we will not detain you, except that you have forgotten two things. What may they be? asked the sheriff, while his heart sank within him. You forgot that you came with me today to buy a herd of horned beasts. Likewise, that he who dines at the Greenwood Inn must pay the landlord. The sheriff fidgeted like a small boy who has forgotten his lesson. Nay, I have but a small sum with me, he began apologetically. What is that sum, gossip? questioned little John, for my own wage should also come out of it. And mine, said much. And mine, smiled Robin. The sheriff caught his breath. By my troth, are all these silver dishes worth anything? The outlaws roared heartily at this. I'll tell you what it is, worship, said Robin. We three rascally servants will compound our back wages for those plates, and we will keep the herd of cattle free for our own use, and the kings. But this little tavern bill should be settled. Now, what sum have you about you? I have only those twenty pieces of gold, and twenty others, said the sheriff, and well it was that he told the truth for once. For Robin said, count it, little John. Little John turned the sheriff's wallet inside out. It is true enough, he said. Then you shall pay no more than twenty pieces for your entertainment, excellence, decreed Robin. Speak I soothly, men of Greenwood. Good, echoed the others. The sheriff should swear by his patron saint that he will not molest us, said Will Stulley, and his addition was carried unanimously. So be it then, cried little John, approaching the sheriff. Now swear by your life and your patron saint. I will swear it by St. George, who is patron of us all, said the sheriff vigorously, that I will never disturb or distress the outlaws in Sherwood. But let me catch any of you out of Sherwood, thought he to himself. Then the twenty pieces of gold were paid over, and the sheriff once more prepared to depart. Never had we so worshipful a guest before, said Robin, and as the new moon is beginning to silver the leaves, I shall bear you company myself for part of the way, to as I who brought you into the wood. Nay, I protest against your going needlessly far, said sheriff. But I protest that I am loath to lose your company, replied Robin. The next time I may not be so pleased. And he took the sheriff's horse by the bridal rain, and led him through the lane, and by many a thicket till the main road was reached. Now fare you well, good sheriff, he said, and when next you think to spoil a poor prodigal, remember the herd you would have bought over against Gamewell, and when next you employ a servant, make certain that he is not employing you. So, saying, he smote the nag's haunch, and off went the sheriff upon the road to Nottingham. And that is how you will find from many ballads that came to be sung at the sheriff's expense, and which are known even to the present day, that, I say, is how the sheriff lost three good servants and found them again. So ends Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpaden This sleeper vox recording is in the public domain How Robin Hood Met Will Scarlett The youngster was clothed in scarlet red, in scarlet fine and gay, and he did frisk it or the plain, and chanted a roundelay. One fine morning, soon after the proud sheriff had been brought to grief, Robin Hood and little John went strolling down a path through the wood. It was not far from the footbridge where they had fought their memorable battle, and by common impulse they directed their steps to the brook to quench their thirst and rest them in the cool bushes. The morning gave promise of a hot day. The road even by the brook was dusty, so the cooling stream was very pleasing and grateful to their senses. On each side of them, beyond the dusty highway, stretched out broad fields of tender young corn, and on Yon's side of the fields up rose the sturdy oaks and beaches and ashes of the forest. While at their feet modest violets peeped out shyly and greeted the loiterers with an odor which made the heart glad. Over on the far side of the brook in a tiny bay floated three lily pads, and from amid some clover blossoms on the bank an industrious bee rose with the home of busy contentment. It was a day so brimful of quiet joy that the two friends lay flat on their backs, gazing up at the scurrying clouds and neither caring to break the silence. Presently they heard someone coming up the road whistling gaily as though he owned the whole world and was what made to whistle in. Anon he chanted around a lay with a merry note. By my troth, a gay bird, quote Robin, raising up on his elbow, let us lie still and trust that his purse is not as light as his heart. So they lay still, and in a minute more came a smart stranger dressed in scarlet and silk and wearing a jaunty hat with a curling cock feather in it. His whole costume was of scarlet, from the feather to the silk hose on his legs. A goodly sword hung at his side, it scabbard all embossed with tilting knights and weeping ladies. His hair was long and yellow and hung clustering about his shoulders for all the world like a schoolgirls. And he bore himself with as mincing a gate as the pertest of them. Little John clucked his teeth droly at this sight. By my troth, a gay bird, he said echoing the other's words, then added, but not so bad a build for all his prettiness. Look, you, those calves and thighs are well rounded and straight, the arms, for all that gold-wrought cloak, hang stoutly from full shoulders. I warrant you the fat can use his dainty sword right well on occasion. Nay, retorted Robin, he is not but a lady's man from court. My longbow against a plugged shilling that he would run and bellow lustily at sight of a quarterstaff. Stay you behind this bush and I will soon get some rare sport out of him. Be like his silk purse may contain more pennies than the law allows to one man in Sherwood or Barnsdale. So saying, Robin hood stepped forth briskly from the covert and planted himself in the way of the Scarlet Stranger. The latter had walked so slowly that he was scarce come to their resting place, and now, on beholding Robin, he neither slackened nor quickened his pace, but sauntered idly straight ahead, looking to the right and to the left with the finest air in the world, but never once at Robin. Hold, quote the outlaw, what mean ye by running thus over a wayfarer, roughshod? Wherefore should I hold, good fellow? said the stranger in a smooth voice, and looking at Robin for the first time. Because I bid you to, replied Robin. And who may you be? asked the other as coolly as you please. What my name is matters not, said Robin, but know that I am a public tax-gatherer and equalizer of shillings. If your purse have more than a just number of shillings or pence, I must enlighten it somewhat, for there are many worthy people round about these borders who have less than the just amount. Wherefore, sweet gentleman, I pray you hand over your purse without more adieu, that I may judge of its weight in proper fashion. The other smiled as sweetly as though a lady were paying him a compliment. You are a droll fellow, he said calmly. Your speech amuses me mightily. Pray continue, if you have not done, for I am in no hurry this morning. I have said all with my tongue that is needful, retorted Robin, beginning to grow red under the collar. Naith less, I have other arguments which may not be so pleasing to your dainty skin. Prithee, stand and deliver. I promise to deal fairly with the purse. A lack a day, said the stranger with a shrug of his shoulders, I am deeply sorrowful that I cannot show my purse to every rough lout that asks to see it. But I really could not, as I have further need of it myself and every farthing it contains. Wherefore, pray stand aside. Nay, that I will not, and will go the harder with you if you do not yield at once. Good fellow, said the other gently, have I not heard all your speech with patience? Now that is all I promise to do. My conscience is solved, and I must go on my way. To roll a rolly loo, he careled, making as though to depart. Hold, I say, quote Robin Hotley, for he knew how little John must be chuckling at this from behind the bushes. Hold, I say, else I shall have to bloody those fair locks of yours. And he swung his quarterstaff threateningly. Alas, moaned the stranger shaking his head, the pity of it all. Now I shall have to run this fellow through with my sword, and I hope to be a peaceable man henceforth. And sighing deeply he drew his shining blade and stood on guard. Put by your weapon, said Robin. It is too pretty a piece of steel to get cracked with common oak cudgel, and that is what would happen on the first pass I made at you. Get you a stick like mine out of yarn undergrowth, and we will fight fairly, man to man. The stranger thought a moment with his usual slowness, and eyed Robin from head to foot. Then he unbuckled his scabbard, laid it and the sword aside, and walked deliberately over to the oak thicket. Choosing from among the shoots and saplings, he found a stout little tree to his liking, when he laid hold of it without stopping to cut it and gave a tug. Up it came, root and awe, as though it were a stalk of corn, and the stranger walked back trimming it as quietly as though pulling up trees were the easiest thing in the world. Little John from his hiding place saw this feat and could hardly restrain a long whistle. By our lady, he muttered to himself, I would not be in Master Robin's boots. Whatever Robin thought upon seeing the stranger's strength, he uttered not a word and budged not an inch. He only put his oak staff at Perry as the other took his stand. There was a threefold surprise that day by the Brookside. The stranger and Robin and Little John in the bushes all found a combat that upset all reckoning. The stranger for all his easy strength and cool nerve found an antagonist who met his blows with the skill of a woodman. Robin found the stranger as hard to hit as though fenced in by an oak hedge, while Little John rolled over and over in silent joy. Back and forth swayed the fighters, their cudgels pounding this way and that, knocking off splinters and bark, and threatening direst damage to bone and muscle and skin. Back and forth they pranced, kicking up a cloud of dust and gasping for fresh air. From a little way off you would have vowed that these two men were trying to put out a fire, so thickly hung the cloud of battle over them. Thrice did Robin smite the Scarlet Man with such blows that a less stout fellow must have bowled over. Only twice did the Scarlet Man smite Robin, but the second blow was like to finish him. The first had been delivered over the knuckles, and though it was a glancing stroke, it well nigh broke Robin's fingers, so that he could not easily raise his staff again. And while he was dancing about in pain and muttering a dust-covered oath, the other staff came swinging through the cloud at one side, zip, and struck him under the arm. Down went Robin, as though he were a nine pin, flat down into the dust of the road. But despite the pain he was bounding up again like an Indian rubberman to renew the attack, when little John interfered. Hold! said he, bursting out of the bushes and seizing the stranger's weapon. Hold, I say! Nay! retorted the stranger quietly. I was not offering to smite him while he was down, but if there be a wholeness of you hatching here by the water side, click out the other chicks, and I'll make shift to fight them all. Not for all the deer in Sherwood, cried Robin. You are a good fellow and a gentleman. I'll fight no more with you, for verily I feel sore in wrist and body, nor shall any of mine molest you henceforth. Soothed to say, Robin did not look in good fighting trim. His clothes were coated with dirt. One of his hosin had slipped halfway down from his knee, the sleeve of his jerkin was split, and his face was streaked with sweat and dirt. Little John eyed him drooly. How now, good master, quote he, the sport you were to kick up has left you in sorry plight. Let me dust your coat for you. Mary, it has been dusted enough already, replied Robin, and I now believe the scripture saying that all men are but dust, for it has sifted me through and through and lined my gullet an inch deep. By your leave, and he went to the brookside and drank deep and laved his face in hands. All this while the stranger had been eyeing Robin attentively and listening to his voice as though striving to recall it. If I mistake not, he said slowly at last, you are that famous outlaw, Robin Hood of Barnsdale. You say right, replied Robin, but my fame has been tumbling sadly about in the dust today. Now why did I not know you at once, continued the stranger. This battle need not have happened, for I came abroad to find you today and thought to have remembered your face and speech. Know you not me, Rob my lad? Hast ever been to Gamewell Lodge? Ha, Will Gamewell, my dear old chum, Will Gamewell, shouted Robin, throwing his arms about the other in sheer affection. What an ass I was not to recognize you, but it has been years since we parted and your gentle schooling has polished you off mightily. Will embraced his cousin no less heartily. We are quits on not knowing kinsmen, he said, for you have changed and strengthened much from the stripling with whom I used to run foot races in old Sherwood. But why seek you me? asked Robin. You know I am an outlaw and dangerous company, and how left you, my uncle, and have you heard aught of late of, of Maid Marion? Your last question first, answered Will, laughing, for I perceive that it lies nearest your heart. I saw Maid Marion not many weeks after the great shooting at Nottingham, when you one heard the golden arrow. She prizes the bobble among her dearest possessions, though it has made her an enemy in the sheriff's proud daughter. Maid Marion bade me tell you, if I ever saw you, that she must return to Queen Eleanor's court, but she could never forget the happy days in the Greenwood. As for the old squire, he is still hail and hearty, though rheumatic with awe. He speaks of you as a sad young dog, but for all that is secretly proud of your skill at the bow and of the way you are pestering the sheriff whom he likes not. It was for my father's sake that I am now in the open and outlaw like yourself. He has had a steward, a surly fellow enough, who, while I was away at school, bootlick his way to favor until he lorded it over the whole house. Then he grew right saucy and impudent, but my father minded it not, deeming the fellow indispensable in managing the estate. But when I came back it irked me sorely to see the fellow strut about as though he owned the place. He was sly enough with me at first, and would browbeat the squire only when I was out of earshot. It chanced one day, however, that I heard loud voices through an open window and paused to hearken. That vile servant called my father a meddling old fool. Fool and meddler are thou thyself, farlet, I shouted, springing through the window. That for thy impudence. And in my heat I smote him a blow mightier than I intended, for I have some strength in my arm. The fellow rolled over and never breathed afterwards. I think I broke his neck, or something the like. Then I knew that the sheriff would use this as a pretext to hound my father if I tarried, so I bade the squire farewell and told him I would seek you in Sherwood. Now buy my halodome, said Robin Hood. For a man escaping the law, you took it about as coolly as one could wish. To see you come tripping along, decked out in all your gay plumage, and trolling forth around allay, one would think you had not a care in all the world. Indeed, I remarked to Little John, here that I hoped your purse was not as light as your heart. Be like you meant head, laughed Will. And is this Little John the great? Shake hands with me and you will, and promise me to cross the staff with me in friendly bouts some day in the forest. That will I, quote Little John Harley. Here's my hand on it. What is your last name again, say you? Tis to be changed, interposed Robin. Then shall the men armed with warrants go hang for all of us. Let me be think myself. Ah, I have it. In Scarlet he came to us, and that shall be his name henceforth. Welcome to the Greenwood, Will Scarlet. I welcome Will Scarlet, said Little John, and they all clasped hands again, and swore to be true each to the other, and to Robin Hood's men in Sherwood Forest. So ends Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpaden This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. How Robin Hood Met Friar Tuck The Friar took Robin Hood on his back, deep water he did bestride, and spake neither good word nor bad, till he came at the other side. In the summer time when leaves grow green, and flowers are fresh and gay, Robin Hood and his merry men were all disposed to play. Thus runs a quaint old ballad, which begins the next adventure. Then some would leap, and some would run, and some try archery, and some ply the quarter staff, and some fall too with the good broadsword. Some again would try around at Buffett and Fisticuff, and thus by every variety of sport and exercise, they perfected themselves in skill, and made the band and its prowess well known throughout all England. It had been a custom of Robin Hood's to pick out the best men in all the countryside. Whenever he heard of one more than usually skilled in any feat of arms, he would seek the man, and test him in personal encounter, which did not always end happily for Robin. And when he found a man to his liking, he offered him service with the bold fellows of Sherwood Forest. Thus it came about that one day after a practice at shooting, in which little John struck down a heart at 500 feet distance, Robin Hood was vain to boast. God's blessing on your heart, he cried, clapping the burly fellow on the shoulder, I would travel a hundred miles to find one who could match you. At this will Scarlet laugh full roundly. There lives a Kurtall friar in Fountain's Abbey, tucked by name, who can beat both him and you, he said. Robin pricked up his ears at this free speech. By our lady, he said, I'll neither eat nor drink till I see this same friar. And with his usual impetuosity, he at once set about arming himself for the adventure. On his head he placed a cap of steel. Underneath his Lincoln green, he wore a coat of chain metal. Then with sword and buckler, girded at his side, he made a goodly show. But he also took with him his stout U-bow and a sheaf of chosen arrows. So he set forth upon his way with Blythe heart. For it was a day when the whole face of the earth seemed glad and rejoicing in pulsing life. Steadily he pressed forward by winding ways till he came to a green broad pastureland at whose edge flowed a stream dipping in and out among the willows and rushes on the banks. A pleasant stream it was, but it flowed calmly as though of some depth in the middle. Robin did not fancy getting his feet wet or his fine suit of mail rusted, so he paused on the hither bank to rest and take his bearings. As he sat down quietly under the shade of a drooping willow, he heard snatches of a jovial song floating to him from the farther side. Then came a sound of two men's voices arguing. One was upholding the merits of hasty pudding and the other stood out stoutly for meat pie. Especially, quote this one, when flavored with young onions. Gray mercy muttered Robin to himself. That is a tantalizing speech to a hungry man. But, odds bodkins, did ever two men talk more alike than those two fellows yonder? In truth, Robin could well marvel at the speech, for the voices were curiously alike. Presently the willows parted on the other bank and Robin could hardly forbear a laughing outright. His mystery was explained. It was not two men who had done all this singing and talking, but one, and that one, a stout, fertile friar who wore a long cloak over his portly frame, tied with a cord in the middle. On his head was a knight's helmet, and in his hand was a no more warlike weapon than a huge pasty pie, with which he sat down by the water's edge. His twofold argument was finished. The meat pie had triumphed, and no wonder, for it was the present witness, soon to give its own testimony. But first the friar took off his helmet to cool his head, and a drool picture he made. His head was as round as an apple, and eek as smooth in spots. A fringe of close curling black hair grew round the base of his skull, but his crown was bare and shiny as an egg. His cheeks also were smooth and red and shiny, and his little gray eyes danced about with the funniest air imaginable. You would not have blamed Robin Hood for wanting to laugh, had you heard this serious, two-faced talk, and then seen this jovial one-faced man. Good humor and fat living stood out all over him. Yet for all that, he looked stout enough and able to take care of himself with any man. His short neck was thick, like that of a Berkshire bull. His shoulders were set far back, and his arms sprouted therefrom like two oak limbs. As he sat him down, the cloak fell apart, disclosing a sword and buckler as stout as Robin's own. Naveless, Robin was not dismayed at sight of the weapons. Instead, his heart fell within him when he saw the meat pie, which was now in fair way to be devoured before his very eyes. For the friar lost no time in thrusting one hand deep into the pie while he crossed himself with the other. Thereupon, Robin seized his bow and fitted a shaft. Hey, friar, he sang out, carry me over the water, or else I cannot answer for your safety. The other started at the unexpected greeting and laid his hand upon his sword. Then he looked up and beheld Robin's arrow pointing full upon him. Put down your bow, fellow, he shouted back, and I will bring you over the brook. Tis our duty in life to help each other, and your keen shaft shows me that you are a man worthy of some attention. So the friar knight got him up gravely, though his eyes twinkled with a cunning light, and laid aside his beloved pie and his cloak and his sword and buckler, and waded across the stream with waddling dignity. Then he took Robinhood upon his back and spoke neither good word nor bad till he came to the other side. Lightly leaped Robin off his back and said, I am much beholden to you, good father. Beholden, say you, rejoin the other drawing his sword, then by my faith you shall even repay your score. Now mine own affairs, which are of a spiritual kind, and much more important than yours, which are carnal, lie on the other side of the stream. I see that you are a likely man, and one, moreover, who would not refuse to serve the church. I must therefore pray of you that whatsoever I have done unto you, you will also do unto me. In short, my son, you must even carry me back again. Courteously enough was this said, but so suddenly had the friar drawn his sword, that Robin had no time to unsling his bow from his back, whether he had placed it to avoid getting it wet, or to unfasten his scabbard, so he was famed to temporize. Nay, good father, but I shall get my feet wet, he commenced. Are your feet any better than mine, retorted the other? I fear now that I have already wetted myself so sadly as to lay in a store of rheumatic pains by way of penance. I am not so strong as you, continued Robin, that helmet and sword and buckler would be my undoing on an uncertain footing amidst stream, to say nothing of your holy flesh and bones. Then I will lighten up somewhat, replied the other calmly, promise to carry me across, and I will lay aside my war gear. Agreed, said Robin, and the friar thereupon stripped himself, and Robin bent his stout back and took him up even as he had promised. Now the stones at the bottom of the stream were round and slippery, and the currents swept along strongly, waist deep in the middle. Moreover, Robin had a heavier load than the other had borne, nor did he know the ford. So he went stumbling along now, stepping into a deep hole, now stumbling over a boulder in a manner that threatened to unseat his rider, or plunge them both clear under current. But the fat friar hung on and dug his heels into his steed's ribs, in as gallant manner as if he were riding in a tournament. While as for poor Robin, the sweat ran down him in torrents, and he gasped like the winded horse he was, but at last he managed to stay her out on the bank and deposit his unwieldy load. No sooner had he sat the friar down than he seized his own sword. Now, holy friar, quote he, panting and wiping the sweat from his brow, what say the scriptures that you quote so glibly? Be not wary of well-doing, you must carry me back again, or I swear that I will make a cheesecloth out of your jacket. The friar's gray eyes once more twinkled with a cunning gleam that boated no good to Robin, but his voice was as calm and courteous as ever. Your wits are keen, my son, he said, and I see that the waters of the stream have not quenched your spirit. Once more will I bend my back to the oppressor and carry the weight of the haughty. So Robin mounted again in high glee, and carried his sword in his hand and went prepared to tarry upon the other side. But while he was befinking himself what great words to use when he should arrive thither, he felt himself slipping from the friar's broad back. He clutched frantically to save himself, but had too round a surface to grasp, besides being hampered by his weapon, so down went he with a loud splash into the middle of the stream where the crafty friar had conveyed him. There, quote the holy man, choose you, choose you, my fine fellow, whether you will sink or swim. And he gained his own bank without more adieu, while Robin thrashed and spluttered about until he made shift to grasp a willow wand and thus hauled himself ashore on the other side. Then Robin's rage waxed furious, despite his wedding, and he took his bow and arrows and let fly one shaft after another at the worthy friar. But they rattled harmlessly off his steel buckler, while he laughed and minded them no more than if they had been hailstones. Shoot on, shoot on, good fellow, he sang out. Shoot as you have begun. If you shoot here a summer's day, your mark I will not shun. So Robin shot and passing well till all his arrows were gone, when from very rage he began to revile him. You bloody villain, shouted he, you psalm singing hypocrite, you reviler of good hasty pudding. Come but within reach of my sword arm and friar or no friar, I'll shave your tanchers closer than ever ball-pated monk was shaven before. Soft you and fair, said the friar unconcernedly, hard words are cheap and you may need your win presently and you would like about with swords, meet me halfway in the stream. And with this speech the friar waited into the brook, sword in hand, where he was met halfway by the impetus outlaw. Thereupon began a fierce and mighty battle, up and down in and out, back and forth they fought. The swords flashed in the rays of the declining sun and then met with a clash that would have shivered less sturdy weapons or disarmed less sturdy wielders. Many a smart blow was landed, but each perceived that the other wore an undercoat of linked mail which might not be pierced. Naithless their ribs ached at the force of the blows. Once and again they paused by mutual consent and caught breath and looked hard each at the other, for never had either met so stout a fellow. Finally in a furious onslaught of lunge and parry, Robin's foot stepped on a rolling stone and he went down upon his knees. But his antagonist would not take this advantage. He paused until Robin should get upon his feet. Now, by our lady, cried the outlaw, using his favorite oath, you are the fair swordsmen that I have met in many a long day. I would beg a boon of you. What is it? said the other. Give me lead to set my horn to my mouth and blow three blasts thereon. That will I do, said the curtall friar. Blow till your breath fails and it please you. Then, says the old ballad, Robin Hood set his horn to mouth and blew mighty blast, and half a hundred yeoman, Beau's bent, came raking over the lee. Whose men are these, said the friar, that come so hastily? These men are mine, said Robin Hood, feeling that his time to laugh was come at last. Then said the friar in his turn, a boon, a boon, the like I give to you. Give me lead to set my fist to my mouth and whistle three blasts thereon. That will I do, said Robin, or else I were lacking in courtesy. The friar set his fist to his mouth and put the horn to shame by the piercing whistles he blew, whereupon half a hundred great dogs came running and jumping so swiftly that they had reached their bank as soon as Robin Hood's men had reached his side. Then followed a rare foolish conflict. Stutley, Much, Little John, and the other outlaws began sending their arrows whizzing toward the opposite bank, but the dogs, which were taut of the friar, dodged the missiles cleverly and ran and fetched them back again, just as the dogs of today catch sticks. I have never seen the like of this in my days, cried Little John, amazed. Tis rank sorcery in witchcraft. Take off your dogs, friar tuck, shouted Will Scarlett, who had but then run up, and who now stood laughing heartily at the scene. Friar tuck, exclaimed Robin astounded. Are you friar tuck? Then am I your friend? For you are he I came to seek. I am but a poor anchorite, a curtall friar, said the other whistling to his pack. By name, friar tuck of Fountainsdale. For seven years have I tended the Abbey here, preached a Sundays, and married and christened and buried folk, and fought too, if need were. And if it smacks not too much of boasting, I have not yet met the knight or trooper or yeoman that I would yield before, but yours is a stout blade. I would feign know you. Tis Robin Hood, the outlaw, who has been assisting you at this christening, said Will Scarlett, glancing roguishly at the two opponents' dripping garments, and at this sally the whole band burst into a shout of laughter in which Robin and Friar tuck joined. Robin Hood cried the good friar presently, holding his sides. Are you indeed that famous yeoman? Then I like you well, and had I known you earlier, would have both carried you across and shared my pasty pie with you. To speak soothly, replied Robin Gailey, was the same pie that led me to be rude. Now, therefore, bring it and your dogs and repair with us to the Greenwood. We have need of you. With this message came I today to seek you. We will build you a hermitage and sure would forest, and you shall keep us from evil ways. Will you not join our band? Mary, that will I, cried Friar tuck jovally. Once more will I cross this much-beforeted stream and go with you to the good Greenwood. So ends Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpaden This Librivox recording is in the public domain. How Alan Adele's wooing was prospered. What is thy name? then said Robin Hood. Come tell me without any fail. By the faith of my body, then said the young man, my name it is Alan Adele. Friar tuck and much, the miller's son, soon became right good friends over the steaming stew they jointly prepared for the merry men that evening. Tuck was mightily pleased when he found a man in the forest who could make pasties and who had cooked for no less person than the high sheriff himself. While much marveled at the Friar's knowledge of herbs and symbols and woodland things which savored a stew greatly, so they gabbled together like two old gossips and between them made such a tasty mess that Robin Hood and his stout followers were like never to leave off eating. And the Friar said grace too with great unction over the food and Robin said amen and that henceforth they were always to have mass of Sundays. So Robin walked forth into the wood that evening with his stomach full and his heart therefore in great contentment and love for other men. He did not stop