N O V E LS OF A m x AN

RO B I N HOO D
T H E O U T L AW
49 8 1 2
NEW LY TRANSLATED BY

AL F R E D AL L I N S O N

METHUEN 8: C O .

3 6 E S S E X S TR E E T w . c
.
 N O VE L S O F A L E X AN D R E D U M AS
P RI C E S I X P EN C E EAC H V O LU ME

hv o d p bl a o of a gl sh tra sla o of all

M
agr abl
ee
E SS R S JM ETHU E N a e c mm en ce t h e
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r a tast s ll o tt d
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o ly a of
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ne w E n
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n ti n
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th e

o pl t r dg d d t o of of gr at s ofstory t ll rs has o g b a d s d rat

.

A c m e e a nd u n a b i e e i i n
.

o ne th e e e t e e l n ee n e i e
-

for tho gh all gr at r ro a s hav b tra slat d o gl sh a of l ss r o s a

u the e e m nce e e en n e i nt E n i , a n d fe w th e e e ne , m n
h s o t ofpr t th r
of t e e ar e u l ast ov ls wh h hav v r
i n , a nd e e are at e 3 0 n ra sla d to gl sh
e ic e ne e be e n t n te i n E n i y

hs hr pr s t s r s wh h approa h s pl ss
T u t e e i s a t e e n no e i e ic c e co m et e n e
.

a h ov l w ll wly tra slat d y lfr d whos o p so d

.

E c n e i b e ne n e b M r A e Al l i ns o n , e c m e t e n ce i s u n u e t i n e
, a nd
ass st d by a gro p of a l s h lars s h p rat o g ga t as of ra sla g as q
.

he is i e u b e c o B y u c co O e i n t he i n i c t k t n ti n D um
to gl sh ll o pl t w h a r aso a l p r d
-

dr w a g has w
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in En i w i b e c m e ed i t i n e n b e e io M r An e L n r i tt e n a n i n t r o d u c

to hr s t rs h h o ly appr at o of that ro a also a st dy

. .

i nt o ‘f
Th e T ee M u ke ee , w i c i s n o t n a n
”
e ci i n m nce , b u t i s u
of as wr t r
D um t he i e a nd t h e ma n
pr of a h ol of ord ary d t o l p boo w ll pap r
.

Th e i ce e c v um e th e in e i i n wi l b e S ix e nce Th e ks i b e in
ov rs w th a har g d s g typ w ll good l g l a h ov l ll o ta d e .

c e i c m i n e i n, a nd th e e i be a nd e ib e E c n e W i be c n in e
w th ,

vol — ord r atta th s r s —lt s t s r al g l y

.

i i n o ne um e , b ut i n e to in i e u , a nd a t th e a me i m e t o e cu e e ib e t
pe , th e
v y lo g ov ls
er n n e th r a nda o t of th s w ll ss d do bl vol s
e e are b u 16 e e i or r l
b e i ue i n u e um e a t m , i n t eb e
vol s ov l ll p bl sh d rap dly t l ss
um e a t U 6d Th e n e s w i be u i e o pl t
i u n i th e i u e i s c m e e
h r ll also a dto ov s pr t d s p r or pap r o d loth
. .
, .

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in c , a nd
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A O F ICE THE
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A R G s P LAC E
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CATH E RI N E B L UM
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ma n Re i ni
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ORS I A I H E RS O TH O THE R R l
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lo g s
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eq e to he t
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0 62
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n fl
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 RO B I N HOOD TH E O

C HAPTE R I H ow know o n that I a m not pra ctise d

in this e x e rcise
N th e arly hours o f a b e autiful day
I
e By your fashion o f holding th e ho w .

in th e month of August Robin Hoo d , , I would wag e r what you will Sir Strang e r , ,

with a light h e art and a song o n his that yo u a r e b ett e r v e rs e d in ove rthrowing
lips was strolling down a narrow glad e
, a man o n th e fi e ld o f battl e than in
”
in Sh e rwood For e st Sudd e nly a strong . str e tching o u t t h e de e r in th e gre e n wood .

”
vo r e whose capricious ton e s e vide nce d a
c
‘

,
“
Exce ll e ntly answe re d laugh e d t he ,

profound i gnoranc e o f th e rul e s o f music , strang e r .

“
I s it p e rmissibl e to ask th e
took up t h e amorous ballad Robin Hood nam e o f o n e whose ey e is so pe n e trati ng
.
.

was singing . as to j udg e by a singl e shot th e diffe re nce

“
By r Lady ! ’
mutt e re d t he young b e twixt t h e action o f a soldi e r and that
man list e ning att e ntiv e ly to th e strang e r s
,
’
of a fore st e r
song ,
“
what an e xtraordinary thing .
“
My nam e boots littl e in t h e que stion
Thos e words a r e min e o w n composition , b e fore us Sir Strange r but I can t e ll
, ,

dating from my childhood and I hav e , you my qualifications I am o n e of t h e .

n e v e r taught th e m to a soul . chi e f k e e p e rs of this For e st and I do n o t ,

R e fl e cting thus Robin glide d b e hind 1u t e nd to allow m h e lpl e ss d e e r to b

, y e
t h e trunk of a tre e to wait until t h e , e xpos e d to t h e attacks of any who tak e

trav e ll e r had passe d Th e latt e r soon . it into th e ir h e ads to kill th e m m e re ly to ,

”
appe are d As h e cam e opposite t h e o a k
. try th e ir skill .

tr ee at th e foot o f which Robin was I car e not much f o r your int e ntions ,
”
sitting h e stoppe d and gaz e d into t h e
,
fair ke e pe r re join e d t h e strang e r in a
,

de pths o f th e wood . de libe rat e ton e and I de fy you to pr e ve nt

,
"
“
Ha ! ha ! h e said pe rc e iving through ,
m e from shoo ting min e arrows as be st m e
t h e thick e t a magnific e nt h e rd o f d e e r , s ee m e th I will kill th e dee r I will ki ll
.
,
”
“
th e r e a r e som e o l d acquaintanc e s ; l e t t h e fawns I will kill what I pl e as e
, .

us s e e wh e th e r min e e ye is still tru e and “

That wil l be e asy an if I do not o p ,

my hand sur e By St Paul ! I shall . . pos e you b e cause you a r e a right good
,
"
g i v e m ys e lf t h e pl e asure o f s e ndin g an bowman Robin re pli e d
,
“
And no w I .

arrow i nto yond e r lusty fe llow pacing will mak e yo u a proposition H e ar m e ! .

a long so stat e ly .
’
I am chi e f of a band o f me n stout h e arte d ,
-
,

Saying which th e stran g e r t o ok ,

cle ar witt e d and we ll skill e d in all th e
-
,

a rrow from his qu i v e r a n d adj ustin it e x e rcis e s o f th e ir trad e Y o u s e e m to m e

g , ,
.

to his bow aimed at th e d ee r wounding , ,

a good fe llow : if your he a rt be hon e st if ,

him mortally . you be o f a calm and conciliatory spirit :

“
W e ll don e ! cri e d a laughing voice ; I s h a l l b e happy to e nroll you in my
”
that was a right cle ve r shot . company Onc e yo u a r e o ne o f us yo u
.
,

Th e strang e r take n by surpris e turn e d , ,

may hunt th e d e e r ; but if yo u re fus e to
abruptly . j oin o ur broth e rhood I must ask yo u to ,
”
“
Th i nk you s o maste r ? said h e , ,
q ui t th e Fore st .

looking Robin up a n d down .

“
Truly mast e r ke e pe r yo u spe ak in a
, ,

Y e a y o u a r e most de xt e rous
,
. mighty ove rbe aring ton e Come now .
,

I nd ee d ! adde d th e oth e r i n a scornful h e ar me in your turn I f you d o n o t .

ton e spe e dily show m e your h ee ls I wil l give

a s—
. ,

N e v e r a doubt o f it a n d e s pe c 1a ll y , y o u such couns el with no grand

so f o r o n e little us e d to shoot at d e e r .
 ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLAW
words ; which counse l pr e tty bird will be , , Am e n ! said th e strang e r .

Th e trial o f str e ngth comm e nc e d Th e

'

a voll e y o f blows from a cudg e l pli e d ‘

”
pr e tty briskly . blows lib e rally administ e r e d o n both
,

Yo u b e at m e ! cri e d Robin scorn , sid e s soon ov e rwh e lm e d t h e strang e r

, ,

fully 3
. who did not succ e e d in hitting Robin
”
Ye a I l , onc e I ndignant and br e athl e ss t h e poor
.
,

My lad r e pli e d Robin ,

“
I would , youth flung down his w e apon .

fain not lose my t e mp e r for thou wouldst , C e as e h e cri e d I hav e had .

”
find it would go ill with th e e th e n ; but e nough of th i s .

if thou d ost not at onc e ob e y my ord e r to You own yours e lf b e at e n ? ask e d ”

quit th e For e st thou wilt b e first vigorously , Robin .

chastis e d ; th e r e aft e r w e will e e n try t h e ’

N o ; but I s ee yo u a r e m u ch strong e r
compass of t h y ne ck and t h e str e ngth o f . than I am Yo u a r e acc ustome d to wi e ld
.

thy body o n t h e high e st branch o f a tr e e a cudg e l which giv e s you too gr e at an

,
”
in this Fore st . advantag e ; t h e match should be as e qual
Th e stran g e r be gan to laugh as possibl e Can you u s e a sword ?
' ‘

. .

”
5 B e at m e a n d hang m e
‘
t s aid h e ; ,

, Ye a r e pli e d Robin
, .

“
t hat would b e curious if it w e r e not ,
“
Will you contin u e th e stru ggl e with
impossibl e L e t us s e e th e n G e t to
.
, . that w e apon
work ; I am waiting . Ce rtainly .

I do not troubl e mys e lf to cudg e l with

. The y dre w th e ir swords Each was .

m i ne o w n q h ands all th e rogue s I an expe rt swordsman and wh e n th e y had ,

”
co u nt e r my fri e nd r e turn e d Robin
,
“
1 , . fought for a quart e r of an hour n e ith e r ,

hav e thos e who fill that us e fu l o fii ce i n .

‘
had succe e d e d in wounding th e oth e r .

”
my nam e I will summon th e m and
.
, Stop l cri e d Robin sudd e nly , .

thou canst e xplain thys e lf to th e m ” .

“
You a r e tir e d ? as k e d th e strang e r ,

2 Robin rais e d a horn to his lips and was ,

with a smil e of triumph .

“
about to sound a vigorous call wh e n t h e ,
“
Y ea Robin r e pli e d frankly ; sinc e
,

st rang e r who had quickly fitt e d an arrow

, to m e th e sword is not a pl e asant w e apon .

Th e quart e r staff is t h e thing ; its blows

'
to his bow shout e d
,
,
-

Hold or I kill yo u i a r e l e ss dang e rous and o ff e r som e sport ;

;

Robin droppe d h 1s horn s e iz e d his bo w , , th e sword hath som e thing savag e and
and l e aping towards th e strang e r with cru e l about it My fatigu e though re al .
, ,

incr e dible nimbl e n e ss cri e ,

Robin we nt o n scrutinising th e fac e o f ,
“
Madman ! Dost not se e with what a t h e strang e r whose h e ad was cov e r e d by
,

powe r th o u w o u ld s t striv e ? B e for e thou

. a cap which partly conc e al e d his for e h e ad ,

couldst strik e m e I should hav e al re ady ,

“
is not my sol e r e ason for s e e king a truc e .

smitt e n th e e and th e d e at h thou w o ul dst

,
Sinc e I hav e stood facing th e e m e mori e s ,

aim at m e would hav e r e coil e d upon thy o f my childhood hav e surg e d up within
'

s el f B e re asonabl e w e a r e strang e rs to
. m e ; t h e look of thy larg e blu e e y e s is not
e ach oth e r and for no good caus e w e
,
unfamiliar to m e Thy voic e re calls that .

tr e at e ach oth e r as e n e mi e s Th e bow is . o f a fri e nd my h e art is irr e sistibly a t

,

a murd e rous w e apo n : r e place th e arro w .

t ract e d towards th e e T e ll m e thy nam e .

in thy quiv e r and sinc e th ou wilt play , ,

if thou art h e whom I lov e and long for
with t h e quarte r sta ff so b e it I acce pt -
,
‘
. with all t h e y e arning o f a t e nd e r fri e nd
”
thy chall e ng e . ship thou art w e lcom e a thou s and tim e s
,
.

“
T h e quar te r sta ff th e n l r e pe at e d th e I w ill love th e e for thys e lf and f o r th e
'

1 - a n

strange r ; and l e t hi m who is able to

“ -
. d e ar m e mori e s thou dost r e call .

Y o u sp e ak with a g oo d n a tu r e which
'

knock t h e o th er o n th e h e a d b e not only »

,
.
“ '

”
t h e victor bu t also fr e e to rul e t h e fat e o f
,
attracts m e Sir Fore st e r ,
r e pli e d th e ,
”
hi s adv e rsary 1 . stra ng e r “
but to my gr e at sorrow I
, , ,

S o be it Robin re turn e d r Take h e e d

”
,
“
. can not grant your r e asonabl e r e qu e st I .

o f t h e cons e qu e nc e s o f t h e c o m a c t thou am n o t at libe rty to do s o ; my nam e 18

'

p
‘

a s e cre t which p r u d e n ce c o u n s els m e to

'

p o po s e s t ; if I ( me k e th ee cry f o r m er cy
r .
,

I shall hav e th e right o f en roll ing th ee m guard with care .

4
“
Yo u have no th ing t o fe ar from m e ,

r e pli ed Robin ; I am o n e of thos e whom '

'

m en c all outlaws Mor e ov e r I am l n .

,
 ROB I N H O OD TH E O UTLAW 3
one who tru sts m e and I d e spise t h e , Ye a , I trust s o o r rath e r I am ce rtain , ,

bas e n e ss o f him who wo ul d r e ve al e v e n o f it. To prov e to th ee 1 fri e nd Robin , ,

a se cre t involuntarily surpris e d T e ll m e . h o w much I thought o f t h e d e ar child ,

your nam e ? r I will t e ll th ee a dre am I had in N or

Th e strang e r still h e sitat e d .
—
mandy a dr e am which linge rs still in
“
I wi ll b e your fri e nd add e d iRo b in , , my thoughts though it date s bac k n earl y ,

with an air o f frankn e ss . a month I w a s 1n th e d e pths of a p r i s o n

.
,
”
Agr e e d r e pli e d th e strange r
,
“
I am . my arms bound my body load e d with ,
”
call e d William G a m w e ll . chains and I saw Maud e a fe w pace s
,

Robin utt e re d a cry from m e pal e as d e ath and cove re d with

W ill Will—m e rry Will Scarl e tt ?
.
,
“
blood Th e poor girl h e ld o u t supplica
.

Yea . ting hands toward m e and h e r mouth , ,

And I am Robin H ood ! w i th its blood stain e d lips murmure d ,

Robin 1 cri e d th e young man as h e , plaintive w ords t h e s e ns e of which I ,

' ‘

fe ll into th e arms of his fri e nd ; what could not compr e h e nd but I saw that ,

s h e su ffe r e d cru e lly and was calling m e

H
joy I O
Th e two young m e n e mbrac e d e ach to h e r aid As I hav e j ust said I .
,

oth e r h e artily ; th e n with looks o f n u , bound with chains I roll e d upon t h e .

spe akabl e d e light th e y gaz e d at e ach ,

g round , a n d in my h e lpl e ssn e ss I bit t h e

oth e r with an a ff e cting wond e r . i ron bands which gripp e d my arms ; in a

“
And I th r e at e n e d th ee ! said Will . word I made sup e rhuman e ff orts to drag
,

And I did not r e cognis e th ee l add e d mys e lf to Maude Sudde nly t h e chains .
'

Robin . which e ntwin e d m e slack e n e d g e ntly t heir ,

I wish e d to kill th ee ! cri e d Will . fe ll o ff I l e apt to my fe e t an d ran to

.

And I cudg e ll e d th e e l continu e d

.
Maud e I took th e poor bl eedi ng girl to
.

Robin br e aki ng into a laugh

, '
. my h e art ; I cove r e d with burning kiss e s
“
Bah ! think no more o f that Giv e . h e r wan whit e ch ee ks and littl e by littl e
, ,
”
m e n e ws quick of Maud e t h e blood arr e st e d 1n its cours e b e gan to
"
. .
, ,
”
Maud e is w e ll v e ry w e ll , . slowly at first th e n r e gularly and ,

I s s he . naturally Maud e s lips gai n e d colour

.
’

Always a charming g irl who lov e s , s h e op e n e d h e r gr eat black e y e s and cast ,

th e e Will and only th e e m a ll th e world

, ,
. upon my fac e a look at onc e so grat e ful ,

S h e hath k e pt h e r h e art for th e e ; s h e will and s o t e nd e r that I was touch ed to t h e

give th e e h e r hand S h e hath mourn e d . nick ; m y h e art l e apt within m e and a
. ,

thy abs e nc e th e d ear cre atu r e ; thou hast

,
e e p groan e scape d my burning bosom .

su ff e r e d much my poor Will but thou I su ffe r e d but at t h e sam e tim e I w a s

wilt be happy if thou dost sti ll love t h e
, , ,

,
v e ry happy Awak e ning soon followed .

good and be autiful Maude . this d ee p e motion and I l e apt from my ,

I f I lov a h er ! How can y o u qu e stion

'

b e d with t h e firm r e solution of r e turning

it Robin ? Ah 1 ye s I love h e r and to England I long e d to s ee Maude '

again—Maude who must b e unhappy

.
, , ,

God bl e ss h e r for n o t having forgotte n

m e ! I hav e n e ve r c e as e d thinking of Maud e who must be in n ee d o f m e I .

h e r for a singl e mom e nt ; h e r d e ar i ma g e w e nt a t onc e to my Captain ; h e h ad

'

was e ve r in my He art and gav e it str e ngth ,

. be e n my fath e r s st e ward and I I thought
'
’

I t was t h e courag e of th e soldi e r o n t h e I had som e int e r e st with him To him .

fi e ld o f battl e and t h e co n solation o f t h e

,
I disclose d n o t t h e r e ason o f my de s ire to
,

pri s on e r in t h e dark dunge on o f t h e Stat e r e t urn to England for h e would have ,

prison Maud e de ar Robin hath be e n

.
, , laugh e d at my fe ars but th e de sir e alon e , .

my thought my dr e am my hope my , , , H e r e fus ed harshly to g iv e m e l e av e .

futur e Through h e r I h a v e be e n abl e This first r e bu ff did not d e t e r m e I w a s .

to bear t h e most cru e l privations th e lik e a man posse ss ed mad to s e e Maude -

once m or e I be sought thi s ma n to whom

, ,

most gri e vous hardships God implant e d . .

i n my h e art an unshak e abl e confid en c e I had once giv e n ord e rs I entr e ated hi m ’

to grant my wish You will pity m e .

,
”
Robin adde d Will blushing no m a tte r
, , ,

I will t e ll y o u all I thre w mys e lf o n .

my kn e e s be fore him ; my we akn ess made

1

him smil e and with a brutal kick h e , , ,

 4 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TE AW

I rose I was w e aring my sword ; I dr e w

. arrows shi e lds and short swords rang e d
, ,

it from its scabbard and without h e sita , , th e m se lve s sil e ntl y around th e ir l e ade r .

tion o r re fl e ction I sl e w t h e wr e tch Ev e r , . William stare d in amaze and look e d at ,

sinc e I hav e b e e n pursu e d but I hope my , Robin with an air o f stupe faction Th e .

tr a i l i s lost That is why d e ar Robin oung man amus e d hims e lf for a mom e nt
'
.
, ,
y
taking you for a strang e r I would not ,
1n watching t h e astonishm e nt and sur

ive you my nam e ; but thank H e av e n prise his cousin display e d a t t h e r e spe ct
gor l eading m e to you ! N o w te ll m e ful attitud e o f t h e m e n summon e d by t h e
about Maude ; do e s s h e still live at blast of his horn th e n laying a muscular , ,

G a m w e l l Hall ? hand o n Will s should e r h e said laugh’

,
“
At G a m w e l l H al l my de ar Will ? ,
ing ly
r e pe a t e d R o b i n Th e n thou dost n o t
“
. . My lads h e r e is a man who mad e m e ,
”
know what hath happe n e d ? cry m e rcy in an e ncount e r with swords .

“
I know nothing B ut what h a t h hap He . cri e d t h e m e n e xamining Will ,

pe n e d Thou dost fright e n m e ! with marke d curiosity .

“
N ay ! n e v e r b e un e asy ; t h e troubl e “
Y ea h e b e at m e ; and I am proud o f ,

which b e fe ll thy family hath b e e n partly his victory for h e hath a sure hand and ,
”
r e paire d Tim e and re signation hav e
. a brav e h e art .

e ff ac e d all trac e s o f a ai mful d e e d ; Gam Littl e J ohn who s e e m e d l e ss d e light e d ,

we ll villag e and Ha l have both b e e n by William s prowe ss than Robin had ’

”
de stroy e d . b ee n advanc e d to th e middl e of t h e circl e , ,

D e stroy e d cri e d Will I I o ly

and said to th e young man .

V irgin ! And my moth e r Robin ; my Strang e r if thou hast mad e th e valiant

, ,

fath e r and my poor sist e rs ? Robin H ood ask fo r quart e r thou must ,
“
Ar e all safe and sound ; do n o t be be o f supe rlativ e str e ngth ; nath e l e ss ,

alarm e d ! Thy family a r e now living it shall not be said that thou hast
at B ar n s d a l e Lat e r o n I will t e ll th e e
. had t h e glory o f be ating t h e chi e f o f
t h e fatal story in d e tail ; f o r t h e pr e s e nt
t h e m e rry f ore st e rs without having b e e n
l e t it su ffi c e that this cru e l d e structionthrash e d by his li e ut e nant I am a good ,
.

which was th e work o f th e Normans hath hand with t h e quart e r sta ff wilt play ,
-

cost th e m d e ar W e kill e d two thirds o f m e ? I f thou canst mak e m e cry Hold

.
-
, ,
”
t h e troops s e nt by King H e nry e nough ! I will proclaim th e e th e be st ’
.

”
“
By King H e nry ! e xclaim e d Wil blade in al l t h e country sid e .

”
liam Th e n h e add e d h e sitatingly Thou
.
“
My good Littl e J ohn said Robin , , ,

art thou say e st Robin chi e f k ee pe r o f

,
“
I wag e r a quive r o f arrows against a
, ,

th e For e st and naturally in t h e se rvic e o f

, bo w o f y ew that this brav e lad will b e
”
th e King . victor onc e again .

“
N o t quit e fair cousin , I tak e t h e doubl e stak e mast e r
r e turn e d t h e , , ,

young man with a smil e ,

“
r e pli e d J ohn ; a n d if t h e strang e r b e ars
I t is t h e “
.

N ormans w h o pay m e for my supe rvision o ff t h e priz e h e sh al l b e kno w n n o t only

— a t l e ast thos e who a r e rich for I tak e
,
as th e b e st blad e but as th e most skil ,
,

naught from th e poor ful cudge l play e r in all m e rry England

I am in d e e d .
-

”
ke e p e r o f th e Fore st but o n my o w n b e sid e ,
.

account and that o f my j olly companions On h e aring Robin Hood addre ss t h e .

.
I n a word William I am lord o f Sh e r
,
~

tall swarthy young man b e for e him a s

,
“
Littl e John Will f e lt his h e art b e at ,
”
and privil eg e s against all pre t e nd e rs quickly though h e showe d no e motion .
,
.

“
I do n o t und e rstand th e e Robin H e compos e d his fac e pulle d down t h e , , ,

said Will in utt e r amaz e m e nt

,
cap which cove re d his h e ad o n to his .

“
I will e xplain mys e lf mor e cl e arly brows a n d answe ring with a smil e th e .
, ,

Saying which Robin lift e d his horn ,

sign als Robin was making him h e salut e d ,

his lips an d ble w thre e pi e rcing blasts h i s adv e rsa grave ly and arm e d with his .
, ,

Scarc e had th e d e pths o f th e wood quart e r sta await e d t h e first onslaught - .

b ee n stirre d by t h e stri d e nt not e s e r e “

W h a t l Littl e J ohn cri e d Will as
”
,
-
, ,

Wil liam saw issu e from brak e and g l ad e th e young man wa s about to b e gin th e ,

to right and l e ft a hundre d m e n all clad conte st wouldst fight with W il l S ca r ~

—
, ,

alik in a n e at garb whos e gr ee n colour e

e l tt with m e rry William as thou wast
, ,
’

we ll be cam e th e ir martial forms ; wont to call him ?

Th e s e m en arm e d / with bo ws a n d ,
“
Good Lord ! e xcla im ed Littl e John ,
 ROB I N H O OD TH E O UTLAW 5
as h e let
fall his quart e r staff That Robin Hood and his two fri ends took
-
.
“

voic e! That look l th e road to Mansfi e ld wh e re th e y wo u ld ,

H e took a f e w st e ps forward and find hors e s Th e y start ed bl i th el y o , ,

.

stagg e ring l e ant on Robin 3 should e r for th e ir way Rob i n s i nging pre tty ballads
,
’

support . in his tru e and tun e ful voic e Whil e W ill , ,

W e ll ! that voic e is min e Cousin intoxicat e d with j oy danc e d along be sid e , ,

”
J ohn cri e d Will throwing his cap o n him taking up at random t h e r e frain o f
, ,
’

t h e grass ; “
look at m e ! his songs Littl e John e v e n v e ntur e d on .

Th e long r e d locks o f t h e young man a wrong not e som e tim e s wh e re at Will ,

clust e re d in silky curls around his ch e eks shout e d with laught e r and Robin j oin ed , ,

and Littl e John aft e r gazing in sil e nt in his mirth I f a strange r had s e e n our
, .

j oy at th e laughing fac e o f his cousin fri e nds h e would c e rtainly hav e take n , ,

thre w hims e lf upon him c l ipping him th e m for t h e g u e sts o f a too g e n e rous
,
-

fairly in his arms as h e said with an host so true is i t that intoxication o f the
, , ,

e xpr e ssion o f unutt e rabl e t e nd e rn e ss h e art can r e s e mbl e clos e ly t h e intoxica

W e lcom e to m e rry England Will tion o f win e , ,
.

d e ar Will ; we lcom e to th e land o f thy At a short distanc e from Mansfi e ld

fath e rs—thou who by thy re turn bring e st th e ir high spirits r e ce ive d a sudde n ch e ck
.

.
, ,

it happin e ss an d conte nt To morrow Three m e n in t h e garb o f fore st e rs

.
-

th e inhabitants of B a r n s d a l e will mak e e m e rg e d from b e hind a group o f tr ee s

m e rry ; to morrow th e ir arms will b e and plac e d th e ms e lv e s across t h e road
~

around him th e y b e li e v e d lost for e ve r as if d e t e rmin e d to bar th e ir way

, . .

Th e hour which brings th e e back to us Robin Hood and his companions

is an hour bl e ss e d o f H eave n b elov e d stoppe d for an instant Th e n t h e young ,
.

Will ; a nd I a m glad t o to s e e man scrutinis e d t h e strang e rs and ask e d ,

th e e again Thou must not think that impe riously

.

be caus e thou se e st t e ars o n my fac e that Who a r e ye and what do ye h e re ? , ,

I am chicke n h e art e d Will N o no ; I I was j ust about to put t h e sam e

am n o t w ee ping — I am happy ve ry qu e stions re pli e d o n e of t h e thr ee m e n
.
, ,
”
, , ,

happy a sturdy squar e should e re d fe llow w h o ,

-
, ,

Poor ohn could say no mor e ; h e arm e d with quart e r staff and dagge r ,

claspe d ill convulsive l y in his s ee m e d quite pre pare d to stand any

and continu e d to we e p sil e ntly attack . .

William s h ar e d in t h e a ff e cting de light “

Ve rily ? re plie d Robin Ah we ll !
“
.
,

o f h i s cousin and Robin Hood l e ft th e m I am v e ry glad to hav e spar e d you t h e

,

for a mom e nt in e ach oth e r 3 arms troubl e ; for had yo u pe rmitt e d yourse lf
’
.

Th e ir first e motion calm ed Littl e J ohn to ask m e anything so impe rtin e nt it is

, ,

gave Will as bri e fly as possibl e t h e probabl e that I might hav e re spond e d in

, ,

d e tails o f th e frightful catastroph e which such fashion as to mak e you r e gre t yo u r

”
had drive n his family from G a mw e ll audacity for e ve r and a day .

Hal l Th e tal e finish e d Robin and J ohn

.
,
Thou spe ak e st proudly my lad , ,

conduct e d Will to th e di ffe re nt hiding re pli e d t he For e st e r m a mocking ton e , .

p l a c eS w
'
h i c h t h e band had mad e for L e ss proudly than I should hav e act e d ,

th e ms e lv e s in t h e Fore st and at th e h a d yo u b e e n s o i m pe r t in e n t as to que s

. .

'
, ,

young man s r e qu e st h e was e n i o ll e d i n tion m e I do not r e ply I qu e stion

’

, , .

t h e troop with t h e titl e o f li e ut e nant Th e r e fore I ask for t h e last tim e who , , ,

which plac e d him in th e sam e rank as a r e ye a n d what a r e ye doing he re On e ,

Littl e John . woul d think by your haughty mi e n that , ,

’
N e xt morning Will e xpre ss e d a wish Sh e rwood For e st b e long e d to you
,
.

to go t o B a r n s da l e Robin pe rfectly God be praise d my lad but thou hast

and a good tongu e Ah ! th OLl dost m e th e
.
, ,

u nd e rstood this v e ry natural d e sire ,

.

favour o f promising m e a thrashing if I ,

qu e stion th ee i n turn ? Tis brav e ly ’

boast e d ! Now jovial strang e r I am , ,

about to give th ee a l e sson in court e sy

and to r e ply to thy re qu e st That don e ” .

I will make known to th ee how I chastise

”
fools and impud e nt rascals .

Don e r e turn e d Robin g aily T e ll , .

 6 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U T L AW - ~

my nain e titl e ; th e n b e a t m e an r e pli e d Robin in a to ne o f

'

me an d , ,
” '
Com e o ff with yo d r j ack e t
'

thou canst ; I should lik e it .

“
, ,

I ( am t h e k e e pe r o f this p a rt o f th e sword I am your man .

’

For e st ; my r i g hts o f supe rvision e xt e nd “

Stop cri e d Li ttl e John
. Much is .

from Mansfi e ld as far a s a wid e cross -

mor e e xp e rt in handling a cudge l than i n
road about se ve n mil e s from h e nce Th e s e . drawing a sword ; l e t us fight all against
two me n a r e my assistants I hold my . all I Will tak e Much ; Robin and you
.
,

commission from King H e nry and by , William tak e th e oth e rs and tWil l be an
, ,
’

”
Hi s ord e rs I prot e ct t h e d e e r against
, !
e qual match .

r ufl
”
i a n s lik e yo u Dost tak e m e sirrah .
, Don e r e pli ed th e k e e p e r for it
,
“
,
“
P e rfe ctly ; but if you a r e k e e pe r o f th e shall n e ve r b e said that Much t h e ,

Fore st what am I and my companions ? o f M a n s fi e l d s s o n ran away from Robin

’

, ,

U p to this pr e s e nt I was thought to be

'
“
!
H oo d and his m e rry m e n 1 .

”
t h e only man poss e ssing t h e rights o f W e ll answe re d cri e d Robin “
Com e
Little John tak e Much as yo u wish t o
.
, ,

that titl e Tru e it is I do not hold

.
, , ,

th e m by th e kindn e ss of King H e nry

,
, hav e him f o r your f o e ; and I will tak e
but e ntir e ly o f my o w n will which is all »
,
this lusty rascal Art willing to fight .

pow e r f ul h e re b e caus e it i s call e d th e m e ? Robin ask e d th e man W hom chanc e

’

,
”
right o f th e strong e st . had iv e n him as oppon e nt .

Thou t h e chi e f k e e pe r o f Sh e rwood

(
i g h t willing brav e outlaw , .

For e st ! r e pli e d th e Fore st e r scornfully To work th e n and may t h e H oly

Moth e r of God give th e vi ct o ry to th e m
.
, , ,

Thou art j oking ; art a common rogu e

a n d vagabond — no l e ss 1”
that de s e rv e h e r aid
Am e n said Littl e Jo h n
. .

”
“
My good Robin r e turn e d , Th e Holy .

quickly “
y o u se e k to ov e raw e m e with
, V irgin doth n e v e”r d e se rt th e h e lpl e ss in
your o w n 1m po r ta n c e ; but you a r e not t h e hour of n e e d !
-

t h e k e e pe r whos e nam e you a r e att e mpting S h e doth forsak e no o n e said Much , .