the first passerby as his manner often was and desire a fight. Instead he stepped behind a tree when he heard a man's voice in song and waited to behold the singer. Perhaps he remembered also the merry chanting of Will Scarlett and how he had tried to give it pause a few days before. Like Will, this fellow was clad in Scarlett though he did not look quite as fine a gentleman. Naveless he was a sturdy yeoman of honest face and a voice far sweeter than Will's. He seemed to be a strolling minstrel for he bore a harp in his hand which he thrummed while his lusty tenor voice rang out with hey down and a down and a down I have a lassie back in the town come day come night come dark or light she will wed me back in the town. Robin let the singer pass Caroline on his way. He is not in me to disturb a lighthearted lover this night. He muttered a memory of Marion coming back to him. Pray heaven she may be true to him and the wedding a gay one back in the town. So Robin went back to his camp where he told of the minstrel. If any of ye set on him after this quote he in ending bring him to me for I would have speech with him. The very next day his wish was gratified. Little John and much the Miller's son were out together on a foraging expedition when they aspired the same young man. At least they thought it must be he for he was clad in scarlet and carried a harp in his hand. But now he came drooping along the way. His scarlet was all in tatters and at every step he fetched a sigh a lack and a well a day. Then stepped forth little John and much the Miller's son. Oh do not wet the earth with your weeping said little John else we shall all have lumbago. No sooner did the young man catch sight of them than he bent his bow and held an arrow back to his ear. Stand off stand off. He said what is your will with me. Put by your weapon said much. We will not harm you but you must come before our master straight under Yon Greenwood tree. So the minstrel put by his bow and suffered himself to be led before Robin Hood. How now quote Robin when he beheld his sorry continents are you not he whom I heard no longer ago than yesterday night caroling so blithely about Alassi back in the town. The same in body good sir replied the other sadly but my spirit is grievously changed. Tell me your tale said Robin courteously be like I can help you. That can no man on earth I fear said the stranger. Naveless I'll tell you the tale. Yesterday I stood pledged to a maid and thought soon to wet her but she has been taken from me and is to become an old night's bride this very day and as for me I care not what ending comes to my days or how soon without her. Mary come up said Robin. How got the old night so sudden vantage. Look you worshiped is this way. The Normans overrun us and are in such great favor that none may say them nay. This old return crusader coveted the land where on my lady dwells. The estate is not large but all in her own right. Whereupon her brother says she shall wed a title and he and the old night have fixed it up for today. Nay but surely began Robin. Hear me out worship said the other. Be like you think me a sorry dog not to make fight of this but the old night look you is not come addable. I threw one of his violets into a thorn hedge and another into a water but and a third landed headfirst into a ditch but I couldn't do any fighting at all. Tis a pity, quoth little John Gravely. He had been sitting cross-legged listening to this tale of woe. What think you friar-tuck doth not a bit of fighting ease a man's mind? Bloodletting is oft times recommended of the leeches, replied Tuck. Does the maid love you? asked Robin Hood. By our troth she loved me right well, said the minstrel. I have a little ring of hers by me which I have kept for seven long years. What is your name? then said Robin Hood. By the faith of my body, replied the young man, my name is Allen Adale. What will you give me, Allen Adale? said Robin Hood, in ready gold or fee to help you to your true love again and deliver her back unto you. I have no money, save only five shillings, quoth Allen, but are you not Robin Hood? Robin nodded. Then you, if anyone can aid me, said Allen Adale eagerly, and if you give me back my love, I swear upon the book that I will be your true servant for ever after. Where is this wedding to take place and when? asked Robin. At Plimpton Church, scarce five miles from here at three o'clock of the afternoon. Then to Plimpton we will go, cried Robin, suddenly springing into action, and he gave out orders like a general. Will Steli, do you have four and twenty good men or against Plimpton Church against three o'clock of the afternoon? Much good fellow, do you cook up some porridge for this youth, for he must have a good round stomach, I, and a bitter gear. Will Scarlett, you will see to decking him out bravly for the nonce, and Fryer Tuck, hold yourself in readiness, good book in hand at the church, may Hap you had best go ahead of us all. The fat bishop of Herford was full of pomp and importance that day at Plimpton Church. He was to celebrate the marriage of an old knight, a returned crusader, and a landed young woman, and all the gentry there about were to grace the occasion with their presence. The church itself was gaily festooned with flowers for the ceremony, while out in the churchyard at one side, brown ale flowed freely for all the servitors. Already were the guests beginning to assemble, when the bishop, back in the vestry, saw a minstrel clad in green walk up boldly to the door and peer within. It was Robin Hood, who had borrowed Allen's bereaved heart for the time. Now who are you fellow, quote the bishop, and what do you hear at the church door with your harp and saucy air? May it please your reverence, returned Robin, bowing very humbly. I am but a strolling harper, yet likened the best in the whole North Country, and I had hoped that my thrumming might add zest to the wedding today. What tune can you harp? demanded the bishop. I can harp a tune so merry that a forlorn lover will forget he is jilted, said Robin. I can harp another tune that will make a bride forsake her lord at the altar. I can harp another tune that will bring loving souls together, though they were uphill and down dale five good miles away from each other. Then welcome, good minstrel, said the bishop. Music pleases me right well, and if you can play up to your prattle, it will indeed grace your ceremony. Let us have a sample of your wares. Nay, I must not put finger to string until the bride and groom have come. Such a thing would ill fortune both us and them. Have it as you will, said the bishop. But here comes the party now. Then up the lane to the church came the old night, preceded by ten archers liveryed in scarlet and gold, a brave sight the archers made, but their master walked slowly, leaning upon a cane and shaking as though in a palsy. And after them came a sweet lass leaning upon her brother's arm. Her hair did shine like glistening gold, and her eyes were like blue violets that peep out shyly at the sun. The color came and went in her cheeks, like that tinting of a seashell, and her face was flushed as though she had been weeping. But now she walked with a proud air as though she defied the world to crush her spirit. She had but two maids with her, finnican lasses, with black eyes and broad bosoms, who set off their ladies more delicate beauty well. One held up the bride's gown from the ground, the other carried flowers in plenty. Now by all the wedding bells that ever were rung, quote Robin Boldly, this is the worst matched pair that ever mine eyes beheld. Silence, miscreant, said a man who stood near. The bishop had hurriedly donned his gown and now stood ready to meet the couple at the chancel. But Robin paid no heed to him. He let the night and his ten archers pass by, then he strode up to the bride and placed himself on the other side from her brother. Courage, lady, he whispered, there is another minstrel near who may have played more to your liking. The lady glanced at him with a frightened air, but read such honesty and kindness in his glance that she brightened and gave him a grateful look. Stand aside, fool, cried the brother wrathfully. Nay, but I am to bring good fortune to the bride by accompanying her through the church doors, said Robin, laughing. Thereupon he was allowed to walk by her side unmolested, up to the chancel with the party. Now strike up your music, fellow, ordered the bishop. Right gladly will I, quote Robin, and you will let me choose my instrument, for sometimes I like the harp, and other times I think the horn makes the merriest music in all the world. And he drew forth his bugle from underneath his green cloak and blew three winding notes that made the church rafters ring again. Seize him, yelled the bishop. There's mischief afoot. These are the tricks of Robinhood. The ten liveried archers rushed forward from the rear of the church where they had been stationed. But their rush was blocked by the onlookers who now rose from their pews in alarm and crowded the aisles. Meanwhile, Robin had leaped lightly over the chancel rail and stationed himself in a nook by the altar. Stand where you are, he shouted, drawing his bow. The first man to pass the rail dies the death. And all ye who have come to witness a wedding stay in your seats. We shall even have one, since we are come into the church. But the bride shall choose her own swing. Then up rose another great commotion at the door, and four and twenty good bowmen came marching in with Will Stutley at their head, and they seized the ten liveried archers and the bride's scowling brother and the other men on guard and bound them prisoners. Then in came Alan Adale, decked out gaily with Will Scarlett for best man, and they walked gravely down the aisle and stood over against the chancel. Before a maiden wedged she chooses, and the laws of Good King Harry be just ones, said Robin. Now maiden, before this wedding continues, whom will you have to husband? The maiden answered not in words, but smiled with a glad light in her eyes and walked over to Alan and clasped her arms about his neck. That is her true love, said Robin, young Alan instead of the gouty knight, and the true lovers shall be married at this time before we depart away. Now, my Lord Bishop, proceed with the ceremony. Nay, that shall not be protested the bishop. The veins must be cried three times in the church. Such is the law of our land. Come here, little John, called Robin impatiently, and plucked off the bishop's frock from his back and put it on the yeoman. Now the bishop was short and fat, and little John was long and lean. The gown hung loosely over little John's shoulders and came only to his waist. He was a fine comical sight, and the people began to laugh consumedly at him. By the faith of my body, said Robin, this cloth makes you a man. You are the finest bishop that ever I saw in my life. Now cry the veins. So little John clamored awkwardly into the choir, his short gown fluttering gaily, and he called the veins for the marriage of the maid and Alan Adele once, twice, and thrice. That's not enough, said Robin. Your gown is so short that you must talk longer. Then little John asked him in the church four, five, six, and seven times. Good enough, said Robin. Now be like I see a worthy friar in the back of this church who can say a better service than ever my Lord Bishop of Herford. My Lord Bishop shall be witness and seal the papers, but do you, good friar, blessed as pair with book and candle. So friar Tuck, who all along had been back in one corner of the church, came forward, and Alan and his maid kneeled before him, while the old knight held an unwilling witness, gnashed his teeth in impotent rage, and the friar began with the ceremony. When he asked, who giveth this woman, Robin stepped up and answered in a clear voice, I do, I, Robin Hood of Barnsdale and Sherwood, and he who takes her from Alan Adele shall buy her full dearly. So the twain were declared man and wife and duly blessed, and the bride was kissed by each sturdy yeoman beginning with Robin Hood. Now I cannot end this jolly tale better than in the words of the ballad which came out of the happening and which has been sung in the villages and countryside ever since. And thus having end of this merry wedding, the bride looked like a queen, and so they returned to the merry Greenwood amongst the leaves so green. So ends Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpaden This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. How the widow's three sons were rescued Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone with a link, a down, and a down, and there he met with the proud sheriff was walking along the town. The wedding party was a merry one that left Plimpton Church I weaned, but not so merry were the ones left behind. My Lord Bishop Hurford was stuck up in the organ loft and left, gownless and fuming. The ten livereed archers were variously disposed about the church to keep him company. Two of them being locked in a tiny crypt, three in the belfry to ring us a wedding peel, as Robin said, and the others under choir seats or in the vestry. The bride's brother at her entreaty was released, but bidden not to return to the church that day or interfere with his sister again on pain of death. While the rusty old knight was forced to climb a high tree, where he sat insecurely perched among the branches, feebly cursing the party as it departed. It was then approaching sundown, but none of the retainers or villagers dared rescue the imprisoned ones that night for fear of Robin Hood's men. So it was not until sun up the next day that they were released. The bishop and the old knight, stiff as they were, did not delay longer than for breakfast, but so great was their rage and shame made straight to Nottingham and levied the sheriff's forces. The sheriff himself was not anxious to try conclusions again with Robin in the open. Perhaps he had some slight scruples regarding his oath, but the others swore that they would go straight to the king if he did not help them, so he was feigned to consent. A force of an hundred picked men from the royal foresters and swordsmen of the shire was gathered together and marched straight way into the greenwood. There, as fortune would have it, they surprised some score of outlaws hunting and instantly gave chase. But they could not surround the outlaws who kept well in the lead, ever in an arm dropping behind a log or boulder to speed back a shaft which meant mischief to the pursuers. One shaft, indeed, carried off the sheriff's hat and caused that worthy man to fall forward upon his horse's neck from sheer terror, while five other arrows landed in the fleshy parts of forester's arms. But the attacking party was not wholly unsuccessful. One outlaw in his flight stumbled and fell when two others instantly stopped and helped to put him on his feet again. They were the widow's three sons, Stout Will and Lester and John. The pause was an unlucky one for them as a party of sheriff's men got above them and cut them off from their fellows. Swordsmen came up in the rear and they were soon hemmed in on every side. But they gave good account of themselves and before they had been overborn by force of numbers they had killed two and disabled three more. The infuriated attackers were almost on the point of hewing the Stout outlaws to pieces when the sheriff cried, hold, find the villains, we will follow the law in this and take them to the town jail. But I promise ye the biggest public hanging that has been seen in this shire for many changes of the moon. So they bound the widow's three sons and carried them back speedily to Nottingham. Now Robin had not chance to be near the scene of the fight or with his men. So for a time he heard nothing of the happening. But that evening while returning to the camp he was met by the widow herself who came weeping along the way. What news, what news good woman said Robin hastily but courteously for he liked her well. God save ye master Robin said the dame wildly. God keep ye from the fate that has met my three sons. The sheriff has laid hands on them and they are condemned to die. Now by our lady that cuts me to the heart. Stout Will and Lester and Mary John the earliest friends I had in the band and still among the bravest it must not be. When is this hanging set? Middle of the tinker tells me that it is for tomorrow noon replied the dame. By the truth of my body you could not tell me in better time. The memory of the old days when you freely bade me sup and dine would spur me on even if three of the bravest lads and all the shire were not imperiled. Trust me good woman. The old widow threw herself on the ground and embraced his knees. The dire danger I am asking need to face she said weeping and yet I knew your brave true heart would answer me. Heaven help ye good master Robin to answer a poor widow's prayers. Then Robin Hood sped straight away to the forest camp where he heard the details of the skirmish. How that his men had been outnumbered five to one but got off safely as they thought until a count of their members had shown the loss of the widow's three sons. We must rescue them my men quote Robin even from out the shadow of the rope itself. Whereupon the band set to work to devise ways and means. Robin walked apart a little way with his head leaned thoughtfully upon his breast for he was sore troubled. When whom should he meet but an old begging Palmer one of a devout order which made pilgrimages and wandered from place to place supported by charity. This old fellow walked boldly up to Robin and asked alms of him since Robin had been want to aid members of his order. What news what news this foolish old man said Robin what news I do the pray. Three squires in Nottingham town quote the Palmer are condemned to die be like that is greater news than the shire has had in some Sundays. Then Robin's long sought idea came to him like a flash. Change change I apparel with me old man he said and I'll give the 40 shillings in good silver to spend in beer or wine. Oh thine apparel is good the Palmer protested and mine is ragged and torn the holy church teaches that thou shalt snare laugh an old man to scorn. I am in simple earnest I say come change thine apparel with mine here are 20 pieces of good broad gold defeat thy brethren right royally. So the Palmer was persuaded and Robin put on the old man's hat which stood full high in the crown and his cloak patched with black and blue and red like Joseph's coat of many colors in its old age and his britches which had been sewed over with so many patterns that the original was scarce discernible and his tattered hose and his shoes cobbled above and below and while as he made the change in dress he made so many whimsical comments also about a man's pride and the dress that makes a man that the Palmer was like to choke with cackling laughter. I warrant you the two were comical sites when they parted company that day naveless Robin's own mother would not have known him had she been living the next morning the whole town of Nottingham was early a stir and as soon as the gates were open country folk began to pour in for a triple hanging was not held there every day in the week and the bustle almost equated a fair day Robin Hood in his Palmer's disguise was one of the first ones to enter the gates and he strolled up and down and around the town as though he had never been there before in all his life presently he came to the marketplace and beheld thereon three gallows erected who are these building for my son asked he of a rough soldier standing by for three of Robin Hood's men answered the other and it were Robin himself would be thrice as high I warrant ye but Robin is too smart to get within the sheriff's clutches again the Palmer crossed himself they say that he is a bold fellow he warned ha said the soldier he may be bold enough out behind stumps in the forest but the open marketplace is another matter who is to hang these three poor wretches asked the Palmer that hath the sheriff not decided but here he comes now to answer his own questions and the soldier came to stiff attention as the sheriff and his bodyguard stalked pompously up to inspect the gallows oh heaven save you worshipful sheriff said the Palmer heaven protect you what will you give a silly old man today to be your hangman who are you fellow asked the sheriff sharply not save a poor old Palmer but I can shrift their souls and hang their bodies most devoutly very good replied the other the fee today is 13 pence and I will add their unto some suits of clothing for that ragged back of yours God bless ye said the Palmer and he went with the soldier to the jail to prepare his three men for execution just before the stroke of noon the doors of the prison opened and the procession of the condemned came forth down through the long lines of packed people they walked to the marketplace the Palmer in the lead and the widow's three sons marching firmly erect between soldiers at the gallows foot they halted the Palmer whispered to them as though offering last words of consolation and the three men with arms bound tightly behind their backs ascended the scaffold followed by their confessor then robin stepped to the edge of the scaffold while the people grew still as death for they desired to hear the last words uttered to the victims but robin's voice did not quaver forth weakly as formerly and his figure had stiffened bolt upright beneath the black robe that covered his rags hark ye proud sheriff he cried I was never a hangman in all my life nor do I now intend to begin that trade a cursed be he who first set the fashion of hanging I have but three more words to say listen to them and forth from the robe he drew his horn and blew three loud blasts there on then his keen hunting knife flew forth and in a trice stout will Lester and Mary John were free men and had sprung forward and seized the halberds from the nearest soldiers guarding the gallows seized them tis robin hood screamed the sheriff and hundred pounds if he hold them dead or alive I make it 200 roared the fat bishop but their voices were drowned in the uproar that ensued immediately after robin blew his horn he himself had drawn his sword and leaped down the stairs from the scaffold followed by his three men the guard had closed around them in vain effort to disarm them when a rescuer shouted will stutley's clear voice on one side of them and a rescue bella little johns on the other and down through the terror-stricken crowd rushed four score men in lincoln green their force seeming twice that number in the confusion with swords drawn they fell upon the guard from every side at once there was a brief clash of hot weapons then the guard scattered wildly and robin hood's men formed in a compact mass around their leader and forced their way slowly down the marketplace seize them in the king's name shrieked the sheriff close the gates in truth the pearl would have been even greater had this last order been carried out but will scarlet and alana dale had foreseen that event and had already overpowered the two warders so the gates stood wide open and toward them the band of outlaws headed the soldiers rallied a force of twice their number and tried resolutely to pierce their center but the retreating force turned thrice and sent such valleys of keen arrows from their good you bows that they kept a distance between the two forces and thus the gate was reached and the long road leading up the hill and at last the protecting greenwood itself the soldiers dared come no farther and the widows three sons i warrant you sucked more heartily that night than ever before in their whole lives so ends chapter nine chapter 10 of robin hood by jay walker mcspaden this lever vox recording is in the public domain how a beggar filled the public eye good robin accost him in his way to see what he might be if any beggar had money he thought some part had he one bright morning soon after the stirring events told in the last chapter robin wandered forth alone down the road to barnsdale to see if ought had come of the sheriff's pursuit but all was still and serene and peaceful no one was in sight save a solitary beggar who came sturdily along his way in robin's direction the bigger caught sight of robin at the same moment as he emerged from the trees but gave no sign of having seen him he neither slackened nor quickened his pace but jogged forward merrily whistling as he came and beating time by punching holes in the dusty road with a stout pike staff in his hand the curious look of the fellow arrested robin's attention and he decided to stop and talk with him the fellow was bare-legged and bare-armed and wore a long shift of a shirt bassined with a belt about his neck hung a stout bulging bag which was buckled by a good piece of leather thong he had three hats upon his head together sticked fast he cared neither for the wind nor wet in lands where error he passed the fellow looked so fat and hearty and the wallet on his shoulders seemed so well filled that robin thought within himself ha this is a lucky beggar for me if any of them have money this is the chap and merri he should share it with us poorer bodies so he flourished his own stick and planted himself in the traveler's path sir raw fellow quote he wither away so fast terry for i would have speech with ye the beggar made as though he heard him not and kept straight on with his faring terry i say fellow said robin again for there's a way to make folks obey nay, tis not so answered the beggar speaking for the first time i obey no man in all england not even the king himself so let me pass on my way for tis growing late and i have still far to go before i can care for my stomach's good now buy my troth said robin once more getting in front of the other i see well by your fat countenance that you lack not for good food while i go hungry therefore you must lend me of your means till we meet again so that i may hide to the nearest tavern i have no money to lend said the beggar crossley me thinks you are as young a man as i and as well able to earn a supper so go your way and i'll go mine if you fast till you get ought out of me you'll go hungry for the next 12 months not while i have a stout stick to thwack your saucy bones cried robin stand and deliver i say or i'll dust your shirt for you and if that will not teach you manners then we'll see what a broad arrow can do with a beggar's skin the beggar smiled and answered boast with boast come on with your staff fellow i care no more for it than a pudding stick as for your pretty bow that for it and with amazing quickness he swung his pike staff around and knocked robin's bow clean out of his hand so that his fingers smarted with pain robin danced and tried to bring his own staff into action but the beggar never gave him a chance biff whack came the pike staff smiting him soundly and beating down his guard there were but two things to do either stand there and take a sound rubbing or beat a hasty retreat robin chose the latter as you or i would probably have done and scurried back into the wood blowing his horn as he went fi for shame man cheered the bold beggar after him what is your haste we had but just begun stay and take your money else you will never be able to pay your reckoning at the tavern but robin answered him never a word he fled uphill and down dale till he met three of his men who were running up and answered to his summons what is wrong may ask tis a saucy beggar said robin clutching his breath he is back there on the high road with the hardest stick i've met in a good many days he gave me no chance to reason with him the dirty scamp the men much and two of the widow's sons could scarce conceal their mirth at the thought of robin hood running from a beggar nay less they kept gray faces and asked their leader if he was hurt nay he replied but i shall speedily feel better if you will fetch me that same beggar and let me have a fair chance at him so the three yeoman made haste and came out upon the high road and followed after the beggar who was going smoothly along his way again as though he were at peace with all the world the easiest way to settle this beggar said much is to surprise him let us cut through yon neck of woods and come upon him before he is aware the others agreed to this and the three were soon close upon their prey now quote much and the other two sprang quickly upon the beggar's back and rested his pike staff from his hand at the same moment much drew his dagger and flashed it before the fellow's breast yield you my man cried he for a friend of ours awaits you in the wood to teach you how to fight properly give me a fair chance said the beggar valiantly and i'll fight you all at once but they would not listen to him instead they turned him about and began to march him toward the forest seeing that it was useless to struggle the beggar began to parley good my masters quote he why use this violence i will go with ye safe and quietly if ye insist but if ye will set me free i'll make it worth your while i have a hundred pounds in my bag here let me go my way and ye shall have all that's in the bag the three outlaws took counsel together at this what say you as much of the others our master will be more glad to see this beggar's wallet than his sorry face the other two agreed and the little party came to a halt and loosed hold of the beggar count out your gold speedily friend said much there was a brisk wind blowing and the beggar turned about to face it directly they had unhanded him it shall be done gossips said he one of you lend me your cloak and we will spread it upon the ground and put the wealth upon it the cloak was handed him and he placed his wallet upon it as though it were very heavy indeed then he crouched down and fumbled with the leather fastenings the outlaws also bent over and watched the proceeding closely least he should hide some of the money on his person presently he got the bag unfastened and plunged his hands into it forth from it he drew not chilling gold but handfuls of fine meal which he dassed into the eager faces of the men around him the wind aided him in this and soon there arose a blinding cloud which filled the eyes noses and mouths of the three outlaws till they could scarcely see or breathe while they gasped and choked and sputtered and felt around wildly for that rogue of a beggar he finished the job by picking up the cloak by its corners and shaking it vigorously in the faces of his suffering victims then he seized a stick which lay conveniently near and began to rain blows down upon their heads shoulders and sides all the time dancing first on one leg then on the other and crying villains rascals here are the hundred pounds I promised how do you like them I faith you'll get all that's in the bag whack whack whack whack went the stick emphasizing each word howls of pain might have gone up from the sufferers but they had too much meal in their throats for that their one thought was to flee and they stumbled off blindly down the road the beggar following them a little way to give them a few parting love taps fare you well my masters he said finally turn in the other way and when next I come along the barnsdale road I hope you will be able to tell gold from meal dust with this he departed an easy victor and again went whistling on his way while the three outlaws rubbed the meal out of their eyes and began to catch their breath again as soon as they could look around them clearly they beheld robin hood leaning against a tree trunk and surveying them smilingly he had recovered his own spirits in full measure on seeing their plight God save you gossips he said you must in soothe have gone the wrong way and been to the mill from the looks of your clothes