”
t o assum e I know th e man it be lon ge th
.
-
N o o n e said Robin making the sign , ,

t o o f rights . o f t h e cross .

Ho ! ho ! laugh e d th e Pr e parations for th e cont e st b e ing

t e ll m e his nam e ? ch ee rfully compl e t e d Littl e John cri e d ,

C e rtainly 4 H e is call e d Jo hn Cockl e .

,
aloud :
t h e fat mill e r o f M a n s fi e l d _
. B e gin !
I am his s o n and be ar th e nam e oi 1 “ B e gin ! r e pe a t e d
'
'
l
,

M uch )! An o l d ba llad which has pre s e rv e d th e ,

Yo u a r e M uch ? I d o n o t be li e v e it
-
. m e mory o f this comba t , d e scribe s it
H e spe ak s truly put in Littl e John , . thus
I know him by sight He hath be e n -

ttl e 101m l
.

pointe d o u t to me as o n e we ll skill e d in Wi l a nd Li
f o u gh t fro m e i gh t ti ll n o o n
- l

handling a C l l d g e l "
.
H ad _ ,

A1l
iii i iigiiihiiti gff ii
f
l l c
Th o u u hast n o t bee n m 1s 1n f o r m e d i
“ l

l
‘
'

In t t
.
, r u
An d n e v r ga e ve th e fo m ha e en c n ce
o
T i nj u r th m
e e w i th w ord or l a
s n ce .
”

pant e d Much aft e r 1“ L 1ttl e J ohn , ,

a sking for qii a r te r “

I had long h e ard ,
’

t e ll of thy skill an d g a llantry and I l

’

d e sir e d to match mys e lf against th e e I .

h av e had my wi s h ; thou hast b e at e n

f “ I susp e ct ed as m u ch my go
r
od f e llo w m e and thy victory will t each m e a ,
-
, ,
'
and I am d e light e d to m ee t th ee A salutary l e sson 1n mode sty I consid e r e d “

handsom e r e ward is offe re d to him —

. .

w h o myse lf a worthy adv e rsary and thou hast :

r ,
’

can lay h a n d s o n thy pe rson I am natur e e n taught m e I a m but a blundering .

’

ally ambiti ous and t h e r e ward which i s , ,

f o r a larg e amount would b e quit e to my i Thou art an e xc e ll e nt j oust e r fri end

, ,
-

tast e To d a y I hav e th e o p po r t u n i ty o f Much ” r e pli ed Littl e John s h a k i n g ‘ t h é

'
‘

- ‘
.
, ,

atching th e e and I do not m e an to l e t hand h e ld o u t t o him by t h e k e e pe r

p
-
, ,
”
tt e scap e m e .
“
and we ll d es e r v e s t thy r e putation for
You ar e qu i te r ig h t g all m purv e yor valour ‘

, , .

L
 ROB I N H O OD TH E O U TLAW
I than k th ee fo r thy complim e nt surround e d by soldi e rs a nd I should be , ,
”

J
i
fore ste r r e turn e d Much but I conside r s d to fight o r fly n e ith e r o f which
'

it more polit e than since r e Thou sup V g(1 suit m e to day I a ni e xpe ct e d i n
, , ,
I
'

-
. .

po s e s t p e rhaps that my vanity would Yorkshir e ” and L want n ot to d e lay my

' '

, , ,

su ff e r und e r an but d e partur e

'

thou maye st und e c e iv e thys e lf ; I am not I can answe r f or th e discr e tion of my

mortifi e d at having b ee n b e at e n by a m a n comrad e s As to min e o w n h o w ca nst .
’

o f thy W orth . doubt it ? but I think good Robin th ou , ,

Brave ly spok e n valiant mill e r s son ! dost e xagge rat e th e dang e r ; th e curi os ity ’ '

crie d Robin ch ee rily Thou give st proof of t h e e i t1ze ns o f Mansfi e ld is t he on l y

,
.

that thou dost poss e ss th e most e nviabl e thing to fe ar The y will l d o g thy ste ps
'

o f a l l rich e s—a good h e art and a Saxon s o anxious a r e th e y t o s e e with th e ir o w n

.
,
’ '

soul Only an hon e st man would a cc e pt e y e s t h e ce l e brat e d Rob in Hood th e he ro

.
'

ch ee rfully and W ithout th e l e as t bi tte i n e s s of all th e ballads t h e maid e ns sing H '

.

a wound to his s el f e stee m Gi ve me thy -

“
Th e poor outlaw y ou m e an wtO say
. .

, ,

h and Much and f orgi ve th e nam e that Mast e r Much

, , r e plie d th e y oung man , ,

I cal l e d th e e wh e n thou mad e st m e the bitt e rly “

F e ar not t o call m e so ; t he .

confidant of t h y cove tous ambition I sha me o f that nam e falls not on m e but .
,

did not r e co g mse th e e and my slight rath e r o n th e h ead o f him w h o pronou nced
,

was dir ect e d no t at thy pe rson b u t at a se nt e nc e as crue l as it was

thy words Wilt tak e a glass o f Rhin e
.
“
Ve ry good my fri e nd ; but W hateve r ,

win e ? W e Will drink to o u r lucky th e nam e added to th in e o w n th e y love ,

” ”
me e ting a n d futur e fri e nd s hip and r e spe ct it
'

. .

“
H e r e i s my hand R obin Hood ; I Robin wrung th e hon e st fe llow 5 hand
'
’

, .

o ffe r it W ith all my h ea rt I have oft e n Witho ut attracting any att e ntion th e y
.
1
,

h e ard thy praise s sung ; I know that thou r e ach ed an inn a I I I I I S way o u t o f t h e I

art a nobl e outlaw and that thou dost town a n d install e d th e ms e lve s at a tabl e
, , ,

e xte nd a g e n e rous prot e ction to t h e poor w h i ch th e h o s t : qu i ckly c o v e r e d w ith half

'

'

. . .

Thou a r t e v e n t he fri e nd of those that a doz e n long n ec ke d bo ttl es ful l o f that -

should hat e th e e worst thin e e n e mi e s g ood Rhin e win e which loos e ns t h e tongue
'

t h e Normans Th e y spe ak of th e e W ith and op e ns t h e h e art

Th e bottle s succ e e d e d e ach o
. . .

e st e e m and I hav e n e v e r h e ard any o n e

,
the r rapidl y ,

s e riously blam e thin e actions Thou hast and th e conv e rsation b e cam e so u nr e .

bee n stripp e d of thy poss e ssions ; thou s e rve d and confid e nti al that Mu ch ex pe
hast b e e n banish e d ; hon e st m e n should r i en ce d a wish to prolong it inde finit e ly .

hold th e e d e ar be caus e misfortun e hath Cons e qu e ntly h e propose d to j oin Robin

,
”
b e e n a gu e st in thy hom e Hood s band ; and his com pa n i o n s e n
.
’

, .

“
I thank th ee for thos e words fri e nd ch ante d by th e d e lightful de scriptions o f ,

Much ; I W ill not forg e t th e m and I hop e a life o f fre e dom unde r th e gre at tree s , .

that thou wilt give m e th e pl e asur e o f thy o f Sh e rwood For e st followe d th e e x a mple ,

compa ny as far as Mansfi e ld of th e ir le ade r and e n ag e d th e mse lv e s

I am with th e e Robin r e plie d Much with h e art and lip to folgow Robin H o od
. 1
,
”
. .
, ,
”
And I t o o sai d th e m an w ho had H e acce pte d t h e flattering offe r made to
,

fought with R obin him and Much who wishe d to start at ’

I s a y t he s ame a d de d Will s a
. , ,
” ’
“
d ,

to
ge ther towa rd t h e town la ughing a n d ,

conve rsing as th e y we nt instal th e m th e re and once mor e talk

.
,
“
My de ar Much asked Robin as th e road to B a r n s d a l e W h e re h e would
, , ,

t he y e nte re d Mansfi e ld a r e thy fri e nds find W illiam and Robin Th e se s e ve ral
.
“
,
.

di scre e t arrange m e nts conclud e d t h e c o nve rsation ,

Why do you ask ? too k anoth e r turn

B e cause th e ir sil e nc e is l Som e minut e s be for e the hour o f th e ir
de partur e from t h e 1a m t wo m e n e nt e re d ,

Th e first of
Robin H ood ,
8 ROB I N H OO D TH E O U TLAW
so int ense a n d s o t e nacious that th e young At my n e xt visit fair Barba ra Robin , ,

man notic e d it himse lf and h e was about r e turn e d gail “

I wil l be a m e sse nge r o f
lov e for I w i y
, ,
”
to qu e stion th e n ew com e r wh e n th e latt e r -
, , , l e e n bring y ou a husband ’
.

pe rc e iv ing that h e had rous e d a fe e ling And I will w e lcom e him right gladly ,
”
o f un easin e ss in t h e young man s mind Robin r e pli e d th e girl laughing m e rrily
’

, , , .

turn e d away his e y e s swallowe d a glass , Yo u will do w e ll cousin fo r h e W l ll , ,

’

o f win e at a gulp and l e ft t h e room with

, be worthy o f your k i nd e st w e lcom e I .

his companion . will not draw his portrait but will cont e nt ,

Entir e ly absorb e d in th e d e light caus e d mys e lf with saying that so soon as e v e r ,

by th e hope o f s e e ing Maud e b e for e your pre tt y e e s light upon him you will ,

n ightfall Will n e gl e ct e d to inform his

, say to W m i r ed Th e r e sist e r th e re is ,
‘
, ,

companions o f what had occurr e d and , t h e right man for Barbara G a ni w e l l .

’

mo u nt e d hors e and rod e away with Robin “

Ar e you quit e sure o f that Robin ? ,

H ood without giving it anoth e r thought . P e rfe ctly sur e littl e Witch , .

As th e y W e nt o n th e ir way t h e tw o fri e nds , W e ll to d ecid e that w e must know

, ,

concoct e d a plan for Will s e ntry into th e ’

all about th e matt e r Robin Though you , .

castle . might not t hink it I am v e ry particular , ,

Robin wish e d to appe ar th e r e alon e , and t h e young man will have to be v er y

”
a nd pr e par e t h e fami ly for Will s r e turn ;
’
nice to pl e ase m e .

but the impati e nt youth would n o t al low “

What do you m ean by ve ry nic e
‘

”
this . Lik e you cousin , .

My d e ar R obin s aid h e d o no t , , Littl e fla tte r e r !

l e av e m e alon e m y e motion is such that I s a y what I think an d I can not h e lp ,

it would b e i m p o s s 1bl e f o r m e to r e main it if you call it flatt e ry And I do not

, .

sil e nt and tranquil a f e w st e ps from my only re quire my husband to be as h and

fath e r s hous e I am so much alt e re d
’
.
, som e as you a r e but h e must hav e your ,
”
and my face b e ars such visibl e trac e s o f good h eart to o and kindly ways .

a hard life that it is not to b e fe ar e d my

, You approve o f m e th e n B arbara ? , ,
”
moth e r will r e cognis e m e at a first glanc e “
C e rtainly you suit m e e xactly
Pr e s e nt m e as a strang e r—as a fri e nd o f
. .

I a m both pain e d and pl eas e d to hav e

Will s ; I shall thus have t h e happin e ss
’
such luck cousin min e ; but alas ! if you
, ,

o f s ee ing my d e ar p ar e nts th e soon e r , nourishing th e s e cr e t hop e o f Wi nning

and o f making myse lf known wh e n th e y m e allow m e to lam e nt your folly I
—
.
,
”
have b e e n pre par e d for my arrival . am alr ea dy pl e dg e d Barbara pl edg e d to ,

Robin acc e d e d to Will s wish e s and ’

, two pe opl e .

t h e two young m e n pr e s e nt e d th e ms e lve s I know thos e two pe opl e Robin , .

at B a r n s d a l e Castl e tog e th e r . R e ally cousin ? ,

Th e whol e family was ass e mbl e d in Ye a an if I lik e d to nam e th e m

,
.

t h e hall Robin was r e c e iv e d with op e n

. Ah ! I be s eech you n o t to b e tray my
”
arms and th e Knight e xt e nd e d to th e s e cr e t Mistr e ss Barbara
strang e r—as h e took him to bw —
.
, ,

a cordi al
“
N e ve r fe ar I wi ll spar e your blush e s
,
.

and a ff e ctionat e hospital ity . But to re turn to m e de ar Robin I cons e nt , ,

Winifre d and Barbara s eat e d th e m if yo u will graciously grant m e this favour ,

s elve s n e ar Robin and ove rwh e lm e d him ,

to b e t h e third o f your lady love s o r e ve n -
,

with qu e stions for h e was usually an , th e fourth f o r I pre sum e that th e r e a r e

,

e cho o f t h e n e ws o f t h e o u t e r fl
w o r l d to at l e ast thr e e oth e r d amos e ls awaiting th e
”
th e young gi rls . fe licity o f be arin g your illustrious nam e .

Th e abs e nc e o f Maud e and Marian put Yo u littl e scoffe r

”
said t h e young ,

Robin at his ea s e and aft e r an sw e ring ,

man laughing you do not d e se rve th e
, ,

his cousins qu e stions h e rose a n d said

’

, ,
affection I fee l for you N e ve rth e l e ss I .
,

turning to Sir Guy will k ee p my promis e and within a f e w ,

“
Uncl e I hav e good n e ws for you
, days I will bring you a charming young
n e ws which will mak e yo u v e ry man .

“
Your visit alon e is a gre at j oy to my I f your fri e nd he not young live ly and , ,
”
o l d h e art Robin Hood re pli e d th e o ld
, h andsom e I will have n e v e r a word to
,
,
"
say t o him Robin ; r e m e mb e r that
,
.

“
H e is all that yo u could wish for .

“ V ry w ll
e e ; now l et us h e ar t h e n e ws
 ROB I N H OO D TH E O UTLAW
’
'

fath e r e r e yo u b e thought yo u to Offe r

, t e nde r gr e e ting was over J ust no w I .
“
”
m e a husband . h e ard W hat m e thought w e re shouts o f
“
Mistr e ss Barbara I was about to t e ll , j oy
my uncl e my aunt and you to o d e a r
, , , '
“
And so th e y w er e d e ar Marian to , ,

Winifr ed that I had n ews o f som e o n e

,
‘

c e l e brat e th e r e turn o f o n e arde ntly '

”
ve ry d e ar to your h e arts . long e d for .

O f my broth e r Will ? said Barbara .

“
W hose r e turn aske d th e girl t r e m u ,
”
Yea cousin lou s ly not my broth e r s ? ’
.
,

Ah what j o y ! W e ll ?
,
“
Alas ! no cl e ar Marian re turn e d
, ,

W e ll that young man who is look

, Robin taking th e girl s hand ; as e t
,
“ ’

ing at you s o shyly d e light e d as h e G o d hath not s e nt Allan back to us ; u t

Will—yo u r e m e mb e r W ill Scarl e tt m e rry
,

is to b e in th e pre s e nc e o f so charming ,
”
a girl saw William only a f ew days
, Will iam ?
’
a g one f
“
Of cours e I do and I am right glad
I s my bo y we ll ? aske d Sir Guy in
,
“
, to h e ar that h e is back again safe and
”
tr e mbling ton e s . sound Wh e re is h e ?
.

qu e sti o n e d L ady
Q

I s b e happy ? “
With his moth e r ; wh e n I l e ft th e
G a mw e ll clasping h e r hands
, . hall his broth e rs we r e fighting to e mbrac e
”
“
Wh e re is h e ? add e d Winifr ed _
. him I am looking for Maud e
. .

Why doe s h e stay away from us ? “

S h e is in h e r room Shall I t e ll h e r .

sa id Barbara fixing h e r e y e s which w e r e , , to com e down ?

full o f t e ars upon th e fac e of Robin s ,
’
“
N o I must go to h e r for t h e poor
, ,

companion child must be pre par e d fo r William s ’

' '

”
Poor William was unable to spe ak a visit My mission is n o t ea sy to fulfil
.
,

wo rd fo r t h e lump in his throat and t h e Robin w e nt o n with a laugh “

for th e ,

be atin g o f his h e art A minut e s sil ence .

’
labyrinths o f Sh e rwood For e st a r e much
follow e d th e s e s e archin g qu e stions Bar be tt e r known to m e than t h e myst e rious
‘

”
bara continu e d to gaze pe nsive ly at th e r e ce ss e s o f a woman s h e art ’
.

young man th en sudde nly s h e utt e r e d a

,
“
W h y so mod e st Mast e r Robin ? ,

cry thr e w h e rse lf upon t he strang e r

, , re pli e d Marian gaily “
Yo u kn ow b e tt e r
, .

putting h e r arms around him as s h e , than any o n e how to s e t about fathoming

”
sobb e d out a woman s h e art ’
.

“
I t is Will it is Will ! I know him ! ,
“
R e ally Marian I do be li e ve that my
, ,

D ea r Will h o w glad I am to se e yo u
,
cousins you and Maude a r e all in l e agu e
, , ,

And dropping h e r h e ad upon h e r to try and make m e vain ; you v i e with

broth e r s shoulde r s h e be gan to wee p o n e anoth e r in show e ring complim e nts
’

convulsive ly . upon m e .

Lady G a mw el l h e r sons and Winifre d , ,

“
Th e r e is no doubt about it Mast e r ,
”
a n d Barbara pr ess e d round t h e young ,
Robin said Marian shaking h e r fing e r
, ,

man while Sir G u y though h e tri e d to

, ,
at th e young man Yo u lay yourse lf o u t .

appea r calm sank 1nto an armchair and ,

to make W inifre d and Barbara fond o f
we pt lik e a child you What ? you a r e tryin g to bre ak
.

your littl e co usins h earts ? Ve ry we ll

.

Will s y o u ng b r o th e r s s ee m ed i nto x i
’ '
’
,

ca t ed with j oy Aft e r giving v e nt to a . th e n I am de light e d to h e ar it and I wi ll

, ,

te rri fic hurrah ! th e y pick e d William up in my turn t t h e e ffe ct o f my e ye s o n

in th e ir strong ar ms and hugge d him handsom e W 1 Sca rle tt ” '

u ntiLh e W I give my conse nt de ar Marian but

“
a s n e arly st i fl e d . , ,

Robin to ok a dvant ag e of th e g e n e ral I warn you that you will have a d ange r
attention be in take n o ff hims e lf to le ave o u s rival Maude is d evotedl y love d s h e
. ,

t h e r o Om an we nt t o look f o r Maude
‘

,
. will d e fe nd h e r own honour ; and poor
Mistr e ss Lindsay was in ve ry d e licat e Will will blush sor e ly wh e n h e finds
h e alth re quiri ng t h e gre at e st car e so
, ,
him se lf b e twixt two such charming
that it might have b e e n dange rous to wom e n .

“ I f William cannot blush b e tt e r than

announce William s re turn too sudde nly ’

t o h er .
n
i
t you do Robin I n e e d not be afraid o f
, ,
”
causing him that e mbarrassing e motion .

“ Hah ! hah ! laugh e d Robin “

you ,

me an Mistr e ss Marian that I know n o t

, ,

h o w to blus h
Io R OB I N H O O D TH E O UT L AW ‘

“
Nay ! I m e a n that yo u hav e forgott e n we lcom e Wi l l and tell him that you ar e ,
”
h o w which i s quit e a di ffe r e nt matte r with his b e troth e d
,
. .

Once upon a tim e I r e m e mb e r a brilliant , Robin s oon re ach e d Maud e s room a n d ,

’

,
”
scarl e t tint e d your ch ee ks found the girl within . .

Wh e n did that m e morabl e e ve nt tak e “

I fe lt al most sur e I h e ard th e shouts
plac e ? o f j oy which announc e d your arrival d e ar ,
”
“
Th e day wh e n first w e me t in Sh e r Robin s h e said a s s h e Of fe r e d him a , ,
”
wood Fore st s e at Excus e m e for not having com e
May I t e ll you W
. .

h y I blush e d down to t h e withdrawing room but I fe e l ,

Mar i an ? ill at ease a n d almost an intrud e r amongst

“
I am afraid to say yea Robin for I th e g e n e ral r e joicings , , .

s ee a twinkl e 1n your e y e and t h e outlin e How is that M aude ? ‘f

,

o f a W ick e d smil e o n your lips f B ecaus e I am t h e only o n e for whom

f
.

You dr e ad my r e ply but at th e sam e you n e ve r hav e any good n e ws, .

” “
tim e you await i t impati e ntly Marian Your turn will com e d e ar Maud e , .
, .

N ot at all . I hav e lost courag e R o bin a n d I a m , , , _

That s a pity for I thought I should fill ed with a fe eling of dea d ] sadn e ss
’

,
'
.

pl e ase you by divulging the s e cr e t o f my I lik e you with a ll my h e art ,

am v e ry ,

first and last blush glad to s ee you and ye t I giv e yo u no

.
,

Yo u always pl e ase me wh e n yo u t a lk proof o f my a ff ec tion nor d o I co nv e y to ,

”
about yours e lf Robin said Marian , with you h o w agr ee abl e your pr e s e nc e is ; som e
, ,
”
a smil e . tim e s d e ar Robin I e v e n try to avoi d you , , .

That day w h e n I had th e happin e ss To avoid m e ? cri e d t h e young man ,

o f taki ng you to my fath e r s hous e I had in a t n e o f surprise

’

o , .

t h e gr e at e st d es ir e to b e ho l d your fac e Yea Robin for wh e n I h ear yo u , , ,

-

which was hidd e n Wi thin t he folds o f a giving Sir Guy n e ws o f his sons o r giving ,
-

gr e at hood l e aving visibl e only the li m pid a m es sa e from Littl e John to Winifr e d
, ,

bri ghtn e ss of your e y e s Walking shyly o r o n e rom h e r broth er s to Barbara I

.
,

b e sid e yo u I said to mys e lf I f yond e r say to mys e lf I am alway forgott e n ;

, ,
‘
,
‘

we nch s fac e he as sw e e t as h e r e y e s I I am th e onl y o ne to whom Robin n e ver

’

will e e n b e h e r lov e r
’
brings ’

What Robin at sixt ee n you dr e a mt

.

“
, ,
“
N e v e r anyt hing Maud e ? ,

o f making a woman lov e you ? Oh I a m not spe aking o f th e charm ,

“
I di d i faith ; and just as I was con ing pr es e nts which you bring and a ve ry
’

t e mpl a t i n g d e voting my whole life to you larg e proportion of which you al ways giv e ,

your adorabl e fac e shaking o ff th e sombr e to your sist e r Maud e thinking thus to
'

, , .

v e il which had hidd e n it from min e e y e s comp e nsat e h e r for th e lack o f n e ws ,

'

app e are d in all its radiant spl e ndour So Your kind h e art wish e s to console m e .
-

ard e ntly did I gaz e upon you th a t yo ur de ar R obin b u t alas ! I cannot b e co m -

:
,
”
ch e eks b e cam e su ff us ed with blush e s fort e d . .

Some thing within m e cr i e d This maid You a r e a naughty litt l e girl said
'

,
‘
,

sh al l be thy Wife Th e blood which Robin in a ba nter i n g ton e

.
’
W h a t d o yo u ,
.
,

had rush e d to my he art mounte d t o my compl ain that yo u n e ve r re ce iv e from any

face a n d I fe lt th a t I mu s t lov e yo u o ne tokens of fri e ndship o r r e m e mbra nce ?
, .

Th e re d ear M ar ia n that i s t he story o f Ungrat e ful girl ; do I no t brin g you ne ws

, ,
'

”
my first an d last blu s h LS in ce that d a y f r o m N o ttin g ha m at e ach o f my v isits ?
.
,
.

Robin we nt o n aft e r a mo m en t of aff e ct i ng Who was it who at th e risk o f losing his , ,

sil e n ce t h is hope h eave n born pro mi s e h e ad pai d f r equ e nt visits to yo u r broth e r

“
, , ,

of a happy futu r e hath be e n th e co ns o l a Hal ? W h o at th e still g r e a t er r i s k o f

,
v —
,
'

tion and support of min e e xist e nce I los in g his h ear t e xposed h 1m s elf brave ly .
,

m
hope and I be li e ve to th e murde ro us firs o f two b eautiful
'

e .
,
.
t
_

Sounds of m e rri m e nt fro t h e Gr e at e y es ? I n ord e r to pl e ase yo u Maud e , I ‘

, ,

H all be low r e ach e d t h e room abov e wh e re br a ve th e dang e r of a t é f e Zz téte with t h e ,

- -

hand i n hand th e two y oung peopl e lov ely Grac e I submit to t he charm s o f ,

continu e d to e xchange t e nd e r fiw h is p er e d h er gracious smil e I su ffe r t h e touch o f ,

c o n fi d e n ce s h e r pr et ty hand I e v e n k i ss h er be au ti f u l
’
:

. a
,

brow ; and f o r w h om
thus endang e r my pe ac e o f m
,
”

i nd N For
”
you Maud e , a nd f or you alon ei ; h ,
 RO B I N H O O D T H E O UTLAW I I
‘

1 Maud e b egan to l augh . play with my h eart ; it be ats wi th such

“
I must ind e e d b e o f a n ungrat e ful viol e nc e a s to pai n me I am l ist e ning . .

”
natur e said s h e for th e pl e asur e I fe e l
,
“
, Sp eak Robin ; is cl e ar William sou nd
,

in h earing you spe ak o f Halbe r t and his and w e ll ?

wife d o th not satisfy th e d e sire o f my .
“
Without a doubt sinc e h e wish es to ,

h eart . call you his cl ear littl e wife at th e

“
V e ry we ll th en Madam I will not , , , possibl e mom e nt .

te ll you that I saw H al last w e e k that ,

“
You hav e se e n him ? W her e I s h e ?
h e charg e d m e to kiss you o n both ch e e ks ; Wh e n W ill h e be h e r e ?
nor will I t ell you that Grac e love s you I have s ee n him ; h e will soo n come .

wi th all h e r h e art and th at h er littl e Holy Moth e r o f God I thank th e e !

da u ght e r Maude—a n ang e l o f goodn e s s
, ,

cri e d Maud e clasping h e r hands and rais

,

W1s h e s h e r pr e tty godmoth e r a v e ry

-
h
ing e t e arful e y e s to h e av e n
r “
H OW .
.

”
g o od day . glad I shall be to s ee him ! add e d th e
“
Thank yo u a thousand tim e s d e ar , girl.
“
B ut continu e d M aude as h e r
.
,

R obi n f o r your charming mann e r of t e ll

, e y e s turn e d irr e sistibly towards t h e door ,

ing me nothin g L a m quit e cont ent to . o n t h e thr e shold o f which stood a young
r e mai n thus 1n i gnoranc e of what 13 hap “
man it is h e ! it is h e !
,

peni ng at Nottingham ; but by th e way , , Maude with a cry o f int ense de light
, ,

ha ve yo u told Marian o f th e att e ntion thre w h erse lf into William 5 arms and ’

u pai d to Halbe rt s cha r mi n g wife ?

’

y o l swoon e d away .

“
Wha t a spit e ful qu e stion Maude ! , P oor d e ar girl murmured t h e yo ung .

W e ll to give yo u a proof my conscie nc e

, man i n a tr e mbli ng voice th e e motion
,
“
,

hath n a ug ht to r e proach its e lf withal I

'
f
, hath be e n too mu ch for h er too sudde n ,

will t e ll yo u that I hav e confide d to s h e hath faint e d Robin hold h er up a .

,

Marian bu t a small pa rt o f my a pp r e littl e I am w e ak as a child I can hardly ,

cia ti o n o f t h e charms o f t h e b e autiful - stand .

Grac e H o w ev e r as I have a gr e at Robin took Maud e g e ntly f r Om Wil

“

n
.
,

a dmi ration for h e r e y e s I was v e ry car e liam 8 arms and carri e d h er to a couch
’

, .

ful not to b e too e xpansive upon th e As for poor William with his h ead hidde n ,
”
subj ect in his hands h e w e pt bitt e rly Maude
,
.

“
W hat ! yo u d e c e ived Marian ? I t soon cam e to h e rs e lf and h er first thought ,

would s erv e yo u right w e r e I to go at w a s for Will h e r first look f o n him, He .

m
onc e and re v e al to h e r th e full e xt e nt o f kn e lt at h e r fe e t and putting his arms , ,

your wick edn e ss . round h er waist mur ured te nde rly the ,

We will g o tog ethe r pre sen tly an d I ,

nam e of his be lov ed
will off er yo u my arm ; but be fore w e go Maud e ! Maud e !
to r M ar i a n I wish to talk t o yo u
”
,
. William ! de ar Willia m !
What hav e you to t ell m e Robin ? ,
I w ant to spe ak to Marian said ,

1 “ So m e thing v e ry nice and which I , ,

Robin smil ing ,
Good bye ; I will l eav e .
-

you tog e the r Do not quit e forge t oth e rs

'

am sur e will give yo u gre at pl e asure

,
. .

“ “ Th e n you have n e ws o f of .
'

who lov e you .

And th e young girl looked at Robin with

.

Maude h e ld o u t h er hand
qu es ti oni ng e ye s and an e xpr e ss i o n o f man and William look ed
,

mi n g m d doubt hope an d j oy while th e , , ,

ble nd rus he d into h e r fac e H e r e I am back at l ast de ar Maud e.

.
, , ,

21 “
O f whom Maud e P
”
,
said W ill Ar e you glad to s e e m e ?
. .

me s aid t h e How c a n y o u ask Willia m ? Oh ye s , , ,

I am g lad and mor e than that , I am , ,

”
I r e ally have happy v e ry happy .
”
you You don t want m e to g o away .
’

again
a hu sban d ? “
Did I e v e r want you to ?
No ; but it d e pe nds on yo u alon e
A husband ? What a s t ra ng e qu e s wh e the r I stay h e re fo r good or only as
fi ®fi l
n
7 3 4 t a visitor
fr ‘ . 3

What do you m e an ?
.

’
“
N o t at all if t h at h usband w e r e
W ill L \ Vill l
,

r “
o u hav e h e ard n e ws
f
Do o n r e m e mb e r th e last conv e rsa ‘

o f Will F o r m e rcy s sak e Robin n e v e r tion w e ad t og’

e t h er
, ,
12 ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLAW
“
“
Yea , William d e ar . B e caus e it is too un exp ect ed too ,
”
I l e ft you with a h e avy h eart that
. so on .

day d e ar Maude ; I was in d e spair

,
. Happin e ss n e ve r com e s too soon d e ar ,

Robin notic e d my distr e ss and urg e d by , , Maud e ; and could w e be marri e d at this
his inquiri e s I told him e v e rything I , . v e ry mom e nt I shoul d be t h e ha ppi e st
,

thus l e arn e d th e nam e o f h i m you once of m en As W e must wait unt i l to

.

lov e d . . morrow why I r e sign mys e lf to it

, , .

“
Do not l e t us spe ak of my girlish But it is s e ttl e d is it not that to morrow, ,
-

folli e s int e rrupt e d Maud e twining h e r

, , you will be my W ife
arms round William s n e ck ; th e past “ ’
To morrow -
cri e d th e girl .

”
b e longs to G o d .
“
Y ea ; and for two r e asons th e fir st ,
“
Ye a d e ar M aud e to God alon e and b e ing t hat w e shall k ee p my fathe r s ’

, , ,

t h e pr e s e nt to us is it not so ? , s e ve nty sixth birthday t h e s e cond that

-
,
“
Ye a to us and to God ,
P e rhaps it . my moth e r wish e s to c e l e brat e my r et urn
might be as w e ll for your p e ac e of mind , with gr e at r ej oici ngs Th e m e rrymaking .

”
d e ar William add e d t h e young girl to “
would b e uit e compl e t e if still furth e r
b r i g h t e n e d dwt h e accomplishm e nt of o u r
, , ,

hav e a cl e ar frank and d e cid e d id ea o f , ,

”
my r e lations with Robin Hood . mutual d e sir e s .

I know as much as I d e sir e to know ,

“
Your family de ar William a e not , ,

d e ar Maud e ; Robin told m e all that had pr e par e d to r e c e ive m e as o n e 0 th e ir

”
pass e d b e twixt you . numb e r and your fath e r would pe rhaps
,
’ H
A d e licat e pink flood e d t h e girl s fac e
Wil l—
.

I f your d e partur e h a d b e e n l e ss My fath e r int e rrupt e d , my “

hurri e d s h e r e pli ed hiding h e r blushing

, , fath e r will say that you a r e an ang e l ,

fac e on t h e young man s should e r you “ ’

, that h e lo v e s yo u and that you have

.
,

would have l e arnt that d e e ply touch e d , long bee n his daught e r Ah Maud e ! .
,
’

by t h e pati e nt t e nd e rn e ss o f your lov e , you do not know t h e good and kind o ld

I long e d to r e turn it During your . man if yo u doubt his j oy at th e happin e ss
,
”
abs e nc e I got into th e habit o f r e garding of his son .

Robin as a broth e r and to d ay I ask ,

“
Yo u have such a gift o f p e rsuasion ,

mys e lf Will i f my h e art e v e r b e at for

, , my d e ar Will that I agr ee wi th you , ,
” ”
any o n e but you . e ntir e ly .

Th e n it is quite tru e that you lov e . Th e n you cons e nt Maud e ? ,

m e a littl e Maud e ? said William clasp, ,

“
I suppos e I must d e ar Wil l ,
.

ing his hands and with t ea rs in his e y e s ,

. You a r e not forc e d to do so Madam , .

A littl e ! N o ; but v e ry much ”

. R e ally William you a r e v e ry d ifli cu l t
, ,

Oh Maud e h o w happy you m a k e

, , to pl e as e ; probably yo u would pr efe r to
m e ! Yo u s ee I w a s right to hop e to h e ar m e r e ply I conse nt with al l my ‘
‘
'

, , ,

wait to be pati e nt to say to mys e lf

, , , h e art .
’

‘
Th e day will com e wh e n I shal l be “
To marry you to morrow a dde d -
,

lov e d W e a r e going to be marri e d a r e

.
’

, Will .

w e not ? To marry you to in o r r o w r e peat e d -

,
“
D e ar Will ! Maude laughing ,
.

“
Say ye a o r say rath e r I want to , , ,
‘
.
“
Ve ry we ll ; I ta m conte nt Co m e .
,

marry my good William .

’
d e ar littl e woman l e t us go and anno u nc e ,

I want to marry my good William , our approachin g marriag e to our fri e nds ” .

r e pe at e d th e g ir l obe d i e ntly ,
'

. William took Maud e s arm dre w it ’

, .

Give m e your hand d e ar Maud e , . through his o w n and kissing t he girl , , ,

”
H e r e it is . h e l e d h e r towards th e Gr e at Hall wh e r e ,

William kiss e d th e littl e han d o f h i s th e whol e family was still ass e mbl ed .

b e troth e d passionat e ly . Lady G a m w e ll and h e r husband gav e

“
Wh e n shall our w edding be Maud e ? ,
Maud e th e ir bl e ssing Winifr e d and Bar , .

h e ask e d bara gr e e t e d h er by th e sw e e t nam e o f

I do not know my d e ar —
.

sist e r and Will s br o th e r s e m br a ce d h e r

'

“ ’
som e day ,
.
,

Of course but it must be s e ttl e d ; , e nthusiastically .

suppos e w e say to morrow -

Th e pr e parations for t h e w e dding no w
“
To morrow Will ! You don t m e an
-
,
’
occupi e d t h e ladi e s who all anima t e d , ,
”
it ; tis impossible
’
. by th e sam e d e sire of minist e ring to t h e
“
I mpo ssibl e ! Why imp o s s ib l e ? ”
1
'
happin e ss of Will and t o th e b e auty o f
 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLAW I 3
Maud e s e t th e ms e lve s at onc e to mak e
, With wrinkl e d and grimacing face s lik e ,

a charming dr e ss for t h e young girl . two o l d monk e ys t he m e n talk e d toge th e r

,

Th e morrow cam e slowly as do all , in low vo i c e s and it was e vide nt th at

,

impati e ntly e xpe ct e d to morrows From -

. th e y we re trying to O btain from o ne
e arly morning t h e courtyard of t h e Castl e anoth e r by dint of cunning and flatte ry
, ,

had b e e n furnish e d with innum e rabl e a d e finit e conclusion to some important

casks of a l e which , fe stoon e d with gar
, busin e ss .

”
lands o f l e ave s w e r e to wait pati e ntly
, You a r e t o o hard on me Baron , ,

until th e ir pr e s e nc e was discov e re d A . said t h e hid e ous O ld man wagging his ,

spl e ndid banqu e t was in pre paration arm , h e ad.

fuls o f flowe rs str e we d t h e balls t h e , Faith no re pli e d Lord Fitz Alwi n e

, ,
-
,

musician s tun e d th e ir instrum e nts and , briskly .

“
I wish to s e cure my daughte r s ’

th e e xpe ct e d gu e sts cam e throngin I n happin e ss that is all and I chall e ng e

g .
, ,

Th e hour fix e d for t he c e l e brati on o f you to discove r any ulterior motive in m e ,

t h e w e dd ing o f Mistr e ss Lindsay and my de ar Sir Tristan ’

William G a m w e ll was about to strik e ; I know that you a r e a good fath e r ,

Maude dr e ss e d with e x quisit e tast e

, , F 1t z Alwin e and that th e happin e ss o f t h e
,

await e d William s arrival i n the Gre at ’

Lady Christabe l is your only thought .

, Hall but Wil liam did not com e

, . And What dowry int e nd you to giv e
Sir Guy s e nt a s e rvant to look fo r his
, ,
t h i s cl e ar chil d ?
s on . I have told you alre ady fi v e thousand ,

The s e rvan t look e d all ove r t h e pl ea pie ce s o f gold on h e r w e dding day and ,

s e arch e d t h e Castl e call e d t h e

s a u n ce , , t h e sam e amount lat e r .

young man and g o t no r e ply save t h e

, ,
“
Th e dat e must be stat e d pre cis e ly ,

e cho o f his o w n vo i c e . Baron ; th e date must be pr e cis e ly state d ,

Robin H ood and Sir Guy s sons ’

grumbl e d th e o l d man .

mount e d th e ir hors e s and s e arch e d th e L e t us say in fi v e y e ars th e n , .

n e ighbour h o o d ; th e y could find no trac e Th e d e lay 18 long and t h e dowry you ,

”
of t h e brid e groom nor h e ar any ; tidings ,
give your daught e r 18 v e ry sm al l .

of hi m S i r Tristan said t h e Baron dryly

’
“
.
, , ,

Th e
gu e sts divide d into parti e s and , y o u .
p u t my pati e nc e to too gr e at a trial .

e xplor e d t h e country in oth e r dir e ctions ,

I pray you to r em e mb e r that my daught e r
but th e ir s e arch was e qually futil e . is young and b e autifu l and that you your ,

At midnight t h e W hol e family gath e r e d

,
s e lf no long e r posse ss t h e physical a d v a n
”
round Maud e who had be e n unconsci ous
, tag e s yo u may have had fifty y e ars ago .

for t h e last hour .

“
Th e r e th e re don t g e t angry F 1tz
, ,
’

William h a d disapp ear e d Alwin e int e ntions ar e good I can

’

plac e a m i l fon b e sid e your te n thousand

. .
,

pi e c e s o f gold What am I saying ? O n e

.

”
million probably two
,
.

C HAPTE R 11 I know yo u a r e rich I nte rrupt e d ,

am not o n a
”
S w e ha v e
alr eady m e n tion e d Baron
i

Fitz Alwine had brought his

a u ti f u l and charming daught e r th e o ,

Lady C hristabe l back with him to

N ottingham Castle
,

Som e days be for e t h e disa pp e aranc e o f

poor Will t h e Baron was s i tting in o n e e ntrust m e with th e mon ey n e ce ssary to
,
”
o f his apartm e nts o posit e to a littl e man
p r e alis e it , .

spl e ndidly dr e ss e d i n a rob e lad e n with “

I cannot und e rstand my de ar Fitz ,

golde n e mbroid e ry . Alwin e what diffe r e nce it can mak e to ,

I f it w e re possibl e to be r 1ch 111 uglin e ss th e happin e ss o f your daught e r an I k ee p , ,

o n e would h a v e said that Lord F i tz t h e h al f o f my fortun e l n min e own hands .

I will s e ttl e t h e incom e of a million o f ,

antiquity Of hi s birth himse lf .

14 ROB I N H OO D TH E O U T LAW
“ That is all v e ry we ll in words my de mand is absurd 5 I cannot in co n , ,
.

de ar Sir Tristan ; but pe rmit m e to re mind sci e nc e plac e h a l f my fortun e in your

‘

o u that W
”
h e n th e r e i s a gr e at dispa r ity hands
y
.

m t h e ag e s of husband an d wife m i s “
Do you doubt my honour and good ,

unde rstand i ng is apt to be th e ir gu e st faith cri e d t h e Baron irritably .

,

I t might happe n that t h e capric e s of a “

N ot i n th e l e ast my good frie nd , .

young woman would b e com e unbe arabl e D O you i magin e that I have an y
to you and you would tak e back what motive othe r than my daught e r s happi
,
’

you had giv e n I f I k e pt h a l f your n e ss .

fortun e in min e o w n hands I should be I know that you lov e th e Lady Chris
,

satisfi e d as to t h e futur e happin e ss o f m y tab e l but , .

daught e r ; s h e would have nothing to «

“
But what ? thund e r e d t h e Baron .

fe ar and you might e e n quarr e l with h e r

,
D ecid e quickly or I annul f o r ev e r th e
’

,
"
to your h e art s co nte nt
’
promise s I h a v e made
.
a
.

uarr l ? Y u a r e joking my d e ar Y do r i ot giv e m e tim e f o r r e fl

Q e o o u , ec

Baron ; n e v er co u ld such a misfo rtun e tion fl .

'
occ u r : I am too fond of th e pr e t ty littl e At th i s mome nt a s e rvi ng man knock e d
'

dove to wish to annoy h e r For tw e lv e softly at th e door

' '

. .

ye ars I have aspir e d to th e honour o f h e r “

Com e in said th e Baron , .

hand and ye t yo u think m e capabl e o f

,
M Lord said th e man a m es s e ng e r
“
, ,

r e proving h e r caprice s ; s h e may hav e as from t e King hath brought urg e nt n e ws ,

many a s e e r s h e pl e ase for s h e Will be and awaits your Lordship s good pleasur e
’
,
’

” ”
rich and abl e to satisfy th e m to announc e th e m .
-
.

P e rmit m e to re mark that if you still B ri ng him hith e r r e pli e d th e B a r o n

'
“
'

.
, ,

r e fuse to acc ed e to my d e mands , I shall N ow Sir Tristan o n e last word

“ '

If
m
.
, ,

distinctly r e tract th e promis e I h a v e giv e n you do not acc e d e t O wish e s b e for e

ou h e e nt r y of t h e m e ss e ng e r who will b e
’

X t ,

Yo u a r e t o o hasty Baron much too h e r e in two minut e s ; y o u shall not hav e

.

“
, ,
”
hasty grumbl e d t h e o l d man
, L e t us t h e Lady Christab e l . .

discuss t h e matt e r a littl e long e r H e ar m e F i t z Alwin e pray h e ar m e .

,
-
, .

I h a v e alr e ady said all th e r e i s to say “

I will b e ar nothing My daught e r 13 .

I have com e to a de cision worth a mill ion ; b e sid e s you told m e

.
,
“
D O not be obstinat e Fitz Alwin e that you lov e d h e r ,
. .

What if I w e r e to plac e fifty thousand T e nd e rly v e ry t e nde rly mumbl e d , ,

pi e c e s o f gold i n yo ur hands t h e hid e ous o l d man . .

I should a sk wh e th e r yo u int e nded to “

W e ll th e n Sir Tristan you will be , , ,

i nsult me .
’
v e ry unhappy for you a r e about to b e ,
'

To insult you Fitz Alwin e ? What a s e parat e d from h e r for e ve r

,
I kn ow a .

po or O pin i on yOu must h a v e o f m e ! I f young lord as nobl e as a king rich v e ry , , ,

I said two hundr e d thousand pi e c e s o f rich and good looking who only awaits , ,

gold my p e rmission to lay h i s nam e and fortun e

h
Sir Trista n this must e n d I k o w at my daught e r s fe e t I f you h e sitat e ‘ ‘
’

—
. .
,

your imm e ns e fortun e and t h e o ffe r you a s e cond long e r ; to morrow not e w e ll
'

—
, ,

mak e m e is a m e r e mock ry e What am t o m a r r o w t h e maid e n you lov e

.
3 my ,

I to do with your tw o hun dr e d thousand dau g ht e r t h e beautiful and charming

’
,

p ie c e s o f gold ? Chri s tab e l Will be th e Wife o f yo ur mor e ,

“
Did I say two hundr e d thousand fortunat e rival ,
.

Baron ? I meant to s a y fi v e hundr e d Yo u ar e pitil e ss Fitz Alwin e ! -

tho usand—fiv e hundre d do you unde r

,

I h e ar t h e m e sse ng e r Answe r yes o r

,
.

stand ? N ow isn t t hat a nobl e s u m a no ,

’

,
.
’

ve ry nobl e sum “
But Fitz Alwin e ,
“
Y e a o r nay ?
“
Y ea y a
”
stamm e r e d t e old ma n
h ] I
e , ,
.

“
Sir Tri stan my good fri e nd only ‘
, ,

yo u r happ i n ess my daught e r i s

a tre asur e o f grac e and b e aut y “
L
’
.

”
“
I t i s t r ue s h e is ve ry b e autiful s aid
l 1
,

t h e amorous o l d man 4 n e w .

And that s h e 18 worth a mi llion p 1e c es

 RO B I N H O OD TH E AW
'
'

OU I
’

16 L

discove re d You und e rstand dont you ? .

,
’
Do you be long t o Robin Hood s
' ’

I f William s e n e mi e s b e cam e aware o f’ ‘

band ? h e ask e d .

my sudde n appe arance th e y would b e on ,

“
You j udge by appea ranc es Sir r e , ,

th e ir guard and in cons e qu e nce it would , , , plie d th e young man and b e caus e you
“
, .

be mor e di ffi cult for us to s e t o u r fri e nd s e e m e cloth e d in t h e ga r b of t h e for e st e rs ,

at libe rty Yo u must go alon e into th e

. you pre sum e that I must b e long to Rob in
town and th e n mak e your way to a
,
’
Hood s band You a r e wrong All t h e . .

cottage lying o n th e outskirts o f t h e plac e . inhabitants o f th e For e st do not follow

Th e r e you will find a good fri e nd o f min e , t h e fortun e s o f t h e Outlaw Chi e f .

”
by nam e Halb e rt Lindsay ; in th e e ve nt “
That s like e now’
r e turn e d t h e ,

o f his abs e nc e his com e ly wif e who , , strang e r in a ton e o f manife st impa
,

d e s e rve s h e r pre tty nam e o f Grace , ti en ce .

“
I thought I had m e t a m e mb e r
t e ll you wh e r e to find him Yo u wi ll . o f t h e com pany o f M e rri e M e n I was .

”
s ee k him o u t and bring him to m e I s . wr ong that is all
, .

that quit e cl e ar ? Th e trave ll e r s r e ply e xcit e d Robin s ’ ’

”
P e rfe ctly . curiosity .

V e ry well th e n” go ! I will stay h ere ,

“ “
Mast e r said h e your count e nance
, ,

t o k e e p a look out -
. be tok e ns a h earty fran kn e ss which d e
L e ft alon e Robin hid his hor se in the
, ,

, spit e th e profou nd hatr ed I have born e

thick e t str e tch e d hims e lf b e n ea th t h e
, against t h e N ormans th e se many years
shade o f an o a k and s e t to work to past
'

de vis e a plan o f campaign f o r poor Will s ’

“
I am no N orman Sir F o r es te r , ,

succe ssful d e live ranc e Whil e bringing . i nt e rrupt e d t h e trav e ll e r

“
and I might ,

all his inve ntive faculti e s t o be ar upon imitat e you in sayi ng that you too judg e , ,

this subj e ct th e young man k e pt a ca r e ful , by appe aranc e s My dre ss and th e acc e nt .

watch o n t h e road . of my sp e e ch l ea d you into e rror I am .

Pr e s e ntly h e saw in th e distanc e a Saxon though th e r e a r e a f e w drops o f

,

richly dr e ss e d young knight approaching Norman blood in my v e ins .

t h e For e st from t h e dir e ction of N otting “

A Saxon is a broth e r to m e Mast e r , ,

ham . and I am happy to be abl e to giv e yo u a

"
“
By my faith ! said Robin to him proof o f my confid e nc e I do be long to .

'
s e lf if this gay trav e ll e r is o f N orman
,
“ .
Robin Hood s band As you a r e doubt ’
.

blood h e doe s we ll to choos e this dir e ction

, l e ss aware w e u s e a l e ss disint e r e st e d
,

for his country walk Dam e Fortun e . fashion o f making ours e lves known to
”
appe ars to have tr e at e d him so kindly , No r man trave ll e rs .

that it will be a pl easur e to r e li e ve his “

I kn ow that fashion at once cour ,

pocke ts o f t h e price o f t h e bows and t e o u s and productive r e pli e d t h e strang e r , ,

arrows which will be brok e n to morrow '

-
laughingly “
I hav e oft e n h e ard o f i t,
.

in William s honour H is habit is sump ’

. and I am o n my way to Sh e rwood sol e ly
tuons his gait haughty ; o f a truth this
, ,
that I may have th e pl e asur e o f m ee ting
”
allant is we ll m e t Com e along m y your l e ad e r
gme gentl eman you will be a ll th e ”lighte r
. .
,
“
,
'

And what if I we r e to t e ll you that

wh e n w e hav e be com e acquai nte d . ou w e r e now in th e pr e se nce o f Robin
, Rising qui c kly from his r e cumbe nt (Sod ?
position Robin place d him se lf in th e
,
“
I would offe r him my hand r e pli e d ,

tr a ve ll e r s way Th e latte r e x ec ti n g t h e strang e r quickly accompanying t h e

’ '

.
, , , ,
”
doubtle ss s ome toke n o f po i te ne s s
,
. u

,
words with a fri e ndl y ges t u r e “
And I .

s top pe d court e ously

'
.
’

would say to him Fr1e nd Robin hav e , ,

i er ?
’ ’
“
W e lcom e Sir Knight said Robin , , , y o u forgott e n M ar an s broth
putting hi s hand to his cap “
Th e s ky . Allan C l ar e ! You a r e Allan Clar e !
is so da rk that I took your glorious a p e xclaim e d Robin gl ee fully ,
.

p e a r a n c e for a m e ss e ng e r from t h e s u n
“
Y ea I am A l lan Clar e
,
And t h e .

Your smiling count e nance bright e ns t h e '

r e coll e ction o f your e xpr e ssive c o u n te
landscape and if you would r e m a in a
, n ance my d e ar Robin was so d e e p grav e n
, ,

f e w minut e s long e r o n t h e v e rg e o f th e on my h e art that I r e cognis e d you at t h e “

o l d For e st t h e v e ry flow e rs hidd e n b e n e ath

, first glanc e .

its shad e would zta ke yo u f o r a ray o f - How gla d I am to s ee yo u Al l a n ! ,

v

r e pli e d Robin Hood s h aking t h e yo u ng , ,

ma n by both h a nds M a ri an doth no t .

 ROB I N H OO D TH E O U TLAW 7
’

e xp e ct th e happin e ss which your re turn strong er e v e n than h e is tall I t was .

t o England will g i v e h e r .
’
from him that I l e arnt of yo ur arrang e
My poor de ar sist e r ! said Allan , m e nt with th e Baron ”
.

with an e xpre ssion o f d ee p t e nde rn e ss “

Lord Fitz Alwin e took him into his -

“
I s s h e w e ll ? I s s h e happy ? confide nce th e n said Allan with a smile
, , .

H e r h e alth is p e rfe ct Allan and s h e , , Y ea Littl e J ohn thr e at e n e d his Lord

,

hath n o oth e r sorrow than that o f b e ing ship and int e rrogate d him at th e point o f
,
” ”
s e parat e d from you . t h e dagg e r .

“
I have r e turn e d n e ve r to quit my ,
“
Th e n I can quit e compr e h e nd th e
”
nativ e land again My good sist e r will . Baron s e xpansive n e ss
’
.

th e n b e quit e hap py Did yo u h e ar .

,
“
My good fri e nd r e pli e d Robin , ,

Robin that I was i n th e s e rvi c e o f th e

, grav e ly b ewar e o f Lord F i tz Alwin e
,
-
.

King o f Franc e ? H e be ars o u no love and if h e can find

,

a m e ans o f br eaking his oath he will not

,

Ye a O n e o f th e Baron s m e n and
’
“
.
, ,
”
t h e Baron hims e lf in a burst o f c o n fi h e sitat e to d o so .

de nc e produce d by fe ar mad e known to , Should h e att e mpt to d i s pu te w i th m e '

” ’
us your position about th e King s pe rson . ov e r Lady Christab e l s hand I sw ear to ’

A lucky chance e nabl e d m e to r e nd e r you Robin I will make him re pe nt it

, ,
” ”
th e King o f Franc e a gr e at s e rvic e bitt e rly
'

.
,

continu e d t h e Knight and in his grati

“
, Have you any e spe cial m e ans o f
tude h e d e ign e d to acquaint hims e lf with making th e Baron fe ar your thr e ats ?
my d e sir e s and took a gre at and frie ndly
,
“
Yea ; and b e sid e w e r e I unabl e to ,

int e r e st in m e His Maj e sty s kindn e ss

.
’
obtain th e fulfilm e nt of his promis e I ,

e mbold e n e d m e and I mad e known m would lay sieg e to th e Castl e soon e r than
,
y
troubl e s to him I told him h o w my
. giv e up my Christab el .

goods had b e e n confiscat e d and I b e , An you want h e lp I am e ntir e ly at ,

sought him to allow m e to r e turn to your s e rvic e good Allan ; I can i m m e d i

,

England Th e King was so gracious

. at e ly plac e at your disposal two hundr e d
as to grant my pray e r ; h e gave m e a m e n fl ee t o f foot and strong o f arm
, .

l e tt e r to King H e nry o n t h e spot and , ,

Th e y a r e e qually w e ll skill e d in t h e u s e
without losing a mom e nt I start e d for , of bow sword lance and buckl e r ; say
, ,

this country At th e re qu e st o f th e King

. but o n e word and at my command th e y ,
”
of Franc e H e nry I I r e stor e d to m e my
,
. will be with us .

fath e r s prop e rty ; and th e King s Tre asury

’ ’
A thousand thanks d e ar Robin I ,
.

will have to giv e m e back 1n good golde n e xp e ct e d no l e ss from your good fri e nd
”
cro w ns th e r e ve nu e produce d by y m i ne ship .

e stat e s sinc e th e ir confiscation B esid e . And you w e r e right ; but t e ll m e how

which I have r e alis e d a larg e sum which
, , ,
l e arn e d you that I dw e lt in Sh e rwood
once place d in th e hands o f Baron Fitz For e st
Alwin e is to win m e t h e hand o f my
,
“
Having conclude d my busin e ss in
”
d e ar Christab e l . London re pli e d t h e Knight
,
“
I cam e ,
“
I have h e ard o f th e bargain said ,
to Nottingham Th e r e I h eard o f t h e . , ,

Robin .
“
Th e s e ve n ye ars give n y o u by
t h e Baron a r e o n t h e po int o f e xpiring ,

a r e th e y not ?
“
Ye a .To morrow is my last day o f
1

We ll th e n you had b e st hast e n to

, ,

s e e t h e Baron for t h e d e lay of a n hour

,
'

dwe lling I r e turn e d to Mansfi e ld with

.

w ould be your loss . all hast e and an inhabitant o f that town

,

How did you l e arn o f th e e xist e nce told m e what had occurr ed H e sang .

o f this contract and its conditions ? your praise s to m e and inform e d m e ’

From my cousi n Little John ,

. that t h e G a mw e l l family had r e tir e d
Sir Guy o f G a m w e l l s gigantic ’
s e cr e tly to th e ir Yorkshir e lands T e ll .

hew ask e d Allan . m e of my sist e r Marian Robin Hood ; is ,

Th e ve ry sam e th e n yo u r e m e mb e r s h e much chang e d

’

Y e s Allan sh e is ind e e d chang e d

’

t h e wor t hy fe llow ? 1

, ,
.

O f cours e I d o ”
. My poor siste r I
”
W e ll h e i s no w bi g g er th an eve r , and
,
S h e i s o f a perfe ct be auty now ,
r
~

8 ROB I N H OO D TH E O U TLAW
continu e d Robi n la ughi ng for I had th e n and h ave still a broth e rly
, , , ,

sprin g hath add e d to h e r grace s ” a ff e ction for h e r . .

”
I s s h e marri e d ? 3 a sked Allan R e al ly ? qu e stion e d th e Knight s l l y
’

On my honour y ea ! r e pli e d Ro bin

. .
,
”
N a y n o t ye t , .
, .

“
So much th e b e tt e r Do you know if But to fi n i s h W i ll ia m s story This is .
’
.

s h e hath
g iv e n h e r h e art to a n y o n e o r if what happ e n e d to h im A n hour be for e , .
'

h e r hand i s p r omis e d ? t h e c e l e bration o f h i s marriag e h e dis ,

Marian shall answe r that qu e stion app ear e d and I hav e j ust l earnt that h e , ,

said Robin blushing slightly How hath b e e n carri ed o ff by t h e B aron s ’

I hav e coll e ct e d my m e n—i n

-
.
,

hot it i s to day l h e ad d e d passing his soldi e rs -

, .

hand ov e r h is flush e d brow “

D o l e t a f e w minut e s th e y wi l l b e w ithin call . .
,

us g o into th e shad e o f th e tr e e s ; I am and 1 am r e lying on my skill support e d ,

3
,
”
e xp e cting o n e o f my m e n and m e s e e m e th by th e ir aid to d e liv e r William , ,
.

his abs e nc e is unduly prolong e d B y th e ’

“
W h er e is h e ? ”
. .
'

way Allan do you r eca ll o n e o f th e sons Without t h e l e ast doubt h e is in '

o f Sir Guy—Wil li am surnam e d Scarl e tt

, , ‘

N ottingham Castl e , I shal l soon he , .

t

b r e ason o f t h e so m e th i n g v i v i d h u e of c e rtain o f it
y
'

h 1s loc ks D o not b e to o r a sh m y g o od Robin ; , ,

“
A we ll favour e d lad with larg e blu e wait till to morrow
-
I shall see t h e . -

e ye s B aron and I wi l l b r 1n g to be ar all t he ,

“
The s am e Th e poor fe llow s e nt to influ e nce which e n tr ea t1e s o r thr e ats can
.
,

L ondon by Baron Fitz Alwin e had be e n hav e o n hi m t o obtain t h e r e l e ase of your -

,
”
e nroll e d in a r i m e n t that form e d par t c ousin
o f th e army vig
.

i c h s till occupi e s N o r “
But i f th e o l d miscr e ant acts sum
mandy On e fi ne day W i lliam was tak e n marily should I not all my life r e gr e t
.
,

with an unco n qu e rable d e sir e to s ee his having lost se ve ral hours

family again ; h e aske d f o r l e av e which H av e you r eason to fe ar it ? ,

h e co u ld not obtain a n d be sid e him s e lf How can you as k m e such a qu e stion

, , ,

at th e p e rsist e nt r e fusal of his Captain h e Allan wh e n you know th e cru e l answ e r , ,

ki ll e d him W ill succe e d e d in r eaching to it be tt e r than I do mys e lf

. Yo u know
England a lucky chanc e brought us w e ll do you not that Lord F i tz Alwin e
, , ,
-

tog e th e r and I took th e lad to B a r n s d a l e is without pity and without fee ling ? I f
, ,

wh e r e his family live Th e day aft e r his h e dar e d to b a n Will with his o w n .

r e turn all t h e hous e hold w e r e r ej oicing hands he assur h e would do it I , ,

. .

for th e y we r e not only c e l e brating th e must haste n to drag Willi am from th e

r e turn o f th e wand e r e r but also his lion s j aw s a n I would not los e him for ,
’

r
'
-

” ”
marria e a n d Sir Guy s birthday e ve r
’
. .

“
Wi l going to b e marri e d ? To B e like you a r e r i g h t d e ar Robin a n d , , ,

whom my prud e nt couns e l would be dang e rous . ,

“
To a charmin g dam os e l whom you to fol lo w in that cas e I shall pr e s e nt
know—
. .

e M i s tr e s s mys e lf at th e Castl e th i S v e r y day a n d '

, ,

I d o n o t r ecoll e ct th e l ady you nam e once insid e I may possibly be abl e to .

,
“

Wha t you have f orgott e n t h e e xist h e lp yo u I will qu e stion the Baron ; an

.
,
-
= .

e nc e of th e com anion fri e nd a n d d e vote i l a sw r I sh a l l addr e ss myse lf

d h l
'

w t
followe r of th e L
e n o n , e , ,

a dy Christabe l A to h
t e soldi e rs who will I hop e b e fo e n
p , , ,

A
'
I kn ow I . llan
, to t h e t e m p t a t io n o f a h e avy brib e: R e ly ,

Clar e “
Yo u a r e s pea ki n o f th e merry o n m e ; but an if my e fforts b e fruitle ss
. .
,

daught e r of t h e K e e pe r o f o tti ng ha m of I wil l l e t you know and you must act , ,

”
th e sprightly M a ud e with t h e gre at e st promptitud e .

That s it ; Maude a n d William hav e ’

“
That is und e rstood H e r e is my .

”
lov ed ea ch oth e r for a long tim e man coming b ack h e is accompani e d by .

Maud e love d Will Scarl e tt ! What Halb e rt Maude s fost e r broth e r W e

,
,
’
.
.

a r e you sa i n b i f
’
R ? I t was you m shall now l arn som thing poo Will s
'

y g c o n e e o r
”
y , ,

fri e nd who had w o n t h e girl s h e art

, fat e ’
. .

“ ”
Nay nay o n a r e mistak e n , , W e ll ? ask e d Robin afte r having .
,

N ot :a t a ] not at a ll ; I r e m e mb e r gr e ete d h is frie n d . .

n o w that if s h e d i d not lov e u which I hav e v e ry l i ttl e t o t e ll y o ! ; r e pli ed

“ '

, y o ‘
u ,

I doubt at l e ast s he took a d e ep aa n d Halb e rt ; I only know that a pr i son e r

, J

ha th r bee n ca r r ied to tN o tti ng h a m C a stl e , r

 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLAW »
I 9
and Much t e lls m e that th e unfortunat e to be sol e m
ma r r ia g e / i s nised at th e e nd
wr e tch is o u r poor fri e nd Will Scarl e tt
- - -
. of this w e e k and i faith yo u have no ,
’

’
” '

I f you wish to try and sa v e him Robin , , tim e to los e an you wish to pr e v e nt it
, .

you must lose no tim e i a monk a pilgrim ,

-
“
I will go and s ee t h e Baron this
”
.

o n his w a y through N ottingham hath instant said Allan An h e thinks h e

“
, , .

”
b ee n s e nt for to th e Castl e to shrive can still pl a y w i th m e h e is wrong , .

prison e r .
“
Y o u may count o n my h e lp, Sir
”
Holy Moth e r o f God have pity o n , Knight said Robin ; a n d I will e ngag e
,

us ! cri e d Robin in a tr e mbling voic e , . to put an all powe rful obstacl e in t h e -

“
Will my poo r Will is in dang e r o f his
, , way o f th e accomplishm e nt of this mis
life ; w e must r e scu e him ; it must b e fortun e to wit force alli e d with cunning
, .

W e shall carry o ff t h e Lady Christabe l

'

don e at any cost Yo u l kn o w naught e ls e .

t
, .

Halb e rt h e add e d . My id e a is that w e should all four go to

Naught r e lating to Will ; but I hav e t h e Castl e toge th e r ; you will e nt e r alon e ,

l earnt that th e Lady Christab e l is going whil e I await your r e turn with Much and
to be marri e d at t h e e n d o f t h e we e k ”
. Halbe rt ” .

Lady Christab e l to be m arri e d ? Th e young m e n soon r each e d t h e

r e pe ate d Allan 1 . approach to t h e Castl e As t h e Knight .

Yea mast e r r e plie d Halbe rt looking

, , , w e nt towards t h e drawbridg e a nois e o f ,

at t h e K ni g h t w i th a n air of surpris e o
'

. chains was h e ard th e bridg e w as lowe r e d , ,

“
S h e is to marry t h e rich e st N orman in and an o l d man in t h e garb o f a pilgrim
”
all England . e m e r e d from t h e post e rn .

“
Impo ssibl e ! Q uit e impossibl e ! ex ond e r com e s t h e Confe ssor sum .

”
claim e d Allan Clar e . mo u e d by th e Baron for poor William ,

J I t is p e rf e ctly tru e
‘
r e turn e d Hal ,
~
sai d Halb e rt
-
“
Q u e stion him Robin
.
; ,

a n d gr e at pr e parations a r e o n foot pe rhaps h e can t e ll you what fat e is

'

at t h e Castl e to c e l e brat e th e happy d e stine d for our frie nd .