then when they looked shame faced and answered never a word he went on in a soft voice did you see ought of that bold beggar I sent you for lately in soothe master responded much the miller's son we heard more of him than we saw him he filled us so full of meal that I shall sweat meal for a week I was born in a mill and had the smell of meal in my nostrils from my very birth you might say and yet never before did I see such a quantity of this stuff in so small space and he sneezed violently how was that asked robin demirly why we laid hold of the beggar as you did order when he offered to pay for his release out of the bag he carried upon his back the same I coveted both robin as if to himself so we agreed to this went on much and spread a cloak down and he opened his bag and shook it there on instantly a great cloud of meal filled the air whereby we could neither see nor breathe and in the midst of this cloud he vanished like a wizard but not before he left certain black and blue spots to be remembered by I see commented robin he was in league with the evil one said one of the widow's sons rubbing himself ruefully then robin laughed outright and sat him down upon the gnarled root of a tree to finish his merriment four bold outlaws put to route by a sorry beggar cried he I can laugh at ye my men for I am in the same boat with ye but would never do to have this tail get abroad even in the greenwood how that we could not hold our own with the odds in our favor so let us have this little laugh all to ourselves and no one else need be the wiser the other saw the point of this and felt better directly despite their itching desire to get hold of the beggar again and none of the four ever told of the adventure but the beggar must have boasted of it at the next tavern or a little bird perched among the branches of a neighboring oak must have sung of it for it got abroad as such tales will and was put into a right droll ballad which I warn you the four outlaws did not like to hear so ends chapter 10 chapter 11 of robin hood by jay walker mcspaden this LibriVox recording is in the public domain how robin hood fought guy of gizborn I dwell by dale and down quote he and robin to take I'm sworn and when I am called by my right name I am guy of good gizborn some weeks passed after the rescue of the widows three sons weeks spent by the sheriff in the vain effort to entrap robin hood and his men for robin's name and deeds had come to the king's ears in london town and he sent word to the sheriff to capture the outlaw captured the outlaw under penalty of losing his office so the sheriff tried every manner of means to surprise robin hood in the forest but always without success and he increased the price put upon robin's head in the hope that the best men in the kingdom could be induced to try their skill at a capture now there was a certain guy of gizborn a hireling knight of the king's army who heard of robin and of the price upon his head sir guy was one of the best men at the bow and the sword in all the king's service but his heart was black and treacherous he obtained the king's leave forthwith to seek out the forester and armed with the king's scroll he came before the sheriff at knotting him I have come to capture robin hood quote he and mean to have him dead or alive right gladly would I aid you answered the sheriff even if the king's seal were not sufficient warrant how many men need you none replied sir guy for I am convinced that forces of men can never come at the bold robber I must needs go alone but do you hold your men in readiness at barnsdale and when you hear a blast from this silver bugle come quickly for I shall have the sly robin within my clutches very good said the sheriff Mary it shall be done and he set about giving orders while guy of gizborn sally forth disguised now as luck would have it will scarlet and little john had gone to barnsdale that very day to buy suits of lincoln green for certain of the yeoman who had come out at the knees and elbows but not deeming it best for both of them to run their necks into a noose together they parted just outside the town and will went within the gates while john tarried and watched at the brow of the hill on the outside presently whom should he see but this same will fly madly forth from the gateskin closely pursued by the sheriff and three score men over the moat will sprang through the bushes and briars across the swamp over stocks and stones up the woodland roads in long leaps like a scared jackrabbit and after him puffed the sheriff and his men their force scattering out in the flight as one man would tumble headfirst into a ditch another mire up in the swamp another trip over a rolling stone and still others sit down on the roadside and gasp for wind like fish out of water little john could not forebear laughing heartily at the scene though he knew that would be anything but a laughing matter if will should stumble and in truth one man was like to come upon him it was william atrent the best runner among the sheriff's men he had come within 20 feet of scarlet and was leaping upon him with long bounds like a greyhound when john rose up quickly drew his bow and let fly one of his fatal shafts it would have been better for william atrent to have been a bed with sorrow says the ballad then to be that day in the greenwood slade to meet with little john's arrow he had run his last race the others halted a moment in consternation when the shaft came hurtling down from the hill but looking up they beheld none save little john and with a cry of fierce joy they turned upon him meanwhile will scarlet had reached the brow of the hill and sped down the other side i'll just send one more little message of regret to the sheriff said little john before i join will but this fool hearty deed was his undoing for just as the arrow left the string a good you bow that had never before failed him snapped in twain woe worth woe worth thee wicked wood that air thou grew on a tree cursed little john and planted his feet resolutely in the earth resolved to sell the path dearly for the soldiers were now so close upon him that he dared not turn and a good right account of himself he gave that day dealing with each man as he came up according to his merit and so winded were the pursuers when they reached the top of the hill that he laid out the first ten of them right and left with huge blows of his brunny fist but if five men could do no more than three a score can overcome one a body of archers stood off at a prudent distance and covered little john with their arrows now yield you panted the sheriff yield you little john or ryan old green leaf or whatever else name you carry this day yield you or some few of these shafts will reach your heart mary my heart has been touched by your words air now said little john and i yield me so the sheriff's men laid hold of little john and bound him fast with many cords so fearful were they least he should escape and the sheriff laughed aloud and glee and thought of how he should avenge his stolen plate and determined to make a good day's work of it by the saints he said you shall be drawn by dale and down and hanged high on a hill in barnsdale this very day hang and be hanged retorted to prisoner you may fail of your purpose if it be heavens will back down the hill and across the moor went the company speedily for they feared a rescue and as they went the stragglers joined them here a man got up feebly out of the ditch and rubbed his plate and fell in like a chicken with the pip going for its dinner yonder came hobbling a man with a lame ankle or another with his shins torn by the briars or another with his jacket all muddy from the marsh so in truth it was a tattered demalian crew that limped and straggled and wandered back into barnsdale that day yet all were mary for the sheriff had promised them flagans of wine and moreover they were to hang speedily the boldest outlaw in england next to robin hood himself the gallows was quickly put up and a new rope provided now up with you commanded the sheriff and let us see if your greenwood tricks will avail you tomorrow i would that i had bold robin's horn muttered poor john me thinks is all up with me even as the sheriff has spoken in good sooth the time was dire and pressing the rope was placed around the prisoner's neck and the men prepared to haul away are you ready called the sheriff one two but before the three left his lips the faint sound of a silver bugle came floating over the hill by my trough that is sir guy of gizborn's horn quote the sheriff and he bade me not to delay answering its summons he has caught robin hood pardon excellency said one of his men but if he has caught robin hood this is a merry day indeed and let us save this fellow and build another gallows and hang them both together that's a brave thought said the sheriff slapping his knee take the rascal down and bind him fast to the gallows tree against our return so little john was made fast to the gallows tree while the sheriff and all his men who could march or hobble went out to get robin hood and bring him in for the double hanging let us leave talking of little john and the sheriff and see what has become of robin hood in the first place he and little john had come near having a quarrel that self same morning because both had seen a curious looking yeoman and each wanted to challenge him singly but robin would not give way to his lieutenant and that is why john in a huff had gone with will to barnsdale meanwhile robin approached the curious looking stranger he seemed to be a three-legged creature at first sight but on coming nearer you would have seen that was really not but a poorly clad man who for a freak had covered up his rags with a capel hide nothing more nor less than the sun-dried skin of a horse complete with head tail and mane the skin of the head made a helmet while the tail gave the curious three-legged appearance good morrow good fellow said robin cheerily me thinks by the bow you bear in your hand that you should be a good archer indifferent good said the other returning his greeting but is not of archery that i am thinking this morning for i have lost my way and would feign find it again by my faith i could have believed was your wits you'd lost thought robin smiling then allowed i'll lead you through the wood quote he and you will tell me your business for be like your speech is much gentler than your attire who are you to ask me my business ask the other roughly i am one of the king's rangers replied robin set here to guard his deer against curious looking strollers curious looking i may be return the other but no stroller harky since you are a ranger i must even demand your service i am on the king's business and seek an outlaw men call him robin hood are you one of his men i him keenly nay god forbid said robin but what want you with him that is another tale but i'd rather meet with that proud outlaw than 40 good pounds of the king's money robin now saw how the land lay come with me good yeoman said he and be like a little later in the day i can show you robin's haunts when he is at home meanwhile let us have some pastime under the greenwood tree let us first try the mastery at shooting arrows the other agreed and they cut down two willow wands of a summer's growth that grew beneath a briar and set them up at a distance of three score yards lead on good fellow quote robin the first shot to you nay by my faith said the other i will follow your lead so robin stepped forth and bent his bow carelessly and sent his shaft whizzing toward the wand missing it by a scant inch he of the horse hide followed with more care yet was a good three fingers bred the way on the second round the stranger led off and landed cleverly within the small garland at the top of the wand but robin shot far better and claved the wand itself clean at the middle a blessing on your heart shouted capital hide never saw i such shooting as that be like you are better than robin hood himself but you have not yet told me your name nay by my faith quote robin i must keep it secret till you have told me your own i do not disdain to tell it said the other i dwell by dale and down and to take bold robin am i sworn this would i tell him to his face were he not so great a craven when i am called by my right name i am guy of gizborn this he said with a great show of pride and he strutted back and forth forgetful that he had just been beaten at archery robin eyed him quietly me thinks i have heard of you elsewhere do you not bring men to the gallows for a living i but only outlaws such as robin hood but pray what harm has robin hood done you he is a highway robber said sir guy evading the question has he ever taken from the rich that he did not give again to the poor does he not protect the women and children and side with weak and helpless is not his greatest crime the shooting of a few kings dear have done with your sophistry said sir guy impatiently i am more than ever of opinion that you are one of robin's men yourself i have told you i am not quote robin briefly but if i am to help you catch him what is your plan do you see this silver bugle said the other a long blast upon it will summon the sheriff and all his men when once i have robin within my grasp and if you show him to me i'll give you the half of my 40 pounds reward i would not help hang a man for 10 times 40 pounds said the outlaw yet while i point out robin to you for the reward i find at my sword's point i myself and robin hood of surewood and barnsdale then have at you cried the other springing swiftly into action his sword leaped forth from beneath the horse's hide with the speed born of long practice and before robin had come to guard the other had smitten at him full and fall robin eluded the lunge and drew his own weapon a scurvy trick quote he grimly to strike at a man unprepared then neither spoke more but fell sternly to work lunge and thrust and ward and parry for two full hours the weapons smoked together sullenly and neither robin hood nor sir guy would yield an inch i promise you that if you could have looked forth on the fight from behind the trunk of some friendly tree you would have seen deadly sport such as few men be held in surewood forest for the fighters glared sullenly at each other the fires of hatred burning in their eyes one was fighting for his life the other for a reward and the king's favor still circled the bright blade swiftly in the air now gleaming in the peaceful sunlight again hissing like maddened serpents neither had yet touched the other until robin in an unlucky moment stumbled over the projecting root of a tree when sir guy instead of giving him the chance to recover himself as any courteous night would have done struck quickly at the falling man and wounded him in the left side ah dear lady in heaven gassed robin uttering his favorite prayer shield me now it was never a man's destiny to die before his day and adroitly he sprang up again and came straight at the other with an awkward but unexpected stroke the night had raised his weapon high to give a final blow when robin reached beneath and across his guard one swift lunge and sir guy of gizborn staggered backward with a deep groan robin soared through his throat robin looked at the slain man regretfully you did bring it upon yourself said he and traitor and hire lean though you were i would not willingly have killed you he looked to his own wound it was not serious and he soon staunched the blood and bound up the cut then he dragged the dead body into the bushes and took off the horse's hide and put it upon himself he placed his own cloak upon sir guy and marked his face so none might tell who had been slain robin's own figure and face were not unlike the others pulling the capital hide well over himself so that the helmet hid most of his face robin sees the silver bugle and blew a long blast it was the blast that saved the life of little john over in barnsdale for you and i have already seen how it caused the fond sheriff to prick up his ears and stay the hanging and go scurrying up over the hill and into the wood with his men in search of another victim in five and twenty minutes up came running a score of the sheriff's best archers did you signal us lording they asked approaching robin i said he going to meet the puffing sheriff what news what news sir guy said the officer robin hood and guy of gizborn had a fight and he that wears robin's cloak lies under the covert yonder the best news i have heard in all my life exclaimed the sheriff rubbing his hands i would that we could have saved him for the hanging though i cannot now complain the hanging repeated robin yes this is our lucky day on the calendar after you left me we narrowly missed running one of the fellows i believed was will scarlett to earth and another who came to his relief we were just about to hang when your horn blew who was the other asked the disguised outlaw whom do you suppose laughed the sheriff the best man in the greenwood next to robin hood himself little john ryan old greenleaf for the sheriff could not forget the name little john had borne under his rope at nottingham little john thought robin were the start barely that was a lucky blast of the bugle but i see you have not escaped without a scratch continued the sheriff becoming talkative through pure glee here one of you men give sir guy of gizborn your horse while others of you bury that dog on outlaw where he lies and let us hasten back to barnsdale and finish hanging the other so they put spurs to their horses and as they rode robin forced himself to talk merrily while all the time he was planning the best way to suker little john a boon sheriff he said as they reached the gates of the town what is it worthy sir you have but to speak i do not want any of your gold for i have had a brave fight but now that i have slain the master let me put an end to the man so it shall be said that guy of gizborn dispatched the two greatest outlaws of england in one day have it as you will said the sheriff but you should have asked a knight's fee and double your reward and it would have been yours it isn't every man that can take robin hood no excellency answered robin i say it without boasting that no man took robin hood yesterday and none shall take him tomorrow then he approached little john who was still tied to the gallows tree and he said to the sheriff's men now stand you back here till i see if the prisoner has been stripped and he stoop swiftly and cut little john's bonds and thrust into his hands sir guys bow and arrows which he had been careful to take his eye robin he whispered but in truth little john knew it already and had decided there was to be no hanging that day then robin blew three loud blasts upon his own horn and drew forth his own bow and before the astonished sheriff and his men could come to arms the arrows were whistling in their midst in no uncertain fashion and look through the gates and over the walls came pouring another flight of arrows will scarlet and will stutley had watched and planned a rescue ever since the sheriff and robin rode back down the hill now in good time they came and the sheriff's demoralized force turned tail and ran while robin and little john stood under the harmless gallows and sped swift arrows after them and laughed to see them go then they joined their comrades and hasted back to the good greenwood and there rested they had got enough sport for one day so ends chapter 11 chapter 12 of robin hood by jay walker mick spaden this libre vox recording is in the public domain how made marion came back to surewood forest also how robin hood came before queen elinor but robin hood he himself had disguised and marion was strangely attired that they proved foes and so fell to blows whose valor bold robin admired and when he came at london's court he fell down on his knee thou art welcome loxley said the queen and all thy good yomen tree now it fell out that one day not long thereafter robin was minded to try his skill at hunting and not knowing whom he might meet in his rambles he stained his face and put on a sorry-looking jacket and a long cloak before he sallied forth as he walked the peacefulness of the morning came upon him and brought back to his memory the early days so long ago when he had roamed these same glades with marion how sweet they seemed to him now and how far away marion too the dainty friend of his youth would he ever see her again he had thought of her very often of late and each time with increasing desire to hear her clear voice and musical laugh and see her eyes light up at his coming perhaps the happiness of alana dale and his lady had caused robin's heartstrings to vibrate more strongly perhaps to the coming of wil scarlett but certis robin was anything but a hunter this bright morning as he walked along with head drooping in a most love-lorn way presently a heart entered the glade in full view of him gazing peacefully and instantly the man of action awoke his bow was drawn in a shaft all but loosed when the beast fell suddenly pierced by a clever arrow from the far side of the glade then a handsome little page sprang gleefully from the covert and ran toward the dine animal this was plainly the archer for he flourished his bow aloft and likewise bore a sword at his side though for all that he looked a mere lad robin approached the heart from the other side how dare you shoot the king's beast stripling he asked severely i have as much right to shoot them as the king himself answered the page heartily how dare you question me the voice stirred robin strongly it seemed to chime into his memories of the old days he looked at the page sharply and the other returned to glance straight and unafraid who are you my lad robin said more civilly no lad of yours and my name's my own retorted the other with spirit softly bear and softly sweet page or we of the forest will have to teach you manners said robin not if you stand for the forest cried the page whipping out a sword come draw and defend yourself he swung his blade valiantly and robin saw nothing for it but to draw likewise the page thereupon engaged him quite fiercely and robin found that he had many pretty little tricks at fencing nevertheless robin contented himself with parrying and was loath to exert all his superior strength upon the lad so the fight lasted for above a quarter of an hour at the end of which time the page was almost spent and the hot blood flushed his cheeks in a most charming manner the outlaw saw his distress and to end the fight allowed himself to be pricked slightly on the wrist are you satisfied fellow asked the page wincing a little at sight of the blood i honestly replied robin and now perhaps you will grant me the honor of knowing to whom i owe this scratch i am richard partington page to her majesty queen elinor answered the lad with dignity and again the sound of his voice troubled robin sorely why come you to the greenwood alone master partington the lad considered his answer while wiping his sword with a small ace kerchief the action brought a dim confused memory to robin the lad finally looked him again in the eye forester whether or no you be a king's man know that i seek one robin hood an outlaw to whom i bring amnesty from the queen can you tell me ought of him and while awaiting his answer he replaced the kerchief in his shirt as he did so the gleam of a golden trophy caught the outlaw's eye robin started forward with a joyful cry i i know you now by the sight of yon golden arrow one at the sheriff's attorney you are she on whom i bestowed it and none other than made marion you are gassed marion for it was she not robin robin's self said he gaily and forthwith clad as he was in rags and stained a face he clasped the dainty page close to his breast and she forsooth yielded right willingly but robin she exclaimed presently i knew you not and was rude and wounded you it was nothing he replied laughingly so long as it brought me you but she made more adieu over the sore wrist than robin had received for all his former hurts put together and she bound it with the little kerchief and said not we'll get well and robin was convinced she spoke the truth or he never felt better in all his life the whole woods seemed tinged with a rosette hue since marion had come again but she while happy also was ill at ease and robin with a man's slow discernment at last saw that it was because of her boy's attire he thought bluntly that there was not to be ashamed of but smilingly handed her his tattered long cloak which she blushingly put on and forthwith recovered her spirits directly then they began to talk of each other's varied fortunes and of the many things which had parted them and so much did they find to tell that the sun had begun to decline well into the afternoon before they realized how the hours sped but i am a sorry host exclaimed robin springing to his feet i have not once invited you to my wild rough and i am but a sorry page replied marion for i had clean forgot that i was richard partington and really did bring you a message from queen elinor tell me on our way home and there you shall be entrusted to mr. stale while the first of my men we meet will i send back for your dear so she told him as they walked back through the glade how that the fame of his prowess had reached queen elinor's ears in london town and the queen had said fame would i see this bold yeoman and behold his skill at the longbow and the queen had promised him amnesty if he and four of his archers would repair to london against the next tournament the week following there to shoot against king henry's picked men of whom the king was right vain all this marion told in detail and added when i heard her majesty say she desired to see you i asked leave to go in search of you saying i had known you once and the queen was right glad and bade me go and sent this gold ring to you from off her finger in token of her faith then robin took the ring and bowed his head and kissed it loyally by this token while i go to london town quote he an air eye part with the queen's pledge may the hand that bears it be stricken off at the wrist by this time they were come to the grove before the cave and robin presented main marion to the band who treated her with the greatest respect will scarlet was especially delighted to greet again his old time friend while alan adale and his good wife also about to make her welcome in their tiny thatched cottage that evening after they had sucked royally upon the very heart that marion had slain alan sang sweet songs of northern minstrel sea to the fair guest as she sat by robin's side the golden arrow gleaming in her dark hair the others all joined in the chorus from will scarlett's barotone to fryer tux heavy base even little john essayed to sing although looked at threateningly by much the miller's son then robin bade marion repeat her message from the queen which marion did in a way befitting the dignity of her royal mistress after which the yeoman gave three cheers for the queen and three more for her page and drank toast to them both rising to their feet ye have heard quote robin standing forth how that her majesty whom god preserve wishes but four men to go with me wherefore i choose little john and will stley my two lieutenants will scarlet my cousin and alana dale my minstrel mistress dale also can go with her husband and be company for the queen's page we will depart with early morning decked in our finest so stir ye my lads and see that not only your tunics are fresh but your swords bright and your bows and arrows fit for we must be a credit to the queen as well as the good greenwood you much and stout will lester and john the widow's three sons shall have command of the band while we are away and fryer tuck shall preside over the needs of your souls and stomachs the orders were received with shouts of approval and toast all around were drunk again in not brown ale air the company dispersed to rest after making ready for the journey the next morning was as fine a summer's day as ever you want to see and the green leaves of the forest made a pleasing background for the gay picture of the yeoman setting forth says the old ballad it was a seemly sight to see how robin hood himself had dressed and all his yeomanry he clothed his men in lincoln green and himself in scarlet red with hats of black and feathers white to bravely deck each head nor were the two ladies behind hand i weaned at the beddecking thus the chosen party of seven sallied forth being accompanied to the edge of the wood by the whole band who gave them a merry party and godspeed the journey to london town was made without incident the party proceeded boldly along the king's high road and no man met them who was disposed to say them nay besides the good queens warrant and ring would have answered for them as indeed it did at the gates of london so on they sped and in due course came to the palace itself and awaited audience with the queen now the king had gone that day to finsbury field where the turning was soon to be held in order to look over the lists and see some of his picked men whom he expected to win against all comers so much had he boasted of these men that the queen had secretly resolved to win a wager of him she had heard of the fame of robin hood and his yeoman as marion had said and marion on her part had been overjoyed to be able to add a word in their favor and to set out in search of them today the queen sat in her private audience room chatting pleasantly with her ladies when in came mistress marion fits walter attired again as befitted her rank of lady in waiting she curtsy low to the queen and awaited permission to speak how now said the queen smiling is this my lady marion or the page richard partington both in it please your majesty richard found the man you sought while marion brought him to you where is he asked queen elinor eagerly awaiting your audience he and four of his men likewise a lady of whose wooing and wedding i can tell you a pretty story at another time have them admitted so marion gave orders to a herald and presently robin hood and his little party entered the room now the queen had half expected the men to be rude and uncouth in appearance because of their wildlife in the forest but she was delightfully disappointed indeed she started back in surprise and almost clapped her hands for soothed to say the omen made a brave sight and in all the court no more gallant men could be found marion felt her cheeks glow with pride at sight of the half-hidden looks of admiration sent forth by the other ladies in waiting robin had not forgot the gentle arts taught by his mother and he wore his fine red velvet tunic and britches with the grace of a courtier we have seen before what a dandified gentleman will scarlet was and allana dale the minstrel was scarcely less good lead to look upon while the giant little john and broad-shouldered will stutley made up in stature what little they lacked in outward polish mistress dale on her part looked even more charming if possible than on the momentous day when she went to plimpton church to marry one man and found another thus came the people of the greenwood before queen elinor in her own private audience room and robin advanced and knelt down before her and said here i am robin hood i and my chosen men at your majesty's bidding am i come bearing the ring of amnesty which i will protect as i would protect your majesty's honor with my life thou art welcome loxley said the queen smiling graciously thou art come in good time thou and all i brave yeomanry then robin presented each of his men in turn and each fell on his knee and was greeted with most kindly words and the queen kissed fair mistress dale upon the cheek and bade her remain in the palace with her ladies while