’
“
I had th e sam e id ea good Halbe rt , ,
“
Th e happy e ve nt ! r e p e at e d t h e and I f ee l that o u r m ee t i ng with this
'

'
holy man is an om e n o f Divin e favour
’

Knight bitt e rly What is t h e nam e o f -

.

May t h e Ho ly V irgin prot e ct on good

.
, .

t h e scoundr e l w h o th i n k s to marry t h e
'

Lady Chr i stab e l ? Fath e r ! said Robin r e spe ctful y saluti ng ,

“
Ar e you a strang e r to th e s e parts , th e o l di m a n .
”
Mast er ? continu e d Halbe rt since you ,
Am e n to thy kind pray e r my s o n
“
, ,

ar e u n a w a r e o f t h e imm e nse d e light o f

i - r e pli e d th e pilgrim .

t h e Baron Fitz Alwin e ? His L ordship - Have you com e far Fath e r ,
“ From
hath man oeuvr e d s o w e ll that h e hath
'
t h e Holy Land wh e r e I hav e ,
.

succee d e d in s ecuring a colossal fortune in made a lon and w e arisom e pilgrimag e

t h e pe r s on of Sir Tristan Goldsbo rough
”
to e xpi at e tge sins o f m y yo u th N ow
.
'
.
,

worn ou t with fati gu e I have r e turn e d

'

Lady Christab e l to be t h e wife o f ,

‘

that hid e ous o l d man crie d t h e Knight to di e b e n e ath th e sky of my native land
,
.
.

com ple t e ly take n aback Why th e cre a God hath vouchsafe d you a long life
‘

.
, ,

t ur e i s i h a l f d ead ! He is a monst e r o f .
Fath e r .

uglin e ss and sordid avaric e Th e daught e r .

“
Y e a my son I shall soon be n in e t y , ,
l

”
y e ars o l d , and my l if e s e e m s but a dr eam
'

o f Baron F i t z Alwin e is my b e troth e d

t - .

I pray t h e V irgin m a yi g i v e you calm

,
‘
a n d s o lo ng as th e r e is br e ath in my body ,

non e oth er s ave I shall h ave a right to r e pos e in your last hours ” .

S o b e it my child I , i n my turn pray ,

.
,

“
Your be troth e d mast e r !
'

,
Who th n
e H e av e,
n to show e r,
bl e ssin g s on thy young
h e ad Thou art good and a be li ev e r b e. ,
.

thou a l s o charitabl e and give a thought ,

to those who su ffe r to those about to

.

Explain yours elf Fath e r ; I ,

do not
”
und e rstand said Robin in , ,

voic e .
20 ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLAW
can scarc e count thirty y ears A man o f . Robin bow e d r e v e r e ntly and t he Pal ,

your a g e is about to d i e a t e rrible d eath

,
. m e r with his hands cross e d o n his br east
, ,

Pray for him my , w e nt on his way praying .

”
“
Hath th i s m a n made h i s last con Y e a to morrow
,
-
r e p e at e d t h e young ,

W e shall s e e to morrow an if
,

f es s i o n to you Fath e r ? , man .

-

”
“
Ye a I n a f e w hours mor e h e will
. Will is to b e hang e d .

be viol e ntly r e move d from this world . I t will be n e e dful said Halbe rt who , ,
“
Wh e r e is th e unfortun at e man ? had liste n e d to Robin s conv e rsation with ’

“
I n o n e o f t h e dark dun g e ons o f this th e prison e r s Confe ssor
’
“
to plac e your ,
”
stat e ly pile . m e n within a short distanc e from t h e
”
I s h e alon e ? plac e o f e x e cution .

Y ea my s o n alon e , , .
“
Th e y wi ll be within sound o f call ,

And this unhappy cr eatur e is to said Robin .

qu e stion e d th e young man . How will y o u scr ee n th e m from vi e w

To morrow morning at sunris e
-
. o f t h e soldi e rs ?
Yo u a r e quit e sur e Fath e r that t h e , , D o not be un e asy my good Halb e rt , ,

e x e cution will not tak e plac e be for e r e pli e d Robin My m e rry m e n have
“
.

”
daybr e ak ? long poss e ss e d th e art of maki ng th e m
I am quit e c e rtain Alas ! is it not . s e lve s invisibl e e v e n o n t h e high road ;
,
-

soon e nough ? Thy words gri e v e m e , and be li e ve m e th e ir doubl e ts will not

, ,

my son ; dost d e s ir e a broth e r s d e ath ? ’

graz e th e Baron s soldi e rs nor will th e y ’

N o holy man no ; a thousand tim e s

, , make th e ir app e arance sav e at a p r e ,
”
no ! I would give my life to save him . arrang e d signal from m e .

I know t h e poor lad Fath e r ; I know ,

“
You s ee m so c e rtain of succe ss my ,
”
a nd love him Know you to what d ear Robin said Allan that I b e gin to
“
.
, ,

death h e is conde mn e d ? Hav e you wish I could be as hope ful about min e
h e ard wh e th e r h e is to d i e within t h e own a ff airs .

”
Castl e ? 3 Sir Knight re turn e d t h e young man
, ,
“
I l earnt from th e gaol e r of t h e prison “
first l e t m e s e t William fr e e and put ,

that t h e unhappy youth is to b e put to him saf e in t h e hands o f h i s d ear littl e

de ath by t h e hangman o f N ottingham . wife at B a r n s d a l e th e n w e will think ,

Ord e rs have b e e n give n for a public about t h e Lady Christabe l Th e pro .

e x e cution in t h e mark e t plac e of that -

j e c t e d marriag e will not tak e plac e for
”
town . s e ve ral days ; w e hav e tim e to pre par e
God k ee p us ! murmur e d Robin '

. f o r a s e rious struggl e with Lord F i t z

”
Kind good Fath e r h e we nt o n taking
, , , Alwin e .

t h e o l d man s h and will you r e nd e r me

’

,
“
I will g o i n to t h e Castl e sai d Allan , ,

a s e rvice ? “
and by hook o r by crook I wi l l g e t to
What wouldst thou my son ? , t h e bottom o f t h is busin e ss I f t h e Baro n .

I d e sir e I pray Fath e r that you will

, , , hath thought fit to br eak an e ngag e m e nt
o f your kindn e ss r e turn to t h e Castl e and
. whi ch h e sho u ld in honour hav e h e ld , ,

b e g t he Baro n to grant you t h e favour sacr ed I shal l consid e r myse lf j ustifi ed

,

o f accompanying t h e prison e r to t h e foot in waiving all re spe ct and willy n i ll y , ,

-
,
” ”
o f th e gallows
. . Lady Christabe l shall b e my wife .

have alr eady obtain e d that pe rmis “

You a r e right my fri e nd Pre se nt
,
.

sion my son ; I shall be n ea r th y f r i e n d

, ,
\
yours e lf at once to t h e Baron ; h e d o th ,
”
to morrow morni ng
-
. n ot e xp e ct you and v e ry lik e in his sur
,
“
Bl e ss you holy Fath e r bl e ss you ! I , ,
prise h e will d e live r himse lf into your
hav e o n e last word to say to t h e con hands bound hand and foot Spe ak him .

d e mn e d man and I would charg e you to ,

boldly and mak e him und e rstand you
,

giv e it him To morrow morni ng I will .

-
int e nd to u s e forc e if n e e d b e to w in t he , ,

b e h e re n e ar this clump of tr e e s ; will

, Lady Christab e l Whilst you a r e taking .

you b e so good as to confe ss m e b e for e th e se important m e asur e s w ith Lord Fitz

en te r in g t h e Castl e ? Alwin e I will go and s e e k o u t my m en
,
“
I will m e e t th e e punctually my son
.
, . and pr e pare for t h e succe ssful accomp lish
3 Thank you holy Fath e r m e nt of t h e e xp e dition I have plann e d
; until to
‘
‘
.
, _

”
. morrow th e n , . I f you should n ee d m e s e nd without ,

To morrow And m ay th e pe ace of

,

“ -
. d e lay to th e plac e wh e re w e m e t a f e w
.

"
o u r Lord
g o with th ee . minut e s sinc e ; th er e you a r e s u r e o f ~
 ROB I N H OO D TH E O U TLAW 2 !

finding on e of my brav e companions at r e turn in s e v e n ye ars to claim th e hand

”
any hour o f th e day o r night I f it is . of t h e Lady Christab e l .

n e c e ssary for you t o hav e a talk with “

Do yo u r e al ly poss e ss on e hundr e d
your faithful ally you will b e conduct e d , thousand pi e ce s o f gold ? ask e d th e
t o my r e tr e at But a r e you not afraid
. Baron e nviously, .

l e st onc e insid e th e Castl e it may be

, ,
“
Y ea my Lord , King H e nry hath .

impossibl e for you to l e av e it again ? r e stor e d m e min e e sta t e s and I hav e ,

“
Lord Fitz Alwin e would not dar e to
-
r e ce iv e d t h e r e ve nu e arisin g from my
”
tre at a man lik e m e with viol e nc e r e , patrimony sinc e th e day o f i ts co n fi s ca
pli e d Allan ; h e would b e e xposing tion I am rich and I insist on your
.
,

hims e lf to too gr e at a B e sid e an , giving m e t h e Lady Christab e l to

”
if h e r e ally int e nd to giv e Christa be l t o morrow .

this hat e ful Tristan h e will be so eag e r ,

“
To morrow ! cri e d th e Baron ; to
- “

to g e t rid of m e that I fe ar h e may r e fus e morrow ! and if you w e r e not h e r e

”
to r e c e iv e m e at a l l rath e r than that h e
, to morr o w h e add e d sombr e ly
-
,
“
th e , ,

will wish to k e e p m e n e ar him Far e w e ll .

, contract would b e annull e d ?
th e n for t h e pr e s e nt my good Robin ;
, ,
“
Yea ; but h e ark e n to m e Lord Fitz ,

I shall sur e ly s ee you again b e for e th e Alwin e I advise you to r e nounce all
.

”
e n d of t h e day . thoughts o f consummating t h e di abolical
I shall e xpe ct you . sch e m e s you a r e m e ditating at this mo
Whilst Allan Clar e mad e his way m e nt I am within my rights ; I am
.

towards t h e post e rn of th e Castl e Robin , , h e r e at th e hour appointe d m e and ,

Halb e rt and Much hast e n e d to t h e town naught in all t h e world (it is us e l e ss to

dre am of r e sorting to force ) —
.
,

I ntroduc e d without t h e l e ast d i fficulty naught in all

into t h e apartm e nt o f Lord Fitz Alwin e -
,
t h e world will constrain m e to r e nounc e
th e Knight soon found hims e lf in t h e h e r I lov e I f in d e sp e ration you r e sort
.

pr e s e nc e of t h e t e rribl e Cast e llan to fraud and cunning I will tak e — o f

that you may sure —a te rribl e re ve ng e
.
,

I f a spirit had ris e n from t h e tomb it , .

could scarce hav e caus e d th e Baron mor e I know o f a dark s e cre t in your life ,

dismay and t e rror than h e e xp e ri e nc e d at which I will r e v e al I hav e soj ourn e d .

sight of t h e handsom e young man who at th e court o f th e King o f France ; I

stood b e for e him with proud and dig nifi e d hav e be e n initiat e d into t h e s e cre t o f an
mi e n . a ffair which doth ve ry narrowly conc e rn
”
Th e Baron thre w at his s e rving man -
y o n .

What a ffair qu e stion e d th e Baron

'

s o with e ring a glanc e that th e latt e r ,

e scape d from t h e room with t h e utmost un e asily .

spee d his limbs w e r e capabl e o f I t is us el e ss f o r m e to e nt e r into long

.

I did not e xpe ct to s ee yo u said his e xplanations with you j ust now ; l e t it
,

Lordship bringing back his wrathful e y e s

,
su ffice that I hav e l e arnt and ke e p a
to th e Knight . note o f th e nam e s o f th e mise rabl e
“
That may we ll be my Lord ; but h e re Englishm e n who have o ffe r e d to place
,
”
1 am . th e ir country und e r th e yok e o f th e
”
S o I s ee Happily for m e you have strange r
. .

—
,

b rok e n your word t h e t e rm which I had Lord F i tz Alwin e be cam e livid - .

”
allott e d yo u e xpir e d ye st e rday “
K ee p th e promis e yo u have mad e m e
.
,
“
Your Lordshi p is in e rror ; I am my Lord and I will forge t you have be e n ,

punctual to t h e r e nde zvous yo u gave a cowar d and a traitor to your King .

”
me .
“
Sir Knight you insult an o l d man , ,
“
I can hardly tak e your word for it said t h e Baron assuming an indignant .
,

I am sorry b e caus e you will oblig e a m

,

m e to forc e you t o do s o W e unde r “

I spe ak truth and no more O n e
. ,
.

took a formal e ngag e me nt and I am in mor e re fusal my Lord o n e mor e l i e o n e

, , , ,
”
th e right in e xacting its ful fi lm e nt more subt e rfuge and t h e proofs o f your
.
,

Have yo u fulfille d all th e conditions patriotism wi ll b e se nt to th e King o f

” ”
o f th e agr ee m e nt ? En gland .

I t is lucky fo r you Allan Clar e said

'
“
Of a truth have I Th e y w e re thr ee . , ,

I was to obtain t e pos s e ssion o f my th e Baron blandly that H e ave n hath

-
“
“
, ,

e stat e s ; I must poss e ss o n e hundr e d be stowe d upo n m e a calm and e quabl e

thous and pi e c e s o f fi g o l d ; and I must t empe r ; if I we r e o f an irritabl e and
‘
.
22 R O B I N H OO D TH E O U TLAW
hasty n a tu r e , 3
y o u pay d e arly f o r wou l d P e t e r said th e Baron ,thou has t -

,
“

your audacity f or I would have you , und e r th ee brav e a n d t r u s tw o r t h y fe llows ’

thrown into o n e of t h e Castl e moats . th at will e x e cut e without c o mm e nt any , ,

That would be a gr eat mi st ake my , orde rs giv e n th e m

Lord for it would in no wise sav e you
,
Y ea my Lord , .

”
from th e Royal v e ng e anc e
“
Yo u r youth e xcuse s t h e impe tuosity
of your wo r ds Sir Knight ; I would
rath e r show indulg e nc e wh e r e it would
. Th e y a r e courage ous and know h o w ,
to forge t t h e s e rvic e s th e y a r e abl e t o
, r e nde r
Y ea my Lord , .

b e e asy for m e to punish Why sp e ak . That is w e ll A kn ight e l egantly .

,

thr e at e ningly e r e you know wh e th e r I

, c l ad in a r e d tunic hath j ust l e ft h e re ; ,

r e ally int e nd to r e fus e you th e hand o f follow him with two good m en and
'

my daught e r ? that h e is no long e r abl e to troubl e

B e cause I hav e l e arnt for c er tain that o n e 1 Dost und e rstand
.
-

you have promis e d t h e Lady Christab e l P e rfe ctly my Lord r e pli e d Black
to a mis erabl e and sordid o l d man —to
, ,

P e t e r with a frightful l ee r and half

,
-

Sir Tristan Goldsborough drawi ng a huge dagg e r from its sh e ath

I nd ee d ind e e d ! And from wha tsilly
. .

,
“
Thou shalt be w e ll r e ward e d brave ,

gossi p l e arnt yo u this foolish story ? P e t e r Go without fe ar but act s e cr e tly

.
,
’

That matt e rs not ; t h e whol e town o f and with prude nc e Ah if this butt e rfly .
'

Nottingham hath h e ard rumou r s of t h e tak e th e road through th e Wo o d l e t him ,

pr e parations for this rich and ridiculous g e t w e ll und e r t h e tr e e s and th e r e you ,

marriage .
’
will have it all your o w n way Aft e r h e .

“
I cannot be r e sponsibl e Sir Knight , , hath be e n d espatch e d to anoth e r world -

for t h e stupid li e s which circ u lat e around bury him at t h e foot of som e old oak
”

me . a n d c o v er t h e spot wi th l e av e s and brush

'

“
Th e n you h av e n o t pro mis e d th e hand wood so that his body is not like ly to be
,
”
o f your daught e r to Sir Tristan ? discov e r e d .

I must b eg to d e clin e to answe r such “

Your orde rs shall be faithfully
a qu e stion Until to morrow I am at
.
-
e x e cut e d my Lord ; and wh e n you s ee
,

libe rty to think a nd wi sh what I ple as e ; '

m e again t h e Knight will sl ee p be n e ath a
,

to morrow is yours Com e th e n and I .

, carpe t o f gr e e n g r ass .

will giv e you a l f u l l satisfaction o f your “

I shall look out for th e e N ow up and .

”
d e sire s Fare we ll Sir Allan Clar e
.
, , follow yond e r imp ertin e nt fop without
”
adde d t h e o l d ma n ri sing ; I w i s h y o u
’ “
,
‘
d e lay .

a v ry good day and pray you to l e av e Accompanie d by two m en Black P e t e r

e
'

, ,

me l e ft th e Castl e and soon found hi mse lf on

’ ’

.
,

I shall hav e th e pl e asure o f s ee ing yo u th e tr a c k o f th e young Kni ght

' '

again Baron F 1tz Alwin e R e m e mbe r Th e latt e r with pe nsiv e bro w hi s

'

, .
, ,
”
that a g e ntl e man hath only o n e promis e . mind absorbe d and his h e art h e avy with
“
Ve ry well ve ry we ll grumble d the
”
,
i
, sor row p ace d s l ow l yi a l ong t h e bor d e rs of
'

o l d man turning h i s ba c k o n his visitor

, . Sh e rwood For e st On s ee ing t h e young .

Allan l e ft t h e Baron s apartm e nt with ’

man e nt e r und e r th e co v e r t o f th e tre e s .
,

a h e avy h eart H e c ould n ot h i d e from ’

th e a ssassins following hi m t r e m b l e d w i t h
'
'

hims e lf that t h e old Lord m e di ta te d som e

‘

pe r fid y His me nacing looks had ae co m

1
.

p a n i e d t h e young man t o t h e th r e sh o ld throw

'
th e ms e lv e s upon t h e young ma n at
o f t h e room ; th e n h e had r e tir e d to t h e an oppo rtun e mom e nt .

e mbrasur e o f t h e window disdaining to Allan Clar e look ed about f o r th e guid e

,

r e spond to t h e Knight s parting salut e promis e d by Robin H ood and whilst h e

’
.
,

As soon a s All a n ha d di sappe ar e d (th e s e ar ch e d h e r e fl e ct e d on t h e m e a n s

'

young man we nt to s ee k Robin Hood ) n e ce ssar fo r t e aring Christab e l from th e .

t h e Baron rang a sm al l handb e ll on t h e hands 0 h e r unworthy fath e r .

tabl e viole ntly A sound i o f h urri e d footst e ps rous e d

'

“
S e nd Black P e t e r to m e said th e ,
.
2 4 RO B I N n oon TH E O U TLAW
Inn at Mansfi e ld was unde r ord e rs s ee k Wh e n th e y r each e d t h e hide ous gallows
ing t h e fugitiv e P e rc e iving th e young
. e r e ct e d by t h e Baron s ord e rs William ’

man accompani e d by fi v e strong fe llows . b e cam e l ivid ; h e had no t e xpe ct e d to d i e

who might l e nd him a h e lpin g hand th e , so infamo u s a d e ath .

“
wary scout de t e rmin e d to await a mor e I wish to spe ak to Lord Fitz Alwin e -
,

favourabl e mom e nt to e ffe ct th e captur e . said h e .

uitting h e I nn h e s e nt to N ott i ngham t o I n his capacity o f Sh e ri ff th e latt e r was

Q t ,

ask for a company o f soldi e rs and th e s e , , o b lig e d to assist at th e e x e cution .

gui d e d by th e spy r e pair ed to B a r ns d a l e , What dost want o f m e wr e tch ? ,

at midnight . ask e d th e Baron .

N e xt morning a strang e fatality l e d “

My Lord may I not hope for pardon ?
,

W ill outsid e t h e Castl e ; t h e poor youth N o r e pli e d th e o l d man coldly

, , .

”
fe ll into th e h ands o f t h e soldi e rs and , Th e n said William in a firm voic e
, , ,

was carri e d o ff without be ing able t o I implor e a favour which it is impossibl e

”
o ff e r t h e smalle st r e sistanc e . for a g e n e rous soul to r e fus e m e .

At first h e was se ize d with utt e r What favour ?

d e spair ; but th e m ee ting with Much My Lord I b e lon g to a nobl e Saxon
,

gav e him som e hope H e unde rstood . family whos e n a m e 13 t h e synonym of

,

instantly that onc e mad e awar e o f his , honour and n e v e r y e t hath o n e o f i ts

,

unhappy plight Robin Hood would do , m e mbe rs m e rit e d th e scorn o f his fe llow
e v e rything in t h e world to com e to his citize ns I am a soldi e r and a g e ntl e man ;
.

”
ai d and if h e could not succ e e d in s a v1 n g
,
I de s e rv e t h e d e ath o f a soldi e r .

”
him at l e ast h e would allow no obstacl e
,
“
Thou wilt be hang e d said th e Baron , ,

to d e t e r him from av e nging his d e ath . brutally .

H e kn e w mor e ov e r a n d this a ff ord e d -

My Lord I hav e risk e d my life o n th e
som e r e li e f to his h eavy h e art—that many
, ,

fi e ld o f battl e I do not d e s e rv e to b e
,

t e ars would be sh e d ov e r his cru e l fat e ; hange d lik e a thi e f .

”
h e kn ew to o that Maud e s o happy in
, , ,
“
Ah ind e e d ! sn ee r e d th e o l d man
, .

his r e turn would w ee p bitt e rly at th e

,
“
And in w h at fashion th e n dost wish to , ,

d e struction o f th e ir mutual happin e ss . e xpiat e your crim e ?

I mprison e d in his dark dung e on Will , Give m e but a sword and command ,

await e d in agoni e s o f fe ar t h e tim e fix e d your soldi e rs to pi e rc e m e with th e i r

for his e x e cution and e v e ry hour brought , spe ars o r pik e s ; I would di e as di e s an
him both hope and anguish Th e poor . hon e st man with fre e arms and face
,
”
prison e r list e n e d with straining e ars for upturn e d to H ea v e n .

e v e ry sound from W ithout hoping always ,

Dost t hi nk I am fool e nough to risk
to h e ar t h e e cho of Robin Hood s horn th e life o f o n e o f my m e n to satisfy thy
’
.

Th e first str e ak o f dawn found Will at fancy ? N ot at a l l not at all ! Thou ,

”
his pray e rs ; h e had confe sse d piously to wi lt b e hang e d .

t h e good pilgrim and with str e ngth e n e d , My Lord I conj ur e you I b e se e ch

, ,

S pirit and confid e nt in him whos e succour

, you to have pity on m e I w i ll not e ve n .

h e still e xp e ct e d h e mad e r e ady to follow , ask for a sword I will not d e fe nd myse lf, ,

the
g uards who cam e to s ee k him at I will l e t your m en hack m e in pi e c e s .

sunri se . V il e wre tch ! said th e Baron ; tho u

Th e soldi e rs s e t Will in th e ir midst ,
hast kill e d a N orman and thou dost ask ,

and took t h e road to N ottingham . pity from a N orman Art mad ? Back .
,

On e nt e ring t h e town t h e e s co r t was ,

‘
I say ! Thou shalt d i e upon t h e gallows ;
soon surrounde d by a larg e concours e and shalt soon have company too I
trust—th e robbe r who with his band o f
, ,

o f t h e inhabitants who sinc e da wn had , , ,

”
be e n o n t h e loo k o u t f o r t h e m e lancholy -
rascals doth i nfe st Sh e rwood For e st .

proc e ss 1ou . An if h e yo u spe ak o f with such

Howe ve r gr e at t h e young man s hop e s ’
scorn w e r e within e arshot I would laugh ,

might be h e fe lt his spirits fa i l at s e e ing

, at your boasts cowardly po ltroon that ,

around him n o t o n e singl e fac e h e kn e w . you a r e ! R e m e mbe r this Baron F i tz ,

His h e art sank and t h e t e ars though , ,

Alwin e if I d i e Robin Hood will ave ng e
, ,

manfully r e pr e ss e d we tt e d his e y e lash e s ; , m e ! B e war e o f Robin Hood ! E r e this

n eve rth e l e ss h e still hope d for a voic e
, , w e e k b e gon e h e will b e at t h e Castl e
,

W ithin him s e e m e d to y Robin Hood

“
, o f Nottingham .

”
is not far away Robin oo d wi ll com e , . L e t him com e a n d e ke his whol e ,
 ROB I N H OO D TH E O UTLAW 25

band with him I will have two hundr e d th e corps e o f t h e rogu e who had your
gallows e re ct e d Hangman do your .
, ord e rs foully to d e stroy t h e good Knight
” "
duty adde d t h e Baron
, . Allan Clare .

Th e hangman put his hand o n William s

’
“
Fiv e hundre d pi ec e s o f gold to th e
should e r Th e poor youth thre w a glanc e
.
”
man who arr e sts this robbe r be llow e d ,

o f d e spair around him and s e e ing only a ,

th e Baron ; fi v e hundr e d pi e c e s o f gold
sil e nt and pitying crowd comm e nd e d his o th e valiant soldi e r who will s e cur e
soul to God
”
.
,

{m
l1 .

Stay said th e tre mbling voic e o f th e

, Robin Hood flash e d a glance at th e
pilgrim stay ; I hav e o n e last b e n e dic crowd who stood s t u pe fi ed with fe ar
, .

”
tion to give to my unhappy pe nit e nt .
“
I do not advis e any o n e to risk his
Your duti e s toward t h e wr e tch e d life said h e ; my comrad e s will rally
,
“
”
cr e ature a r e e nd e d cri e d t h e Baron in , , round m e .

a furious ton e “
I t is us e l e ss to r e ta rd
. As h e finish e d speaking Robin bl e w ,

his e x e cution long e r . his horn and instantly a large body o f

,
”
Ungodl y man cri e d t h e pilgrim , , for e st e rs issu e d from th e For e st th e ir ,
“
would you d e priv e this young man o f bows r eady strung in th eir hands .

”
t h e succour o f r e ligion To arms ! cri e d th e Baron “
to
'

,
”
Hurry th e n said Lord Fitz Alwin e
, ,
-
, arms faithful Normans ; e xt e rminat e
,

impati e ntly ; I am awe ary o f all th e s e

“
th e s e bandits
”
d elays . A voll e y o f arrows pour e d upon th e
Soldi e rs stand back a littl e said th e
, , Baron s company Th e latt e r s e iz e d with
’
.
,

o l d pilgrim ; t h e pray e rs of a dying man t e rror thr e w hims e lf o n his hors e and
“
, ,

must not fall upon profan e e ars . urg e d it with loud cri e s in th e dir e ction
At a sign from t h e Baron t h e sold i e rs of th e Castl e Th e citiz e ns of N otting .

fe ll back a littl e way from t h e prison e r , ham distract e d with fright followe d in
, ,

and William was l e ft alon e with th e t h e st e ps of th e ir lord ; and t h e soldi e rs ,

pilgrim at th e foot o f th e gallows . carri e d away by th e t e rror o f t h e g e n e ral

Th e hangman was list e ning r e sp e ct panic took to th e ir h ee ls in h e adlong
,

fully to som e ord e rs from t h e Baron . flig ht .

”
Do not mov e Will said t h e pilgrim , , ,
“
H o for th e good gre e n wood ! H o
”
l eaning towards th e young man ; I am “
f o r brav e Robin Hood ! shout e d th e
Robin H ood and I am going to cut t h e
,
m e rry m en as th ey chas e d th e ir fo e s
,

cords which fe tt e r your move m e nts Th e n . be for e th e m with gr e at shouts o f laught e r .

w e will dash into t h e midst of t h e soldi e rs , Citize ns for e st e rs and soldi e rs dash e d
, ,

and sh ee r surpris e will rob th e m o f th e ir through t h e town h e lt e r sk e lte r t h e first ,

-
,
”
W its . dumb with fright t h e s e cond laughing , ,

Bl e ss you d e ar Robin bl e ss you !

, , t h e last with rag e in th e ir h e arts Th e .

murmur e d poor William choking with ,

Baron was t h e first to gain t h e int e rior
j oy. o f t h e Castl e whith e r t h e oth e rs follow e d
,

Stoop down William and pre t e nd to , ,

him all e xce pt th e m e rry m en who o n
, ,

talk to m e Good ! t h e cords a r e cut

. . arriving th er e took l e av e of th e ir faint -1

N o w tak e t h e sword which hangs b e n eath h e arte d adv e rsari e s with shouts o f d e rision .

my gown Can you fee l it ? Wh e n Robin Hood accompani e d by t ,

murmur e d Will
.

”
Yea 1 h e r e it is ,
. his band had again tak e n t h e For est
,

Ve ry we ll ; now put your back against ,

road t h e citize ns who had su ff e r e d no
,
'

min e and w e wi l l show Lord Fit z Alwi n e

,
-
hur t o r loss through this strange e u
that you d i d not com e into this world to count e r sang th e prais e s o f th e young
,
”
b e hang e d . Chi e f and his re a d in e ss to succour any
With a move m e nt quicke r than thought , in distre ss .

Robin Hood dropp e d hi s pilgrim s gown ’

, Th e maid e ns bl e nd e d th e ir swe e t voice s

and r e v e al e d to t h e amaz e d gaz e o f t h e 1n this chorus o f e u logy o n e o f th e m ,

ass e mbl e d crowd t h e we ll known costum e -

e v e n d e claring s h e thought t h e For e st e rs

o f t h e r e nown e d outlaw . appear e d such kind and m e rry ge ntl e m e n ,

”
“
My Lord cri e d Robin in a firm and
, ,
s h e would n e v e r mor e fe ar t o cross t h e

thrilling voice William G a m w el l is o n e

,
For e st alon e .

of our band o f m e rry m e n You took .

him from m e I am com e t o r e claim .

him a n d in e x c h ang e I w ill s e nd yo u

,
‘
26 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLAW s

1 11 ! that t he soldi e rs influ e nc e d by the fe e lin g

,

( 1 a s. of r e spe ct in which th e y h e ld th e ir Chi e f ,

C HAPTE R I I I at last cam e actual ly to be li e ve tha t th e y

AV I N G assured hi m
t alon e w e r e r eally guilty Th e Baron s .
’

s e lf that Robin rag e a ppe ar ed to th e m a right e ous ln

Hood had no int e ntion of b e si eging
. dignation ; th e y b ow e d th eir h eads and ,

th e Castl e Lord Fitz Alwin e with achin g

,
-
, fully b e li e v e d th at th e y we r e no be tt e r -

body and mind torn by a thousand pro than poltroons fright e n e d by th e i r o w n

j e c t
, s e
-
ach mor e impossibl e than t h e oth e r , shadows W h e n t h e Baron had t e rmi
.

re tir e d to his o w n apartm e nts in t h e n a t e d his pompous disc ours e o n e of t h e ,

Castl e m e n propos e d to pursu e t h e outlaws to

Th e re th e Baron r e fle ct e d o n the s trang e
.

, th e ir For e st r e treat This proposition .

audaci ty o f Robin Hood who in broad , was hail e d with acclamation by t h e e ntir e
daylight with no oth e r w eapon sav e an
, troop and th e soldi e r with whom had
,

inoffe nsiv e sword (for h e had only drawn originat e d this b e llicose n otion be gge d ,

i t f r o m t h e scabbard to cut t h e prison e r s

’
t h e valiant orator to pu t himself at th e ir
bonds ) ha d e nough str e ngth o f min d to h ead B u t t h e latt e r littl e di s pose d to
acc e d e to this ill tim e d d e mand r e pli e d
.
,

hold a large b o dy of m e n in ch eck R e .

1
-
,

m e m be r i n g t h e sham e ful flight o f h is that though h e was gratifi e d a t s u ch a - u

soldi e rs and forg e tting that h e had be e n

, tok e n of high e ste e m it s e e m e d to him ,
"

t h e first to s e t th e m th e e xampl e t h e , for th e mom e nt far wise r to r e rii a i n at

Baron curse d th e ir cow ardic e . hom e .

”
What crav e n t e rror l h e cri e d My brav e fe llows add e d th e Baron ‘

, ,
.

what silly pa nic ! What will th e citiz e ns “

prud e nc e couns e ls us to await a more
o f N ottingham think o f us Th e i r flight favourabl e opportunity o f s eizing Robin
was p e rmissibl e for th e y ha d no m e ans , Hood ; it will b e wis e r I think to abstain , ,

o f d e f e nc e but w e ll disci plin e d sol di e rs

,
-
, from any pr e cipitat e m easur e s at any ,

arm e d to t h e t e e th ! My r e putation for rat e f o r th e pr e s e nt Pati e nc e now and

,
.
,

valour and courag e will b e gon e for e v e r courage in th e hour o f battl e is all I ask ,
”
by this unh e ard of b e haviour . o f you .

From this r e fl e ction so humiliati ng to , Having thus said t h e Baron who , ,

his s e lf e st e e m t h e Baron pass e d to , fe ar e d that his m e n might insist mor e

anoth e r train o f thought So gr eatly did . strongly ha s til y l e ft th e m to th e ir dr e ams
,

h e e xagg e rat e th e sha m e o f his d e fe at , of victory H i s mind at e ase conc e rning

.
.

that h e e nd e d by maki ng h i s s o l d i er s . his mil i t a r y r e p u ta ti o n th e Baron forgot

.
,

e ntir e ly r e sponsibl e for it ; h e imagin e d

. Rob i n Hoo d and turn e d his att e ntion to
that inste ad of having shown t h e way for his pe rsonal affairs and th e aspirants to ,

th e ir stampe d e h e had cove r e d th e ir mad , his daught er s hand I t is unn e c e ssary

’
.

flight and t h at with no prot e ction sav e

,
to add that Lord Fitz Alwin e r e lie d
.
-

his o w n courage h e had cut a way , e ntir e ly o n t h e prov e d skill of Black

through th e ranks of th e outlaws Utt e rly . P e t e r for t h e r e ali sation o f his de ar e st
.

confounding fact and fancy th i s last h o pe s a n d imagi n e d that All a n C l a r e no

'

. , ,
.

thought brought t h e Baron s indignation ’

long e r exist e d I t is tru e th at Robi n
.

to a h ead ; h e dash e d f r o m h i s r o o m and H ood had info rm e d him o f t h e d ea th o f

'
'

burst h e adlong into t h e Courty ard wh e r e ,

his blood thirsty e mi ssary but it w a s o f
-
,

his m e n gath e re d in littl e groups w e r e

, . ,
littl e con s e qu e nce to t h e Baron that P e t e r
talking ove r th e ir pitiful de feat for which , h a d paid with his life t h e se rvic e s r e nd e re d
th e y blam e d th e ir nobl e lord Th e Baron . to h i s l o r d and mast e r Allan C lar e di s .

fe ll like a thund e rbolt into th e mi dst of pos e d o f no obstacl e could com e bet ween
,

t h e troop and ord e r e d th e m to form up

,
Christa be l and Sir Tri s tan and t h e ,

around him whilst h e r ead th e m a l ectur e,

latt e r was so n e ar his grave th at t h e
o n th e ir infamous cowardic e Aft e r this .
,
young wif e might e xchange in a da y h e r
h e cit e d imaginary e xa mpl e s of s e nsel e ss bridal ve il for a w i d o w s we e ds Young ’
.

panics adding that n e v e r in t h e m e mory

,
and passing fair free of all bonds ,
.
,

o f man had such cowardic e be e n kno wn e normously rich Lady Chri s tab e l might ,

as that which th e y had j ust e xhibite d . th e n ma ke a marri ag e worthy o f h e r

Th e Baron spok e with such v e h e m e nc e be auty and h e r i m m e n s e fortun e ‘
But .

”
and indignation and adopt e d such an air , wha t marriag e ? aske d
o f invincibl e and un a ppre ciat e d courag e ,
hims e lf ; and fi r ed by an ove rpow e ring
,
 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U TLAW 1
2 7
ambition h e sought for a husban d who
,
and ind e e d his soj ourn th e re w as to be . .

shoul d fulfil his high e st hope s Th e e lat e d prolong e d until t h e e n d of th e w ee k ; .

Th e Baron wish e d his daught e r s mar

’

o l d man had glimpse s o f t h e spl e ndour .

o f t h e Court a n d h e dr e amt o f t h e s o n
,
r ia g e to be c e l e brat e d in th e Castle
of H e nry I I At that mom e nt o f i n
. Chape l ; but Sir Tristan who feare d ‘

c e ssant strife be twe e n th e two parti e s som e sinist e r attack o n his pe rson p r e ,

which divide d th e kingdom o f England fe rr e d to be marri e d ope nly at Linton ,

n ec e ssity had made a gr eat pow e r o f Abb e y about a mile from t h e town o f '

we alth and th e e l ev a ti o n of t h e Lady

,
N ottingham
1
'

Christabe l to th e rank o f Prince ss Royal “

My good fri e nd said Lord F i tz ,

was not quite impossibl e of r e alisation Alwin e i n a pe r e mptory ton e wh e n this .

, ,

Th e e xciting hope which Lord Fitz Alwin e qu e sti on was broach e d yo u a r e a stu b
“
,

had conc e ive d b eg an to tak e t h e shape o f born fool for you do not und erstan d ,

a proj e ct on th e e v e of e x e cution ; already e ith e r my goo d faith or your own int e r e sts .

h e look e d upon hims e lf as th e fath e r i n Y o u must n o t imagin e that my daught e r -

,

law o f t h e King f o f England and h e will be ov e rjoye d to be yours nor that , ,

wonde r e d to What nati on it would be s h e will walk . l a d l y to t h e altar I can .

most advantag e ous to unit e his grandsons not t e ll you t e r e ason but I hav e a ,

and gr e at grandsons wh e n Robin s words

-
pre s e ntim e nt that at Linton Abb e y som e
,
’

r e curr e d to his mind and shatt e r e d this gr e at disast e r may occur W e a r e in

,
.

castl e in th e air P e rhaps Allan Clare t h e n e ighbourhood of a troop o f bandits

.

was still aliv e ! I must mak e c e rtain of who l e d by an audacious ch ie f a r e quite , ,

it at onc e cri e d th e Baron almost b e side

,
’’
capabl e o f surroundin g and plund e ring ,
”
himse lf at the m e r e supposition H e rang us . .

t h e hand b e ll plac e d within his r e ach, I sho ul d be e scorte d by my se rvants ,

night and day a s e rvant r e pli e d Sir Tristan th ey a r e num e rous “

”
‘

appe ar e d . and of tri e d co urag e .

”
I s Black P e t e r in t h e Castl e ? As you pl e ase said t h e Baron If , .

N o my Lord h e we nt o u t ye st e rday
, a n y accid e nt occur
,
you will only ha ve ,
”
with two m e n who r e turn e d alone o n e ,yours e lf to blam e . ,
”
gri e vously wound e d t h e oth e r half d e ad “
N e ve r be un e asy ; I will take th e
,
-
.

“
S e nd t h e o n e who is able to g e t about r e sponsibility o f th e faul t upon mys e lf ,

to m e ’
if it be a fault my choic e o f t h e p l ace ,
”
Ye a my Lord ,
for c e l e brating th e we dding
. .

”
Th e man r e q uire d soon mad e his “
By t h e w a y said t h e Baron do ‘

, ,
“

appearanc e his h e ad e nv e lop e d in ban

,
not forg e t I beg that o n t h e e v e o f t h e , ,

dag e s and his l e ft arm i n a sling happy day you a r e to give m e a million .

Wh e r e I S Black P e t e r ? inquir e d th e pi e ce s of gold .

Baron without e v e n be stowing a look o f

,
“
Th e ch est containing that amount is
pity o n th e poor cr e atur e
. in my room Fitz Alwin e said Sir Tris .
, ,

I know not my Lord ; I l e ft P e t e r i n ,

tan fe tchin g a d ee p sigh “
and it will , ,

t h e For es t diggi ng a hol e in which to

. b e carri e d i nto your apartm e nt on th e
”
hide th e body o f th e young Lord whom da y o f th e w e dding .

”
w e had kill e dy th e e v e said th e Baron t he ,

Th e B aron s fac e b e
11
came purpl e ; h e
’
e v e so it was agr e e d ,
.

tri e d to i s pea k confus e d words rush e d to ,

“
On th e ev e th e n ,
.

his l ips h e turn e d his h ead away a n d With this th e old m en part e d th e one ,
‘
,

sign e d to t h e assa ssin to l e ave th e room going to pay his court to th e Lady Chris .

Th e latte r who wish e d for nothing be tt e r

,
tab e l th e oth e r r e turning to h i s dr e ams , ,

w e nt out supporting hims e lf by t h e wall

, of gr e atn ess . .

“
D e ad ! murmur e d th e Baron wi t h At B a r n s d a l e Hall th e gloom was pro ,
.

an i n d efi n a bl e fe e ling “
D e ad ! h e r e found Old Sir Guy his wife and th e ir
. .
,

p e a t e d ; and pal e as d e ath h e continu e d

,
daught e rs pass e d t h e hours o f th e da y
‘

, ,

to stamm e r i n a fe e bl e voic e “ in mutual consolation and th e nights i n

D e ad ! ,

we e ping ov e r t h e de ath o f poor W ill .

Th e day aft e r t h e lad s miraculo us

’
L e t us l e ave Lord F 1tz Alwin e a pr e y
to e vil con s ci e nce and see k his daug ht e r 5 d e liv e ranc e t h e G a m w e ll family was
’

, ,

de stin e d husband 1 , asse mbl e d in th e gr e at hall talking sadly

.
1 a n ,

S i r Tristan had no t l e ft th e Castl e ; ove r W ill s strang e disappe aran ce wh e n

’ '

,
 ”

ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLAW
th e j oyous sound Of a hunting hor nwas -
th e young man yo u s e e what an a ff ec ,
“

h e ard at t h e gat e o f th e Hall tion Robin hath inspire d i nfini y siste rs

'

’
.
.

“
I t is Robin ! cri e d Marian rush ing h e arts ; but h e w e ll d e se rv es it I n t e
‘
’

, .

to th e window counting o u r troubl e s to you Robi n n e ve r

’

.
,

H e must be bringing good n e ws , told how h e had r e scu e d m y fath e r from

said Barbara Com e d ear Maud e .
, , d e ath ; h e said nothing O f h i s d e votion to
hope and courag e William is coming Winifre d and Barbara ; h e spok e not of
—
,

back ”
his a fl e c fi on a t e car e that o f t h e be st o f
fri e nds—for Maude my a ffi a n ce d bride
.

“
Alas my sist e r ! may yo u prov e right
, , , .

said Maud e w ee ping , . Wh e n giving you tidings O f Lady M arian ,

“
I am right ! I am right ! cri e d Bar Robin add e d not I hav e watch e d ov e r ,
‘

bara “
H e r e a r e Will and Robin with a
. h e r happin e ss wh e n you w e r e far away
”
young man doubtl e ss a fri e nd o f th e irs , . in m e s h e had a faithfu l fri e nd a d e vot e d ,

Maude fle w to th e door and Marian , , broth e r . H e did not

’

who had r e cognis e d h e r broth e r (for Allan “

W i l li a m I b e s e e ch you inte rrupte d
, ,
.

Clar e h a d o n l y b ee n stunn e d and aft e r Robin “

spar e my blush e s ; for though
’

, , ,

lyin g unconscious for a f e w hours was , Lady Marian av e rs that I cannot blush ,
"
n o w quit e r e cov e r e d ) thr e w h e rs e lf lik e , , my fac e doth v e rily fee l a fi r e .

”
Maud e into t h e young m e n s outstr e tch e d
,
’
My d e ar Robin said Allan visibly , ,

arms Maude n early d e lirious with j oy

.
, , a ff e ct e d as h e wrung t h e young man by
,

could only murmur fondly Will ! Will ! t h e hand I have long be e n gr e atly in
“ “
, ,
”
d e ar Will ! whilst Marian with h e r our de bt and at l e ngth I am happy in
being abl e to re pay you I t did not ne e d
, ,

arms around h e r broth e r s n e ck was u m ’

, .

abl e to utt e r a word W e will not att e mpt . Will s words to assur e m e that yo u had
’

to d e pict t h e j oy O f this now happy nobly fulfill e d t h e d e licat e m i s s mn con

family to whom God had s e nt back safe
, fi d e d to you ; t h e loyalty o f all your d ee ds
and sound him th e y had mourn e d as lost was a sure guarant e e o f that .

”
f o r eve r .
“
Oh broth e r said Marian
, ,
“
if you ,
'
Laught e r soon d rove away th e ir t e ars ,
only kn e w how good and g e n e ro us h e
and both b e love d childr e n w e r e strain ed hath b e e n to us all ! I f you only kn e w
to th e mat e rnal bosom with t h e sam e how prais e worthy his conduct toward m e
'

fond kiss e s and care ss e s Sir Guy gav e . hath b ee n you would honour him and
,

his bl e ssing to W i ll a n d to his son s d e v

’
you would lov e him as as

l iv e r e r W hil e Lady G a m w e ll radiant with

'
, , As thou dost thys e lf—is i t not so ? '

o y pr e ss e d t h e charming Maud e to h e r
, said Allan with a t e nd e r smil e
,
.

”
ea r t . Y ea as I do mys e lf
,
r e pli e d Marian , ,

Was I n o t right in maintaining that

“
h e r fac e radiant with a smil e O f unutt e r
Robin was bringing good tidings ? said abl e prid e and h e r s we e t voic e tr e mulous
,

Barbara kissing Will as s h e spok e , . with e motion “

I fe ar not to ope nly
.

“
Of a truth you we r e right d ear , ,
avow my lov e for t h e g e n e rous man who
”
Barbara r e pli e d Marian pr e ssing h e r
, , hath shar e d t h e sorrows o f my h eart .

broth er s hand ’
. Robin lov e s m e d e ar Allan ; his lov e for ,
“
I should lik e said saucy Barbara , , m e is as d e ep and hath e ndur e d a s lon g
“
to pre t e nd that Robin was Will and ,
as min e for him My hand is promis ed .

”
hug him with all my might . to Robin H ood and w e only await e d ,

Such a mod e O f e xpr e ssing your grati thy pr e s e nc e to a s k O f God His holy
”
tud e would s e t us a v e ry bad e xampl e ,
b e n e diction .

Barbara d e ar laugh e d Marian ; “

for ,
I am asham e d o f my s e lfishn e ss ,
”
w e should all f ee l constrain e d to imitat e Marian said Allan ; and my sham e
,
“

ou and poor Robin would succumb forc e s m e to admir e t h e mor e Robin s ’

yenea”th th e weight o f so much happi

,

gallant b e haviour Thy natural prot e ctor .

n e ss . was far from th ee and thou didst not ,

“
My d e ath would be an e asy o n e at ,
d e e m it fitting to b e happy unt i l h e r e
any rat e Think you no t 5 0 Lady
.
,
turn e d Forgive m e both f o r abandoning
.

”
Marian ? you so cru e lly ; Christab e l will pl ead my
Marian blush e d and an almost imp e r ,
caus e to your t e nd e r h earts Tha nk you .
,
”
e p t i b l e smil e hov e r e d o n Allan Clar e s d e ar Robin add e d t h e Knight thank
’ “
e , ,

l i ps .
y o u ; no words can e xpr e ss to you my
”
Sir Knig ht , said Will approaching ,
since re gratitud e You love Marian and .
 '

ROB I N H OO D TH E O U TLAW 29

'

Ma rian l ov e s you ; I am proud and happy th e gard e n ; that ought to tak e a good two
”
t o gi ve yo u h e r han d hours at l e ast and i t will be so much '

As h e finish e d spe aking t h e K

.

night
,
"
, subtract e d from t h e e te r nity o f a w ee k .

took hi s siste r s hand and with a smil e ’

,
'
Without awaitin g t h e girl s cons e nt )
’

plac e d it in that e f t h e young man who , , Will took h e r hand a n d la u g h i n g l y l e d ,

‘

straining Marian to his bursting h e art

:
'
, her o u t un d e r th e shady : t r e e s o f t h e
.

kiss e d h e r passionat e ly W illiam s e e m e d . park .

quit e i n t o x i ca te d w i th 1 th e jo y h e saw
'

1 A w ee k aft e r t h e int e rvi e w be twee n ,

.

around him and with th e obj e ct o f sup , Al la n C l a r e a n d Lord F i t a Alwin e t h e

. .
-
,

pr e ssing t h e viol e nc e o f his e motion h e , Lady Ch r istabe l was alon e in h e r room ,

took Maud e round th e waist and kiss ed s eat e d o r rath e r crouching in an arm
, ,

h e r n e ck again and agai n utt e ring som e .

, chair r Th e silk e n folds O f a be autiful
.

i ncoh e r e nt words an d finish ing with a whit e satin dr e ss drape d t h e girl s cowe r ’

triumphant H urrah !
“ 1 ing form and a v e il o f English point
W e w ill be marri ed o n t h e sam e day
.
,

cove r e d h er bl ond e tr esse s A d eathly

'

, .

”
won t w e Robin ? cri e d Will j oyously
’

, , , pall or ov e rspr ead h er d e licat e and p e rfe ct

o r rath e r w e will be marri e d to morrow fe ature s h e r colourl e ss lips we r e close d
“ -
.
, ,

Oh no ! n ot to morrow ; it is un lucky to -
and h er large e y e s with th eir listl e ss ,

put O ff tl l l to morrow what ca n be don e look w e re fix e d in a t e rrifi e d stare on a

t o day —
‘
-
,
-
w e will b e marr i e d t o d a y -
. door opposit e .

say .
y o u Maud e
, ? 1 From tim e to tim e a large t ear roll e d
Th e girl laugh e d . down h er ch e e ks a n d th i s t e ar a pe arl , ,

Yo u a r e i n a tr eme nd ous h urry , O f sorrow was t h e only sign O f life h er

,

cri ed t h e Knight e nfee bl e d body gav e

A hurry ! I t is e asy f o r yo u Alla

. .

“
n , , TW O! hours pass e d in dr e adful wait
to criticise ; but an if lik e m e yo u had , , ing Chr i stabe l was hardly conscious ; h e r
.

be e n torn from th e ar ms o f your be lov e d mind st e e pe d i n ha ppy m e mori e s o f a past

,

wh e n you w e r e o n t he point O f giving h e r b e yond re call re garde d with unspe akable ,

your nam e yo u would not say I was i n, horro r th e approaching sacrifice .

”
too gr e at a hurry Am I n o t right .
,
“
H e hath forgot m e waile d t h e poor ,

Maude girl sudde nly wringing h e r h ands white r

, , ,

Y ea William you a r e right ; but o u r

, , than t h e satin o f h e r dr e ss ; h e hath
“

marriag e cannot take pla c e to day . forgot h e r whom h e said h e love d whom ,
“
Why ) not ? I should lik e to kn ow , alon e h e love d ; h e hath forgot his vows
why not ? r epe ate d the lad impati e ntly , . h e is marri e d t o anoth e r Oh G o d ! I : .
,
“
B ecaus e i t is n ec e ssary fo r m e to have pity on m e ; my stre ngth fails m e ,

l e av e B a r n s da l e in a f e w hours fri e nd , for my h e art is brok e n I have su ff e re d

1 .

Will r e pli e d th e Knight and I must “

so much alr e ady ! F o r him hav e I born e
c e rtainly; be pr es e n t at your W
, ,

e dding a n d bitt e r words t h e love l e ss looks O f th e

,

at my s i ste r s 3 1 f o r my part hope to ’

. fath e r I sh ould love and r e spe ct ! For him
have t he happi n e ss o f marryi ng th e Lady I bor e ill tr eatme nt without complaint
-
'
,

Christab e l and o u r three we ddings coul d

, e v e n t h e sombr e solitud e o f t h e cloist e r !
th e n b e ce le brat ed on th e sam e day . I b e li e ve d in him and h e h ath de c e ive d
W ait a littl e longe r Wi lliam ; in o n e , me 1
H

'

wee k from to d a y a l l will be s e ttl e d to o u r A convulsive sob es cape d h e r and th e ,

”
mutual satisfaction te ars gu sh e d from h e r e ye s A light
W
z 1 .

W ait anothe r w e e k cri e d il l I t

.

.
a
tap at th e t d o o r arous e d h e r from h e r
is impossible ! painful thoughts .

“
But W illiam said Robin a we e k
,
“
, ,
1 Com e in s h e sa id i n a stifl e d voice
,
.

is soon gon e and yo u have a thousand Th e door ope n e d and th e wrinkle d

face o f Sir Tristan appe ar e d be fore th e
, ,
”
r easons for pati e nc e .

W éll I r e si g n myse l
, th e young e y e s o f th e unhappy girl .

”
man di smal ly
, Yo u a r e all ag ain st m e
.
, Swe e t lady said th e old man with a , ,

and I have ne v e r a s oul to sp eak u p for le e r which h e fondly imagi n e d was a n

,
.

me . Maude who o f rights should ad d , e nch a ntin g s mil e

“
the ho u r o f o ur ,
'

t h e e loque nce o f h e r s wee t voic e t o min e , d e parture is about to strik e Prithe e .

r e mains sil en t s o I wi l l h o ld my ton gu e , all o wm e to O ff e r yOu my arm ; t h e e scort

too I suppo s e Maude w e oug h t to ta lk
.
-
,
(
, awaits u s and w e sha ll s oon t he th e
.
,

o f o u r futur e hom e Come , le t u s g o r ound .

 ROB I N H O OD TH E OUT L AW
'

30 1

”
sta mm e re d ? Chri stabel ; S ir Tr is t a n h
'
“
My Lo rd s sed the cold hand in his
'

a , ( r r

1 I sh a ll di e s h e tho ught t o h ersel f

“
, .

“
At L int o n Abbe y gre at p r e parations
“

we re be ing mad e for t h e wed di ng Of t h e f

Lady Chri stab e l a n d O ld S i r Tri s tan .

E ve r since d aybr e ak th e Chape l ha d

Te rribl e ( ce rem ony ! r e pea t ed 1 S ir sanctuary Th e Bis hop O f H e r e ford w ho

'

. .
, .

Tristan, i i i as t oni shm en t “lW h a t m e an s wa s ht o r p e r f o r m t h e ma r r i a g e c e r e m o ny

'

. .
,

this , I d o not a oo m p re he i i d s teed a t i t h e Church

-
. . wit h Monks
i n w hi te v e stm e nts rou nd him awa i ting
a
x
,.

Spar e m e t h e xpa i n O f an e xplanation th e n u pt ial proc e ssi on

’

Shortly bef or e , .
'

Christab e l a ns ive r e d w i th a 1
and I t h e a r r i Va l o f Si r Tristan and th e Lady
,
'

will bl e ss you Sir and e ve r r e m e mb e r Christa be l a man be arin g i n his hand a

, , ,
.

e se nt e d himse lf be for e t h e
’
o u in my pray e rs small harp pr
y
Yo u appe ar agita te d my p
.

re tty dove Bishop , , .

said th e o l d man in h one yed acce nts. L ord said th e n e w com e r making .
,
-
,

Calm yours e lf my love and thi s e ve n a r e spe ctful g en u fle x i o n

, , a r e you not ,

ing o r to mor row if yo u pr e fe r it yOu about to ce l e brat e a Hi gh M as s i n honour

'
-
, , ,

shall mak e your littl e co n fi den ce s to me Of th e bri de and bridegroom

. .

”
At p r e sent w e bave n o ti m e t0 l o se * b u t Yea fri en d I am re turn e d t h e 1
,
'

, , ,

wh e n w e a r e marri ed it will b e di ffe r e nt ; Bishop 3 B ut why d ost t ho u ask ?

. .

:
r

w e shall hav e p len ty o f le i sur e a n d I wi ll

. .

M y Lord answer ed t h e strang er I , , ,

liste n to you from morn ti ll e v e am the be s t harpist i n F r anc e o r England

‘

.
’
,
“
I n t h e nam e o f pity Sir h e ar m e and usuall y i n much r e qu e st at all fe asts
'

. .
, ,

now I f my fath e r hath de ce iv e d yo u I Havin g h eard o f t h e int e n d e d marri ag e '

wi ll not buoy yo u u p With false hopes b e twi xt th e rich S ir {T

. ..
.
, .

'

.
1
ristan and Baron
-
.

Fitz Al win e s onl y daught e r I a m com e ’

to o ff er his Lords h ip my se rvic e s ”

.

An thy tal e nt mat c h th y vanity a n d

”
assu r ance thou art we lcome
’

.
,
“
I t ha nk yo u my L ord . r , .

Th e s o u n d o f th e h a r p ple ase th m e
' '

N e v e r shal l I forg e t him ; h i s i mage

3
'

At your sha ll l ove

ag e we think we
f or e v e r 1in y d e ar lov e ; t h an tim e cr ee ps won t to h ear I would fall i n with
'

, ar e .
,

o n and e ff ac e s I n his march the t en d e rly . your Wish e s ; but I play on l y at stat e d
ch e rishe d imag e But come w e will .
,
se asons and in s u itabl e place s B y and . .
-

S pe ak o f all this a noth e r ti me an d I b y I hope to give yo u compl e t e satis

‘

,
”
will h e lp yo u to se t th e hO p é Of I th e Ju tu r d ‘
faction .

be twixt t h e past and th e p r ese nt ” . I nsol e nt v arl e t r e plie d t he Bishop ,

-
,

Y o u hav e no pi t y S ir ? ,
1

in a n angry ; voic e “
I command th e e t o ,
”
I love you C h ri stabel play to m e thi s ve ry ins tant
G od hav e pity o n m e l i sigh e
.

h I cwi ll not touch a string un

. .
,

d ’ '
W ti l th e .
”
e sco rt ar riv e said th e stra ng e r i m pe r
, ,

t ur ba bl y 1 but wh e n ti t do t h come you

“
, ,

will he ar so unds whi ch wil l astoni s h you .

Of t ha t r e st a s s u re d ” .
1
.
 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U T L AW
'
’

3 2

e ve nt and am accompani e d by a holy

, Maude my darling ? Has t ask e d th e
,

man who hath th e right to Offi ci a te My

,
'

. Holy V irgi n to grant us fo r e v er th e v

”
fath e r continu e d Robin addr e ssing an
, , sam e radiant j oy s h e doth bes tow o n us
”
o l d man w ho had r e main e d unnotic e d
, , thi s da y ? g 1

I pray you e nt e r t h e Chap e l t h e young , Maude smil e d and wept t o g e th e r s o ,

coupl e will follow you . full w a s h e r h eart o f lov e and gratitud e

Th e pilgrim t h e sam e w ho had c o n , t o Willia m .
M

n i v e d at Will s e scap e advan c e d slowly

’

, . Ro bin s marri a g e thre w th e band of

’
-
r

“
I am ? h e re my s o n h e said ; I go “
, , m e rri e m e n i nto transports o f d e light and ,

to pray for t h e unfortunat e and to be o n issuing from t h e C hurch th e y utt e r e d

s e e ch G o d to pardon t h e W ick e d . d ea f e n i n ch e e rs .

Guard e d by t h e m e r r i e m e n the party “

Th e r a w li n r u ffi a n s growl e d Lo rd
‘ ’

e
, ,

e nt e r e d t h e Chape l qui e tly and t h e c e r e , , Fitz Alwin e r e u cta n t l y following t h e

,

mony be gan at once Th e Bishop dis .

:
form o f Littl e J ohn who had polit e ly ,

appe ar e d S i r Tristan groan e d dismally

,
' ‘

, r e qu e st e d him toJl eave th e Chape l .

and Lord F 1tz Al w 1n e mutt e re d d ee p -

A f e w minut es afte r t he Chapel was .

oaths o f v e ng e anc e . d e se rt e d Lord Fitz Alwin e and Sir

.

Who giv e th this woman ask ed th e . Tristan d e prive d o f th e ir hors e s dol e

,
’

o l d palm e r layi ng his p a lsi e d hands o n

, fully supporting each o th er and in a ,

Christab e l s h e ad as s h e kn e lt be fo re him
’

, . stat e o f mind which ba ffle s d escriptio n ,

“
Will you be so g ood a s to nswe r s e t o u t f o r t h e Castl e with halting st e ps
a , .

” ”
my Lord ? said Rob n H ood
i Fitz Alwin e sa id t h e o l d ma n stum
Fath e r I pray you ! bes o u
, ,
”
,ght t h e bli ng as h e spok e yo u will give m e
“
,

back th e million p i e c e s o f gold which I

N o no ! a thousand ti me s no !
, , confid e d to your car e ?
cri e d t h e Baron b e sid e hims e lf with r a g e ,
“
N ay i f a i th l Sir Tristan for it was
,
’

Since h e r fath e r hath re fuse d to k e e p n o t m ; fa u l t that misfortun e be f e ll you

"
y .

t h e sol e mn promis e h e g av e said Robin , , Had yo u f ollow e d my couns e ls this ,

I will take his place I Robin H ood .

,
.
, disast e r would n e v e r have occurr e d By .

do give t h e Lady Christab e l a s Wife to holding th e we ddi ng in t h e Castl e C ha pe l ,

t h e good Knight Sir Allan Clar e . o u r mut u al d e sir es would have b e e n as

-
.
-

Th e c er e mony proce e d e d witho ut furth e r sur e d ; but yo u pre fe rr ed broad daylight

obstacl e Hardly w e re Allan Clare a n d
. to obscurity and b e hold the r e sult ! This
,

Christabe l we dde d e r e th e Gam w e ll family r a s ca l ha th ca rri e d o ff m y daught e r ; I

1 .

appe are d o n th e thre shold Robin H ood . must have compe nsation th e r e for e I kee p ,

advanc e d to m ee t Marian and l e d h e r to , t h e gold .

t h e alta r William and Ma u d e followi ng

, Re turni ng to N ottingham in as sorry
th e m As h e pass e d close to Robin w h o
.
, a plight as th e ir mast e rs t h e se rvants ,

kn e lt at M arian s sid e Wi l l whispe re d o f t he t w o nobl e m en follow e d th e m at a

’ '

At l e ngth Rob th e happy day ha th , , ,

distance laugh i ng be hi nd th e ir backs at
,

arrive d Look at Maud e ; h o w be aut i f u l

. th e str ang e e v e nts o f th e da y .

s h e is and h e r d ea r li t tl e h e art is; be ating Th e w ed d i ng party e scort ed by th e

’
1

, , ,
;
fast I warrant you
,
. m e rri e m e n soon gai n ed th e de pths of
,

Sil e nc e Will ; God i s list e ning to us

, t h e wood The o l d Fore st had de cke d
.

”
at this mom e nt . its e lf o u t to r e ce ive th e happy coupl es ,

Y e a I know and I am going to pray

, ,
and th e tr ee s r e fr e sh e d by the morn i ng
,
”
with my whol e soul r e pl i e d ; t h e h appy , d e w bowe d th e ir gr ee n branch e s ove r
,

youth . t h e visitors L o ng f g ar l a n d s o f flowe rs

.

Th e alm e r b l e ss e d t h e n e w coupl e s and foliag e w e r e wre ath e d from tr e e to

p ,

and r ai s i ng his hands to H e ave n i m

, , tr ee and bound tog e th e r se cul ar oaks
,

p l o r e d t h e divin e m e rcy upon th e m . and sturdy e lms and sl e nde r poplars .

”
“
Maude de ar Maud e said Willi am , , , H e r e and th e r e appe ar e d in th e distance
as soon as h e was abl e to l ea d t h e girl a stag crown e d with fl ow e rs lik e a clas sic
from th e Church “
at la st yo u a r e my , g o d
. A fawn be
. d e ck e d with ribbons
, ,

wife m y de ar wife ! Fate hath se t s o

-
bounde d a cros s { the pat h o r a dee r , ,

many obstacl e s i n th e way o f o u r hap we aring its fe stive collar t o o dart e d ,

i n e s s tis di ffi cult for m e now to r e ali se lik e a n arrow along th e vg r een s w a r d I n

’

p , .

i th j oy thou t h e a midst o f a wid e cl e aring in th e

l
i t s fu l e xt e nt I am mad w 1
.

art m i n e a nd min e alon e Ha s t praye d

, .
, wo od s a t a bl e w as sprea d a d a ncing ,
 RO B I N H O OD TH E O UT LA W
’
'
33

g
'

r e e n l e v e ll e d a nd sports pr e par e d— in ,
“
Could it b e oth e rw i s e P said Wil l in ,
'
short a ll th e pl e asure s that co uld add a t e nde r voic e ki s sing his wife s hand
, ,
’
.

to th e satisfaction o f th e gu e sts w e r e R obin lov e d h e r at first si g ht I ador e d ,

dis pos e d around th em Mos t o f th e fair h e r from th e fi rst a nd n ow Maude thou

.
, , ,

mai d s o f N ottingham had com e to grac e art min e

with th e ir pre s en c e th e fe ast o f Robin ’
Sil e nc e followe d
H ood and th e most frolic gai e ty pre vail e d clamation The Monk bowe d his h e ad
ill s passi onat e e x
.