she was in the city and she made all the party be seated to rest themselves after their long journey vine wines were brought and cake and rich food for their refreshment and as they ate and drank the queen told them further of the tourney to be held at finsbury field and of how she desired them to wear her colors and shoot for her meantime she concluded they were to lie by quietly and be known of no man to do all this robin and his men pledged themselves full heartily then at the queen's request they related to her and her lady some of their merry adventures where at the listeners were vastly entertained and laughed heartily then marion who had heard of the wedding at plimpton church told it so droly that tear stood in the queen's eyes from merriment my lord bishop of herford she said was indeed a comical business for him i shall keep that to twit his bones i promise you so this is our minstrel she added presently turning to alan adale me thinks i have already heard of him will he not harp a while for us today alan bow low and took a harp which was brought to him and he thrummed the strings and sang full sweetly the border songs of the north country and the queen and all her ladies listened in rap silence till all the songs were ended so ends chapter 12 chapter 13 of robin hood by jay walker mc spaden this leber vox recording is in the public domain how the outlaws shot in king harry's tourney the king is into finsbury field marching in battle ray and after follows bold robin hood and all his yeoman gay the morning of the great archery contest dawn fair and bright bringing with it a fever of impatience to every citizen of london town from the proudest courtier to the lowest kitchen winch i and all the surrounding country was early awake too and began to win their way defends berry field a fine broad stretch of practice ground near more fields around three sides of the field were erected tier upon tier of seats for the spectators with the royal boxes and booze for the nobility and gentry in the center down along one end were pitched gaily colored tents for the different bands of king's archers there were 10 of these bands each containing a score of men headed by a captain of great renown so today there were 10 of the pavilions each bearing aloft the royal arms and very colored pennants which fluttered lightly in the fresh morning breeze each captain's flag was of peculiar color and device first came the royal purple streamer of teppas own bowbearer to the king and esteemed the finest archer in all the land then came the yellow of clifton of buckingham shire and the blue of gilbert of the white hand he who was renowned in nottingham shire and the green of elwin the welshman and the white of robert of cloudsdale and after them five other captains of bands each a man of proved prowess as the queen had said a four time the king was mightily proud of his archers and now held this tourney to show their skill and may have to recruit their forces the uprising tears of seats filled early upon this summer morning and the merry chatter of the people went abroad like the home of bees in a hive the royal party had not yet put in an appearance nor were any of the king's archers visible so the crowd was content to hide it some patients by laughing jives passed from one section to another and crying the colors of their favorite archers in and out among the seats went hawkers their arms laden with small penance to correspond with the rival tents other vendors of pie and small cakes and cider also did a thrifty business for so eager had some of the people been to get good seats that they had rushed away from home without their breakfast suddenly the gates at the far end next to the tents opened wide and a courier in scarlet and gold mounted upon a white horse rode in blowing lustily upon the trumpet at his lips and behind him came six standard bears riding abreast the populace arose with a mighty cheer king harry had entered the arena he best rowed a fine white charger and was clad in a rich dark suit of slashed velvet with satin and gold facings his hat or a long curling ostrich plume of pure white and he dofted graciously in answer to the shouts of the people by his side rode queen elinor looking regal and charming in her long brocade riding habit while immediately behind them came prince richard and prince john each attired in nightly coats of mail and helmets lords and ladies of the realm followed and finally the 10 companies of archers whose progress around the field was greeted with hardly less applause than that given the king himself the king and queen dismounted from their steeds ascended the steps of the royal box and seated themselves upon two thrones decked with purple and gold trapping upon a dais sheltered by striped canvas in the booths at each end the members of the court took their places while come we pages ran hither and thither bearing the royal commands was a lordly sight eyewin these shifting of proud courtiers flashing of jeweled fans and co mingling of bright colors with costly gems now the herald arose to command peace and soon the clear note of his bugle rose above the roar of the crowd and hushed it to silence the 10 score archers ranged themselves in two long rows on each side of the lists a gallant array while their captains as a special mark of favor stood near the royal box come hither teppas said the king to his bullbearer come measure me out this line how long our mark must be what is the reward then asked the queen that will the herald presently proclaim answered the king for first prize we have offered a purse containing two score golden pounds for second a purse containing two score silver pennies and for third a silver bugle inlaid with gold moreover if the king's companies keep these prizes the winning companies shall have first two tons of runnish wine second two tons of english beer and third five of the fattest hearts that run on dalem lee me thinks that is a princely wager added king harry laughingley up spag bold clifton secure in the king's favor measure no marks for us most sovereign liege quote he for such largesse as that will shoot at the sun and the moon will not be so far as that said the king but get a line of good length teppas and set up the targets at 10 score paces forthwith teppas bowed low and set up 10 targets each bearing the pendant of a different company while the herald stood forth again and proclaimed the rules and prizes the entries were open to all comers each man also of the king's archers should shoot three arrows at the target bearing the colors of his band until the best bowman in each band should be chosen these 10 chosen archers should then enter a contest for an open target three shots apiece and here any other bowman whatsoever was asked to try his skill the result at the open targets should decide the turning then all the people shouted again in token that the terms of the contest pleased them and the archers waved their bows aloft and wheeled into position facing their respective targets the shooting now began upon all the targets at once and the multitude had so much adieu to watch them that they forgot to shout besides silence was commanded during the shooting of all the fine shooting that morning i have not now space to tell you the full score of men shot three times at each target and then three times again to decide a tie for more than once the arrow shot by one man would be split wide open by his successor each man shaft bore his number to ease the counting and so close would they stick at the end of a round that the target look like a big bristle hairbrush then must the spectators relieve their tense spirits by great cheering while the king looked mighty proud of his skilled bowman at last the company targets were decided and teppas as was expected led the score having made six exact centers in succession gilbert of the white hand followed with five and clifton with four two other captains had touched their center four times but not roundly while in the other companies it's so chance that the captains had been outshot by some of the men under them the winners then saluted the king and queen and withdrew for a space to rest and renew their bow strings for the keenest contest of all while the lists were cleared and a new target the open one was set up at 12 score paces at the bidding of the king the herald announced that the open target was to be shot at to decide the title of the best archer in all england and any man their present was privileged to try for it but so keen had been the previous shooting that many women who had come to enter the list now would not do so and only a dozen men stepped forth to give in their names by my halodom said the king these must be hearty men to pit themselves against my archers think you that your 10 chosen fellows are the best bowman in all england asked the queen i and in all the world beside answered the king and there on to i was steak 500 pounds i am minded to take your wager said the queen musingly and will even do so if you grant me a boom what is it asked the king if i produce five archers who can out shoot your 10 will you grant my men full grace and amnesty assuredly quote the king in right good humor naveless i tell you now your wager is in jeopardy for there never were such bowlmen as teppas and clifton and gilbert hmm said the queen puckering her brow still as though lost in thought i must see if there being none present to aid me in my wager boy call hither sir richard of the lay and my lord bishop of herford the two summoned ones who had been witnessing the sport came forward sir richard said she thou art a full night and good wouldst advise me to meet a wager of the kings that i can produce other archers as good as teppas and gilbert and clifton nay your majesty he said bending his knee there be none present that can match them how be it he added dropping his voice i have heard of some who lie hidden sure would forest who could show them strange targets the queen smiled and dismissed him come hither my lord bishop of herford quote she what's thou advance a sum to support my wager against the king nay your majesty said the fat bishop and you pardon me i'd not lay down a penny on such a bet for by my silver mitre the king's archers are men who have no peers but suppose i found men whom thou knewest to be masters at the bow she insisted roguishly what's thou not back them be like i have heard that there be men round about knottingham and plimpton who carry such matters with a high hand the bishop glanced nervously around as if half expecting to see robin hoods men standing near then turned to find the queen looking at him with much amusement lurking in her eyes odds bodkins the story of my misadventure must have preceded me he thought roofily allowed he said resolved to face it out your majesty such tales are idle and exaggerated and you pardon me i would add to the king's wager that his men are invincible as it pleases thee reply the queen imperturbably how much here is my purse said the bishop uneasily it contains fifteen score nobles and near a hundred pounds i'll take it at even money she said dismissing him and your majesty turning to the king who had been conversing with the two princes and certain of the nobles i accept your wager of five hundred pounds very good said the king laughing as though it were a great jest but what had minded you to take such interest in the sport of a sudden it is as i have said i have found five men whom i will pit against any you may produce then we will try their skill speedily quote the king how say you if first we decide this open target and then match the five best they're at against your unknown champions agreed said the queen thereupon she signed to made maryon to step forward from a nearby booth where she sat with other ladies in waiting and whispered something in her ear maryon curtsied and withdrew now the ten chosen archers from the king's bands came forth again and took their stand and with them stood forth the twelve untried men from the open lists again the crowd was stilled and every eye hung upon the speeding of the shafts slowly but skillfully each man shot and as his shaft struck within the inner ring a deep breath broke from the multitude like the sound of the wind upon the seashore and now gilbert of the white hand led the shooting and was only by the space of a hare's breath upon the line that teppas tied his score stout elwin the welshman took third place one of the private archers named jeffrey came forth while clifton must needs content himself with fifth the men from the open list shot fairly true but nervousness and fear of ridicule wrought their undoing then the herald came forward again and instead of announcing the prize winners proclaimed that there was to be a final contest two men had tied for first place declared his majesty the king and three others were entitled to honors now all these five were to shoot again and they were to be pitted against five other of the queen's choosing men who had not yet shot upon that day a thrill of astonishment and excitement swept through the arena who were these men of the queen's choosing was upon every lip the hubbub of eager voices grew intense and in the midst of it all the gate at the far end of the field opened and five men entered and escorted the lady upon horseback across the arena to the royal box the lady was instantly recognized as mistress marion of the queen's household but no one seemed to know the faces of her escort four were clad in lincoln green while the fifth who seemed to be the leader was dressed in a brave suit of scarlet red each man wore a close fitting cap of black decked with a curling white feather for arms they carried simply a stout bow a sheaf of new arrows and a short hunting night when the little party came before the dais upon which the king and queen sat the yeoman off their caps humbly while maid marion was assisted to dismount your gracious majesty she said addressing the queen these be the men for whom you sent me and who are now come to wear your colors and service you in the turning the queen leaned forward and handed them each a scarf of green and gold loxley she said in a clear voice i thank thee and my men for this service know that i have laid a wager with the king that ye can out shoot the five best whom he has found in all his bowmen the five men pressed the scarves to their lips in token of fealty the king turned to the queen inquiringly who are these men you have brought before us asked he up came the worthy bishop of herford growing red and pale by turns your pardon my leech lord cried he but i must announce these fellows as outlaws yon man in scarlet is none other than robin hood himself the others are little john and will stully and will scarlet and alana dale all famous in the north country for their deeds of violence as my lord bishop personally knows added the queen significantly the king's brows grew dark the name of robin hood was well known to him as to every man there present is this true he demanded sternly i my lord responded the queen to merely but be thank you i have your royal promise of grace and amnesty that will i keep said the king holding and check his ire by a mighty effort but look you only 40 days do i grant a respite when this time has elapsed let these bold outlaws look to their safety then turning to his five victorious archers who had drawn near he added ye have heard my men how that i have a wager with the queen upon your prowess now here be men of her choosing certain free shafts of sure would and barnsdale wherefore look well to it gilbert and teppas and jeffrey and elwin and clifton if ye out shoot these naves i will fill your caps with silver pennies i and knight the man who stands first but if ye lose i give the prizes for which ye have just driven to robin hood and his men according to my royal word robin hood and his men the same flew around the arena with the speed of wildfire and every neck crane forward to see the famous fellows who had dared to brave the king's anger because of the queen another target was now set up at the same distance as the last and it was decided that the ten archers should shoot three arrows in turn gilbert and robin tossed up a penny for the lead and it fell to the king's men so clifton was bitten to shoot first fourth he stood planting his feet firmly and wetting his fingers before plucking the string for he was resolved to better his losing score of that day and in truth he did so for the shaft he loosed sped true and landed on the black bull's eye though not in the exact center again he shot and again he hit the black on the opposite rim the third shaft swerved downward and came within the second ring some two fingers breaths away naveless a general cry went up as this was the best shooting clifton had done that day will scarlet was chosen to follow him and now took his place and carefully chose three around in full feathered arrows careful my sweet cuz both robin and low tone the nave has left wide space at the center for all of your darts but robin gave will the wrong caution for over much care spoiled his aim his first shaft flew wide and lodged in the second ring even farther away than the worst shot of clifton your pardon cuz quote robin hastily bid care go to the bottom of the sea and do you loose your string before it sticks to your fingers and will profited by this hint and loosed his next two shafts as freely as though they flew along a sure would glade each struck upon the bull's eye and one even nearer the center than his rival's mark yet the total score was ab judged in favor of clifton at this will scarlet bit his lip but said no word while the crowd shouted and waved yellow flags for very joy that the king's man had overcome the outlaw they knew also that this demonstration would please the king the target was now cleared for the next two contestants jeffrey and allen adale where at it was noticed that many ladies in the queen's booze boldly flaunted allen's colors much to the honest pride which glowed in the cheeks of one who sat in their midst in good truth said more than one lady to mr. stale if thy husband can handle the longbow as skillfully as the harp his rival has little show of winning the same augured well jeffrey had shot many good shafts that day and indeed had risen from the ranks by virtue of them but now each of his three shots though well placed in triangular fashion around the rim of the bull's eye yet allowed an easy space for allen to graze within his shooting more over was so prettily done that he was right heartily applauded the ladies and their gallants leading in the hand clapping now you must know that there had long been a friendly rivalry in robin hoods band as to who was the best shot next after robin himself he and will stutley had lately decided their markmanship and will had found that robin skill was now so great as to place the leader at the head of all good bowmen in the forest but the second place lay between little john and stutley and neither wish to yield to the other so today they looked narrowly at their leader to see who would shoot third robin read their faces at a glance and laughing merrily broke off two straws and held them out the long straw goes next he decided and it fell to stutley elwin the welsh man was to proceed him and his score was no wit better than jeffreys but stutley failed to profit by it his besetting sin and archery had ever been an undue haste and carelessness today these were increased by a certain moodiness that little john had outranked him so his first two shafts flew swiftly one after the other to lodging places outside the welshman's mark man man tried robin entreatingly you do forget the honor of the queen and the credit of sure would i ask your pardon master quote will humbly enough and lucine as he spoke his last shaft it whistled down the course unerringly and struck in the exact center the best shot yet made now some shouted for stutley and some shouted for elwin but elwin's total mark was declared the better whereupon the king turned to the queen what say you now quote he in some triumph two out of the three first rounds have gone to my men your outlaws will have to shoot better than that in order to save your wager the queen smiled gently yay my lord she said but the twain who are left are able to do the shooting you forget that i still have little john and robin hood and you forget my lady that i still have teppas and gilbert so each turned again through the list and awaited the next rounds in silent eagerness i weaned that king harry had never watched the invasion of an enemy with more anxiety than he now felt teppas was chosen to go next and he fell into the same error with will scarlett he held the string a moment too long and both his first and second arrows came to grief one of them however came within the black rim and he followed it up by placing his third in the full center just as stutley had done in his last these two centers were the fairest shots that had been made that day and loud was the applause which greeted this second one but the shouting was as nothing to the uproar which filed a little john shooting that good nature giant seemed determined to outdo teppas by a tiny margin in each separate shot for the first and the second shafts grazed his rivals on the inner side while the third little john did the old trick of the forest he shot his own arrow in a graceful curve which descended from above teppas's final center shaft with a glancing blow that drove the other out and left the outlaws in its place the king could scarce believe his eyes why my halodom quote he that fellow deserves either a duke them or a hanging he must be in league with satan himself never saw eye such shooting the score is tied my lord said the queen we have still to see gilbert and robin hood gilbert now took his stand and slowly shot his arrows one after another into the bullseye it was the best shooting he had done yet but there was still the smallest of spaces left if you looked closely at the very center well done gilbert spoke up robin hood you are a fulmin worthy of being shot against he took his own place as he spoke now if you had placed one of your shafts there losing one of his own and another there outsped the second and another there the third was launched may have the king would have declared you the best bowman in all england but the last part of his merry speech was drowned in the wild torment of applause which followed his exploit his first two shafts had packed themselves into the small space left at the bullseye while his third had split down between them taking half of each and making all three appear from a distance as one immense arrow up rose the king in amazement and anger gilbert is not yet beaten he cried did he not shoot within the mark thrice and that is allowed a best in all the rules of archery robin bowed low as it please your majesty quote he but may i be allowed to place the mark for the second shooting the king waved his hand sullenly there upon robin prepared another old trick of the greenwood and got him a light peeled willow wand which he set in the ground in place of the target there friend gilbert cried he gaily be like you can hit that i can scarce see it from here said gilbert much less hit it naveless for the king's honor i will try but this final shot proved his undoing and his shaft flew harmlessly by the thin white streak then came robin to his stand again and picked his arrow with exceeding care and tried his string amid a breathless pause he drew the good you bow back to his ear glanced along the shaft and let the feathered missile fly straight at sped singing a keen note of triumph as it went the willow wand was split in twain as though it had met a hunter's knife verily i think your bow is armed with witchcraft cried gilbert for i did not believe such shooting possible you should come to see our merry lads in the greenwood retorted robin lightly for willow wands do not grow upon the cobblestones of london town meanwhile the king in great wrath had risen to depart first signing the judges to distribute the prizes never a word said he of good or ill to the queen but mounted his horse and followed by his sons and knights rode off the field the archers dropped upon one knee as he passed but he gave them a single baleful look and was gone then the queen beckoned the outlaws to approach and they did so and knelt at her feet right well have you served me she said and sorry am i that the king's anger is aroused thereby but fear ye not his word and grace hold true as to these prizes ye have gained i add others of my own the wagers i have won from his majesty the king and from the lord bishop of herford by with some of these monies the best sword she can find in london for all your band and call them the swords of the queen and swear with them to protect all the poor and the helpless and the women kind who come your way we swear said the five yeoman solemnly then the queen gave each of them her hand to kiss and arose and departed with all her ladies and after they were gone the king's archers came crowding around robin and his men eager to get a glimpse of the fellows about whom they had heard so much and back of them came a great crowd of the spectators pushing and jostling in their efforts to come nearer barely laughed little john they must take us for a merry andrew show now the judges came up and announced each man his prize according to the king's command to robin was give the purse containing two score golden pounds to little john the two score silver pennies and to allen adale the fine inlaid bugle much to his delight for he was skilled at blowing sweet tunes upon the horn hardly less than handling the harp strings but when the renish wine and the english beer and hearts of dalem lee were spoken of robin said nay what need we of wine or beer so far from the greenwood and would be like carrying coals to newcastle to drive those hearts to sherwood now gilbert and teppas and their men have shot passing well wherefore the meat and drink must go to them and they will accept it of us right gladly replied gilbert grasping his hand ye are good men all and we will toast you everyone in memory of the greatest day at archery that england has ever seen or ever will see thus said all the king's archers and the hand of good fellowship was given amid much shouting and clapping on the shoulder blades and so ended king harry's turny whose story has been handed down from sire to son even unto the present day so ends chapter 13 chapter 14 of robin hood by jay walker mc spaden this libra vox recording is in the public domain how robin hood was sought of the tinker and while the tinker fell asleep robin made haste away and left the tinker in the lurch for the great shot to pay king henry was as good as his word robin hood and his party were suffered to depart from london the parting bringing king sorrow to maryon and for 40 days no hand was raised against them but at the end of that time the royal word was sent to the worthy sheriff at nottingham that he must lay hold upon the outlaws without further delay as he valued his office indeed the exploits of robin and his band ending with the great turning in finsbury field had made a mighty stir through all england and many there were to laugh boldly at the nottingham official for his failures to capture the outlaws the sheriff thereupon planned three new expeditions into the greenwood and was even brave enough to lead them since he had 15 score men at his beck and call each time but never the shadow of an outlaw did he see for robin's men lay close and the sheriff's men knew not how to come at their chief hiding place in the cove before the cavern now the sheriff's daughter had hated robin hood bitterly in her heart ever since the day he refused to bestow upon her the golden arrow and shamed her before all the company his tricks also upon her father were not calculated to lessen her hatred and so she sought about for means to aid the sheriff in catching the enemy there is no need to go against this man with force of arms she said we must meet his tricks with other tricks of our own would that we could roam the sheriff the fellow is becoming a nightmare unto me let me plan a while she replied be like i can cook up some scheme for his undoing agreed said the sheriff and if anything comes of your planning i will even give you and hundred silver pennies for a new gown and a double reward to the man who catches the outlaws now upon that same day while the sheriff's daughter was racking her brains for a scheme there came to the mansion house a strolling tinker named middle a great gossip and braggart and as he pounded away upon some pots and pans in the scullery he talked loudly about what he would do if he once came within reach of that rascal robin hood it might be that this simple fellow could do something through his very simplicity muse the sheriff's daughter overhearing his prattle odds bodkins will do no harm to try his service while i rethink myself of some better plan and she called him to her and looked him over a big brawny fellow enough with an honest look about the eye and a continent so open that when he smiled his mouth seemed the only country on the map i am minded to try your skill at outlaw catching she said and will add goodly measure to the stated reward if you succeed do you wish to make good your posted prowess the tinker grinned broadly yes your ladyship he said then here is a warrant made out this morning by the sheriff himself see that you keep it safely and use it to good advantage and she dismissed him middle the partner from the house mightily pleased with himself and proud of his commission he swung his crab tree staff recklessly in his glee so recklessly that he imperiled the shins of more than one angry passerby and vowed he'd crack the ribs of robin hood with it though he was surrounded by every outlaw in the whole greenwood spurred on by the thoughts of his own coming bravery he left the town and proceeded toward barnsdale the day was hot and dusty and at noontime he paused at a wayside in to refresh himself he began by eating and drinking and dosing in turn then sought to do all at once mine host of the seven does stood by discussing the eternal robin with a drover folk do say that my lord sheriff has sent into lincoln for more men at arms and horses and that when he has these behind him he'll soon rid the forest of these fellows of whom speak you as the tinker sitting up of robin hood and his men said the host but go to sleep again you will never get the reward and why not as the tinker rising with great show of dignity where our sheriff has failed and the stout guy of gizborn and many more beside it behoves not a mere tinker to succeed the tinker laid a heavy hand upon the innkeeper's fat shoulder and tried to look impressive this is your reckoning host upon the table i must even go upon my way because i have more important business than to stand here gossiping with you but be not surprised if the next time you see me i shall have with me no less person than robin hood himself and he strode loftily out the door and walked up the hot white road towards barnsdale he had not gone above a quarter of a mile when he met a young man with curling brown hair and merry eyes the young man carried his light cloak over his arm because of the heat and was unarmed save for a light sword at his side the newcomer eyed the perspiring tinker in a friendly way and seen he was a stout fellow accosted him good day to you said he good day to you said the tinker and a marrow less heating i laughed the other once come you and know you the news what is the news said the gossipy tinker waking up his ear i am a tinker by trade middle by name and come over against banbury why as for the news laughed the