.
W ’

, ,

in th e happy gath e ring and Maude bl ush e d and smil e d at h e r

.

Maud e and Will iam arm in arm with hu sband , , .

smil ing lips and Joyous h earts we r e wan “

I do hop e fri e nd Tuck conti nu e d , , ,

d e ring apart down a gr ee n ave nu e n e ar William i n a t on e o f a ff e ction

‘
“
that , ,

th e dan ci ng gr e en wh e n F riar Tuck a p my happin e ss 18 not thy pain ; if I am

,
"
p e a r e d be for e t h e m happy to d a y it is by gr eat tribulation
1

.
,

Halloa good T uck m e rr y Gil es my t hat I have succ e e de d in makin Maude

, , ,

fat broth e r g cri e d Will laughi ng ; art my w e ll b e love d wife Thou ast not
,
“
, .

com e to share o u r stroll ? We lc om e ! kn own th e d e spair o f r ej e ct e d love; t hou

Gil es my v e ry g ood fri e nd and do m e th e hast n o t known e xil e ; thou hast not
, ,

honour to look at th e tr e asure o f my soul languish e d f ar from th y b e lov e d ; thou

'

—m y ch e rish e d Wife m y most pre ci ous h a st not lost my str e ngth thy h e alth
, , ,

posse ssio n ; look at this a ri g el Gil e s a r id thy pe ac e o f mi nd ”

, , .

te ll m e if t lie r e doth e x ist b e n ea th th e ski e s As h e e num e rat e d th e last o f his

’

a mor e charming bei n than m y b e autiful sorrows Will cast his e ye s upon t h e ,

M aud e B ut m ethin 5 fri e nd Tuck rubicund count e nanc e o f t h e Monk and

.
, , ,

add e d the young ma n loo ki ng mor e a loud laugh burst from him
’
.

, Friar .

clos e l y at t h e M onk s anxious fac e

’
Tuck we i gh e d at l e ast fift e e n ston e and
m e thinks thou art i ll at e as e ; W
,
“
hat is his e xpans i ve fi gur e r e s e mbl e d a full
it ? C ome confide thy trouble s to us I moon Maude who had und e rstood th e
, .
,

will e ndeavou r to ch e e r th e e M aude cause o f Will s su dd e n laught e r share d

'
.
,
’

m dar ling l e t us be kind to him Com e in his mir th a n d Tuck j oin e d in nu

yat is it Gile s ? Fir st I will hear th y affe cte dly
.
, , ,

.
, ,

co n fi d e n ce é th e n I will sp e ak t o th ee o f I am quite w ell h e said with a

'

, , ,

my wife and thin e o l d he art will be young charming good nature

, but that make s
agai n m s n path ) with mi ne ”

h
no odds We ll n o matt e r I quit e
I a v g ii o Co i1 fi d e nc es to mak e tli e e unde rstand ; and by r lady
.
, ,
”
d fri nds
' ’
“
”
y oo e , , ,

Will r e plie d t h e Monk in a som e what h e add e d takin g th e cl a s

, , han ds o f t h e ,

broke n voic e but I r ej oice to kn ow that young p eo l e in his o w n lar g e on e s I “

wish you p
, ,

all thy de sir e s a r e fulfill e d o t h pe rfe ct h a pp 1n e s s

. Ti s .
’

“
That doth not pr e v e nt m e fri e nd tru e swee t Maud e your fawn like e y e s , , ,

Tu ck from r e m ar ki n wi th r e al sorrow turn e d my h ead long a g o ; but th e re it

1
,

th e sad e xpr e ssion 0 t hy c ounte nan ce will not be ar much t hought I have .

Com e W hat i s it P found a good moral to th at chapt e r ; I

N aught r epli e d the Monk n a u ght sought f o r a consolation in my cr i1e 1
,
“
, , ,

unl e ss it we r e an id ea which crosse d my sorrow and I found it

Found it 1 cri ed Wil lia mand Maud e
.
,

mind a Wi ll 0 th e wisp which burns into

,
' ’ ”

m br ai n an e l f which pl agu e s my h e art t og e th e r

‘
,
. .

e l l Will I know n o t wh e th e r I sho u ld

, ,
Y ea r ep li e d Tuck wi th a smil e , , .

”
te ll th ee but for many y e ar s I had h ope d
,
A black e y e d maid ? ask e d th e
that t he littl e witch W hom thou dost hold coqu e ttish Maude a youn g girl who can
s o t e nd e rl to th ee would be my sun appr e ciat e your go o d s te r hn g qualiti es
y ,

beam t he Jo y o f my existe nce my d e ar e st Maste r Gile s ?

, ,

and most pr e cious j e we l Th e Monk an to laugh

Ye a truly g
e a
.

b
.

”
e said my consolation
“
w thou hast
is a lady with br i l li a rit e ye s and ruby
, ,

lips You ask m e swee t Maude if s h e .

, ,
3
hast kn own r e c i a t es my m e rits P Tha t 15 a qu e stion

fi cult to reso lve for my conso le r is ,

'

truly a thoughtl e ss cr e atur e and I am ,

n o t t h e only o n e t o whom s he re nd e r s
”
kiss for kiss .
34 RO B I N J H O Q P . m
a O U TLAW

But s h e mu s t be a horrid woman ,

cri e d Maude fl a shin
W
What Tu ck a de d ill as brave
, .

“ ” “
, ,

a h eart air d as hon est a soul as thin e to

'

1 1 .

h e r and ; he
 R OB I N H O O D THE O UT LA W
'

i magination Will had imagi ne d e t ernal ,

'

bli s s as c onsi s ting in a wi fe lik e M aud e?

’ ’
ari d m his e ye s s h e was end owh d wi th a l l
”

t h e charms o f an ang e l ”Maude wa s .

awar e o f this flatt e ri ng aff e ction a n d j s h e ,

stro ve to r err i a i n u pOn th e pede stal to

'
1 ’
,

wh ich h e r husband s lov e had e levat e d ’

Follow ing t h e e xa mpl e Se t by Robi n

’

her .

Hood and Marian Will a nd hi s wife had

'

made the ir hom e in th e For e st and th e y ,

'
all liv e d th e r e tog e th e r in t h e gr e at e st
Robin I i o o d s
”
'

‘ '
" ’
w
e dd ing h a rmony .

Robi n H oo d love d t h e fair s e x firstl y ,

from natural i n chn a tl o n , and s e condly out

o f r e ga r d for th e c harming cr e atur e w h o

b Or e h is nam e Robin Hood s companion s

Y ’
.

C HAPTE R I V Shar e d hi s f e e lings o f r e sp e ct and v e n e r a

tion towards wome n ; and thus th e maid e ns
o f th e n e ighbourhood we r e abl e to traver s e ,

th e For e st paths without fe ar o f mol e sta

'

tion I f by chance th ey e ncoun t e r e d a ny

.
'

o f th e b a n d th e y w e r e ask e d to partak e
'
’
,

of r e fr e shm e nt and aft e rwards th e y we re ,

given an escort through t h e w ood a n d ,

no cause for complaint ha d e ve r aris e n .

Wh e n th e kindly co urt e sy o f th e For e st e rs

be cam e known i ts r e nowntravel l e d afar , ,

Immedi at e ly afte r1 his w ed di ng t he and many a bright e y e d maide n with

,
1
'

Knight had o ff e re d to s e l l his Huntingdon light h e art and tripp ing fe e t had v e ntur e d
s h i re esta te s t o King H e nry I I a t tw o
? .
l
amo ng t h e d e lls and glad e s of Sh e r
thirds o f th e ir va lu e on condition o f his wood
, .

marriag with L d 1C hristab e l F 1t z

‘

a y
g e
Adw i n e be in co nfi rm e d b y l e tt e rs pa t e nt
?
.

'
Th e King 0 a l w a ys se i z e d with avidity
’
'
c
,

p rt m i f i r in h rich st '
o l ty o a c Q u g t e e

E gl and for t e Crown h 1

g
8 in !
n 1
,

eep t ed ! th e o ff e r and b a ' s p ec i al a ct

a
v
, , ,

co nfirm e d t h e marriag e 6 th e two young

o ple 3 Al lan Clar e h a d mad e his a p p l i
pe .

ca tion with 1such adr oitn e ss and p r o m p ti

t ude and th e Kin g was s O e ager t o close to s h are t h e a d v e
,

th e bargain that all Wa s compl e te d by har dy outlaws

,
I n the 1nn Ocen ce o f th e ir
.

t he ti me ’ th e B ishop o f H e r e ford and allowe d th e se se cr e t

B a ron Fi tz Alwi n e a r r ive d a t Cou r t .
3 5 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W
Th e re sult of all this was that Friar
Tuck , be cam e ov e rwh e lm e d with w Or k ,

b e in g O cc u pi e d from morn i ng t o night in

sol e mni sing marriage s .V e ry n aturally

t h e good Monk was anxi o s to di s cov e r
u
wh e th e r th e se multipl e un i ons we r e n o t
an e pide mic o f a peculiar charact e r a n d ,

how man y p e opl e would still succumb he coul d also e ,

to it . B ut his qu e stion r e main e d nu ov ei t he m

'

answe re d . Having attain e d its z e nith , Th e beautiful For e st h e ld a th O u s a nd

th e rag e f o r marriag e s abat e d and t h e , pl e asure s fo r M s h e wa n

,
cas e s b e cam e fe wer N e ve rth e l e ss it is
.
, d e r e d with h e r husband t hr ough t h e
curious to obs e rv e that th e symptoms a r e pictur e sq ue windings o f th e wood an on ,

s till as vio le nt and that th e y continu e s h e found a m use m e nt in th e sports and

gam e s th e nmvogu e Thanks to Robin 3
, .

e v e n to o u r o w n day
’
.

Th e lit tl e cOl On y in th e Fore st live d care s h e posse ss e d a rar e and valuabl e

,

v e ry m e rrily . Th e cav e Of w hich w e flock o f falcons and s h e le arnt to fly ,

have spok e n had b ee n divid e d into c e lls th e m with a tri e d and skilful hand B ut : .

and rooms which s e rv ed only f Or b e d th e sport which Marian lov e d b e st was

cha mb e rs t h e vast gl ad e s se rving a s
, arch e ry W i th 1n d e fa t1 a b l e pati e nce Robin o'

drawing and dining rooms and it w as-

, initiat e d his young Wi fe into all th e mys
O nl y 1n wint e r that th e y had r e course to t e r i e s o f t h e art Marian a tt e nd e d car e .

th e i r subt e rran ea n r e tr eat I t I S di ffi cult

. f ri lly to t h e l es sons g i ve n h e r a n d n e ver, ,

t o im a g i n e how qui et a nd p e ac e ful w a s was pupil more apt S h e thus b e cam e .

t h e life th e s e m e n l e d .N e ar l y all w e re in a short tim e an arch e r o f t h e first

of Saxon origin and attach e d to o n e rank I t was a pl e asing sight to Robin
.

anoth e r lik e me mb e rs o f o n e family ; and his M e rri e M en to watch Marian ,

most o f th e m had s uffe re d cru e l o p pr e s bo w i n hand clad in a tunic o f L incoln ,

s i on at th e hands o f t h e N orman invad e rs .

Robin H ood s band l e vi e d tribut e most

'

p a r t i c u la r l upon two class e s o f s oci e ty

t h e rich orman nobl e s a nd t h e cl e rg y .

On th e first b e cause th e y had robb e d t he ha d m ast r d all t h s cr ts f t h e ar t

'

e e e e e o
Saxons of th eir titl e s and patrimony and ,
which h a d mad e Robin s o famo u s s he
, , , ,

o n t h e s e cond be caus e th e y w e r e continu acquire d a like r e nown '

Th e yo u ng .

a ll augm e nti n th e ir already consid e r woman s i n i mi ta bl e skil l rous e d th e a d

’

by
f

e r i ch e s a t t e e xp e nse o f th e pe opl e . m i r a ti o n and r e s pect o f t h e inhabitant s

Robin Hood l e vi e d imposts o n th e N o r o f t h e For e st to t h e utmost and th e ,

mans and thou gh s u ch con tributions we re alli e s o f th e band an d the citize ns o f t he

towns o f M ansfi e ld a n d N ottingha mcame
,

h e avy th e y w e r e e xact e d without combat

,

o r bloodsh e d Th e ord e rs Of th e young in crowds to wi t n e ss h e r p row e ss

A y ea r slip ed b y—
. .

Chi e f w e re strictly carri e d ou t, f o r dis a y e ar o f j oy hap

Ob e di e nce m e ant d e a t h .Th e s e ve rity o f p i n e s s bliss,
p A l lan a Dal. e
(w e will no w
,

thi s disciplin e h ad e ar ned an e xce ll e nt spe ak o f t h e Knight by the nam e of his

r e putation for Robin H ood s band whos e ’
pr ope rty) had be com e a fat he r ; H eaven ‘

, ,

loyal and chivalrous c h aracte r w as w e ll had bl ess e d him with a daughter Robin .

known . Many e xp e ditions we r e und e r : and William e ach r e joiced m a handsome

tak e n va 1nl y to try and oust t h e M e rri e son , a n d a round o f danc e s and ge n e ral
m e n from th e ir r e tr e at ; but th e a u t h o r i r e j oi cings c e l e brat e d th e s e happy e v e nts .

r fruitl e ss O ne morning Robin Hood wi th W i ll

th e m and ,
Scarl e tt and Little John m et b e n eath a
compe ll e d tr e e cal l ed th e tr ysti ng tree be ca u se it ,

dange rou s s e rv e d as t h e ral lyi g poi nt o f t h e ba nd

n ,

wh e n th e y heard a fa int sound in the

Hark ! sai d Robin quickl y 1

a hors e I he ar in th e c le aring ;
.
,
 ROB I N H O OD TH E O UTLA W
'

‘ .

P e rfe ctly And I will bri ng back

. H i m s e l f g Mas te r
’
.

the rid e r an h e prov e W , orthy to shar e “

I have l Ong h e ard t e ll o f him adde d ,

your r e past t h e stran e r

g and his nobl e conduct ha th

inspir e d i n m e a tru e re gard for him I

.
,
“
H e will b we lcom e laughe d
fo r I b egin to fe e l t h e pan gs o f
.
,

Robin “
, am much pl e as e d to ha ve a chan c e o f
"
hung e r m ee ting Robin H ood ; h e b a th a loyal
I W ill acc e pt h is ki nd
.

Littl e John a n d Will glid e d through a nd faithful h e art

invitat i on with pl e asur e though I am at
.

th e thick e t toward th e road tak e n by t h e ,

t rave ll e r and soon cam e n e ar e nough to

, ,
a loss to u nde rstand how h e w a s awar e
”
distinguish him . O f my j ourn e y through his domains .

By t h e holy Mass t h e poo r d ev il b a th H e will b e glad to inform th e e o f that

a sorry look and I dar e sw e ar his fortun e
,
”
, himse lf re pli e d Littl e Jo h n z
,
f 0

”
cause th him but littl e e mbar rassm e nt “
As you wi ll brave Fore ster Le ad th e
I must e en avo” w th e Knight d Oth way I will follow m your ste ps
. .
,
’

we ar a gri e vous air r e pli e d Little J ohn , Littl e J ohn took t h e trave ll e r s hors e ’

but perchanc e th e pove rty O f his oute r by th e br i dle and cOn d u c te d him into
'

man is but a cl e v e r artific e Th e trave ll e r . t h e ath l e ading to t h e cross road wh e r e

p
trust e th to his s ee mi ng mis ery to tr ave rse Rob i n still r e main e d Will followe d as
'

t h e For e st with impunity W e will teach .

him that an h e inclin e to tricke r w e a r e Littl e ohn did not doubt for a singl e
his match l n cunning
,
” y .
,

mom e nt u t th at this s e mblanc e of gri e f

T hough hab i t e d m th e garb O f a Kn ight , an d
pov e rty was a mask to se rv e as pass
th e trave ll e r at a fi r st g i anc e inspir e d a port i n cas e o f an unwe lcome e ncoun te r
-

fe e ling o f pity His cl o l es h ung o n him whilst Will divin e d more corr e ctly
'

.
.
,

anyhow as th ough adve rsity had m a d e

, pe rhaps that th e trave ll e r wa s re ally and
,

h i m car e l e ss o f appe ar anc e s ; t h e ho o d Of truly a poor man from whom th e y would

’
-

his cloak hung round his ne ck ; a n d his O btain no oth e r satisfaction than that o f
h ead bow ed i n thought bore e vide nce of s ee ing h i mea t a ri ht good dinn e r
Th e strang e r an ghis guid e s soon found
.
, ,

e xtr e m e wr e tch e dn ess Th e d e e p bass .

voice Of Littl e John ro us e d th e strang e r Robin Hood Th e latt e r salute d th e

.

sudd e nly from his r e ve ri e . ne w c me r

-
o and struck
, by hi s d ej e ct e d
,

Good day Sir Stran ge r ! cri e d o u r

, appe aran ce watche d him narrowly whilst
, ,

fri e nd advancing to m ee t th e trave ll e r ;

, t h e oth e r strov e to r e adj ust in som e
art We lcom e to th e gr e en wood Tho ri . m easure hi s poor clothing An air of .

has t b ee n an xiously await e d t h e gr e at e st disti nction accompani e d all

'

“
Await e d ? a sk e d th e strang e r fixing ,
his move m e nt s; and Robin soon arrive d
h i s sad gaz e upon J ohn s broad c o u n te
’
at t h e sam e conclusion as L ittl e J ohn ,

nance . that th e strang e r affe ct e d this car e worn

Yea Sir Knight
“ ”
, re pli e d Will S car ,

l e tt ; ou r maste r bade us s ee k th ee a n d
“
'

f o r thr ee hours h e hath awai te thi ne

arrival er e comm e ncing hi s me al
,
d
”
.

N O o ne doth ex pe ct m e r e plie d th e
’’

stran er with a trouble d air “

Yo u a r e
I am” not th e gue st w hOm your
.
,
"
mi s en
maste r e xpe cts i
.

“
I ask par d On Mast e r but t s ind ee d ’

H e had l e arnt thou W

, ,

thou . Ou l d s t be And then w ith

wi d m a h t br ad ne an nc e e
cO min g th r Ohg h t he For e st to day A d m mb i l of h
3
n u r s t e r oe , 9

T h y f ast d whi l h M al m y wi
.

“
Impossibl e im possibl e r e p e at e d th e
, ,
e e e , e t e se ne

As we have re mar ke d "

, de spite th e
3 8 ROB I N HO O D TH E x OU TLAW 1
of astomach that h a s been ! em pty f o r
twe nty a n d t h e m e at s ! di s
appe ared with great draughts o f win e
which bor e Witn e ss to i t he :e xcell enc e o f
th e liquid o r to t h e w e ake n ing e ffe ct o f
,

Afte r th e rep ast Robin a n d hi s g ue st

'

str e tch e d t he ms e lve s b e n eath t h e maj e sti c

shade of t h e gre at tr ee s and conv e r s e d ,

without r e se rve Th e Knight s O pinion s .

’

of m en a n d smatt e rs i r ai s e d him hi gh in
Robin s e stima tion and notwi thstan ding
'
’

{ 03 a
, , 1 1
.

his m iserable be aring, t h e young Chi e f

'

could not beli e v e i n th e s i nce r ity o f his

appar e nt mise ry Of all v ic es Ro bin
. . r ,

most dislike d dissim ul ation ; his frank a

-

and op en nature hat e d cun ning Th e r e Year thesam e

'

. at

fore in spit e of t h e r e al e st e e m wi th W hich

,
Hood , a n d it is b

t h e Knight inspir e d him b e r es ol ve d to ,

no t .
wish , I
mak e him pay h e avily f o r h is re past An .
,
li k e myself
opportunity f o r puttin g thi s de t e rmination an e m bl a z o
into e fiec t soon pr es ent e d its e lf for afte r
i
, ,

having ra il e d again st h u m a n ing rati t ude ,

th e str ang e r add e d

I have s o gr eat a s co rn {Or this vic e
that it doth no l ong e r a stonish me ; but I
can affi r m that nev e r in all my l ife have
I bee n g uilty o f it mys elf ; All ow m e ,

Robin Hood to thank you w i th a l l my

'

, ,

h eart for your fri e ndly r e c e ption o f m e ,

a n d if e v e r a 1u cky chan ce should l ead

you into t h e ne i ghbo urhood o f St Mary s .
’

Abbe forg e t not that at t he Castl e o f

,
“

th e lain you will e ve r find , a loving

”
and cordi al hospit al i ty .

“
Sir Knight r e pli e d th
”
e youn g ma n
t hose W hom I r e c e ive in th e For e st
, ,

n e v er un d e rg o th e dan g e r o f a visit from pistol e s .

me To those who a r e ; r ea 11y in n e ed o f

a good m e al I will ingly giv e a pla c e a t
.

my t abl e ; but I am l es s g e n e rous toward

trave ll e rs Who have th e wh e re withal to
4° ROB I N X H O O D TH E ADU TL AW L

is n o w a holy man Thanks to o u r car e approach e d ; Mi s tr es s fli l ia s wrung her

.
, i

Lil ia s posse sse s a ll th e qualiti e s whi ch ar e hands Arrang e this bri dl e said th e ~
’

an appan ag e o f he r s e x ; s h e love s H e rbe rt Knight gru ffly to m e 7 I obe ye d and

,
'
.
,

and will mak e him a g Ood Wi fe with ou t be ing pe rceived 11 cut t h e g i r t h s .

’

, r

My wi f e co ns e nte d wit h all h er h e art t o o f th e saddl e ; th en whilst pre tending to

t h e marriag e o f h e r two childr e n and w e e xamin e t h e hors e s shoe s I manag e d t o
,
.

, ,

b e troth e d th e m that sam e day s l ip a pe bbl e into his hoof Having don e
Th e da y fi x e d for t h e ha ppy un i on was which I fl e d to warn you
. .

’
,

approaching wh e n a N orman Knight , My son H e rb e rt could tarry to list e n ,

own e r o f a small fi e f i n Lancashir e cam e to no mor e but away to t h e stabl e s , , ,

to pay a visit to t h e Abb e y o f St Mary saddl e d a hors e and s e t o ff at topmost . .

,

This N o r m a n h a d s ee n and admire d my spee d

Th e young p easant s trick had : be
. .
.

hous e and was se iz e d with a d e sire to

,
“
en
’ ‘

p oss e ss it him s e lf Wi t hout disclos i n g suc ce ssful Wh e n H e rb e rt ov e rt ook t h e

this cove tousn ess h e l e arn e d tha t I had N orman he had dis mo unt e d Th e n th e re
. .

'

.
, ,

unde r my pat e rnal car e a pre tty girl Of was a te rri bl e fi ght be tw ee n th e vil l ain
.

marriag e abl e a g e ; and rightly supposing and my so n in which right conqu e re d , -

,

that a portion O f my w e alth would b e and my s o n zkil l e d th e ravish e r , .

give n to Lilias as h e r do w ry th e N orm an Soon a s e ve r t h e N o r ma n fs de ath be

.
,

a ppe ar e d at my gate and und e r pre te xt o f cam e known a troop o f soldi e rs was s e nt ”

vi si ting th e Castle h e man ag e d to gain to arre st H e rbe r t 3 I hi d hi m and s e nt

, ,
-

an e ntranc e into o u r family cir cl e As I a humbl e pe tition to th e Ki ng f I mad e

,

. . . ,

told yo u Robin Lilias was v e ry be autiful kn own to H is Maj esty th e N or ma n s ’

and t h e sight o f h e r fir e d my gu e st s infa mous conduct ; I pointe d o u t to him

, , ,
’
.

imagination ; h e r e p ea t e d hi s w i s i t an d that my son had fought with his e ne my .

, l ,

c o n fi de d t o m e his lov e for my son s b e and ha d ki ll e d h i m whil e e xposing him ’

. . .
s

troth e d Without r ej e cting th e N orman s s el f to a li ke fat e Th e King mad e me ’

honourabl e proposal I told him o f t h e buy my son s pardon at t he pric e o f a

. . . .

’
,

e ngag e m e nt alr e ady mad e by t h e maid e n conside rabl e ransom Only too happy
addi ng at th e sam e tim e that Lilias w a s to obtain m e rcy I haste n e d to sa ti s f
.
,

,
,

fr e e to b e stow h e r hand W h e re s he would th e Ki n s de mands My co ff e rs emp

H e th e n spoke to t h e girl h e rs e lf I a ppej e d to my v ass al s and sold my
. .

'

'
:
.
,

Lilias r e fusal w a s kind but fi r m ; sh e plat e and fu rniture

’
My las t re sourc e s
I sti ll r equi r ed f o u r hundre d
.

love d H e rb e rt . e xhaust e d ,
i

Th e N orman l e ft t h e Castl e m a rage gold crowns Th e Abbot o f Saint Mary s ’

'

.
,

swe aring to hav e his r e v e ng e for what h e th e n o ffe red to l e nd t h e re quire d sum on
‘

call e d o u r in s o l e nce
'

mortgag e a n d it is h a rdly n ec e ssary t o

At first w e only laugh e d at his thr e ats add that I gladly acc e pt ed hi s kind offe r
.
,
»
.
,

but w e l e arn t by e xpe ri e nc e how s e rious Th e s co n di ti o n s o f t h e ; l oan w e re as

th e y we re Two days aft e r th e de p artur e fo l lows : A pre t e nd e d sal e o f my e s tat e s
.
-

o f t h e N orman t h e e ld e st son o f o n e o f wo ul d giv e him t h e r e nts for one y e ar

, .

my vassals cam e to t e ll m e that h e had I f o n the l ast day o f th e twe lft h month
m e t som e fou r mil e s fro mt h e Castl e t h e o f this y e ar I d o not r e pay him t h e four
, ,

stran ge r : w ho had lat e ly b ee n my gu e st hundre d gold cro w ns a ll my goods wi ll , ,

carrying in hi s arms my poo r t u n h a p py r e m ai n his Tha t is my positio n good .

,

chi l d T hi s news cause d us t e rribl e dis host added th e Kn i ght t h e da y o f '

tre ss I co uld hardly be l i e i e it but t h e r eckO

. .
, ,

n in approach s and my whol

.
. g e
”
e , ,

young m an gav e m e irr e futa bl e proofs of fortun e consists of te n pistol e s .

t h e calamity .
.
Do yo u thin k that th e Abbot o f Saint
‘
Sir Richard h e said to m e my M ary s will not give yo u tim e to fr ee
,
’

,
‘ ’

words a r e only too tr ue and it was thus yours e lf P ask e d Robin H ood
that I be cam e assure d that Mistres s I am unfortunate ly but to o sur e that
,

Lilias had been abducted I Wa s s e at ed h e will n ot give m e a n hour a minut e . . .

(
, . .

at th e side o f t h e roa d wh en a hors e m a n If h e be n o t r e im bu r se d to th e last crown , .

,
 ROB I N IH O O D 1 T H E O UTLAW 4 1

tho se I love is too gre at a tr i a l o f my f unrolle d the pi e ce o f cloth with th e oth e r ’

str e ngth I have a s ke d hel p from those

.

and s e t h i mse lf to m ea s ur e no t by e lls ’

’

~
.
,

w h o call ed th e ms e lves m y frie n ds in th e but e xactly by bo w l e ngth s

'

day o f prospe rity a nd have rece ive d a n MVVil l burst o u t laugh ing
‘

, a .

i cy r e fusal fro m s om e i n diffe r e nc e fro m ‘

t G o o n fri e nd Jo hn t g o o n ;
I h ave no fri e nds Robin Hood ;
, ,
.
. , '

o t hers c om e to a h e nd o f t h e whol e p i e c é
‘

an

I am alon e
.
, .
,

.
’
ta . thou go o n giving t hree yards for o ne .

As h e finish e d spe aki n g the Knight , W e ll don e ! .

1

hid his face in h i s ,t re mbling hands and , Hold thy tongu e thou prating fool , .

a convulsive s o b escape d hi m . D os t no t know that Robin would give

'

Sir s a i d Robin Hood your ev e n mor e an h e w e r e in o u r plac e ? 7

“ Th e n wi ll I add a f e w c r owns ” said

, ,

s t o r y , i s , a s a d o n e ; bu t yo u m us t n o t
y ,

d espai r o f ,God s oo dn ess ; H e watch e th

.
’
Wil liam
ov e r yo u a n d I
.

,
‘

h a v e o n a r e o n th e A f e w handfuls cousin ; w e t will , .

”
point o f obtaining he aven y; s ucco u r r e cov e r it from th e N orman s 1

W el l I have fi nish e d
. .

”
Alas ! s igh e d th e Knight “
could I)
I but obtai n a x d ela y I migh t be abl e
.
, ,

, Wh en Robin sa w th e ge n e rosity o f '

to pay o ff nth e de bt U nfortunat el y th e J ohn and Will h e sm iled and thanke d

'

o ril y se curity I ca n O
. .

, , -

ffer i s a v ow to th e th e m by a look
‘

Virgin ” “
Sir Knight s aid Will putting t h e
I will take ; that se curity re pli ed
.
, ,

gold into th e Knight s hand e ach 1 0 11

“ ’

, ,
”
Robin H ood ; “
and i i i th e r e ve r ed nam e , contains o ne h undred crowns .

o f th e Moth e r o f God o u r holy patron e ss “

But th e re a r e six rolls my young ‘

, , . ,

mistake n Sir Gu e s t f th e re a r e Yo u ar e ,

but four And a fte r all what matt e r i

‘

1 t
.
, ,

Put th e mon e y in your purs e and say no ,

”
mor e o n t ’

Wh e n shall I re pay it ? ask e d th e

.

sinc ri ty o f a grat e ful h e art loyally to

e “

re pay th e mon e y Knight ’

i

I ”wi ll count o n it Sir K night Littl e

.

O n e y e ar from this day f o r day an

John Robin adde d yo u kn ow wh e r e to tha t will suit you and I am sti ll o f this
, . , ,
'

“ -
, , ,
”
find o u r hord e s i nce yo u a r e tr easur e r world said Robin
, , .

”
o f t h e For e st ; go s ee k m e f our hu n dr e d Agre e d .

crowns As for you Will g o look i n f B e n ea t h t his tr ee ‘

I
. .
, ,

my wardrobe and see wh e th e r th e re be will att e nd punctually Robin Hood , ,

”
not a garm e nt worthy o f o u r gu e st th e r e r e pli e d th e Knight as h e wrung t h e .
,

I n truth Robin H ood your goo dn e ss young Chi e f s hand with e ff u siv e grati
, ,
’

is so great cri e d th e Knight . tude “

But e r e w e part l e t m e t e ll you ,

P eace p
. .

“
e ace ! ? int e rrupt e d
, Robin that all t h e prais e s lavish e d o n you cannot ,

l aughingly “
W e have j ust e nt e re d upo n equal thos e which fill my h e art ; you have
an agr e e me n t and I must honour yo u save d more than my life ; you have save d
.

as th e e nvoy o f t h e Holy V irgin Will my wife and childr e n ”

.
,
.

add to th e cloth e s some e lls o f fi n e cloth ; Robin Hood “

you ,

put n ew harn e ss o n t he gr e y hors e whi ch a r e a S a x o n and that nam e alone doth

‘
'

,
;

t h e Bishop o f H e re ford committ e d to o u r give you a claim upon my frie ndship ;

’

!
.

care ; an d w ill my fri e nd add to the se be side whi ch yOu have anoth e r inte re st
’

— I
, , , , ,

m d st gifts all that your inv e ntive mi n d fo m that o f

o e r e am what m e n
ca n t hink o f as n e c e ssary t o a Knight
”
call a robbe r a thi e f —so zbe i i t ! B u t
Littl e j ohn and Will hast e n e d to an I e xtort mon e y from t h e rich I take
.
.
,
. -

'

'
' .

nau ght from th e poor I de t e st viol e nc e ;

,
’

accomplish th e ir mission
Co u sin s a id j ohn thy h ands he and I sh e d no blood ; I lov e my country
. .

“ “
,
. .
, ,

nimbl e r t han min e

_

"
count t h e mon e y and th e N orman t ac a is odious to m e
' '

,
,

whilst I m ea sur e t h e cloth ; y bo w b e cause to us urpation th e y hav e add e d '

tyranny Nay n e ve r th a n k m e ; I hav e

.
_

"
~
.
.
,

do n e but : my duty ; yo u h a d vn a ug h t a n d
'

I gave t o yo u — tis only

.
,
’

"

Say W hat you will your conduct ,

towar d m e i s noble and g e n e rous ; you ,

 ROB I N H OO D i TH E CO U TLAW
an d M uch wer e a b en
s t i a ll hO f
“

u ur s
a o

punction o r re se rve i t r rr m i ti
.
“
a

May God h e ar you “ 2 M gr eat est i

' '
“
y
t

b e abl e to a ssist yOu

’
hop e i s that i i .