stranger i hear that two tinkers were set in the stocks for drinking too much ale and beer if that be all your news retorted i can beat you clear to the end of the lane what news have you seen that you go from town to town i mean you can outdo a poor country yokel at tidings all i have to tell said the other is that i am especially commissioned he felt mightily proud of these big words especially commissioned to seek a bold outlaw which they call robin hood so said the other arching his how especially commissioned i have a warrant from the sheriff sealed with the king's own seal to take him where i can and if you can tell me where he is i will even make a man of you let me see the warrant said the other to satisfy myself if it be right and i would do the best i can to bring him to you that will i not replied the tinker i will trust none with it and if you'll not help me to come at him i must force soothe catch him by myself and he made his crab tree staff whistle shrill circles in the air the other smiled at the tinker simplicity and said the middle of the road on a hot july day is not a good place to talk things over now if you're the man for me and i'm the man for you let's go back to the end just be on the bend of road and quench our thirst and cool our heads for thinking mary come up quote the tinker that i will for though i've just come from there my thirst rises mightily at the sound of your voice so back he turned with a stranger and proceeded to the seven does the landlord arched his eyebrow silently when he saw the two come in but serve them willingly the tinker asked for wine and robin for ale the wine was not the most cooling drink in the cellar nor the clearest headed nath less the tinker asked for it since it was expensive and the other man had invited him to drink they lingered long over their cups master middle emptying one after another while the stranger expounded at great length on the best plans for coming at and capturing robin hood in the end the tinker fell sound asleep while in the act of trying to get a tankard to his lips then the stranger definitely opened the snoring man's pouch took out the warrant read it and put it in his own wallet calling mine host to him he winked at him with a half smile and told him the tinker would pay the whole score when he awoke thus was master middle left in the lurch for the great shot to pay nath less the stranger seemed in no great hurry he had the whim to stay a while and see what the droll tinker might do when he awoke so he hid behind a window shutter on the outside and awaited events presently the tinker came to himself with a prodigious you on and reached at once for another drink what were you saying friend about the best plan for catching this fellow hello where's the man gone he had looked around and saw no one with him at the table host host he shouted where is that fellow who was to pay my reckoning i know not answered the landlord sharply may have he left the money in your purse no he didn't for admittal looking therein help help i've been robbed look you host you are liable to arrest for high treason i am here upon the king's business as i told you earlier in the day and yet while i did rest under your roof thinking you were an honest man and one loving of the king my pouch has been opened in many matters of state taken from it cease your bellowing said the landlord what did you lose oh many weighty matters i do assure you i had with me item a warrant granted under the hand of my lord high sheriff of nottingham and sealed with the king's own seal for the capture and arrest and overcoming of the notorious rascal one robin hood of barnsdale item one crust of bread item one lump of solder item three pieces of twine item six single keys useful with all item 12 silver pennies the which i earned this week in fair labor item have done with your items said the host and i marvel greatly to hear you speak in such fashion of your friend robin hood of barnsdale for was he not with you an all good fellowship what that robin hood gas middle with staring eyes why did you not tell me faith i saw no need of telling you did you not tell me the first time you were here today that i need not be surprised if you came back with no less person than robin hood himself yezu give me pardon moan the tinker i see it all now he got me to drinking and then took my warrant and my pennies and my crust yes yes interrupted the host i know all about that but pay me the score for both of you but i have no money gossip let me go after that vile bag of bones and i'll soon get it out of him not so replied the other if i waited for you to collect from robin hood i would soon close up shop what is the account asked middle 10 shillings just then take care of my working bag and my good hammer too and if i light upon that nave i will soon come back after them give me your leather and coat as well said mine host the hammer and bag of tools are as not to me gray mercy cried master middle losing what was left of his temper it seems that i have escaped one thief only to fall into the hands of another if you will but walk with me out into the middle of the road i will give you such a crack as shall dry some honesty into your thick skull you are wasting your breath and my time retorted the landlord give me your things and get you gone after your man speedily middle thought this to be good advice so he strode forth from the seven does in a black mood ere he had gone half a mile he saw robin hood walking to merely among the trees a little in front of him oh there you villain roared the tinker stay your steps i am desperately in need of you this day robin turned about with a surprised face what nave is this he asked gently who comes shouting after me no nave no nave at all panted the other rushing up but an honest man who would have that warrant and the money for drink why as i live it is our honest tinker who was seeking robin hood did you find him gossip mary that did i and i'm now going to pay him my respects and he plunged at him making a sweeping stroke with his crab tree cudgel robin tried to draw his sword but could not do it for a moment through dodging the other's furious blows when he did get it in hand the tinker had reached him thrice with resounding thwacks then the tables were turned for he dashed in right manfully with his shining blade and made the tinker give back again the green wood rang with the noise of the fray was steel against wood and they made a terrible clattering when they came together robin thought at first that he could hack the cudgel to pieces for his blade was one of Toledo finely tempered steel which the queen had given him but the crab tree staff had been fired and hardened and seasoned by the tinker's arts until it was like a bar of iron no pleasant neighbor for one's ribs robin presently found this out to his sorrow the long reach and long stick got to him when twas impossible for him to touch his antagonist so his sides began to ache sorely hold your hand tinker he said at length i cry a boon of you before i do it said the tinker i'd hang you on this tree but even as he spoke robin found the moment's grace for which he longed and immediately grasped his horn and blew the three well-known blasts of the green wood a marine sees you roared the tinker commencing afresh up to your old tricks again are you well i'll have time to finish my job if i hurry but robin was quite able to hold his own at a pinch and they had not exchanged many lunges and passes when up came little john and will scarlett and a score of yeoman at their heels middle was seized without ceremony while robin sat himself down to breathe what is the matter quote little john that you should sit so weirdly upon the highway side faith that rascally tinker yonder has paid his score well upon my hide answered robin roofily that tinker then said little john must be itching for more work feign would i try if he can do as much for me or me said well scarlett who like little john was always willing to swing a cudgel nay laughed robin be like i could have done better and he had given me time to pull a young tree up by the roots but i hated to spoil the queen's blade upon his tough stick or no less tough hide he had a warrant for my arrest which i stole from him also item 12 silver pennies interposed the tinker unsubdued item one crust of bread against my supper item one lump of solder item three pieces of twine item six single keys item yes i know quote the mary robin i stood outside the landlord's window and heard you count over your losses here they are again and the silver pennies are turned by magic into gold here also if you will is my hand i take it heartily with the pence cried middle by my leather coat and tools which i shall presently have out of that sly host i swear that i never yet met a man i liked as well as you and you and your men here will take me i swear i'll serve you honestly do you want a tinker nay but verily you must who else can mend and grind your swords and patch your panikins and fight too when occasions serve mend your pots mend your pans and he ended his speech with the soreness cry of his craft by this time the whole band was laughing uproariously at the tinker's talk what say you fellows asked robin would not this tinker be a good recruit that he would answered will scarlet clapping the new man on the back he will keep fryer tuck and much the miller's son from having the blues so amid great merriment and right good fellowship the outlaw shook middle by the hand and he took oath of fealty and thought no more of the sheriff's daughter so ends chapter 14 chapter 15 of robin hood by jay walker mix bait this lever vox recording is in the public domain how robin hood was tanned of the tanner in nodding hand there lived a jolly tanner with a hey down down a down down his name was arthur bland there never was a squire in nodding ham shire dare bid bold arthur stand and as he went forth in a summer's morning with a hey down down a down down to the forest of mary surewood to view the red deer that range here and there there he met with bold robin hood the sheriff's daughter bided for several days in the faint hope that she might hear tidings of the prattling tinker but never a word heard she and she was forced to the conclusion that her messenger had not so much as laid eyes upon the outlaw little wrecked she that he was even then grinding sword points and sharpening arrows out in the good greenwood while whistling blithely or chatting merrily with the good fryer tuck then she be thought herself of another good man one arthur abland a tanner who dwelt in nodding ham town and was far famed in the turnies round about he had done some pretty tricks at archery but was strongest at wrestling and the quarter staff for three years he had cast all comers to the earth in wrestling until the famous eric a lincoln broke a rib for him in a mighty tussle how so ever at quarter staff he had never yet met his match so that there was never a squire in nodding ham shire air bid bold arthur stand with a long pike staff on his shoulder so well he could clear his way that by two or three he made men flee and none of them could stay thus at least runs the old song which tells of his might this is just the man from me thought the sheriff's daughter to herself and she forthwith summoned him to the mansion house and commissioned him to seek out robin hood the warrant was quite the arthur's liking for he was happiest when he was out in the forest taking a sly peep at the king's deer and now he reckoned that he could look at them boldly instead of by the rays of the moon he could say to any king's forester who made bold to stop him i am here on the king's business gray mercy no more oak bark and ditch water and the smell of half kind hides today quote he gaily i shall even see what the free air of heaven tastes like when it sweeps through the open wood so the tanner departed joyfully upon his errand but much more interested in the done deer of the forest than in any two-legged rovers therein this interest had in fact caused the foresters to keep a shrewd eye upon him in the past for his tannery was apt to have plenty of meat in it that was more like venison than the law allowed as for the outlaws arthur bore them no ill will indeed he had felt a secret envy in his heart of their free life but he was not afraid to meet any two men who might come against him naith less the sheriff's daughter did not choose a very good messenger as you shall presently see away sped the tanner a piece of bread and some wine in his wallet a good longbow and arrows slung across his shoulder his stout quarter staff in his hand and on his head a cap of troubled rawhide so tough that it would turn the edge of a broad sword he lost no time in getting out of the hot sun and into the welcome shade of the forest where he stalked cautiously about seeking some sign of the done deer now it's so chance that upon that very morning robin hood had sent little john to a neighboring village to buy some cloth of lincoln green for new suits for all the band some of the money recently one of the king was being spent in this fashion against the approach of winter will scarlet had been sent on a similar errand to barnsdale sometime before if you remember only to be chased up the hill without his purchase so today little john was chosen and for sweet company's sake robin went with him a part of the way until they came to the seven does the in where robin had recently played his prank upon middle the tinker here they drank a glass of ale to refresh themselves with all and for good luck and robin carried a bit while little john went on his errand presently robin entered the edge of the wood when whom should he see but arthur abland busily creeping after a graceful deer that browsed alone down the glade now by saint george and the dragon with robin to himself i much fear that yon same fellow is a rascally poacher come after our own and the king's meat for you must know by a curious process of reasoning robin and his men had hunted in the royal preserve so long that they had come to consider themselves joint owners to every animal which roamed there in nay he added this must be looked into that cowskin cap ensued must hide a scurvy varlet and forthwith he crept behind a tree and thence to another stalking our friend arthur as busily as arthur was stalking the deer this went on for quite a space until the tanner began to come upon the deer and draw his bow in order to tickle the victim's ribs with a cloth yard shaft but just at this moment robin unluckily trod upon a twig which snapped and caused the tanner to turn suddenly robin saw that he was discovered so he determined to put a bold face on the matter and went forward with some smart show of authority hold he cried stay your hand why who are you bold fellow terrain so boldly here ensued to be brief ye look like a thief that has come to steal the king's deer mary it is scant concern of yours what i look like retorted arthur abland who are you who speak so bravely you shall soon find out who i am quote robin determining to find some sport in the matter i am a keeper of this forest the king knows that i am looking after his deer for him and therefore we must stay you have you any assistance friend ask the tanner calmly for it is not one man alone who can stop me nay truly gossip replied robin i have a good you bow also a right sharp blade at my side nay the less i need no better assistant than a good old graph like unto yours give me a baker's dozen of minutes with it and it shall pleasure me to crack that pate of yours for your sauciness softly my man fair and softly big words never killed so much as a mouse least of all yandere which has got away while you were filling all the woods with your noisy breath so choose your own play things for your sword and your bow i care not a straw nor for all your arrows to boot if i get but a knock at you will be as much as you'll need now by our lady will you listen to the braggart cried robin in a fine rage mary but i'll teach jid to be more mannerly so saying he unbuckled his belt and flinging his bow upon the ground he seized hold of a young sapling that was growing nearby his hunting knife soon had it severed and lopped into shape now come fellow said arthur bland seeing that he was ready and if i do not tan your hide for you in better shape than ever calfskin was turned into top boots may a moraine sees me stay said robin me thinks my cudgel is half a foot longer than yours i would have them of equal length before you begin your tanning i pass not for length old arthur replied my staff is long enough as you will shortly find out eight foot and a half and will knock down a calf here he made a whistle in the air and i hope it will knock down you forthwith the two men spat on their hands laid firm hold upon their cudgels and began slowly circling around each other looking for an opening now it's so chance that little john had fared expeditiously with his errand he had met the merchant from whom he was want to buy lincoln green coming along the road and had made known his wants in few words the merchant readily undertook to deliver the suits by a certain day in the following month so little john glad to get back to the cool shelter of the greenwood hasted along the road lately taken by robin presently he heard the sound of angry voices one of which he recognized as his captains now heaven for fend quote he that robin has fallen into the clutches of a king's man i must take a peep at this fray so he cautiously made his way from tree to tree as robin had done till he came to the little open space where robin and arthur were circling each other with angry looks like two dogs at bay ha this looks interesting mother little john to himself for he loved a good quarter staff bout above anything else in the world and was the best man at it in all the greenwood and he crawled quietly underneath a friendly bush much as he had done when robin undertook to teach wil scarlett a lesson and chuckled softly to himself and slapped his thigh and prepared to watch the fight at his ease indeed it was both exciting and laughable you would have chuckled one moment and caught your breath the next to see those two stout fellows swinging their sticks each half as long again as the men were and thick as their arm and edging along sideways neither wishing to strike the first blow at last robin could no longer for bear and his good right arm swung round like a flash ping went the stick on the back of the other's head raising such a wealth that the blood came but the tanner did not seem to mind it at all for bing went off his own staff in return giving robin as good as he had sent then the little battle was on and furiously it waged fast fell the blows but few saved the first ones landed being met in mid-air by a counter blow till the thwacking sticks sounded like the steady roll of a kettle drum and the oak bark flew as fine as it had ever done in arthur ablan's tannery round and round they fought digging their heels into the ground to keep from slipping so that you would have vowed there had been a yoke of oxen plowing a potato patch round and round up and down in and out their arms working like threshing machines went the yeoman and the tanner for a full hour each becoming more astonished every minute that the other was such a good fellow while little john from underneath his bushy covert had much adieu to keep from roaring allowed in pure joy finally robin saw his chance and brought a full arm blow straight down upon the other's head with a force that would have felled a bullock but arthur's troubled cow skin cap here stood him in good stead the blow glanced off without doing much more than stunning him naveless he reeled and had much adieu to keep from falling seeing which robin stayed his hand to his own sorrow for the tanner recovered his wits in a marvelous quick space and sent back a side long blow which fairly lifted robin off his feet and sent him tumbling onto the grass hold your hand hold your hand roared robin with what little breath he had left hold i say and i will give you the freedom of the greenwood well god of mercy said arthur i may thank my staff for that not you well gossip let it be as it may but prithee tell me your name and trade i like to know fellows who can hit a blow like that same last i am a tanner replied arthur abland in knottingham long have i wrought and if you'll come to me i swear i'll tan your hides for knot odds bodkins quote robin roofily my known hide is tan enough for the present how so ever there be others in this wood i would feign see you tackle parkie if you will leave your tan pots and come with me as sure as my name is robin hood ye shaint want gold or fee by the breath of my body said arthur that will i do and he gripped him gladly by the hand but i am minded that i clean forgot the errand that brought me to sure would i was commissioned by some under the sheriff's roof to capture you so was a certain tinker now in our service said robin smilingly barely tis a new way to recruit forces said the tanner laughing loudly but tell me good robin hood where is little john i feign would see him for he is a kinsman on my mother's side here i am good arthur abland said a voice and little john literally rolled out from under the bush to the sword his eyes were full of tears from much laughter which had well nigh left him powerless to get on his feet as soon as the astonish tanner saw who it was he gave little john a mighty hug around the neck and lifted him up on his feet and the two pounded each other on the back soundly so glad were they to meet again oh man man said little john as soon as he had got his breath never saw i so find a sight in all my born days you did knock him over like as he were a nine pin and you do joy to see me thwacked about on the ribs asked robin with some collar nay not that master said little john but tis the second time i have had special tickets to a show from beneath the bushes and i cannot forbear my delight how so ever take no shame unto yourself for this same arthur abland is the best man at the quarter staff in all nottingham shire it commonly takes two or three men to hold him unless it be ericka lincoln said arthur modestly and i well know how you paid him out at the fair say no more said robin springing to his feet for well i know that i have done good business this day and a few bruises are easy payment for the stout cudgel i am getting into the band your hand again good arthur abland come let us after the deer of which i spoiled your stalking righty gladly quote arthur come cousin little john away with vats and tan bark and vile smelling cow hides i'll follow you too in the sweet open air to the very ends of earth so ends chapter 15 chapter 16 of robin hood by jay walker mix spaden this lever box recording is in the public domain our robin hood met sir richard of the lair then answered him the gentle knight with words both fair and thee god save thee my good robin and all thy company now you must know that some months passed by the winner dragged its weary length through surewood forest and robin hood and his merry men found what sure they could in the big crackling fires before their woodland cave fire tuck had built him a little hermitage not far away where he lived comfortably with his numerous dogs the winter i say reached an end at last and the blessed spring came and went another summer passed on a pace and still neither king nor sheriff nor bishop could catch the outlaws who meanwhile thrived and prospered mightily in their outlawry the band had been increased from time to time by picked men such as arthur abland and david of doncaster he who was the jolliest cobbler for miles around until it now numbered a full seven score of men seven companies each with its stout lieutenant serving under robin hood and still they relieved the purses of the rich and aided the poor and feasted upon king's deer until the length sheriff of nottingham was well nigh distracted indeed that official would probable have lost his office entirely had it not been for the fact of the king's death henry passed away as all kings will in common with ordinary men and richard of the lionheart was proclaimed as his successor then robin and his men after earnest debate resolved to throw themselves upon the mercy of the new king swear allegiance and asked to be organized into royal foresters so will scarlet and will stutley and little john were sent to london with this message which they were first to entrust privately to made marion but they soon returned with bad tidings the new king had formally set forth upon a crusade to the holy land and prince john his brother was impossible to deal with being crafty cruel and treacherous he was laying his hands upon all the property which could easily be seized among other estates that of the earl of huntington robin's old enemy and marion's father who had lately died marion herself was in sore straits not only had her estates been taken away and the maid been deprived of the former protection of the queen but the evil prince john had persecuted her with his attentions he thought that since the maid was defenseless he could carry her away to one of his castles and none would gain say him no word of this peril reached robin's ears although his men brought him word of the seizure of the huntington lands naveless he was greatly alarmed for the safety of maid marion and his heart cried out for her strongly she had been continually in his thoughts ever since the memorable shooting at london town one morning in early autumn when the leaves were beginning to turn gold at the edges the chestnut pods to swell with promise of fatness and the whole wide woodland was redolent with the ripe fragrance of fruit and flour robin was walking along the edge of a small open glade busy with his thoughts the peace of the woods was upon him despite his broodings of marion and he paid little heed to a group of does quietly feeding among the trees at the far edge of the glade but presently this sylvan picture was rudely disturbed for him a stag wild and furious dashed suddenly forth from among the trees scattering the does and swift alarm the vicious beast eyed the green and gold tunic of robin and lowering its head charged at him impetuously so sudden was its attack that robin had no time to bend his bow he sprang behind a tree while he seized his weapon a moment later the wild stag crashed blindly into the tree trunk with a shock which sent the beast reeling backward while the dislodging leaves from the shivering tree fell in a small shower over robin's head by my halodom i am glad it was not me you struck my gentle friend quote robin fixing an arrow upon the string sorry indeed would be anyone's plight who should encounter you in this black humor scarcely had he spoken when he saw the stag veer about and fix its glances rigidly on the bushes to the left side of the glade these were parted by a delicate hand and through the opening appeared the slight figure of a page it was made marion come back again to the greenwood she advanced unconscious alike of robin's horrified gaze and the evil fury of the stag she was directly in line with the animal so robin dared not launch an arrow her own bow was slung across her shoulder and her small sword would be useless against the beast's charge but now as she caught sight of the stag she pursed her lips as though she would whistle to it for the love of god dear lady cried robin and then the words died in his throat with a savage snort of rage the beast rushed at this new and inviting target rushed so swiftly and from so short a distance that she could not defend herself she sprang to one side as it charged down upon her but a side blow from its antlers stretched her upon the ground the stag stopped turned and lowered its head preparing to gore her to death already its cruel horns were coming straight for her while she white a face and bewildered by the sudden attack was struggling to rise and draw her sword a moment more and the end would come but the sharp voice of robin had already spoken down when marion he cried and the girl instinctively obeyed just as the shaft from robin's bow went whizzing close above her head and struck with terrific force full in the center of the stag's forehead the beast stumbled in its charge and fell dead across the body of the fainting maid robin was quickly by her side and dragged the beast from off the girl picking her up in his strong arms he bore her swiftly to the side of one of the many brooks which watered the veil he dashed cool water upon her face roughly almost in his agony of fear that she was already dead and he could have shed tears of joy to see those poor closed eyelids tremble he redoubled his efforts and presently she gave a little gasp where where am i what is it you are insured would dear maid though i faith we gave you a rude reception she opened her eyes and sat up me thinks you have rescued me from sudden danger sir she said then she recognized robin for the first time an irradiant smile came over her face together with the rare blush of return vitality and her head sank upon his shoulder with a little tremble and sigh of relief oh robin it is you she murmured i his eye thank heaven i was at hand to do you service robin's tones were deep and full of feeling i swear dear maryon that i will not let you from my care henceforth not another word was spoken for some moments while her head still rested confidingly upon his breast then recollecting he suddenly cried gray mercy but i make a poor nurse i have not even asked if any of your bones were broken no not any she answered springing lightly to her feet to show him that foolish dizziness or came me for the knots what we can now proceed on our way nay i meant not that he protested why should we haste first tell me of the news in london town and of yourself so she told him how that the prince had seized upon her father's lands and had promised to restore them to her if she would listen to his suit and how that she knew he meant her no good for he was even then suing for a princess's hand that is all robin she ended simply and that is why i donned again my page's costume and came to you in the greenwood robin's brow had grown fiercely black at the recital of her rom and he had lanes turned hand upon the hilt of his sword by this sword which queen elinor gave me he said impetuously and which was devoted to the service of all womankind i take oath that prince john and all his army shall not harm you so that is how made marion came to take up her abode in the greenwood where the whole band of yeoman welcomed her gladly and swore fealty and where the sweet lady of allana dale made her fully at home but this was a day of deeds in surewood forest and we gained to tell you another happening which led to later events while robin and marion were having their encounter with the stag little john much the miller's son and will scarlett had sallied forth to watch the high road leading to barnsdale if perchance they might find some haughty knight or fat priest whose wallet needed lightning they had scarcely watched the great road known as wotling street which runs from dover in kent to chester town for many minutes when they aspired a knight riding by in a very forlorn and careless manner all dreary was his semblance and little was his pride his one foot in the stirrup stood his other waved beside his visor hung down or his eyes he rode in single array a sorrier man than he was one rode never in summer's day little john came up to the night and made him stay for who can judge of a man's wealth by his looks the outlaw bent his knee in all courtesy and prayed him to accept the hospitality of the forest my master expects you to dine with him today quote he and indeed has been fasting while awaiting your coming these three hours who is your master asked the knight none other than robin hood replied little john laying his hand upon the night's bridle seeing the other two outlaws approaching the knight shrugged his shoulders and replied indifferently it is clear that your invitation is too urgent to admit a refusal quote he and i go with you right willingly my friends my purpose was to have dined today at blithe or don caster but nothing matters greatly so in the same lackadaisical fashion which had marked all his actions that day the knight suffered his horse to be led to the rendezvous of the band in the greenwood maryon had not yet had time to change her pages attire when the three escorts of the night hove in sight she recognized their captive as sir richard of the leah whom she had often seen at court and fearing least he might recognize her she would have fled but robin asked her with a twinkle if she would not like to play page that day and she in roguish mood consented to do so welcome sir night said robin courteously you are come in good time for we were just preparing to sit down to meet god save and thank you good master robin returned the night and all your company it likes me well to break the fast with you so while his horse was cared for the night laid aside his own heavy gear and laid his face and hands and sat down with robin and all his men to a most plentiful repast of venison swans pheasants various small birds cake and ale and maryon stood behind robin and filled his cup and that of the guest after eating right heartily of the good cheer the night brightened up greatly and vowed that he had not enjoyed so good a dinner for nigh three weeks he also said that if ever robin and his fellow should come to his domains he would strive to set them down to as good a dinner on his own behalf but this was not exactly the sort of payment which robin had expected to receive he thanked the night therefore in set phrase but reminded him that a yeoman like himself might hardly offer such a dinner to a night as a gift of charity i have no money master robin answered the night frankly i have so little of the world's goods ensued that i should be ashamed to offer you the whole of it money however little always jingles merrily in our pockets said robin smiling pray you tell me what you deem a little sum i have of my own 10 silver pennies said the night here they are and i wish they were 10 times as many he handed little john his pouch and robin nodded carelessly what say you to the total little john he asked as though ingest it is true enough as the worthy knight heth said responded the big fellow gravely emptying the contents on his cloak robin signed to marion who filled a bumper of wine for himself and his guest pledge me sir night cried the marial law and pledge me heartily for these sorry times i see that your armor is bent and that your clothes are torn yet me thinks i saw you at court once upon a day and in more prosperous guys tell me now were you a yeoman and made a night by force or have you been a bad steward to yourself and wasted your property and lawsuits and the like be not bashful with us we shall not betray your secrets i am a saxon knight in my own right and i have always lived a sober and quiet life the sorrowful guest replied tis true you have seen me at court may have for i was an excited witness of your shooting before king harry god rest his bones my name is sir richard of the laia and i dwell in a castle not a league from one of the gates of nottingham which has belonged to my father and his father and his father's father before him within two or three years ago my neighbors might have told you that a matter of four hundred pounds one way or the other was as not to me but now i have only these ten pennies of silver and my wife and son in what manner have you lost your riches asked robin through folly and kindness said the night sign i went with king richard upon a crusade from which i am but lately returned in time to find my son a goodly youth grown up he was but 20 yet he had achieved a squire's training and could play prettily in jousts and tournaments and other nightly games but about this time he had the ill luck to push his sport too far and did accidentally kill a knight in the open lists to save the boy i had to sell my lands and mortgage my ancestral castle and this not being enough in the end i have had to borrow money at a ruinous interest from my lord of herford a most worthy bishop said robin ironically what is the sum of your debt 400 pounds said sir richard and the bishop swears he will fore close the mortgage if they are not paid promptly have you any friends who would become surety for you not one if good king richard were here the tale might be otherwise fill your goblet again sir knight said robin and he turned to whisper a word in marion's ear she nodded and drew little john and will scarlet aside and talked earnestly with them in a low tone here is health and prosperity to you gallant robin said sir richard tilting his goblet i hope i may pay your cheer more worthily the next time i ride by will scarlet and little john had meanwhile fallen in with marion's idea for they consulted the other outlaws who nodded their heads thereupon little john and will scarlet went into the cave nearby and presently returned bearing a bag of gold this they counted out before the astonished knight and there were four times 100 gold pieces in it take this loan from us sir knight and pay your debt to the bishop then said robin nay no thanks you are but exchanging creditors may have we shall not be so hard upon you as the christian bishop yet again we may be harder who can tell there were actual tears in sir richard's eyes as he essayed to thank the foresters but at this juncture much the miller's son came from the cave dragging a bale of cloth the knight should have a suit worthy of his rank master think you not so measure him 20 l's of it ordered robin give him a good horse also whispered marion tis a gift which will come back four fold for this is a worthy man i know him well so the horse was given also and robin bade arthur ablan ride with the night as far as his castle as esquire the night was sorrowful no longer yet he could hardly voice his thanks through his broken utterance and having spent the night in rest and listening to alana dale singing he mounted his new steed the following morning and altogether different man god save you comrades and keep you all said he with deep feeling in his tones and god give me a grateful heart we shall wait for you 12 months from today here in this place said robin shaking him by the hand and then you will repay us the loan if you have been prospered i shall return it to you within the year upon my honor as sir richard of the lay and for all time pray count on me as a steadfast friend so sane the night in his esquire rode down the forest glade till they were lost to view so ends chapter 16 chapter 17 of robin hood by jay walker mc spaden this libre vox recording is in the public domain how the bishop was dying oh what is the matter then said the bishop or for whom do you make this adieu or why do you kill the king's venison when your company is so few we are shepherds quote bold robin hood and we keep sheep all the year and we are disposed to be merry this day and to kill of the king's fat deer not many days after sir richard of the leah came to sherwood forest word reached robin hoods ears that my lord bishop of herford would be riding that way but times on that morning to his arthur abland the night's quantum esquire who brought the tidings and robin's face brightened as he heard it now by our lady quote he i have long desired to entertain my lord in the greenwood and this is too fair a chance to let slip come my men kill me a venison kill me a good fat deer the bishop of herford is to dine with me today and he shall pay well for his cheer shall we dress it here as usual asked much the miller's son nay we play a droll game on the church man we will dress it by the highway side and watch for the bishop narrowly least he should ride some other way so robin gave his orders and the main body of his men dispersed to different parts of the forest under will stutley and little john to watch other roads while robin hood himself took six of his men including will scarlett and much and posted himself in full view of the main road this little company appeared funny enough i assure you for they had disguised themselves as shepherds robin had an old wool cap with a tail to it hanging over his ear and a shock of hair stood straight up through a hole at the top besides there was so much dirt on his face that you would never have known him an old tattered cloak over his hunter's garb completed his makeup the others were no less ragged and unkempt even the foppish will scarlett being so badly run down at the heel that the court ladies would hardly have had speech with him they quickly provided themselves with a deer and made great preparations to cook it over a small fire when a little dust was seen blowing along the highway and out of it came the portly bishop cantering along with ten men and arms at his heels as soon as he saw the fancied shepherds he spurred up his horse and came straight toward them who are ye fellows who make so free with the king's deer he asked sharply we are shepherds answered robin hood pulling at his forelock awkwardly heaven have mercy ye seem a sorry lot of shepherds but who gave you leave to cease eating mutton tis one of our feast days lording and we were disposed to be merry this day and make free with a deer out here where there are so many by me faith the king shall hear of this who killed yon beast give me first your name excellence so that i may speak where tis fitting replied robin stubbornly tis my lord bishop of herford fowl interposed one of the guards fiercely see that you keep a civil tongue in your head if tis a church man retorted will scarlet he would do better to mind his own flocks rather than concern himself with ours ye are saucy fellows ensouce cried the bishop and we will see if your heads will pay for your manners come quit your stolen roast and march along with me for you shall be brought before the sheriff of nonningham forthwith pardon excellence said robin dropping on his knees pardon i pray you it becomes not your lordship's coat to take so many lives away faith i'll pardon you said the bishop i'll pardon you when i see you hanged seize upon them my men but robin had already sprung away with his back against a tree and from underneath his ragged cloak he drew his trusty horn and winded the piercing notes which were want to summon the band the bishop no sooner saw this action than he knew his man and that there was a trap set and being an errant coward he wheeled his horse sharply and would have made off down the road but his own men spurred on the charge blocked his way at almost the same instant the bush's roundabouts seemed literally to come alive without laws little john's men came from one side and will stutley's from the other in less time than it takes to tell it the worthy bishop found himself a prisoner and began to crave mercy from the men he had so lately been ready to sentence oh pardon oh pardon said the bishop oh pardon i you pray for if i had known it had been you i'd have gone some other way i owe you no pardon retorted robin but i will even treat you better than you would have treated me come make haste and go along with me i have already planned that you shall dine with me this day so the unwilling prelate was dragged away cheek by jowl with the half-cooked venison upon the back of his own horse and robin and his band took charge of the whole company and led them through the forest glades till they came to an open space near barnsdale here they rested and robin gave the bishop a seat full courteously much the miller's son fell to roasting the deer afresh while another and fatter beast was set to frizzle on the other side of the fire presently the appetizing odor of the cooking reached the bishop's nostrils and he sniffed it eagerly the morning's ride had made him hungry and he was nothing loath when they bade him come to the dinner robin gave him the best place beside himself and the bishop prepared to fall to name my lord craving your pardon but we are accustomed to have grace before meat said robin decorously and as our own chaplain is not with us today will you be good enough to say it for us the bishop reddened but pronounced grace in the latin tongue hastily and then settled himself to make the best of his lot red wines and ale were brought forth and poured out each man having a horn tankered from which to drink laughter bubbled among the diners and the bishop caught himself smiling at more than one jest but who in sooth could resist a freshly broiled venison steak eaten out in the open air to the tune of jest and good fellowship stutley filled the bishop's beaker with wine each time he emptied it and the bishop got mellower and mellower as the afternoon shades lengthened on towards sunset then the approaching dusk warned him of his position i wish mine host quote he gravely to robin who had soberly drunk but one cup of ale that you would now call a reckoning his late and i fear the cost of this entertainment may be more than my poor purse can stand for he be thought himself of his friend the sheriff's former experience verily your lordship said robin scratching his head i have enjoyed your company so much that i scarce know how to charge for it lend me your purse my lord said little john interposing and i'll give you the reckoning by and by the bishop shuttered he had collected sir richard's debt only that morning and was even then carrying it home i have but a few silver pennies of my own he wind and as for the gold in my saddlebags just for the church he surely would not levy upon the church good friends but little john was already gone to the saddlebags and returning he laid the bishop's cloak upon the ground and poured out of the portmanteau a matter of 400 glittering gold pieces was the identical money which robin had lent sir richard a short while before i said robin as though an idea had but just then come to him the church is always willing to aid in charity and seeing this goodly sum reminds me that i have a friend who is indebted to a church man for this exact amount now we shall charge you nothing by our own account but suffer us to make use of this in aiding my good friend nay nay began the bishop with a rye face this is requiting me ill indeed was this not the king's meat after all that we feasted upon furthermore i am a poor man poor forsooth answered robin and scorn you are the bishop of herford and does not the whole countryside speak of your oppression who does not know of your cruelty to the poor and ignorant you who should use your great office to aid them instead of a press have you not been guilty of far greater robbery than this even though less open of myself and how you have pursued me i say nothing nor of your unjust enmity against my father but on account of those you have despoiled and oppressed i take this money and we use it far more worthily than you would god be my witness in this there is an end of the matter unless you will lead us in a song or dance to show that your body had a better spirit than your mind come strike up the heart ballon neither the one nor the other will i do snarled the bishop faith then we must help you said little john and he and arthur ablan sees the fat struggling churchman and commenced to hop up and down the bishop being shorter must perforce accompany them in their gyrations while the whole company sat and rolled about over the ground and roared to see my lord of herford's queer capers at last he sank in a heap followed with wine and quite exhausted little john picked him up as though he were a log of wood and carrying him to his horse set him astride facing the animal's tail and thus fastened him leading the animal toward the high road and starting the bishop more dead than alive toward nuttingham so ends chapter 17 chapter 18 of robin hood by jay walker mixbaiden this labor vox recording is in the public domain how the bishop went outlaw hunting then the bishop he came to the old woman's house and called with furious mood come let me soon see and bring on to me that trader robin hood the easy success with which they had got the better of the good bishop led robin to be a little careless he thought that his guest was too great a coward to venture back into the greenwood for many a long day and so after laying quiet for one day the outlaw ventured boldly upon the highway the morning of the second but he had gone only half a mile when turning a sharp bend in the road he plunged full upon the prelate himself my lord of herford had been so deeply smitten in his pride that he had lost no time in summoning a considerable body of the sheriff's men offering to double the reward if robin hood could become upon this company was now at his heels and after the first shock of mutual surprise the bishop gave an exultant shout and spurred upon the outlaw it was too late for robin to retreat by the way he had come but quick as a flash he sprang to one side of the road dodged under some bushes and disappeared so suddenly that his pursuers thought he had truly been swallowed up by magic after him yelled the bishop some of you beat up the woods around him while the rest of us will keep on the main road and head him off on the other side for truth to tell the bishop did not care to trust his bones away from the high road about a mile away on the other side of this neck of woods wherein robin had been trapped was a little tumbledown cottage was where the widow lived whose three sons had been rescued robin remembered the cottage and saw his one chance to escape doubling in and out among the underbrush and heather with the agility of a hair he soon came out of the wood in the rear of the cottage and thrust his head through a tiny window the widow who had been at her spinning wheel rose up with a cry of alarm quiet good mother his eye robin hood where are your three sons they should be with you robin well do you know that do they not owe their lives to you if that be so i come to seek payment of the debt said robin in a breath the bishop is on my heels with many of his men i'll cheat the bishop at all cried the woman quickly here robin change your raiment with me and we will see if my lord knows an old woman when he sees her good said robin pass your gray cloak out the window and also your spindle and twine and i will give you my green mantle and everything else down to my bow and arrows while they were talking robin had been nimbly changing clothes with the old woman through the window and in a jiffy he stood forthwith complete even to the spindle and twine presently up dashed the bishop with his men and at sight of the cottage and the old woman gave pause the crone was hobbling along with difficulty leaning heavily upon a gnarled stick and bearing the spindle on her other arm she would have gone by the bishop's company while muttering to herself but the bishop ordered one of his men to question her the soldier laid his hand upon her shoulder mind your business broke the woman or i'll curse you come come my good woman said the soldier who really was afraid of her curses i'll not molest you but my lord bishop of herford wants to know if you have seen ought of the outlaw robin hood and why shouldn't i see him she wind where's the king or law to prevent good robin from coming to see me and bring me food and raiment that's more than my lord bishop will do i warrant ye peace woman said the bishop partially we want none of your opinions but we'll take you to barnsdale and burn you for a witch if you do not instantly tell us when you last saw robin hood mercy good my lord chattered the crone falling on her knees robin is there in my cottage now but you'll never take him alive we'll see about that cried the bishop triumphantly enter the cottage my men fire it if need be but i'll give a purse of gold pieces above the reward to the man who captures the outlaw alive the old woman being released went on her way slowly but it might have been noticed that the farther she got away from the company and the nearer to the edge of the woods the swifter and straighter grew her pace once inside the shelter of the forest she broke into a run of surprising swiftness gad zooks exclaimed little john who presently spider who comes here never saw i which or woman run so fast he thinks i'll send an arrow close over her head to see which it is oh hold your hand hold your hand handed this opposed woman his eye robin hood summon the yeoman and return with me speedily we have still another score to settle with my lord of herford when little john could catch his breath from laughing he winded his horn now mr s robin quote he grinning lead on will be close to your heels meanwhile back at the widow's cottage the bishop was growing more furious every moment for all his bold words he dared not fire the house and the sturdy door had thus far resisted all his men's efforts break it down break it down he shouted and let me soon see who will fetch out that trader robin hood at last the door crashed in and the men stood guard on the threshold but not one dare enter for fear a sharp arrow should meet him halfway here he is cried one keen eyed fellow peering in i see him in the corner by the cupboard shall we slay him with our pikes nay said the bishop take him alive if you can we'll make the biggest public hanging of this at the shire ever beheld but the joy of the bishop over his capture was short-lived down the road came striding the shabby figure of the old woman who had helped him set the trap and very wrathy was she when she saw that the cottage door had been battered in stand by you lazy rascals she called to the soldiers may all the devil is catchy for hurting an old woman's hut stand by i say hold your tongue ordered the bishop these are my men and carrying out my orders god mercy swore the bell dame harshly things have come to a pretty pass when our homes may be treated like common goals couldn't all your men catch one poor forester without this ado come clear out you and your robber on the instant or i'll curse every mother's son of ye eating and drinking sleeping sees on the hag shouted the bishop as soon as he could get in a word we'll see about a witch's cursing back to town she shall go alongside of robin hood not so fast your worship she retorted clapping her hands and at the signal a goodly array of greenwood men sprang forth from all sides of the cottage with bows drawn back threateningly the bishop saw that his men were trapped again for they dared not stir naveless he determined to make a fight for it if one of you but budge an inch toward me you rascals he cried it shall sound the death of your master robin hood my men have him here under their pikes and i shall command them to kill him without mercy faith i should like to see the robin you have caught said a clear voice from under the widow's cape and the outlaw chief stood forth with bared head smiling here am i my lord in no wise imperiled by your men's fierce pikes so let us see whom you have been guarding so well the old woman who in the garb of robin hood had been lying quiet in the cottage through all the uproar jumped up nimbly at this in the bald absurdity of her disguise she came to the doorway and bowed to the bishop give you good then my lord bishop she piped in a shrill voice and what does your grace at my humble door do you come to bless me and give me alms i that does he answered robin we shall see if his saddlebag contained enough to pay you for that battered door now by all the saints began the bishop take care they are all watching you interrupted robin so name them not upon your unchurchly lips but i will trouble you to hand over that purse of gold you had saved to pay for my head i'll see you hang first raged the bishop stating no more than what would have been so if he could do the ordering of things have at them my men and hue them down in their tracks hold retorted robin see how we have you at our mercy and aiming a sudden shaft he shot so close to the bishop's head that it carried away both his hat and the skull cap which he always wore leaving him quite bald the prelate turned as white as his shiny head and clutched wildly at his ears he thought himself dead almost help murder he gasped do not shoot again here's your purse of gold and without waiting for further parlay he fairly bolted down the road his men being left leaderless had nothing for it but to retreat after him which they did in sullen order covered by the bows of the omen and thus ended the bishop of herford's great outlaw hunt in the forest so ends chapter 18 chapter 19 of robin hood by jay walker mick spaden this lever box recording is in the public domain how the sheriff held another shooting match to tell the truth i'm well informed yon match it is a while the sheriff i know devises this us archers to be guile now the sheriff was so greatly troubled in heart over the growing power of robin hood that he did a very foolish thing he went to london town to lay his troubles before the king and get another force of troops to cope with the outlaws king richard was not yet returned from the holy land but prince john heard him was scorn who said he shrugging his shoulders what have i to do with all this art thou not sheriff for me the law is enforced to take thy course of them that injure thee go get thee gone and by thyself devise some tricking game to trap these rubbles and never let me see thy face at court again until thou hast a better tale to tell so away went the sheriff in sorrow your past than ever and cuddled his brain on the way home for some plan of action his daughter met him on his return and saw at once that he had been on a poor mission she was minded to up braid him when she learned what he had told the prince but the words of the latter started her to thinking afresh i i have it she exclaimed at length why should we not hold another shooting match his fair year as you know and another turni will be expected now we will proclaim a general amnesty as did king harry himself and say that the field is open and unmolested to all comers be like robin hoods men will be tempted to twang the bow and then and then said the sheriff jumping up with alacrity we shall see on which side of the gate they stop overnight so the sheriff lost no time in proclaiming attorney to be held that same fall at the fair it was open to all comers said the proclamation and none should be molested in their going and coming furthermore an arrow with a golden head and shaft of silver white should be given to the winner who would be heralded abroad as the finest archer in all the north country also many rich prizes were to be given to other clever archers these tidings came in due course to robin hood under the greenwood tree and fired his impetuous spirit come prepare ye my merry men all quote he and will go to the fair and take some part in this sport with that stepped forth the merry cobbler david of doncaster master quote he be ruled by me and stir not from the greenwood to tell the truth i'm well informed young match is not but a trap i know the sheriff has devised it to be guile us archers into some treachery that word savers of the coward replied robin and pleases me not let come what will i'll try my skill at that same archery then up spoke little john and said come listen to me how it shall be that we will not be discovered our mantles all of linkin green behind us we will leave will dress us all so several they shall not us perceive one shall wear white another red one yellow another blue thus in disguise to the exercise will go whatever ensue this advice met with general favor from the adventurous fellows and they lost no time in putting it into practice made maryon and mistress dale assisted by fryer tuck prepared some very colored costumes and against the fair day had fitted out the seven score men till you would never have taken them for other than villagers decked for the holiday and fourth went they from the greenwood with hearts all firm and stout resolved to meet the sheriff's men and have a merry bout along the highway they fell in with many other bold fellows from the countryside going with their ruddy cheek lasses toward the wide open gates of nottingham so in through the gates troop the whole gay company robin's men behaving as awkwardly and laughing and talking as noisily as the rest while the sheriff's scowling men at arms stood round about and sought to find one who looked like a forester but without avail the herald now set forth the terms of the contest as on former occasions and the shooting presently began robin had chosen five of his men to shoot with him and the rest were to mingle with the crowd and also watch the gates these five were little john will scarlet will stutley much and alan adale the other competitors made a brave showing on the first round especially gilbert of the white hand who was present and never shot better the contest later narrowed down between gilbert and robin but at the first lead when the butts were struck so truly by various well-known archers the sheriff was in doubt whether to feel glad or sorry he was glad to see such skill but sorry that the outlaws were not in it some said if robin hood were here and all his men to boot sure none of them could pass these men so bravely do they shoot i quote the sheriff and scratched his head i thought he would be here i thought he would but though he's bold he durst not now appear this word was privately brought to robin by david of donkester and the saying vexed him sorely but he bit his lip in silence air long he thought to himself we shall see whether robin hood be here or not meantime the shooting had been going forward and robin's men had done so well that the air was filled with shouts one cried blue jacket another cried brown and a third cried brave yellow but the fourth man said young man in red in this place has no fellow for that was robin hood himself for he was clothed in red at every shot the prize he got for he was both sure and dead thus went the second round of the shooting and thus the third and last till even gilbert of the white hand was fairly beaten during all this shooting robin exchanged no word with his men each treating the other as a perfect stranger naveless such great shooting could not pass without revealing the archers the sheriff thought he discovered in the winter of the golden arrow the person of robin hood without pair adventure so he sent word privately for his men at arms to close round the group but robin's men also got wind of the plan to keep up appearances the sheriff summoned the crowd to form in a circle and after as much delay as possible the arrow was presented the delay gave time enough for the soldiers to close in as robin received his prize bowed awkwardly and turned away the sheriff letting his zeal get the better of his discretion grasped him about the neck and called upon his men to arrest the traitor but the moment the sheriff touched robin he received such a buffet on the side of his head that he let go instantly and fell back several paces turning to see who had struck him he recognized little john ah rascal greenleaf i have you now he exclaimed springing at him just then however he met a new check this is from another of your devoted servants said a voice which he knew to be that of much the miller's son and thwack when his open palm upon the sheriff's cheek sending that worthy rolling over and over upon the ground by this time the conflict had become general but the sheriff's men suffered the disadvantage of being hampered by the crowd