Sir Richard ung th e hai i d s mf Wil l '

and Littl e J ohn and b e str o de t h e B i s hop

,
company and t he e x tra r e s po n
'
a c ce pti hep
o f H er e fo r d s fl a p p l e g r e y i The Knight s s i bili ty involv e d th e r e by Conse qu e ntly
’ ’
.
z ,

o w n m o unt ,
l a d e n l wi t h Ro bi n i Ho od s
‘
Muc h o ffe re d his pro te ction to Mistr e ss
‘ '

t
’

'
'

pr e se nts w a s to foll ow its mast e r Barbara ; and s h e a cc e pt ed it So th e

As Robin H ood wat che d his te m O p
. .
,

t wo co up le s wand er e d amo ng t h e tr ees

gu e st disappe ar at a b e nd o f th e r Oa d h e rar y
and i nto t he most i myste r i o us 'and gloomy ’

sai d to hi s companion s W e hav e i mad e

“
re c e ss e s o f th e w o od s tal ki ng t he wh i l e
, ,

a man happy the 1 day hat h b een we ll o f no o n e knows what Th e y forgot to .

"
spe nt look at th e obj e cts th e y h a d com e to s e e
-

and t h e o l d gnarle d oaks t h e beec h es ‘

,

with th e ir grac e ful boughs th e se c ul ar ,

C HAPTE R V e lms
p ass e d b e for e th e ir e y e without
attracting th e l eas t at te ntion T h e n a s ,

A RI AN and Maude had b e en coinciden ce strange r e ve n than this i n ,

at B a r n s d a l e di ffe re n ce t o t h e be a u ti e s o f nature always ,

past and th e y could not r e t urn to th e ir l ed th e m t o remote paths a n d th e y n e ve r

,
'
,

o l d mod e o f life un t il th e ir h e al t h was m e t till th e y cam e to t h e gat e of t h e H ll

a
q uite r e e stablish e d : f o r it must not b e a s t h e stars b eg an t o pe e p o u t
, .

forgott e n that i th e young l w o m e n h ad Th e se w al ks r e pe at e d daily su ffi ci e ntly ‘

, ,

be com e moth e rs pl ai ne d to Robin th e abse nce o f his

But Robin Hood could not e n
’
.

dure th e
prolong e d abse nce o f his be lov e d com I t w a s t he e ven ing of a scorching d ay
'
'

panion and o n e day a n d a war m z e phyr fann e d t h e air whe n

'
’

, , ,

part o f h i s band h e , Marian a n d Ma u de l e an i ng o n t h e arms x

'

in B a r ns d a l e For e st o f Robi n an d W il l ia m ! s e t o u t from t h e

'
.
,

Hall to take a f l on g Wa lk m th e fr agrant ‘ a

la d es o f t h e F o re st ' Win ifr e d an d Bar i '

.
-

construc ted ha stily in i the n e ighbourh ood ara foll owe d i th e tw o young co upl e s '

o f t h e Hall f W
,

, a s infi nit e ly pre fe rabl e t o whil e ! Littl e John a n d ! hi s i ns e parable )

that i n t h e gr ea t For e st o f Sh e rwo od ; o r fr ien d Much sha dowe d th e tw o sist ers ,
.

at l east if it wanted c er t a i n things to

, i

com pl e t e th e we ll be ing o f th e troop th e ,

proximity o f B ar n s da l e Hall w a s a ve ry
 ROB I N H O OD ? TH E O U T L AW ,
=
43
Barbara ? Why look do w n Winifr ed ?
'

surpass B a r ns da lé 1n be aut y ; but if that ,

is so it must contain all t h e marve ls o f

,
'
Look at J ohn and Much n e ith e r o f t he m ‘

cre ation for h e re w e have th e most

, . is e mbarrass e d ; th e y know so we ll that
”
b e witching spots o u g e t l ost in t h e wood without m e an
y
You think B a r ns d a l e Wood
.

”
mg i t
.

Y e a , i f a i th l
nswe re d Much ; and
’
“
pr e tty th e n Barbara ? said Robin
, , , a
“

c ea li n a sm ile kn owing Mistre ss B arbara s fancy for ’

g r

I t is charming r e plie d th e girl ,

”
, qui e t and r e tir e d spots I took h er to t h e
:
,

vivaciously; “
th e r e a re s u ch f be autiful l ittl e vall e y wh ich s h e hath j ust
” ”
vi e ws i n i t . I am forc e d to be li e v e said Robin , ,
“
W hich part o f th e wo od particularly x that B arbara doth poss e ss a gr e at tal e nt
attr a cts your a tt en tion cou sin P ,
1 n ?
for ob s e rvation to have b e e n abl e t o take ’

J I cannot w e ll r e ply t o yo u r i qu e s ti o n in at o ne glanc e all th e charmi n g d e tai l s

'

‘
,

Robin ; but I tli i n k I pre fe r a valle y which s h e hath j ust d e pi ct e d B u t : t e ll

'

r
.
,

m e Barbara di d ! you not find in this

—
which I am c e rtain hath n ot i ts e q al 1 1
o l d Sh e rwood For e st
”
u 1 ,

oas s o f B a r n s da l e as you calt th e val e

'
,

discover e d by Much—som e thi ng still more

. 1

And wh er e 15 this vall ey? ”

'
1
1

Som e dist anc e fro m h e r e But yo u cha rmi n g ye t th an lth e tr ees with vari e d
' .
“
. .

”
can 1mag 1n e 1 n ot hi ng fr e sh e r more is till , , gre e n th e ve rdant
, fi d
n the murmuring ,

or more fragrant than that littl e Spot . str e am and t h e man y hu e d flowe rs -
.

Pictur e to yours e l f cous in a large la wn , , B arbara blushe d .

wi th sloping sid es r o n a the summit o f , I d o not know what you m ean c ousin , .

“
which all ki nds o f tree s 1 grow in pr o Oh in dee d ! M uch will u nde rstand
.
,

fu s ion Th e diffe r e nt v a n e t1e s o f l eave s

. : b e tte r than y o u I hop e
. C orn e n ow
‘
, . .
'

lit u p by th e sun shin e take on marve ll ous Much answe r frankly : Hath no t B a n
,

aspect s ; now yo u s ee be for e yo u a curtain bara forgo tt e n to te ll us o f som e charming

of e me ralds anon a v e il o f multitudinous
, e pi sod e conn e ct e d with your visit to this
colours unrolls itse lf ben ea th your ga z e . t e rr e str ial paradis e ?
The turf w h l c h cov e rs this d e ll i s i li ke a
1 1“
What e pisod e Robin ask e d the ,
.

larg e g re e n ca rpe t without a wrinkl e to y oung man with th e shadow of a smil e , .

”
br ea k i ts smooth surface Sca tt e r flowe rs My discr e e t fr 1e nd r e pli ed Robin
'
“
.
,

o f p u rpl e a n d gold an d all t h e colou r s o f ha v e you 1 n e ve r known t w o young .

t h e rainbow ov e r t h e d ec l i v i t i es be n e ath
. . pe opl e attract e d by o n e anoth e r go alon e
, ,

t h e tre es i magin e a sl e nd e r thre ad o f

,
‘

to this d e li cious r e tr eat t he m e mory o f ,

wat e r rippli ng through th e s ha dy r a v i ne whi ch is e ngrave d on Barbara s h e art ?

' ’

and yo u will ha ve be fore you the oasis o f . Much blush e d painfully .

”
B a r n s d a l e For e st An d th e n conti nu ed , W e ll continu e d Robin two young
, ,

th e i rl “
t h e stil lne ss is s o gr e at i n this p eo pl e inti mate acquaintance s o f min e
'

g , , ,

d el i mo us spot th e ai r o n e bre at h es so visit e d your t e rre strial paradis e a f e w

pure that t h e h e art s w e lls wit h jo y —ih
,

,
.
'
days ago Arriv e d o n th e flowe ring
.

ve ry tr ut h I have n e ve r in a ll my life banks o f th e littl e str e am th e y se at e d ,

th e mse lv es side by side At first th e y

adm ire d th e landscape liste n e d to t h e
.
,

“ ‘
Y éa ,dde d Win ifr ed onl y w e “

always lose e ach othe r—n o I m ean to

.
.
a .

say ver y o ft e n—a t l east s o me ti m e s

,

I .

m ean to s a y that Li tt l e John lose s th e The n m a v o i ce which to th e gi rl sounded ,

way and th e n w e g e t se parat e d w e se e k swe e t e r than th e so ng o f birds more

, , ,

for each I do no t k now how m e lodious than t h e murmur o f t h e br ee z e ,

the
y oun man sai d to h e r Th e r e 15 no ,

on e i n a l th e world I love s o much as

44 ROB I N H OOD x TH E O UTLAW J

”
“
I b eg thy par don Will re pli e d th e
’

d o yo u k now wh e th e r t he maid en gr nte d

a , ,

h e r lo ve r s f e rve nt pray e r
’
giant tranquilly
, I lov e with all my .

“
Mak e no r e ply to such a ve ry indis h e art and hav e long don e so a be autiful
, ,
”
c r ee t qu e stion ; Barbara I cri e d Marian . and charming maid .

”
Spe ak f o r Barbara M uch said Robin , , . Ha ! ha l cri e d W ill ’
“
Littl e J ohn .

” ’
“
Yo u ask us such strang e qu es tions , in love ; h e r e s some thin g n e w !
r e pli e d t h e young man s trongly inclin e d , And why should n o t Littl e J ohn
”
to b e li ev e that Robin had ove rh e ard his b e in love ? aske d th e youth good ,

t ét a Zz t ét a with Barbar a
- -
“
that it is i m , h u m o u r e d ly I w ee n th e re is naught
.

” ”
po ssibl e to gath e r what th e y m e an . e xtraordinar
y m that .

”
1 faith Much said William me “
N aught a t all my good fri e nd I
'
’

, .
, , , .

s ee m e th Robin spe aks truth and j u d gi ng , , lik e to s e e all th e world ha ppy and love ,

by your aba s h e d looks and th e brilliant is happin es s ; but by St Paul ! I should , .

”
colour which 0 er s pr ea d s my sist er s face ’ ’

, ve ry much li ke to s ee th la dy love .

you a r e th e love rs o f th e val e U pon . My lady love 1 ex ed th e oth e r .

my word Barbara if th e y call m e Will

, ,
“
But w h o could tha t be save thin e
S carl e tt be cause o f my ruddy l ocks th e y , o w n sist e r Winifr e d Cousin Will Th ,
’
might e e n call th ee B ar bara Scarl e tt for , siste r wh o m I ha ve love d from chil
,

thy fac e 1s we ll nigh p u rple I s t no t s o hood as o u love Maude o r M uch love s

y
.
, ,
’
M aude Bar bara .

Mast e r Wil l i am said Barba ra w ith , , A g e n e ral s hout o f l aught e r gr ee te d.

a n air o f displ e asur e

“
if thou wert within J ohn s franknes s a n d W mif r ed ove r
’
'
'

, .

, ,

r e ach of min e hand I would h ave much

.
, - whe lm e d with cong r atula ti ons thr e w a ,

pl e asur e 1n pull in g o u t a handful of thi n e look o f t e nd e r re proach at th e youn g “

”
ugly locks . gi ant .

Thou mighte st wel l b e have s o, a n “

Ah ha 1 Robi n r e sume d
.
,

thos e sam e locks gr ew on any h e ad save soon e r or lat e r truth will o u t I hi t t h e

’

min e said W illiam throwing a look at

”
mark in fixing upon t h e e as th e h e ro o f
' ' ’

, ,

M uch ; b ii t thy broth e r s h e ad is u n ’

th e littl e s c e n e e nact e d in B ar n s d a l e '

”
assailabl e It hat h its o w n particular Wood
tyrant—e h Maud e ?
. .

, Y o u witn e ss e d it t h e n i’
ask e d Much , .

“
Yea Will ; but I n e v e r pull yo u r hai r N a ; but I gu e s s ed it o r ra th e r I
'

, , , ,

r e ca ll min e o w n i mpr e ss i ons Th e .

"
That will com e littl e wife , . sam e t hing happe n e d to m e a y ear agon e
”
N e ve r said Maud e with a la u gh
, , . M a rian had e ntice d m e
Th e n Much thou wil t n o t t e ll m e
, , What I e ntic e d yo u ?
, cri e d t he
what answe r th e maide n gave th ee o wif “
I wo ul d h av e you te

m a nge r tha t it was y o u Robin and had

y e . .

“
I f yo u should e er m ee t that maid e n ’

”
y o u can ask h e r yo urs e lf Robin
“
I will not fail And y o u Littl e J oh n
do you know a n y y outh who love s a
'
t é t a cz t e t e wi th a charming lady
, , ,
, . I for e see n the n h ow yo u would tr eat m e
.
, , afte r o ur ma r
“
W hat wou11 1 you have don e in that
cas e ? inte rru pte d Barbara .

N ay Robin but if yo u wi sh to know

, , I shou l d h ave marr ie d all th e soon e r ,
”
th e se love rs I will strive to disc over th e m
, de ar Barbara re plie d th e yo u ng wife , ,

s mi l ing at he r husba n d
T h er e I h o pe tha t 15 an a n s w ei w
.

, hich '

will e ncourage th e co nfi d e nce o f which

you ha Ve a l re ady give n s ecr e t proof saucy ,

ar e not unknown to thee and I d ar e , - Barbara Com e mak e a cl e an br e ast o f

.
,

wag e r what thou wilt th at th e yo u n g man it ; w e a r e a ll o n e fami l y T e ll us that .

in qu e stion might be call e d my cousin u lov e M u g h , and Much on his part

, yo
whil e t h e maid e n is a swe e t l dy o f this wi ll avow t h e sam e ’

a M uch Wi th
.

”
n e ighbourhood . Y ea I will avow
, ,
1

“
Art wrong Will answe r e d J ohn ; ,
1 ,
de e p e motion I w ill cry al o u d I love
.
,
‘

it is naught to do with m e .
’
Ba r bara G a m w e ll with all my str e ngth .
’

” ’
C e rt e s I am o n t h e wrong track
, I w i ll say to all who will list e n Barbara 5 ,
‘

it could
,

r e turn e d W i l l w i th a smile , .
“
e ye s a r e t h e l i ght o f my d y h er swe e t
'

a s ,

not have be e n thou fo r thou hast n ev e r ,

thri lling voice e c ho es i n m i n e e ar s lik e i

b e en i n Iowa .
1 4=
th e h a r me ni o u s not e s o f singing birds ;
 THE O U T L A W
'
' ‘

RO B I N
' '

45

I p r e fe r th e company o f my d e ar Bar b a ra a t r ué h e art , and thou W i lt be a ha py p

0
"
’

J
to th e pl e asure s o f th e fe ast and th e husband Barbara , m y love , Much i s a .

e lation o f t h e danc e b e n e ath t h e g r ee n good man , a brav e Saxon , tr 1i e as st e e l .

l e aves o f spring I would rath e r a t e nd e r H e will n e ve r disappoint thy te nde r hop e s

look from h e r e y e s a smil e from ,
he will lov e th e e for e v e r .

o r t h e pr e ssur e o f he r littl e hand F o r e v e r and e v e r cri e d

’

, ,

t h e rich e s o f t h e world I am ér i ti r e l y . taking th e hands o f his b e troth e d

d evot e d to Barbara and soon e r than do Embrac e thy futur e wife fri e nd
‘

, ,

anything to annoy h e r I would e e n ask ,

’
Much s aid Will , .

t he Sh e ri ff o f N ottingham to s e nd m e to
‘
Th e young ma n ob e ye d a nd d e spit e
'

, ,

t h e gal lows Yea good fri e nds I lov e

.
’
, , Mistress G a m w e l l s p r e t e nde d r e sistanc e ’

t h e d e ar m a d and I call d own all th e e touch e d h e r crimson ch ee ks with his

holy bl e ssings o f H e av e n upon he r fair
,

fip s .

h ead I f s h e will g ive me t h e happin e ss

. Th e Knigh t gave his cons e nt to
” th e
o f prot e c ting h e r w 1th my nam e and life marriage of his daught e rs and th e dat e
'

, ,

s h e shall be happy a nd v e ry v e ry t end e rly , o f t he doubl e w e dding was fix e d forth

be love d with
N e xt morning Rob in Hood L itt l e John
. .

H u r r ah l cri e d Will throwing his

'

“
, , , ,

c a p int o t h e air
'

tis righ t Well sp ok en ,

’
. and Will Scarle tt we re gath e re d with about ,

Dry your e yes li t l e s ist e r and I g ive a hundr e d o f th e ir M e rri e Me n b e n ea t li

u p e rmission t o pr es en t your pink—
.
, , ,

nay th eo l d tr ee s o f B a r n s d a l e Fore st W hen a

'

scarle t—ch e e ks to this brav e woo e r I f

y o , ,

. young m an who appe are d to have com e

from a distance pr e s e nt e d hi mse lf b e for e
, ,

inst e ad of beéi ng a 1115 lad I w e r e bu t a

'

h a d h ear d such
.
,

fe e bl e maide n and , Robin

swee t thin 3 said I sh o uld have al r e ady , N obl e master sai d h e I b r i ri g you
“
, ,

y and and h e art to my love r . go od tidings ”

.

’
you not ha ve don e th e sam e , Ve ry good '

G eorg e re pli e d th e
, ,

Maude Yo u know yoi 1 Wo ul d : young man “

L e t us h e ar th e m quickly
. .

“
Nay Will mod e sty
, , W hat 1s it all about ?
W e a r e a family party th e re is no , I t is about a visit o f t he Bishop of
n ee d to blu sh at so natural an action I .
'

H e re ford His Lordship accompani e d

.
,

am assur e d Maud e that you a r e o f min e

, , by a scor e o f h is s e rvants will t r ave rs e ,

o w n o inio n I f I wer e Much and yo u B a r n s d al e Wood this ver y day

We r e ga r b a r a o n wo uld be a l r e a d y inn
. .

Bravo ! This 13 i nd e e d o o d tidings

Dost kno w at wh a t hour my Lord Bishop
,

min e a r m s a n I should e mbrace you

.

"

with all my h e art will g i v e us th e honour of his company ?

I am o n William s sid e said Robin ’

, , Abo ut two o clock Captain ’

, .
’

smiling a littl e maliciou s ly Barbara

‘
“
.

must giv e u s a proof of h er a ffe ction fo r

Much . 1

Thus calle d o n th e maide n advance d ,

l ove whic h
ful to him for it f l n r etu r n I w

that that .

“
That yo u love h im as much as h e
lov e s the e a dde d Will quickly
”
,
“
Y o ur .

sp ee ch is slow t e day: littl e sist e r

,

I - ~

assure yo u it t ook th e mu cli less tim e

to m a ke M a u d e und er stand that I love d
’

h e r with my Wh ol e h ea rt did it not

1
,
” ”
Mau d e ? e h
46 R OB I N J H OO D TH E h
O U TLAW
from our labours and to amuse ours elves
a littl e with which i d ea w e kill e d the two
,

fi ne roe s you s e e be for e you .

Of a truth ye W i s he d t o amuse your, .

se lves ! This is bu t an artl e ss answe r .

Co m e s a y w ho gave you pe rmis s on t o

,

hunt t he Kin g s game ?

,
i’

N o one .
’

v e n i son .

Towards two o cl ock a s Geo rge ha d

’

, wor d s Pr e par e
. .

announce d th e Bi sho of H e r e ford and fro m wh e nce ye

his suit e appea re d at tthe end o f the road
,
”
th a ll o ws
e he gal lows ! cri e d
.
, 1
in th e mi d dl e o f W hich s at Robin and h i s
men disguis e d as sheph e rd s a i r o f d e sp ir
a
Y ea my l a , to the al lo ws
.

Th e pre y ap proach e s ”s aid Robin, d

I hav e n o W ish to be ha ng e d gr oan ed
, , .

with a laug h Co m e m erryt fri e nds,

.
, ,

bast e th e m eat ; h e re i s o u r Robi n Hoo d, i n d olef ul a ccen t s

Th e B ishop ac com pa n i ed by hi s sui te
.

O f that I am ve ry s ur e but i t
moved qui ckly and th e noble c o mpany
, , ,

, l ittl e ; tho u a n d th companions de ser ve

soon cam e up with th e sh e ph e rd s : th e noose Come ool s pr e par e to fol low
.
, ,

At sight o f th e giganti c sp i t tur ni ng m e ; I hav e no ti me to wast e ”

Pardon my Lord a thousand par dons

.

slowly above th e fi r e th e P r elat e gav e

W
.
, , ,

v e nt to an outburst o f viol e nt ang e r e hav e sinn e d i n ignoranc e ; b e m e rcif ul

Howi e th i s rogu e s ? what m eans

.

, . to p oor wr e tch e s w ho a r e mor e d e s e rving

Robin H oo d r aised his e yes t o th e . o f p i ty th an o f bla r ne
. .

Bishop a nd l o oke d a t him s t olidly but

, , Poor wr e t ch e s who ea t such good
mad e no r e ply . roast m eat ar e n o t to be piti e d Ah my .
,
“
Do ye not h ear m e V i lla i ns ? r e pe at e d fi n e fe llows you fe e d your s e lves on th e
Kin g s v e nison ; it i s we ll—ve ry we ll !
‘

, ,

th e Bisho I ask for W hom do ye

’
“
p .

pr e par e this nobl e feast ? Tog e th er will w e g o into th e pre se nce

F o r who m?
.

“ ”
r e pea t e d Bobin with o f His Maj e s t y a nd w e shal l s ee if h e
will grant you the pardon Which I r ef u s e
, ,
”
.
48 ° RO B I N H O OD TH E O UTLAW ‘

th e case Give me anoth e r b um pe r aa n i t

.
,

ple ase yo u ; me se e m
.

e th th e r e is a fi r e i n
my ve in s Ah I mi ne h o st d o 1 u kno w
'

y p ,
.

o u l e ad a v ry hap py life he re
e I
y
That 13 Wh y we a r e call ed t e M errieing only
'

Me n of th e F or e st h .
“
Saint M ary s Abbey at onc e ’ ‘
7 ,

“
That is ri ght that is right N o w H e 13 fai n to s e t forth said j oh n
Sir—I d o no t rig htly Im ow your nam e
.
, , , .

Orde r his h pr s e to be brought up ,

allow m e to bid yo u fare we ll ; I must adde d Robin .

co ntinu e my j ourn e y ’
At a sign from oh n on e o f th e M e rr1a
.

Naught could be mor e r e asonabl e my M e n brought up e horse r e ady sa d dl e d J

,

Lord : I pray oil pay your r e ckoning a nd with its h ead garlan de d with flowe rs
, , .

”
a n d p r e pa r e to
f rink t he stirrup cup Th e Bishop w as ho i ste d half asl e e p
-
.

Pay my re ckoning ! gr umbl e d th e in to h i s s a ddle a nd ti e d o n to pr e v e nt ,

'

Bishop Am I t he n i n an inn ? I be li e ved a fall , which might prov e s e rious ; th e n

. , ,

mys e lf to be i n Sh e r wood Fore st »

followe d by his littl e company e nlive n e d .
,
“J
My Lord ; yo u ar e in a n inn ; I a m by th e Win e and good ch ee r h e took th e
'
,

mast e r of th e ho us e a nd the se m e n around road to St Mary s

, . .

us a r e my drawe rs ”
. A ban d o f th e M e rri e Men mingl ing 1n ‘
,

How sa yo u a ll th ese men a r e your a fr i en dly way wit h th e Pre lat e s e scor t
’

, ,

drawers ? a t th e re a r e a t le ast o ne accompani ed the Cava l ca de to t he gat e s

'
:

hundre d a nd fi fty o r tw o h un dr ed o f th e Abbe y . .

Yea my L o
, r d w n ot counting I t nee d s ca rce be ad d e d that aft e r ring
abse ntees Yo u m us t s e e th e n t h at
.
- l ing t h e port e r 3 he ll the F o r est e r s hast e d
, ,
’ ’

such a followin g I a m bound to mak away as f as t s th e ir ho r ses co u ld carry

gu e sts pay a s h eavily as may be th em a . .

Give m e my account said he ”

but W e wi ll no t att e mpt to d e pict th e sur
, ,
”
tr eat m e in a f n endl y spi r it prise and horror of t h e r e ver e nd broth e rs
.

As a great Lord Sir Gu e st a s a gr eat wh e n t h e Bishop o f H e re ford appeare d

, ,

Lord r epli e d Robin gaily

, Littl e be fore th e m wi th a r e d fac e stagg e rin g
, .
,

J ohn i h e call ed Th e l at te r ran up gait an d disord e re d garm e nts

. .
, .

Make o u t th e charge s fo r my L or d th e On th e morrow o f this fatal day the

Bishop o f H e r e ford Bishop was mad w i th s h a m e rag e and
.
’
, ,

Th e Pr e lat e l oo k e d at John a n d began humiliation H e pa ss e d long hours i n

, .

to la u g h praye r asking God to pardon his faults , ,

W e ll inde e d little little ! th e y call and imploring the Divin e pr ot e cti on

, ,

you littl e and you might be a young against that rogu e and villai n Robi n
,

tr e e ! C om e ge n tl e treasure r give m e Hood

, , .

At th e r e qu e st o f th e outrag e d Pre late

t h e Prior o f St Mary s arm e d fi fty m en
'

and place d th e m at th e disposal o f his

.

gu e st Th e n his bl ood boiling with r ag e .

, ,

t h e Bishop l ed his littl e army i n pursuit

of t h e famous outlaw .

That very day Robin d e siring to s ee ,

trouble o f fo r hi ms el f h o w Sir Richard of t h e Plain

was far ing we nt alon e along a fore st
1

,
"

Th e troubl e of counting Think you path l eading to t h e main roa d Th e sound .

valise and o f an approaching caval cade attract e d his

att e ntion h e haste n ed his st e ps in th e ,

dir ection of t h e s ound and fo u nd hims e lf ,

face t o face with t h e Bishop o f H er e ford .

 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W ,
49
I f your e n e mi e s discov e r o u r r e treat “

th e y wi ll kill you said t he o d woman ,

’’
.

passag e and dart e d with th e swiftn e ss

,
B e not un e asy g o od mo the r Th ey , .

o f a d e e r towards a littl e house s tanding shall n o t accompl i sh th e ir e will

about a quart e r o f a mile away V! inve nt a plan for savi ng ours e lve s from .
1

; Th e Bishop 3 m en sta r te d 1n pur s uit of

’

t h e young man but be i n g l fo r ce d t o mak e

“
, What plan my son ? Sp eak ; I am
, ,
'

a d é to u r th e y could n o t r e ach as soo n rea dy to o be y you

'

.
,

as h e did th e hous e in which h e s ough t ‘

Will yo u e xchang e your garm ents for

sh e lt e r . min e
Robin Hood fo und th e door o f th e Exchange o u r gar m e n t s ! cri e d t h e
house open and e nt e ri ng h e barricad e d o l d dam e
,
“
I fe ar my son that would, .
, ,

th e windows without paying any h e e d be but a use l e ss trick

, How could yo u . .

to t h e cri e s o f t h e o l d woman Wi th il n transform a wom an o f my a g e int o a gay

'

se at e d at h e r spinnin g wh ee l young ge ntle man ? -

. .

Have no fear good moth e r said “

I will disguis e yo u so we ll good
, , .
,

Robin whe n h e had fini s h e d closing th e mot he r re pli e d R obin , that it wi ll b e

, ;
” “
,

d o ors and w i ndo w s ; I am no thi e f but quit e possibl e to d e c e ive the soldi e rs to , ,

a poor unfortunat e ma n to whom yo u can whom my fac e i s probably unknown , .

Y o u m u s t f e i n to be drunk and m y
W
’
re nde r a s e r v ice
hat 13 your nam e ? Lord of H e r e g
'

. n .
,

What s e rvice ? o rd will b e so anxious t o

d e mande d th e o l d dam e in ver y un e asy s e ize my pe rson that he will look on ly ,

”
at your dre ss . 1

I am a n outlaw good moth e r ; I am Th e transformation was qui ckly effe ct e d

, .

Robin Hood Th e Bishop o f H e r e ford Robin put o n t h e o l d woman s gr e y

'
’
'
. .

”
pursu e s m e to tak e my life gown ; the n h e h e lpe d h e r to dr e ss h er
’

Eh what ? Yo u a r e Robin Ho od ? s e lf in his hos e tunic and buskins

.
.

“ n .
, , ,

said t h e pe asant dame ; clasping her hands This don e Ro bin hid t h e pe asant s gr e y .
.
,
’ '

th e nobl e and g e n e rous R obin H ood ! hair und e r his e l egant cap and attach e d ,

G o d be prais e d for e nabling a : poor his w e apons to h er be lt ( 1

.

cr e ature lik e myse lf t o pa y h e r de bt o f Th e doubl e disgu is e w as j us t compl e t e d

gratitu de to th e charitabl e outlaw ! Look wh e n t h e soldi e rs arrive d at t h e door of .

at m e my son and se arch t h e me mory o f th e cottag e

, , .

your good d ee ds f or th e feature s o f h e r First th e y kn o ck e d re pe at e dly ; th e n a .

w h o s peaks wit h you : now I t i s tw o soldi e r propose d that h e should mak e his . .

y ears a gon e An un grat e ful woman woul d hors e kick in th e door

. .

say you c am e in h e re by ch anc e ; I say Th e Pr e lat e r e ce ive d th e propo s ition .

y o u w e r e se nt by D i vin e Provid e n ce favourably wh e r eupo n t h e hors e man , .

,
'

You found m e qu 1te al on e I had j ust l ost turning his horse round back e d it agains t
_ .
,

my husban d ; th e r e was na u ght l e ft f o r th e door at t he sam e time pricking it u p ,

me but d e at h Your s w ee t and consoling with his lance This produce d an e ff e ct

‘

. .

words gav e m e back cour ag e stre ngth contra r y to that e xp e ct ed by t h e soldi e r , , ,

and ; h ealth Th e n e xt day a ma n s e nt for t h e a n i m a l r e ar e d and thr e w his rid e r

.
, .

by your orde rs brought m e fo od clothing to t h e ground

, , , .

a nd m o n e I ask e d him t h e nam e o f This accid e nt t o the poor soldi e r w h o

, y . , .
,

my g e ne rous b e n e factor a nd h e answe r e d shot through th e ai r with t h e rapidit o f

,
“
-

me H e 1s call e d Robin H ood Sinc e a n a r r o w had a disastrous e ffe ct 1 h e ’

‘ ' ' ' '
.
, .
,

that day my son I hav e alway re me m Bishop w ho had com e up t o s e e t h e door

, , ,

be r e d u i n my pray e rs My h o u s e va n d fall: i n and to pr e ve nt Robin H ood from .

my l i e a r e yours ; d o as yo u wi ll with e scaping w as struck viol e ntly i n zth e face ,

’
by t h e soldi e r s spurs .

I thank you good moth e r re Th e pain cau se d by this blow so

, ,

pli e d Robin Hood cordially pre ssing th e e xasp e rat e d th e o l d man i that without
, ,

thinking o f t he unj ust cru e lty o f his rag e ,

h e rais e d t h e mac e which h e ' ca r r i ed m

‘

his hand as a toke n o f his rank and ,

'

unm e rci fully be at th e unlucky wr e tch ,

who lay half de ad unde r t h e h oofs o f

th e plunging hor se .
 R O B I N TH O O D TH E O U T L AW
“

t o u eh he r ,
'

Close you n r a n k s ! cr i et he Bishop

“
t h ee ? Dost
i ii a ton e o f comm n d ;
x .
,
" clo se your
a
»

ranks ! ”4 1 7 z 1
‘

Th e soldi e rs p r e s s e d in co nf u s i o n aroun d as thou dost s uppo se this wo m an is a

th e co t e . Witch s h e could a rre st t he fli g h t o f thin e ,
(

iW
Th e i s h o p dismount e d bu t a s h e
t ouch e d t h e g r ou nd h e s t umble d ov e r th e 3 By m f i t h l t h Muc l h had
"
, y y a 11 0 o ,

body o f t h e soldi e r wh e re it lay we lt e r k e pt his att e ntion x e d o n t he s trang e

i n u b l oo d and fe l l h ead fore most
,

sh a r e L i ttle John s Opinion

’
i ri g ,
t .