of innocent onlookers whom they could not tell from the outlaws and so dared not attack while the other outlaws in the rear fell upon them and put them in confusion for a moment a fierce rain of blows ensued then the clear bugle note from robin ordered a retreat the two warders at the nearest gate tried to close it but were shot dead in their tracks david of duncaster threw a third soldier into the moat and out through the gate went the foresters in good order keeping a respectful distance between themselves and the advancing soldier by means of their well-directed shafts but the fight was not to go easily this day for the soldier smarting from their recent discomfort at the widow's cottage and knowing that the eyes of the whole shire were upon them fought well and pressed closely after the retreating outlaws more than one ugly wound was given and received no less than five of the sheriff's men were killed outright and a dozen others injured while four of robin's men were bleeding from severe flesh cuts then little john who had fought by the side of his chief suddenly fell forward with a slight moan an arrow had pierced his knee robin sees the big fellow with almost superhuman strength up he took him on his back and bear him well a mile many a time he laid him down and shot another while meanwhile little john grew weaker and closed his eyes at last he sank to the ground and feebly motion robin to let him lie master robin said he have i not served you well ever since we met upon the bridge truer servant never man had answered robin then if ever you love me and for the sake of that service draw your bright brown sword and strike off my head never let me fall alive into the hand of the sheriff of nottingham not for all the gold in england what i do either of the things you suggest god forbid cried arthur abland hurrying to the rescue and packing his wounded kinsmen upon his broad shoulders he soon brought him within the shelter of the forest once there the sheriff's men did not follow and robin caused litters of bows to be made for little john and the other four wounded men quickly where they carried through the wood until the hermitage of fryer tuck was reached where their wounds were dressed little john's hurt was pronounced to be the most serious of any but he was assured that in two or three weeks time he could get about again where at the active giant groaned mightily that evening consternation came upon the hearts of the band a careful roll call was taken to see if all the omen had escaped when it was found that will stutley was missing and made maryon also was nowhere to be found robin was seized with dread he knew that maryon had gone to the fair but felt that she would hardly come to grief her absence however portended some danger and he feared that it was connected with will stutley the sheriff would hang him speedily and without mercy if he were captured the rest of the band shared their leaders uneasiness though they said no word they knew that if will were captured the battle must be fought over again the next day and will must be saved at any cost but no man flinched from the prospect that evening while the sheriff and his wife and daughter sat at meat in the mansion house the sheriff boasted of how he would make an example of the captured outlaw for stutley had indeed fallen into his hands he shall be strung high he said in a loud voice and none shall dare lift a finger i now have robin hoods men on the run and we shall soon see who is master in this shire i am only sorry that we let them have the golden arrow as he spoke a missive sped through a window and fell clattering upon his plate causing him to spring back an alarm it was the golden arrow and on its feathered shaft was sewed a little note which read this from one who will take no gifts from liars and who henceforth will show no mercy look well to yourself our h so ends chapter 19 chapter 20 of robin hood by jay walker mcspaden this libre vox recording is in the public domain how will stutley was rescued fourth of the greenwood are they gone yay all courageously resolving to bring stutley home or every man to die the next day dawn bright and sunny the whole face of nature seemed gay as if in despite of the tragedy which was soon to take place in the walls of knottingham town the gates were not opened upon this day for the sheriff was determined to carry through the hanging of will stutley undisturbed no man therefore was to be allowed entrance from without all that morning and until after the fatal hour of noon when will's soul was to be launched into eternity early in the day robin had drawn his men to a point as near as he dared in the wood where he could watch the road leading to the east gate he himself was clad in a bright scarlet dress while his men a gully array wore their suits of sober lincoln green they were armed with broadswords and each man carried his bow and a full quiver of new arrows straightened and sharpened cunningly by middle of the tinker over their greenwood dress each man had thrown a rough mantle making him look not unlike a friar i hold it good comrades then said robin hood to terry here in hiding for a season while we sent someone forth to obtain tidings for ensued will work no good to march upon the gates if they be closed look master quote one of the widow's sons there comes a palmer along the road from the town be like he can tell us how the land ties and if stoutly be really in jeopardy shall i go out and engage him in speech go answered robin so stout will went out from the band while the others hid themselves and waited when he had come closer to the palmer who seemed a slight youngish fellow he doffed his hat full courteously and said i crave your pardon holy man but can you tell me tidings of nottingham town do they intend to put an outlaw to death this day yay answered the palmer sadly to his true enough sorry be the day i have passed the very spot where the gallows tree is going up his out upon the roadway near the sheriff's castle one will stoutly is to be hung there on at noon and i could not bear the sight so came away the palmer spoke in a muffled voice and as his hood was pulled well over his head stout will could not discern what manner of man he was over his shoulder he carried a long staff with the fashion of a little cross at one end and he had sandled feet like any monk stout will noticed idly that the feet were very small and white but gave no second thought to the matter who will shrivel the poor wretch if you have come away from him he asked reproachfully the question seemed to put a new idea into the palmer's head he turned so quickly that he almost dropped his hood do you think i should undertake this holy office by st peter and the blessed virgin i do indeed else who will do it the bishop and all his whining clerks may be there but not one would say a prayer for his soul but i am only a poor palmer the other began hesitatingly nay the less your prayers are as good as any and better than some replied will right gladly will i go then said the palmer but i fear me i cannot get into the city you may know that the gates are fast locked for this morning to all who would come in although they let any pass out who will come with me said stout will and my master will see that you pass through the gates so the palmer pulled his cloak still closer about him and was brought before robin hood to whom he told all he knew of the situation he ended with if i may make so bold i would not try to enter the city from this gate as to his closely guarded since yesterday but on the far side no attack is looked for my thanks gentle palmer quote robin your suggestion is good and we will deploy to the gate upon the far side so the men marched silently but quickly until they were near to the western gate then arthur abland asked leave to go ahead as a scout and quietly made his way to a point under the tower by the gate the moat was dry on this side as these were times of peace and arthur was further favored by a stout ivy vine which grew out from an upper window swinging himself up boldly by means of this friendly vine he crept through the window and in a moment more had sprung upon the water from behind and grabbed him hard about the throat the water had no chance to utter the slightest sound and soon lay bound and gagged upon the floor while arthur abland slipped himself into his uniform and got hold of his keys towards the work of but a few moments more to open the gates let down the bridge and admit the rest of the band and they got inside the town so quietly that none knew of their coming fortune also favored them in the fact that just at this moment the prison doors had been opened for the march of the condemned man and every soldier and idol out in the marketplace had trooped thither to see him pass along presently out came will stutley with firm step but ejected air he looked eerily to the right hand and to the left but saw none of the band and though more than one curious face betrayed friendship in it he knew there could be no aid from such source will's hands were tied behind his back he marched between rows of soldiery and the sheriff and the bishop brought up the rear on horses looking mightily puffed up and important over the whole proceeding he would show these sturdy rubbles would the sheriff whose word was law he knew that the gates were tightly fastened and further he believed that the outlaws would hardly venture again within the walls even if the gates were open and as he looked around at the five score archers and pikemen who lined the way to the gallows he smiled with grim satisfaction seeing that no help was nigh the prisoner paused at the foot of the scaffold and spoke in a firm tone to the sheriff my lord sheriff quote he since I must needs die grant me one boon for my noble master near yet had a man that was hanged on a tree give me a sword all in my hand and let me be unbound and with thee and thy men will I fight till I lie dead on the ground but the sheriff would by no means listen to his request but swore that he should be hanged a shameful death and not die by the sword valiantly oh no no no the sheriff said thou shalt on the gallows die I and so shall thy master too if ever it in me lie oh dastard cowards stutley cried faint hearted peasant slave if ever my master do thee meet thou shalt thy payment have my noble master the dust scorn and all thy cowardly crew such silly imps unable are old robin to subdue this brave speech was not calculated to soothe the sheriff to the gallows with him he roared giving a sign to the hangman and stutley was pushed into the rude cart which was to bear him under the gallows until his neck was leashed then the cart would be drawn roughly away and the unhappy man would swing out over the tail of it into another world but at this moment came a slight interruption a boys looking palmer stepped forward and said your excellency let me at least strive this poor wretched soul ere it be hurled into eternity no shouted the sheriff let him die a dog's death then this damnation will rest upon you said the monk firmly you my lord bishop cannot stand by and see this wrong done the bishop hesitated like the sheriff he wanted no delay but the people were beginning to mutter among themselves and move about uneasily he said a few words to the sheriff and the latter nodded to the monk ungraciously perform your duty sir priest quote he and be quick about it then turning to his soldiers watch this palmer narrowly he commanded be like he is in league with those rascally outlaws but the palmer paid no heed to his last words he began to tell his beads quickly and to speak in a low voice to the condemned man but he did not touch his bonds then came another stir in the crowd and one came pushing through the press of people and soldiery to come near to the scaffold i pray you will before you die take leave of all your friends cried out the well-known voice of much the miller's son at the word the palmer stepped back suddenly and looked to one side the sheriff also knew the sees him he shouted to his another of the crew he is the villain cook who once did rob me of my silver plate will make a double hanging of this not so fast good master sheriff retorted much first catch your man and then hang him but meanwhile i would like to borrow my friend of you a while and with one stroke of his keen hunting knife he cut the bonds which fastened the prisoner's arms and stutley leaped lightly from the cart treason screamed the sheriff getting black with rage catch the varlots so saying he spurred his horse fiercely forward and rising in his stirrups brought down his sword with might and main at much his head but his former cook dodged nimbly underneath the horse and came up on the other side while the weapon whistled harmlessly in the air nay sir sheriff he cried i must even borrow your sword for the friend i have borrowed there upon he snatched the weapon deftly from the sheriff's hand here stutley said he the sheriff has lent you his own sword back to back with me man and will teach these naves a trick or two meanwhile the soldiers had recovered from their momentary surprise and had flung themselves into the fray a clear bugle note had also sounded the same which the soldiers had learned to dread was the rallying note of the greenwood men cloth yard shafts began to hurdle through the air and robin and his men cast aside their cloaks and sprang forward crying loxley loxley a rescue a rescue on the instant a terrible scene of hand to hand fighting followed the sheriff's men though once more taken by surprise were determined to sell this rescue dearly they packed in closely and stubbornly about the condemned man and much and the palmer and it was only by desperate rushes that the foresters made an opening in the square ugly cuts and bruises were exchanged freely and lucky was the man who escaped with only these many of the onlookers who had long hated the sheriff and felt sympathy for robin's men also plunged into the conflict although they could not well keep out of it in sooth and aided the rescuers no little at last with a mighty on rush robin cleaved away through the press to the scaffold itself and not a second too soon for two men with pikes had leaped upon the cart and were in the act of thrusting down upon the palmer and will stoutly a mighty upward blow from robin's good blade sent the pike flying from the hand of one while a well-directed arrow from the outskirt pierced the other fellow's throat god save you master cried will stoutly joyfully i had begun to fear that i would never see your face again a rescue shouted the outlaws afresh and the soldiery became faint hearted and began to give back but the field was not yet one for they retreated in close order toward the east gate resolved to hem the attackers within the city walls here again however they were in error since the outlaws did not go out by their nearest gate they made a sally in that direction in order to mislead the soldiery then abruptly turned and headed for the west gate which was still guarded by arthur abland the sheriff's men raised an exultant shout at this thinking that they had the enemy trapped down they charged after them but the outlaws made good their lead and soon got through the gate and over the bridge which had been let down by arthur abland close upon their heels came the soldiers so close that arthur had no time to close the gate again or raise the bridge so he threw away his key and fell in with the yeoman who now began their retreat up the long hill to the woods on this side the town the road leading to the forest was long and almost unprotected the greenwood men were therefore in some distress for the archers shot at them from loopholes in the walls and the pikemen were reinforced by a company of mounted men from the castle but the outlaws retreated stubbornly and now and again turned to hold their pursuers at bay by a valley of arrows stutley was in their midst fighting with the energy of two and the little palmer was there also but took no part saved to keep close to robin's side and motor silent words as though in prayer robin put his horn to his lips to sound a rally when a flying arrow from the enemy pierced his hand the palmer gave a little cry and sprang forward the sheriff who followed close with the men on horseback also saw the wound and gave a great hazzah ha you will shoot no more bows for a seasoned master outlaw he shouted you lie retorted robin fiercely wrenching the shaft from his hand despite the streaming blood i have saved one shot for you all this day here take it and he fitted the same arrow which had wounded him upon the string of his bow and let it fly toward the sheriff's head the sheriff fell forward upon his horse in mortal terror but not so quickly as to escape unhurt the sharp point laid a bare deep gash upon his scalp and must certainly have killed him if it had come closer the fall of the sheriff discomforted his followers for the moment and robin's men took this chance to speed on up the hill the palmer had whipped out a small white handkerchief and tried to staunch robin's wound as they went at sight of the palmer's hand robin turned with a start and pushed back the other's hood marion he explained you here it was indeed made marion who had helped save well and been in the stress of battle from the first now she hung her head as though caught in wrong i had to come robin she said simply and i knew you would not let me come else their further talk was interrupted by an exclamation from will scarlett by the saints we are trapped he said and pointed to the top of the hill toward which they were pressing there from out a gray castle poured a troop of men armed with pikes and axes who shouted and came running down upon them at the same instant the sheriff's men also renewed the pursuit alas cried poor marion we are undone there is no way of escape courage dear heart said robin drawing her close to him but his own spirit sank as he looked about for some outlet then oh joyful sight he recognized among the foremost of those coming from the castle that once doleful night sir richard of the laia he was smiling now and greatly excited a hood a hood he cried a rescue a rescue never were there more welcome sights and sounds than these with a great cheer the outlaws raced up the hill to meet their new friends and soon the whole force had gained the shelter of the castle bang went the bridge as it swung back with great clanking of chains clash went one great door upon the other as they shut in the outlaw band and shut out the sheriff who dashed up at the head of his men his bandage face streaked with blood and inflamed with rage so ends chapter 20 chapter 21 of robin hood by jay walker mcspaden this labor box recording is in the public domain how sir richard of the laia repaid his debt the proud sheriff loud gan cry and said thou traitor night thou keepest hear the king's enemy against the laws and right open the gate shouted the sheriff hoarsely to the sentinel upon the walls open i say in the king's name why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises asked a hearty voice and sir richard himself stepped forth upon the turret you know me well traitor night said the sheriff now give up into my hands the enemy of the king whom you have sheltered against the laws and right fair and softly sir quote the night smoothly i well avow that i have done certain deeds this day but i have done them upon my own land which you now trespass upon and i shall answer only to the king whom god preserve for my actions thou soft spoken villain said the sheriff still in a towering passion i also serve the king and if these outlaws are not given up to me at once i shall lay siege to the castle and burn it with fire first show me your warrants said sir richard curtly my word is enough am i not sheriff of nottingham if you are in sooth retorted the night you should know that you have no authority within my lands unless you bear the king's order in the meantime go mend your manners lording and sir richard snapped his fingers and disappeared from the walls the sheriff after lingering a few moments longer in hope of further parley was forced to withdraw swearing fiercely the king's order muttered he that shall i have without delay as well as this upstart night's estates for king richard is lately returned i hear from the holy land meanwhile the night had gone back to robin hood and the two men greeted each other right gladly well met bold robin cried he taking him in his arms well met indeed the lord has lately prospered me and i was minded this day to ride forth and repay my debt to you and so you have answered robin gaily nay it was nothing this small service said the night i meant the money's coming to you they have all been repaid said robin my lord of herford himself gave them to me the exact sum asked the night the exact sum answered robin winking solemnly sir richard smiled but said no more at the time robin was made to rest until dinner should be served meanwhile a leech bound up his hand with ointment promising him that he should soon have its use again some half score others of the omen had been hurt in the fight but luckily none of grave moment they were all bandaged and made happy by bumpers of ale at dinner sir richard presented robin to his wife and son the lady was stately and gracious and made much of marion whom she had known as a little girl and who was now clothed more seemingly for a dinner than in monkish garments young esquire was a goodly youth and bade fair to make a stout a knight as his father the feast was a joyous event there were two long tables and 200 men sat down with them and ate and drank and afterward sang songs and 140 of these men were lincoln green and called robin hood their chief never iween had there been a more gallant company at table in leia castle that night the foresters tarried within the friendly walls and the next day took leave though sir richard protested that they should have made a longer stay and he took robin aside to his strong room and pressed him again to take the 400 golden pounds but his guest was firm keep the money for it is your own said robin i have but made the bishop return that which he extorted unjustly sir richard thanked him in a few earnest words and asked him and all his men to visit the armory before they departed and therein they saw placed apart and 140 stout you bowls of cunning make with fine wax and silk strings and 140 she's of arrows every shaft was a just l long set with peacock feathers and notched with silver and sir richard's fair lady came forward and with her own hands gave each yeoman a bowl and a sheath in sooth these are poor presents we have made you good robin hood said sir richard but they carry with them a thousand times their weight in gratitude the sheriff made good his threat to inform the king fourth road he to london town upon the week following his scalp wound having healed sufficiently to permit him to travel this time he did not seek out prince john but asked audience with king richard of the lion heart himself his majesty had but lately returned from the crusades and was just then looking into the state of his kingdom so the sheriff found ready audience then to him the sheriff spoke at length concerning robin hood how that for many months the outlaws had defied the king and slayed the king's dear how robin had gathered about him the best archers in all the countryside and finally how the traitorous knight sir richard of the laya had rescued the band when capture seemed certain and refused to deliver them up to justice the king heard him through with attention and quote he me seems i have heard of this same robin hood and his men and also seen somewhat of their prowess did not the same outlaw shoot in a royal tourney at finsbury field they did your majesty under a royal amnesty in this speech the sheriff aired for the king asked quickly how came they last to the ferret nodding ham by stealth yes your majesty did you forbid them to come know your majesty that is speak out for the good of the shire began the sheriff again falteringly we did proclaim an amnesty but was because these men had proved a menace now by my halodome quote the king while his brow grew black such treachery would be unknown in the camp of the serison and yet we call ourselves a christian people the sheriff kept silence through very fear and shame then the king began speech again naveless my lord sheriff we promise to look into this matter those outlaws must be taught that there is but one king in england and that he stands for the law so the sheriff was dismissed with very mixed feelings and went his way home to nodding ham town a fortnight later the king began to make good his word by riding with a small party of knights to lay a castle sir richard was advised of the cavalcade's approach and quickly recognized his royal master in the tall knight who rode in advance hasting to open wide his castle gates he went forth to meet the king and fell on one knee and kissed his stirrup for sir richard also had been with the king to the holy land and they had gone on many adventurous quests together the king paid him rise and dismounted from his own horse to greet him as a brother in arms and arm in arm they went into the castle while bugles and trumpets sounded forth joyous welcome in honor of the great occasion after the king had rested and sucked he turned upon the night and with gray face inquired what is this i hear about your castles becoming a nest and harbor for outlaws the sir richard of the laia divining that the sheriff had been at the king's ear with this story made a clean breast of all he knew how that the outlaws had befriended him in sore need as they had befriended others and how that he had given them only nightly protection in return the king liked the story well for his own soul was one of chivalry and he asked other questions about robin hood and heard of the ancient wrong done his father before him and of robin's own enemies and of his manner of living in sooth cried king richards bringing up i must see this bold fellow for myself and you will entertain my little company and be ready to sally forth upon the second day in quest of me if need were i shall even fare alone into the greenwood to seek an adventure with him but of this adventure you shall be told in the next tale for i have already shown you how sir richard of the laia repaid his debt with interest so ends chapter 21 chapter 22 of robin hood by jay walker mixpaden this lever vox recording is in the public domain how king richard came to sherwood forest king richard hearing of the pranks of robin hood and his men he much admired and more desired to see both him and them then robin takes a can of ale come let us now begin and every man shall have his can here's a health unto the king fryer tuck had nursed little john's wounded knee so skillfully that it was now healed ensued the last part of the nursing depended more upon strength than skill for it consisted chiefly of holding down the patient by main force to his cot little john had felt so well that he had insisted upon getting up before the wound was healed and he would have done so if the fryer had not piled some holy books upon his legs and sat upon his stomach under this vigorous treatment little john was constrained to lie quiet until the fryer gave him leave to get up at last he had this leave and he and the fryer went forth to join the rest of the band who were right glad to see them you may be sure they sat around a big fire for twas a chilly evening and they feasted and made merry in great content a cold rain set in later but the fryer wended his way back naveless to his little hermitage there he made himself a cheerful blaze and changed his dripping robe and had sat himself down with a pious satisfaction before a tankard of hot mulled wine and a pasty when suddenly a voice was heard on the outside demanding admission his kennel of dogs set up furious uproar on the instant by way of proving the fact of a stranger's presence now by st peter growled the fryer who comes here at this unseemly hour does he take this for a hostelry move on friend else my mulled wine will get cold so sane he put the tankard to his lips when a thundering wrap sounded upon the door panel making it to quiver and causing tuck almost to drop his tankard while an angry voice shouted whole within their open I say go your way in peace roared back the fryer I can do nothing for you his but a few miles to game well if you know the road but I do not know the road and if I did I would not budge another foot his wet without and dry within so open without further parlay a moraine sees you for disturbing a holy man in his prayers muttered tuck savagely naveless he was feigned to unbar the door in order to keep it from being battered down then lighting a torch at his fire and whistling for one of his dogs he strode forth to see who his visitor might be the figure of a tall knight clad in a black coat of mail with plumed helmet stood before him by his side stood his horse also comparisoned in rich armor have you no supper brother asked the black knight curly I must beg of you a bed and a bit of roof for this night and feign would refresh my body air I sleep I have no room that even your steed would dame to accept sir night and not say the crust of bread and pitcher of water I faith I can smell better fare than that brother and must even force my company upon you though I shall recompense it for gold in the name of the church as for my horse let him but be blanketed and put on the sheltered side of the house and without further parlay the night boldly strode past tuck and his dog and entered the hermitage something about his masterful air please tuck in spite of his churlishness sit you down sir night quote he and I will fasten up your steed and find him somewhat in the shape of grain half also of my bed and board is yours this night but we shall see later who is the better man and is to give the orders with all my soul said the night laughing I can pay my keeping and blows or gold as you prefer the friar presently returned and drew up a small table near the fire now sir night quote he put off your sword and helm and such other war gear as it pleases you and help me lay this table for I am passing hungry the night did as he was told and put aside the visor which had hid his face he was a bronze and bearded man with blue eyes and hair shot with gold haughty but handsome with all then once again the priest sat him down to his pasty and mulled wine right hopefully he spoke his grace with some haste and was surprised to hear his guests respond fittingly in the latin tongue then they attacked the wine and pasty valiantly and the black night made good his word of being in need of refreshment tuck looked roofily at the rapidly disappearing food but came to grudge it not by reason of the stories with which his guests enliven the meal the wine and warmth of the room had cheered them both and they were soon laughing uproariously as the best of comrades in the world the black night it seemed had traveled everywhere he had been on crusades had fought the courteous saladin had been in prison and often in peril but now he spoke of it lightly and laughed it off and made himself so friendly that fryer tuck was like to choke with merriment so passed the time till late and the two fell asleep together one on each side of the table which had been cleared to the platters in the morning fryer tuck awoke disposed to be surly but was speedily mullified by the sight of the black night who had already risen gay as a lark washed his face and hands and was now stirring a hot gruel over the fire by my faith i make a sorry host cried tuck springing to his feet and later as they sat at breakfast he added i want not your gold of which you spoke last night but instead i will do what i can to speed you on your way whenever you wish to depart then tell me said the night how i may find robin hood the outlaw for i have a message to him from the king all day yesterday i sought him but found him not fryer tuck lifted up his hands in holy horror i am a lover of peace sir night and do not consort with robin's bold fellows nay i think no harm of master hood said the night but much i yearn to have speed with him in my own person if that be all may have i can guide you to his haunts said tuck who foresaw in this night a possible gold bag for robin ensued i could not well live in these woods without hearing somewhat of the outlaws but matters of religion are my chief joy and occupation i will go with you brother said the black knight so without more ado they went their way into the forest the night riding upon his charger and tuck pacing along demirally by his side the day had dawn clear and bright and now with the sun a good three hours high a sweet autumn fragrance was in the air the wind had just the touch of coolness in it which sets the hunter's blood detangling and every creature of nature seemed bounding with joyous life the night sniffed the fresh air and delight by my halodome quote he but the good greenwood is the best place to live in after all what court or capital can equal this for full-blooded men none of this earth replied tuck smilingly and once more his heart warmed toward the courteous stranger they had not proceeded more than three or four miles along the way from fountain abbey to barnsdale when of a sudden the bushes just ahead of them parted and a well-knit man with curling brown hair stepped into the road and laid his hand upon the night's bridle it was robin hood he had seen fryer tuck a little way back and truly suspected his plan tuck however they not know him at all hold cried robin i am in charge of the highway this day and must exact an accounting from all passersby who is it bids me hold asked the night quietly i am not in the habit of yielding to one man then here are others to keep me company said robin clapping his hands and instantly a half-score other stalwart fellows came out of the bushes and stood beside him we be yeoman of the forest sir knight continued robin and live under the greenwood tree we have no means of support thanks to the tyranny of our overlords other than the aid which fat churchmen and goodly knights like yourselves can give and as you have churches and rents both and gold and great plenty we beseechee for saint charity to give us some of your spending i am but a poor monk good sir said fryer tuck in a whining voice and am on my way to the shrine of saint dunstan if your worshipfulness will permit carry a space with us answered robin fighting back a smile and we will speed you on your way the black knight now spoke again but we are messengers of the king quote he his majesty himself carries here and would have speech with robin hood god save the king said robin doffing his cap loyally and all that wish him well i am robin hood but i say cursed be the man who denies our league king sovereignty have a care said the knight or you shall curse yourself nay not so replied robin curly the king has no more devoted subject than i nor have i despoiled ought of his save may have a few deer for my hunger my chief war is against the clergy and barons of the land who bear down upon the poor but i am glad he continued that i have met you here and before we end you shall be my friend and taste of our greenwood cheer but what is the reckoning asked the knight for i am told that some of your feasts are costly nay responded robin waving his hands you are from the king nay's less how much money is in your purse i have no more than 40 gold pieces seen that i have lain a fortnight at nottingham with the king and have spent some goodly amounts upon other lordings replied the knight robin took the 40 pounds and gravely counted it one half he gave to his men and bade them drink the king's health with it the other half he handed back to the knight sir he said courteously have this for your spending if you lie with kings and lordings over much you are like to need it bray mercy replied the other smiling and now lead us on to your greenwood hostelry so robin went on the one side of the knight's steed and fire took on the other and the men went before and behind till they came to the open glade before the caves of barnsdale then robin drew forth his bugle and winded the three signal blasts of the band soon there came a company of yeoman with its leader and another and a third and a fourth till there were seven score yeoman in sight all were dressed in new livery of lincoln green and carried new bows in their hands and bright short swords at their belts and every man bent his knee to robin hood air taking his place before the board which was already set a handsome dark haired page stood at robin's right hand to pour his wine and that of the nightly guest while the night marveled much at all he saw and said with him himself these men of robin hoods give him more obedience than my fellows give to me at the signal from robin the dinner began there was venison and file and fish and wheat and cake and ale and red wine in great plenty and was a goodly sight to see the smiles upon the hungry yeoman's faces first they listened to an anxious grace from friar tuck and then robin lifted high a tankard of ale come let us now begin quote he and every man shall have his can in honor of our guest who comes with royal word here's a health unto the king the guest responded heartily to this toast and round about the board it went the men cheering noisily for king richard after the feast was over robin turned to his guest and said now you shall see what life we lead so that you may report faithfully for good or bad under the king so what a signal from him the men rose up and smartly bent their bows for practice while the night was greatly astonished at the smallness of their targets a wand was set up far down the glade and thereon was balanced a garland of roses who so ever failed to speed his shaft through the garland without knocking it off the wand was to submit to a buffet from the hand of friar tuck oh ho cried the night as his late traveling companion rose up and bared his brawny arm ready for service so you my friend are friar tuck i have not gained said it replied tuck growling at having betrayed himself but chastisement is a rule of the church and i am seeking the good of the stray sheep the night said no more though his eyes twinkled and the shooting began david of don caster shot first and landed safely through the rose garland then came alana dale and little john and stutley and scarlet and many of the rest while the night held his breath from very amazement each fellow shot truly through the garland until middle the tinker not to be outdone stepped up for a trial but alas while he made a fair shot for a townsman the arrow never came within a hand breath of the outer rim of the garland come here their fellow said little john coxingly the priest would bless thee with his open hand then because middle made a rye face as though he had already received the buffet and loitered in his steps arthur abland and will stutley seized him by the arms and stood him before the friar tux big arm flashed through the air woof and stopped suddenly against the tinker's ear while middle himself went rolling over and over in the grass he was stopped by a small bush and up he sat thrusting his head through it rubbing his ear and blinking up at the sky as though the stars had fallen and struck him the yeoman roared with merriment and as for the night he laughed till the tears came out of his blue eyes and rolled down his face after middle's mishap others of the band seemed to lose their balance and fared in the same fashion the garland would topple over in a most impish way at every breath although the arrows went through it so middle began to feel better when he saw this one and that one tumbling on the sword at last came robin's turn he shot carefully but as ill luck would have it the shaft was ill feathered and swerve sideways so that it missed the garland by full three fingers then a great roar went up from the whole company for it was rare that they saw their leader miss his mark robin flung his bow upon the ground from very vexation a moraine take it quote he the arrow was sadly winged i felt the poor feather upon it as it left my fingers then suddenly seizing his bow again he sped three shafts as fast as he could send them and everyone went clean through the garland by saint george muttered the night never before saw i such shooting in all christendom the band cheered heartily at these last shots but will scarlet came up gravely to robin pretty shooting master quote he but will not save you from pain for the bad arrow so walk up and take your medicine nay that may not be protested robin the good fryer belongs to my company and has no authority to lift hands against me but you sir knight stand as it were for the king i pray you serve out my blow not so said fryer tuck my son you forget i stand for the church which is greater even than the king not in mary england said the night in a deep voice then rising to his feet he added i stand ready to serve you master hood now out upon me for an upstart night cried fryer tuck i told you last night sarah that we should yet see who was the better man so we will even prove it now and thus sell who is to pay robin hood good said robin for i want not to start a dispute between church and state good also said the night is an easy way to end prattling come fryer strike any dare i will give you first blow you have the advantage of an iron pot on your head and gloves on your hands said the fryer but have at you down you shall go if you were goliath of gath once more the priest brawny arm flashed through the air and struck with a wolf but to the amazement of all the night did not budge from his tracks though the upper half of his body swore slightly to ease the force of the blow a loud shout burst from the yeoman at this for the fryer's fist was proverbial and few of those presence had not felt the force of it in times past now to his my turn said his antagonist coolly casting aside his gauntlet and with one blow of his fist the night sent the fryer spinning to the ground if there had been an uproar and shouting before it was as not to the noise which now broke forth every fellow held his sides or rolled upon the ground from laughter every fellow save one and that was robin hood out of the frying pan and into the fire thought he i wish i had let the fire box my ears after all robin's plight did indeed seem a sorry one before the steel muscles of his stranger but he was saved from a tumble heels overhead by an unlooked for diversion a horn winded in the glade and a party of nights were seen approaching to your arms cried robin hurriedly seizing his sword and bow his sir richard of the laia cried another as the troop came nearer and so it was sir richard spurred forward his horse and dashed up to the camp while the outlaw stood at stiff attention when he had come near the spot where the black knight stood he dismounted and knelt before him i trust your majesty has not needed our arms before he said humbly it is the king cried will scarlett falling upon his knees the king echoed robin hood after a moment of dumb wonderment and he and all his men bent reverently upon their knees as one man so ends chapter 22 chapter 23 of robin hood by jay walker mick spaden this libra vox recording is in the public domain how robin hood and made merrian were wed stand up again then said the king i'll be thy pardon give stand up my friend who can contend when i give leave to live then robin hood began a health to merrian his only dear and his yeoman all both comely and tall did quickly bring up the rear your pardon sire exclaimed robin hood pardon from your royal bounty for these my men who stand ready to serve you all your days richard of the lionheart looked grimly about over the kneeling band is it as your leader says he asked i my lord king first from seven score throats at once we be not outlaws from choice alone continued robin but have been driven to outlawry through oppression grant us grace and royal protection and we will forsake the greenwood and follow the king richards i sparkled as he looked from one to another of this stalwart band and he thought within himself that here indeed was a royal bodyguard worth the while swear he said in his full rich voice swear that you robin hood and all your men from this day henceforth will serve the king we swear came once more the answering shout from the yeoman arise then said king richard i give you all free pardon and will speedily put your service to the test for i love such archers as you have shown yourselves to be and it were a sad pity to decree such men to death england could not produce the like again for many a day but in sooth i cannot allow you to roam in the forest and shoot my dear nor to take the law of the land into your own hands therefore i now appoint you to be royal archers in my own special bodyguard there be one or two civil matters to settle with certain norman nobleman in which i crave your aid thereafter the half of your number as may later be determined shall come back to these woodlands as royal foresters may hap you will show as much zeal in protecting my preserves as you have formally shown in hunting them where now is that outlaw known as little john stand forth here sire quote the giant doffing his cap good master little john said the king looking him over approvingly could your weak sinew stand the strain of an office in the shire if so you are this day sheriff of nodding him and i trust you will make a better official than the man you relieve i shall do my best sire said little john great astonishment and gladness in his heart master scarlet stand forth said the king and then addressing him i have heard somewhat of your tale quote he and that your father was the friend of my father now therefore accept the royal pardon and resume the care of your family estates for your father must be growing old and come you to london next court day and we shall see if there be a knighthood vacant likewise the king called for wil stutley and made him chief of the royal archers then he summoned friar tuck to draw near i crave my king's pardon said the priest humbly enough for who am i to lift my hand against the lords anointed nay the lord sent the smiter to thee without delay returned richard smiling and is not for me to continue a quarrel between church and state so what can i do for you in payment of last night's hospitality can i find some fat living where there are no wicked to chastise and where the work is easy and comfortable not so my lord replied tuck i wish only for peace in this life mine is a simple nature and i care not for the friperies and follies of court life give me a good meal and a cup of rite brew health and enough for the day and i ask no more richard side you asked the greatest thing in the world brother contentment it is not mine to give or to deny but ask your god for it and if be like he granite then ask it also in behalf of your king he glanced around once more at the foresters which one of you is alan a dale he asked and alan came forward so said the king with sober face you are that errant minstrel who stole a bride at plimpton despite her would be groom and attending bishop i heard something of this in former days now what excuse have you to make only that i loved her sire and she loved me said alan simply and the norman lord would have married her per force because of her lands which have since been forfeited by the bishop of herford replied richard but my lord bishop must disgorge them and from tomorrow you and mistress dale are to return to them and live in peace and loyalty and if ever i need your harp at court stand ready to attend me and bring also the lady speaking of ladies he continued turning to robin hood who had stood silent wondering if a special punishment was being reserved for him did you not have a sweetheart who was once at court one mistress marion what has become of her that you should have forgotten her nay your majesty said the black eyed page coming forward blushingly robin has not forgotten me so said the king bending to kiss her small hand in all gallantry verily as i have already thought within myself this master hood is better served than the king in his palace but are you not the only child of the late earl of huntington i am sire though there be some who say that robin hood's father was formerly the rightful earl of huntington nathless neither he is advantaged nor i for the estates are confiscate then they shall be restored forthwith cried the king and leashed you too should revive the ancient quarrel over them i bestow them upon you jointly come forward robin hood robin came and knelt before his king richard drew his sword and touched him upon the shoulder rise robin fitsuth earl of huntington he exclaimed while a mighty cheer arose from the band and rent the air of the forest the first command i give you my lord earl continued the king when quiet was restored is to marry mistress marion without delay may i obey all your majesty's commands as willingly cried the new earl of huntington drawing the old earl's daughter close to him the ceremony shall take place tomorrow and this maid is willing she makes little protest said the king so i shall even give away the bride myself then the king chatted with others of the foresters and made himself as one of them for the evening rejoicing that he could have this careless freedom of the woods and much the miller's son and arthur abland and middle and stutley and scarlet and little john and others played at the quarter staff giving and getting many lusty blows then as the shades of night drew on the whole company nights and foresters sucked and drank around a blazing fire while alon sang sweetly to the thrumming of the harp and the others joined in the chorus it was a happy carefree night this last one together under the greenwood tree robin could not help feeling an undertone of sadness that it was to be the last for the charm of the woodland was still upon him but he knew it was better so and that the new life with marion and in the service of his king would bring its own joys then the night deepened the fire sank but was replenished and the company lay down to rest the king at his own request spent the night in the open thus they slept king and subject alike out under the stars cared for lovingly by nature kind mother of us in the morning the company was early a stirrer and on their way to nottingham it was a goodly cavalcade first rode king richard of the lionheart with his tall figure set forth by the black armor and waving plume in his helm then came sir richard of the leah with four score knights and men at arms and after them came robin hood and made marion riding upon milk white steeds alana dale also escorted mistress dale on horseback for she was to be matron of honor at the wedding these were followed by seven score archers clad in their bravest lincoln green and with their new bows unstrung in token of peace outside the gates of nottingham town they were halted who comes here asked the warder's surly voice open to the king of england came back the clear answer and the gates were opened and the bridge let down without delay almost before the company had crossed the moat the news spread through the town like wildfire the king is here the king is here and hath taken robin hood from every corner flocked to people to see the company pass and wildly did they cheer for the king who rode smilingly with bare head down through the marketplace at the far end of it he was met by the sheriff who came up puffing in his haze to do the king honor he fairly turned green with rage when he saw sir richard of the leah and robin hood in the royal company but made low obeisance to his master sir sheriff quote the king i have come to rid the shire of outlaws according to my promise there be none left for all have now taken service with their king and least there should be further outbreak i have determined to place in charge of this shire a man who fears no other man in it master little john is hereby created sheriff of nottingham and you will turn over the keys to him forthwith the sheriff bowed but dared utter no word then the king turned to the bishop of herford who had also come up to pay his respects harkey my lord bishop quote he the stench of your evil actions had reached our nostrils we shall demand strict accounting for certain seizures of the lands and certain acts of oppression which it will become a church man but of this later this afternoon you must officiate at the wedding of two of our company in nottingham church so make you ready the bishop also bowed and departed glad to escape a severe censure for the time the company then rode on to the mansion house where the king held high levy through all the noon hours and the whole town made a holiday in the afternoon the way from the mansion house to nottingham church was lined with cheering people as the wedding party passed by the famous bullmen were gazed at as curiously as though they had been wild animals but were cheered nonetheless robin who had long been held in secret liking was now doubly popular since he had the king's favor along the way ahead of the king and the smiling bride and groom to be ran little maids screwing flowers while streamers floated and greeting from the windows i weaned the only hearts that were not glad this day were those of the old sheriff and of his proud daughter who peered between the shutters of her window and was like to eat out her heart from envy and hatred at last the party reached the church where the king dismounted lightly from his horse and helped the bride to a light while will scarlet the best man assisted mr. stale within the church they found the bishop robed in state and by his side fryer tuck who had been especially deputed to assist the service was said in latin while the organ peeled for softly the king gave away the bride as he had said and afterwards claimed first kiss for his pains then the happy party dispersed and robin and marion passed out again through the portal man and wife out through the cheering streets they fared while the greenwood men ran ahead and flung gold pennies right and left in their joy and bade the people drink the health of the young couple and the king then the whole party took course at will scarlet's earnest wish and went down to game well lodge where the old squire george wet for joy at seeing his son and the king and the wedding party that night they spent there and feasted and the next day sir richard of the lair claimed them and thus amid feasting and rejoicing and kingly favor robin hood the new earl of huntingdon and his bride began their wedded life so ends chapter 23 chapter 24 of robin hood by jay walker mcspaden this libra vox recording is in the public domain recording by barry eads how robin hood met his death 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 dig to be now by good right this story should end with the wedding of robin hood and made marion for do not many pleasant tales end with a wedding and the saying and they lived happy ever after but this is a true account insofar as we can find the quaint old ballads which tell of it and so we must follow one more of these songs and learn how robin after living many years longer at last came to seek his grave and the story of it runs in this wise robin hood and his men now the royal archers went with king richard of the lionheart through england settling certain private disputes which had arisen among the norman barons while the king was gone to the holy land then the king proceeded amid great prompt and rejoicing to the palace at london and robin the new role of huntington brought his countess thither where she became one of the finest ladies of the court the royal archers were now divided into two bands and one half of them were retained in london while the other half returned to sure wood and barnsdale there to guard the king's preserves several months passed by and robin began to chafe under their strength of city life he longed for the fresh pure air of the greenwood and the rollicking society of his yeoman one day upon seeing some lads at archery practice upon a green he could not help but lament saying what was me i fear my hand is fast losing its old time cunning at the bowstring finally he became so distraught that he asked leave to travel in foreign lands and this was granted him he took made marion with him and together they went through many strange countries finally in an eastern land a great grief came upon robin marion sickened of a plague and died they had been married but five years and robin felt as though all the light had gone out of his life he wandered about the world for a few months longer trying to forget his grief then came back to the court at london and sought some commission and active service but unluckily richard was gone again upon his adventures and prince john who acted as regent had never been fond of robin he received him with a sarcastic smile go forth into the greenwood he said coldly and kill some more of the king's dear be like then the king will make you prime minister at the very least upon his return the taunt fired robin's blood he had been in a morose mood ever since his dear wife's death he answered prince john hotly and the prince bait his guard sees him and cast him into the tower after lying there for a few weeks he was released by the faithful stutley and the remnant of the royal archers and all together they fled the city and made their way to the greenwood there robin blew the old familiar call which all had known and loved so well up came running the remainder of the band who had been royal foresters and when they saw their old master they embraced his knees and kissed his hands and fairly cried for joy that he had come again to them and one and all forced war fealty to prince john and live quietly with robin in the greenwood doing harm to none and only awaiting the time when king richard should come again but king richard came not again and would never need his royal guard more tidings presently reached them of how he had met his death in a foreign land and how john reigned his king in his stead the proof of these events followed soon after when there came striding through the glade the big familiar form of little john our come to arrest us called out robin as he ran forward and embraced his old comrade nay i am not come as the sheriff of nottingham thanks be answered little john the new king has deposed me and is greatly to my liking for i have long desired to join you here again in the greenwood then were the rest of the band right glad at this news and toasted little john royally the new king waged fierce war upon the outlaws soon after this and sent so many scouting parties into surewood and barnsdale that robin and his men left these woods for a time and went into derbyshire near hayden hall a curious pile of stone is shown to this day as the ruins of robins castle where the bold outlaw is believed to have defied his enemies for a year or more at any rate king john found so many troubles of his own after a time that he ceased troubling the outlaws but in one of the last sorties robin was wounded the cut did not seem serious and healed over the top but it left a lurking fever daily his strength ebbed away from him until he was in sore distress one day as he rode along on horseback near kirkley's abbey he was seized with so violent a rush of blood to the head that he reeled and came near falling from his saddle he dismounted weakly and knocked at the abbey gate a woman shrouded in black peered forth who are you that knock here for we allow no man within these walls she said open for the love of heaven he begged i am robin hood ill of a fever and in sore straits at the name of robin hood the woman stared back and then as they'll be thinking herself unbarred the door and admitted him assisting his fainting frame up a flight of stairs and into a front room she lost his collar and bathed his face until he was revived then she spoke hurriedly in a low voice your fever will sink if you are bled see i have provided a lancet and will open your veins while you lie quiet so she bled him and he fell into a stupor which lasted nearly all that day so that he awoke weak and exhausted from loss of blood now there is a dispute as to this abyss who bled him some say that she did it in all kindness of heart while others avare that she was none other than the former sheriff's daughter and found her revenge at last in this cruel deed be that as it may robin's eye swam from very weakness when he awoke he called warily for help but there was no response he looked longingly through the window at the green of the forest but he was too weak to make the leap that would be needed to reach the ground he then bethought him of his horn which hung down at his knee he set his horn unto his mouth and blew out weak blast three little john was out in the forest nearby or the blast would never have been heard at their sound he sprang to his feet whoa whoa he cried i fear my master is near dead he blows so wearily so he made haste and came running up to the door of the abbey and knocked loudly for admittance failing to get reply he burst in the door with frenzied blows of his mighty fist and soon came running up to the room where robin lay white and faint a last dear master cried little john in great distress i fear you have met with treachery if that be so grant me one last boon i pray what is it asked robin let me burn kirkley's hall with fire and all its nunnery nay good comrade answered robin hood gently i cannot grant such a boon the dear christ bait us forgive all our enemies moreover you know i never hurt woman in all my life nor man went in woman's company he closed his eyes and fell back so that his friend thought him dying the great tears fell from the giant's eyes and wet his master's hand robin slowly rallied and seized his comrade's outstretched arm lift me up good little john he said brokenly i want to smell the air from the good greenwood once again give me my good you bow here here and fix a broad arrow upon the string out yonder among the oaks where this arrow shall fall let them dig my grave and with one last mighty effort he sped his shaft out of the open window straight and true as in the days of old till it struck the largest oak of them all and dropped in the shadow of the trees then he fell back upon the sobbing breast of his devoted friend tis the last he murmured tell the brave hearts to lay me there with the green sod under my head and feet and let them lay my bent bow at my side for it has made sweet music in my ears he rested a moment and little john scarce knew that he was alive but on a sudden robin's eye brightened and he seemed to think himself back once more with the band in the open forest glade he struggled to rise ha tis a fine stag will and alan thou never distrum the harp so sweetly how the light blazes and marion tis my marion come at last so died the body of robin hood but his spirit lives on through the centuries in the deathless ballads which are sung of him and in the hearts of men who love freedom and showery they buried him where his last arrow had fallen and they set a stone to mark the spot and on the stone were graven these words here underneath his little stone lies robert earl of huntington never archer as he's so good and people called him robin hood such outlaws as he and his men will england never see again so ends chapter 24 so ends robin hood by jay walker mixbaton