'
i Thi s d o th s e em a lve r e x t r aordinary o l d
th r o u g h i th e O pe n d oo r w a
'

y
1

Th e con fu s io n caus ed y thi s lu dicr ous dam e ;v h er figure 19 g i tic and more 5 -

lik e a wo man
, ,
’
accid e nt s erve d Robin H ood 3 turn a d ov e r s h e doth not w a
.
'
, ,

s h e cov e rs t he ground wi th prodigi o us

str ide s V e rily s h e a ffr i g ht e t h m e ; a nd if
"

il ff W r ove
.

w l s r Will ill p ’

y o u u e i t w e e o n .

th a t pow e r o f tiie sorc e ry s h e s ee ms s o

, ,
'

richl y e ndo w e d withal .

Act not so rashl y M uch , ,

W i ll The ga rments this poor “

we ars claim o u r r e s pe ct ; and fo r m e y o u ,

know I coul d not hurt a woman B e sid e .

,

w h o knows wh e th e r this strange cr eatur e

be ve ril y a Wi tch ? On e must n o t j udg e
i n dicate d by th e ir l e ader s furious ou tcry ’

and in d e fa u lt o f a g a g th e y m u fll e d up
'

t h e o l d woman s z f a c e m a t large hand

’

ke r c h 1e f
. w h 1c h ha ppe n e d t o b e han d y i n .

Bold to rashn ess Robin H ood in a

tr e m bl m g 1v o 1 ce implore d m e rcy for th e
,

pri son e r but th e Bi shop thrust him

'

asid e and l e ft th e cottag e aft e r e nj oyi ng ,

t h e i nt en se sati sfa cti on of v se e i n g his

e nem y bo un d hand and foot o n th e : b ack

o f a hors e .

Si ck a n d ha lf blinde d th e wo un d
’
.

whi ch ha d gas he d hi s fac e is Lordshi p ,

re mou n t e d a nd o r de re d hi s m e n to f ollow ? Th e r thr e ei r he n u tte r ed t a cry o f surprise

'

I a mRobin H oo d add e d th e pe rson

. .

”
him to t e T rysting Tr ee o t e outlaws
h f h 1 “ .
,

W h o h a d puz z le d t h e Fore ste rs so sore ly ,

and Whil e de claring his n ame Ro bin tor e ,

o ff t h e he ad dr e ss whi c h cov e r e d his h e ad

p e a r e d into th e de p ths o f t h e w ood t h an -

,
'

Robin H ood le ft : t he co tt a g ei and ran “

Why d i d you assum e such an . . un
t o w ar d s t h e Trys ting Tre e
i aw becoming disgu i se ? b as k e d Mu ch
.
’
1
 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TL AVVr
'

5 !

ar m e n ts . M eanwhil e Will and Littl e if th e ord e r to attack the bandi ts w as

f
,

ohn will ass emble a l l th e m e n who a r e e asy e nough to giv e it was mor e diffic ult ,

i n t h e For e st round about t h e Try s ti ng to carry out fo r th e y did n o t s tir

Tr e e Hast e n my lads ; I promise y o u
.
,

.
, At a signal from Robin the F ore st e rs ,

comp e nsatio n for a l l t h e t roubl e ca u se d ad j ust e d th e ir arrows lifting th e ir bows ,

”
us by my Lo rd Bi s hop o f H e r e ford . w ith admirabl e uniformity ; and th e ir r e
Littl e J ohn and W ill dash e d o ff into putation for s kill was so wid e ly know n
t h e For e st in di ff e re nt dir e ctions whil e and so re no w n e d that t h e Bishop s s o l ’

Much we nt in se arch o f th e gar me nts di e rs unabl e to rem ain inactiv e st o ope d

, ,

re quire d by Robin . i n th e ir saddl e s as o n e man .

An hour late r , Robin arraye d in an Down with your arms ! cri e d Robin
Ho od U nbind t h e Drisoner
, ,

e l e gant hunti ng su i t arriv e

.

at t h e T yst
d
“ ’

r Th e soldi e r s o b ey ed th e young man s

m
, . .

i
n g Tr ee
'
.

[ h brought i xt i a d W il l h d ord ers

m
o n s e r n
y a , , .

co Il ecte d forty . My good oth e r ”isa i d Robin l eading , ,

Robin dispe rs e d h i s m e n a m ong the th e o l d woman b e yond t h e glad e “

go
hom e now and to m o r r ow I wil l s e nd
,

thicke ts wh ich form e d an impe n e trabl e ,

w

background to th e cl e aring a n d s e ate d y o u a r e ward for y o ur kin d action Go

quick I have n o tim e to thank yo u now
.
, .

hims e l f at t h e foot o f th e gr e at tr e e .
,
”
de sign e d by his Lo r dship to se ry a as a but forg e t not that my g r a t 1tu d e 1s gr e at .

gallows Th e o l d dam e kiss e d Robin Hood s

’
.
,

Scarce were th e se arrang e m e nts com han ds and we nt h e r way acco mpani ed by
p
, ,

l e t e d e,r e th e groun d e choe d with t h e

‘ a g uide .

sound o f th e a ppr o a ch in cav al cade

and th e Bishop arrive d fogo
,

w ed by hi s ,

a horn rang
o f t h e young

s id e e m e rg e d
A cold shudd e r ran through th e Bishop
at sight o f th e Fore st e rs formidabl e a p ’

p ea r a n ce T h e latt e r rang e d th e ms e lv es
.

i n battl e array at a si n from th e ir Chi e f

g ,
w h o ha d n o t ye t be e n pe rcei v e d by th e
Pre lat e h e thre w a glance o f dismay
around him an d di scov e re d a young man
I cannot we ll sa y that I a m pl ease d
,

clad in a scarle t t unic with words o f , ,

com mand o n his lips dir e cti ng the ban d r e pli e d th e Bishop
'

for indee d t h e
plight in whi ch I find mys e lf r e nde r s
, , , ,
‘

o f outlaws .

t h a t impossibl e. You ca n re adi ly g ue ss

my inte ntion in go ming h e r e a nd your ‘
,

conscie nce will acquit yo u if you aven g e

'

s tr iki ng a n
‘

y o ur s el f o n m e,
f or you w i l l be _ x
s ay i i s much
en mn
e h "
.

Le t m e g o free a nd n e ve r under any ‘

circumsta n ce s what ev er will I seek to

, ,

, .

old Woman .

Woe b e to
'

t hee ,
'

mal ign an t ha g l
cr i e d th e i nfuriat e d Bishop “
w oe , to

; D oubtl e ss th e bra v e lads thought that

 W
“

51 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U TDA

s entim e nt h at e of e xp e ns e s Your m e n a r e hungry thie y

my L o r d I would
.

ask for food Yo ur hors es a r e satisfi e d

me
.
,

de ath which you alr ead y ; nor must w e b e th e s u fi e r e r s by

'

But it i s not s o I b e ar you n o il l will

, .

your abst emiousn e ss and rece ive naught

and I take no v e ng e ance o n thos e W h o
.
, , ,
'

be caus e it doth not pl eas e yo u to acc e pt

hav e not succ e e d e d i n har ming me W e de mand l arg ess for th e
'

o f anything
Th e r e fore I will s e t yo u fr e e but o n o n e
. .

, se rvants who h ave had t he troubl e o f

condition only . e n e rtaining man and b e ast
t .

”
Sp e ak Sir said th e B i shop , gra
“
, , Tak e what you W ill answe r e d th e ,

ci o u s l y Bishop impati e ntly and l e t m e go ’

.
, ,

You must promis e to r e s p e ct

‘

I s t h e mon e y still in th e sam e plac e i

ind e p e nd e nc e and t h e libe rty o f my m e n ; ask e d Littl e J ohn i
”
you must sw e ar that at no futur e p e riod “
I t is h e re re pli e d th e Bishop show
, ,

and und e r no circumstanc e s what e ve r i n g a littl e l e ath e rn bag attach e d to his

will you l e nd a hand to any att e mpt upon saddl e bow .

”
my life I t fe e ls h e avi e r than at yo ur last
I hav”e Willing ] promis ed to do yo u
.

visit my L ord ”

n o har m r e pli e d t h I should we ll think s o r esponde d th e

.
,

e Bishop sua v e ly
‘

, , .
,
“
A promis e i s not binding o n an u n Bishop making a d es pe rate e ff ort to appe ar
scrupulo us consci e nce my Lord I m ust
,

, . cool and calm it conta in s a much larg e r

have an oat h sum
’
.

sh all watch me take it away my

.

“
I s w ear b y St Paul to l e t yo u live
'
You
Lor d ; and ma y I ask how much th e r e I S
.
,

as you pl eas e .

“
V e ry g od my L o r d ; yo u a r e fr e e
o in this el e gant saddl e bag ? l '

I thank 011 a thousand ti m

.
,
“
es Robin Fiv e h u n d r e d pi e ce s o f gold : e
,

Hood Wilyl you b e s o good as to gi ve

. Admirabl e ! W h at g e n e ros i ty to com e
an ord e r to my m e n to ass e mbl e; th e y h e re with such a tr e asur e l said th e
"
have disp e rs e d and a r e frater nisi ng with
, you ng m a n ironically ,
.

”
your companions “
This tre asure stamm e r e d th e Bishop ’’

I will do as you W ish my Lord ; in a

.
,

, shall w e not divid e it ? Yo u dar e not

fe w minut e s t h e m en W ill b e i n th e saddl e . utte r ly d espoil m F r o b m e o f so larg e a
I n th e m ean tim e will you acc e pt som e sum P
slight r efr e shm e nt R o b yo u ! re pe at e d Littl e John dis
N ay nay ! I wish for naught t h e
,

, , d a i n f u ll y “
What d o yo u m ean by such
.

Bishop answ e re d hastily t e rrifi e d at t h e , a word ? Do you not compr e h e nd t h e

m e r e m e ntion o f t h e word . di ffe re nce b e twe e n robbing and taking
You have b ee n long fa sting my L ord , ,
from a man W hat is not his Y o u hav e
and a s lice o f pasty obtain e d this mon e y o n fals e pr e t e nc e s ;
N ot a m ors e l good host—n o t amou th
.

,
ou took it from thos e w ho n ee de d it and ,

fu l e ve n shall re tur n it t o the m Thus you s e e

’

my Lord I do not r o b y o u
.
.
,

A cu po f goo d win e th en ? , ,
.

N ay nay a hun d r e d ti the s na y l

, , W e call o u r W a y th e woodlan d philo
”
Yo u wi ll n e ith e r e a t n o r drink wi th so ph y s a id Robi n with a laugh
'

.
, ,

Th e l eg a li ty o f such philosop hy is ‘

do ubtful gre tu rned th e Bis h op but ?

having n o m ea ns o f de fe nce I m u st s u b
,

mi t to anyt hin g you ma y e xact The re fore .

,

tak e my purse .

a e an oth e r r eque st t o mak e my

“ I h v
,

Lord Littl e J ohn continue d

qu e stion e d the Bishop
.
,
“
What is it ,

anxiously .
6

O u r spiritual advise r re plie d Littl e ,

John ,
“
is not at B a r n s da l e j ust now ,

a n d as it is long sinc e w e hav e profit e d

by his pious instructions w e would be g
“

o f you my Lo
,
r d to s a y a M a s s i f,
or

us .
b l z
 ROBI N H O OD TH E OUT L AW ‘
53 .
.

mak e to me ? cri e d th e Bish op

- “
I that had e v e r b e e n s e rv e d in t h e gr e e n . ,

would li e ve r d i e than do aught s o W OOd . l

i m pi o u S J; . L e d ins e nsibly toward th e m e rry r e v e l

N e ve rth e l e ss it is yo ur d uty my le rs bc o bi n t h e Bishop watch e d them
,
-

, ,
'

Lord re pli e d Robin to h e lp us at all with an e nvious e ye and th e sight o f the ir

,
“
,
I

tim e s to adore t h e Lord L ittl e J ohn is gai e ty dissipat e d th e last ve stig e s o f his
,
’
.

right ; for lo ng we e ks w e have n o t be e n bad te mpe r .

abl e to tak e part i n t h e Holy O ffice of t h e “

Your m e n e mploy th e ir tim e W e ll ,

Mass and w e would not lose this fortunat e said Robin pointing o u t t h e most
oppo rtunity ; I pray you th e re for e be so voracious grou p amongst th e m
, ,
,

, , .

kind as to pre par e yours e lf to satisfy ou r Th e y ce rtai nl y ea t with a good “

.,
”
ve ry prope r d e man ds .

I t would b e a mo r tal s m a crim e and Th e y must be h ungry my Lor d ; it is

I sho uld e xpec t to be struck by t he hand tw o o clock, and I myse lf fe e l the n ee d o f
, , ,
' ’

o f gG o d di d z I commit this unworthy som e thi ng Will you play your part i n a
sacrile g e ! r epliéd n th e B ishop purpl e littl e unc e r e monious dinn e r ?
, .

1
,

with rag e 2 1 I >

Th a nk yo u my d e ar h ost r epli e d “

My Lord continu e d Robin grav

~
.
, ,
”
e ly t h e Bishop trying to r e main d e af to t h e
“
, , , ,
“
w e r e v e re nc e with t h e most Christian r e p eat e d app e als of his stom ach ; I wish
humility th e divin e symbols o f t h e Catholic for nothing absol ut e ly nothing although
faith and be li e v e m e yo u will n e ve r fi nd I a m a littl e hungry
, ,
”
, , , , .

e v e n within t h e walls of your vast Cath e Yo u should n e v e r disre gard t h e calls o f

"
dral a more att e ntiv e o r mor e s e l e ct natur e my L ord r e pli ed Robin grav e ly
, , , , ,

congr egatio n than t h e Ou tlaws o f Sh e r; Mind and body alike su ff e r th e re by

Co m
,

wood Forest . t h e h e alth 13 inj ur e d e l e t us .

,

C an I put any fa ith in your words P our plac e s o n this gr ee n turf ; th e y will
'

aske d t h e Bishop doubtfully , bring us som e thing and you n ee d on ly

.
,

Y e a my Lord a n d you will soon e a t a littl e bre ad an if you e afraid o f

b
“
, , ,
” ”
recogn i s e th e truth o f th e m r e tarding your d e partur e
Th e n I will be li e ve yo u Co n duct m e Am I ob lig e d to obe y yo u 7 said t h e
. .

. .

to th e C h ap e l . Bishop wi th a vainly dissimulate d e x ,

“
This way my Lord , pre ssion o f j oy
. .

Robin followe d by t h e Bishop made

, You a r e not co nstrain e d my Lord ,
“
, ,

fo r a n e nclo s ur e at a short di stanc e from said Robin maliciously “

and if you a r e , ,

t h e Tr ys ting Tr e e Th e r e l n t h e ce ntre not pl ease d to tast e o f this d e licious

.
,

o f a d e cliv i ty appe ar e d an altar o f e arth v e nison pasty o r t h e e xquisit e win e c o n

a

e mbe llish e d with a thick lay e r o f moss ta i n e d in this bottl e abstain I pray you ;
‘

, ,

S prinkle d with flowe rs All th e v e ss e ls for it is e v e n mor e dang e rous to force t h e

.

ne c e ssary f o r the c e l e bration of t h e ; Holy stomach to re c e ive food than to d e priv e it -

Sacrific e we r e dispos e d o n the high altar o f all nourishm e nt for s e ve ral hours ’

Oh I d o not forc e my stom ach

.

with e xquisit e tast e and His R e ve re nc e ,

“
, , .

marve ll ed at th e be auty o f this natural r e pli e d th e Bishop laughing ; “

I am ,

shrine e ndow e d with an e xc e ll e nt app e tit e and

I t was a to uching spe ctacl e t o s e e t h e as I have b e e n long fasting why I think
.
q ,

band o f 1 50 o r 2 00 m e n kn e e ling in I Will e e n acce pt yo u r kind invi tation

. , ,
’ ’
.

praye r with bar e d h e ads To tabl e th e n my Lord and a good

”

, , , ,

Aft e r Mass the M e rrie Me n te stifi ed app e tit e !

th eir grati tud e to th e Bishop and h e had _
Th e Bisho p o f H e re ford din e d w e ll
,
.

b e e n so astonishe d at th e ir r e sp e ctful H e was fond o f th e bottl e and t h e Wi ne ,

attitud e du ring t h e c e l e bration o f t h e Robin Ho od pour e d o u t f o r him was s o

Holy O ffic e that he could not re sist putting h eady that at t h e e n d o f th e r e past th e
a host o f que stions to Robin as to his Bishop wa s quit e drunk and towards ,

mann e r o f li fe ben eath t h e tree s o f th e e ve ning h e r e turn e d to St Mary s Ab h ’

in a condi tion o f mind an d body w h i zy

.

dr e w forth fr e sh cri e s o f horror a n d

indignation from t h e pious Monks o f that
 Ros i n H o o D TH E O U TLAW
'

5
hungry ; bro th e rs I di e o f h ung er , i ve
C H A P TE R VI
“
me th e charity o f l so m e f e d 9
e
g ,
’
.
1

W e hav e n o provi sions With us

.

I
l
’

S H O U LD mu ch ike ti) kno w i ho w r e pli e d the M o nk W

,
i
h o had first s ok e n
p ,

t h e Bisho p o f i H e r e f o r d finds him ‘

th e r e for e cease yo ur us e le ss de mand s ,
”
s e lf t o d a y said Will Scar l e tt to his
-
,
‘

and l e t us pursu e o u r w a m pea ce '

.
’

c ou s m L 1t tl e J ohn who fol l o w ed by Ro bin H ood w h o s til h e ld th e bridl e s

.

l
, , ,

M uch w a s acco mpanying Will to B arns

,
of th e hors e s in h i s hands pr eve nt e d th e ,

Monks from e scaping him M

B r oth e rs h e we nt o n in a still sadde
.

Th e poor Pr e lat e s hea d mu s t be a ’ l

1
,
’
r
”
.

littl e h eavy r e pli e d Mu ch though o n e

,
“
, and We ak e r v o i ce have pity o n m y t
,
! ~

would think that h i s Lordship was accus mise ry and a s you have no b r ead to
,

t o m e d t o t h e a bus e of
‘
' r
r '
gi ve m e gi ve m e ins t ea d a small pi ec e
,
“ Your ob se r vation ( i s ? ve ry j ust my “
, of mon ey I have wande red 1n this woo d
.

” “
fr i e nd r e plie d “J ohn 9 my Lord o f H e r e
,
"
since ye st e rday mornin g a nd h ave ne i th er ,

ford doth poss e ss t he f ac u lt y o f drinking eat en { n or drunk Good b r e th er s 111 t he

'
.

h e avily Without los i n g his s e ns e s ? ”

,
1 nam e o f t h e H oly Moth e r of Christ , give
m e I conj ur e yo u this s m all charity
"
Ro bin tr eat ed him right pleasa nt ly , , , .

sa id Much “
Doe s he act thus to ward
. S ee h e r e foolish babbl e r l e t go o f
, ,

e v e ry Eccl e siastic h e e nc ount e rs ? o u r b ridl es ; l e av e us i n pe ac e ; w e do not

w
'
“
Yea wh e n th e s e sam e Eccl esiastics
, , wi s h to wast e o ur tim e wi th a itle ss loo ri
lik e th e Bishop o f H e r e ford do a buse li k e yo u
’
fO W

add ed th e se cond M o
, .

th e ir spiritual and t em po r al powe r to rob Yea ,

’
n k re pe at ,

t h e Saxo n pe o p he ; it hath e v e n h a p pe ne d ing Word fo r Wor d th e s pe ech o f his co m

t o Robin n o t only to aw ait the a rrival of panion w e do not wish to wast e o u r
,

th es e pious trav ell e rs but e ke to go out ti me with a witl e ss l oon li k e

o f his o w n way to put hi m
,

s e lf i n th e irs . For m e rcy s sa k e , < g oo d M o n ks a ’

u What d o you m ea n b y ! go o u t o f his f e w p e nc e to k e e p m e f rom dyi n g o f

h ung e r
’
way ? said Much
’

Eve n suppo s i ng that I w e r e fain to

. .

I will t e ll o n a s t or y as w e go along
'

>

which will e xp ain my words O n e morn .

’
give you an alms thick h e ad e d m e n di cant , ,

ing Robin H ood l e arn e d that two Black ’

twould be i m p o s s i ble gf f or w e do not ,
'

F riars carrying a larg e 511111 of mon e y to poss e ss a fa r thing ’

V H i .
,

t he ir Abb e y w o u ld trave rs e a part o f

,
'
;
Al l f the s ar ne broth e rs y o u hav e n ot , ,

Sh erwood For e st Th i s w a s good 4n ew s . i t h e appe arance o f m e n de prive d o f a l l

f o r Robin as o u r funds w e r e o n t h e
'

,
‘

r e sourc e s ; you a r e we ll i mount e d We ll ,

de clin e a n d t h e arrival bf t h e mon e y e quipp e d and you j ovi al fac e s s h in e with

,

wo u ld be most oppor t une Without a good ch ee r r

,
’

W e h a d som e
.

Word to a ny o ne (th e wa ylaying o f tw o

.

Monks was but a small a ffai r) ,

dr e ss e d in a long pilgr im S ro he post e d ’ ‘

hims elf in t h e r oad t h e tw o Fri ars must Th ey have no t l e ft us a pe nn y pie ce ,

t ake . H e had not long to Wait , f o r t he add e d th e Monk whose m i ssion s eeme d ,

M onks soon appear ed tw o larg e m en .

, tO b e t o r e pe at t h e words o f his supe rior
J

s itting squar e ly i n th e ir saddle s Ii ke a n ec h o J

I
. .

L Robin ad v an ce d t o me et th e m b owe d , v e rily be li eve sa i d R obin tha t ye ,

’
,
‘

t o t h e ground and s e izing as h e rose th e

, , both l i e with a rar e impude nc e .
’

bridl e s of t he tw o ho r s e s Which we r e -
pacing side by si d e said 1n pitiabl e a cc e nts
, Thou dost dar e to accuse us o f fals e
, , hoo d thou mise rabl e rogu e ? crie d t h e
,
’

Bl e ss you holy bre thr e n an d l e t m e t el l

u how glad I am t o hav e m e t you ;
'

, ,

i Yea , first be cause y h a v e n o t bee n

’

y o t s
e
r e at ha ppine ss f o r m e a nd o n e f o r robbe d , f o r th er e a r e n o robbe rs in t h e
’ ‘

a
g
Wi nch I humbl y giv thanks t o H e av e n
,
'

e .

What m eans th i s de lug e o f Words

asked o ne o f the M onks d? 1 J) .

‘
I t e x p r e s s et h my j o y Fath er Yo u , .

a r e th e r e pr e s e ntat i v e s o f t h e Go d o f g o od
.

n e ss yo u a r e th e r e fl e ction o f Di vin e
I n ee d h elp La m un ha ppy I am
,

me rcy .
, ,
 RO B I N H O OD TH E ‘ O U T L AW
1'

55
your se lves I pr a y you and t e ll m e W hat
, ,
‘
.

’
o n poss e ss i
y .

Th e Monks
e ach put a h and
“

brought no thing W hat e ve r o u t .

I s ee Said Robin Hood th at yo u

‘
,
’

,
‘ s

would fain give me th e pl e asur e o f

s earching y ou mys el f ; s o be it th e n ,
’
of m e at s o high that o nl y the rich could
Th e Monks obj e ct e d stre nuo u sl y; but furnish th e ir tabl es wi thal Robin H ood .
,

Robin H ood arm e d with hi s t e r ribl e ,

'

.
w h o is a lway o n th e loo k ou t for n e ws ,

staff thr e ate n e d so s e riously to bea t th e m

, l e ar n e d o f this st at e o f thi n g s an d r esolv e d ,

unm e rcifully th at th e y r e s i g n ed t h e m se l v es to find a r e m e dy for t h e s u fi e r i n g s of t h e

'
’
.

t o a clos e s e arch Aft er s ee ki ng f o r som e .

‘

poor O n e ma rke t day h e l a y r in wait

.
:

minute s Robin g o t tog e th er 5oo gol d e n

, upo n the .
be
crowns I n de spair a t t he l o ss o f all t his
. tak e n by a cattl e d eal e r w h o was the ,

pe lf t h e fat Monk ask e d Robin anxious ] ,

chi e f purve yor to th e town o f Notti ngham
Will yo u no t s hare t h e mon e y with us 3
, , .

Robi n m et his man mounted upon a

Do you re ally think it w a s s e nt yo u thorou ghb r e d and driving befor e him an
by H e av e n sinc e w e hav e b ee n tog e th e r ?
. i mm e ns e h e rd o f cattl e and h e a t onc e ,

r e pli e d Robin looking a t th e Mo nk s t e rnly , . bought th e h e rd t h e mar e t h e bu tch e r s

, ,
’

Th e Monks w e r e sil e nt Yo u hav e li e d ; . con se nt an d his se cr e cy and as a guaran t ee ,

o u p rot e st e d tha t yo u had no mon e y o f th e l ast pu r chas e h e confi d e d t h e man

y , .

wh e n yo u carri e d in your pock e ts th e . to o u r c a r e until hi s o w n r e turn to th e

ransom o f a good man ; you r e fus e d an For e st .

alms to o n e who said that he was fa r ni s h ed Robin w h o int e nd e d to s e ll his m eat

,

and dying Do you think e ith e r o f you at a v er low pric e thought that if h e
'

n eg l ec te cl to procur e prot e ction —for in

.
, , ,

t h i s w a s t h e cond uct of a C h ristian ?

'
'
’ -

stance ; that o f t h e Re e ve—the butc h e rs

.
,

H owe ve r I pardon yo u I will k ee p th e

, .

promis e I mad e yo u ; h e r e a r e fifty gold might combin e against hi m and de fe at ,

m
crowns f or each o f o u Go and if upon his good i nt e ntions toward t h e poor
o u r w a y y e s h o u ld
, .

-
e e t with a poor Th e Ree ve k e pt a larg e I nn wh e r e the ,

r r e m e mbe r t that Robin H ood hath d eal e rs o f t h e n e igh bourhood m et toge th e r

gg a ,

le ft you t h e m e ans o f h e lping him .

’
wh e n th e y cam e to N ottingham Robi n .

“
At t h e nam e o f Robin H ood th e k n ew this and to pr e v e nt any strif e
,

Monks tr e mbl e d and gaz e d stupidl y at be twixt h imse lf a n d t h e oth e r d e al e rs

Without taking any noti c e o f
, ,

o u r fri e nd . h e took his be asts to t h e Mark e t Place ,

th e ir a ffright e d looks Robin salut e d t h e m , picke d o u t th e fatt e st animal and l ed it ,

a n d disappe ar e d into t h e glad e Hardly to th e Town R ee v e s I nn

’
. .

had th e sound o f hi s footst e ps di e d away ,

“
Th e l a tt e r was stan ding at h i s door ,

e r e th e Mo n ks thr e w th e m selv e s upon and w as much str u ck by t h e appea rance

“

th e ir horse s and fle d without a glanc e o f th e o ung

g b u ll o ck Robin was l e a in ;
d
be hind ” y
Our fri e n d del ight e d at th e gr eat man s g ’

we lcom e —which was pe rhaps some wha t

.
,

Ro bin must h ave been v e ry skil fully

'

int e r e ste d—teld h i m h e poss es s e d th e

, ,

disguise d n o t to h ave b ee n r e cogn i se d by -

th e Monks said M u ch: , fin e st drove in th e Mark e t and that h e '

Robin Hood is w o n d e r f ull y c l ev e r at would be w e ll pl ea s e d a n i f t h e R ee v e

'
~
v
,

that as yo u have s e e n fo r yo u r s e lf in
, would acc e pt a bullock as a pre sen t .

t h e way h e count e rfe it e d t h e o l d woman . Th e R ee v e prot e st e d mod e stly ag ains t

I could cit e hundr e ds o f e xampl e s in so rich a gift .

’
“‘
Sir Re e ve continu e d Robin I am
, ,
‘

ignorant o f th e
 RO B I N H O O D ? TH E
'
O UT L AW
'

57
that he would han any man w h o should -
I n t hat case Mast e r ; w e will e n d '

dare to mol e st our r i e nd ; and h e de clar e d

th e n i aske d
.

furth e r that Robin was a good fe llow , .

a n d t h e b e st butch e r who had e ver s old Much sur pris e d to h ear th e narrato r ,

him m e at . e nt e r into so much d etail .

“
W ith mind at r e st o n this importa nt Of cours e Do you th i nk I co u ld have .

poin t Robin r e tu rn e d to th e Mar k e t Place all ow e d Robin to e xpose himse lf alon e t o

, ,

and wh e n t he sal e s be gan a crowd o f th e dang e r of be ing re cognise d ? H e had ,

’

oor p opl cam t ask t h e i pr i ce o f ord e r e d m e t o k e e p aloof ; but I did not

p e e e o

th e m eat ; but unhappily f o r th e ir small consid e r myse lf bound t o obe y his ord e r
, ,

purs e s th e price was still ve ry high and I was al most at his side All at once
'

» . .
,

W h e n h e s a w th e price s fixe d Robi n h e be came aware o f my pre se nc e and ,

_
, ,

o ffe r ed i a s much j m e at f o r a pe nny as seizing my h and h e angrily r e proach e d ,

h i s n e ighbours w e r e se lling f o r t hr ee m e for my disobe di e nce I n a low voice .

f ) .

“
Th e n e ws o f this e xtraordinary ch e ap I e x plain e d my motive for disr e garding
n ess s p r ea d rapidl y through t h e town his ord e rs H e calm e d d own at once
'
'
t .
, ,

and th e poor flock e d in from all sid e s a nd r ega r ding m e with that swee t smil e .

Ro b i n ft h e n gav e th e m for a pen ny about you know so w e ll h e said '

,

as much as his n e ighbours could giv e f o r “

Ming l e with t h e crowd John ; and ‘
,

, fi ve . Soon it was known i n e ve ry corn e r whil e k ee ping an e ye o n m e look to thin e ,

o f t h e Ma r ke t t h a t Robin sold only to o w n safe ty also

’
'
I o be ye d him and . a
,

t h e poor Thus th e y form e d an e xc e ll e nt disappe ar e d i n th e crowd W hen Robin

‘

. .
‘

O pinion o f him whil e his fe llow d e al e rs and t h e gay ban d o f butch e rs s e t o u t for
,
-
,

w h o w e r e not dispos e d to follow his th e R ee v e s I n n I foll ow e d in t h e i r w a ke

’

.
, ,

e x ampl e looke d upon him as a pro d igal an d e nt e r e d th e dining hall along with him
, . .

who in an acce ss o f g e n e ros i ty was

.

, Ord e ring a good m e al I took my , ,

s quand e ring t h e b e st part o f his w e alth ; plac e i n t h e e mbr asur e o f a window .

s o act i ng o n this supposition th e y s e nt to Robin was v e ry m e rry that da y and

Robin all those t 0 w h o m th e y could se ll t o
, ,

ward th e e n d o f di nn e r h e invite d th e m
'

nothing . to drink of t h e be st win e i n t h e c e llar '

,

h 7
Towards mid day t e cattl e de al e rs adding that h e wo u ld b ear this last -
'
'

.
.

consult e d tog e th e r and with o n e accord e xpe nse As you may i ma g i n e Ro bi n s

, .
,
' ’

de cide d that th e y must m ak e th e a cquaint ge n e rous o ffe r was r e c e iv e d with ac clama

« an ce o f t h e n ew com e r O ne o f th em tion ; th e win e we nt round t he room a n d
.
‘
~
, ,

de taching himse lf from th e r e st approach e d I had my share with t h e r e st , .

Robin and said , Wh e n th e m e rrim e nt was : at i t s

Good fri e nd and broth e r your co n h e ight th e R ee ve appe are d 1n th e door , ,

duct see ms passing strange ; for by your way , .

le ave it quite ruins t h e trade But ; o n

, Robin invit e d him to tak e a s e at . .

t h e oth e r ha nd a s your int e ntions a r e H e acc e pt e d an d as Robin s ee m e d to

, ,
.

e xc e ll e nt w e can only congra tul at e you be th e

, es t o f honour h e a sk e d h i m f o r ,
, .

h eartily and give warm prais e to so n e ws 0 Robin Hood

, . 1.

admi rabl e a se ntim ent o f g e n e rosi ty My Tis a cu n n in rascal cried o n e of .

’

companions e nraptu re d with your good th e butch e rs ; a n e blade a rar e wit

,
‘
, ,

n e ss o f h eart cha rg e m e to pr e se nt th ei r and a good lad ’

co m
.
,

pl ime nts and to invite yo u to dinn e r Th e n th e R ee ve pe rc eive d me I was .

in th e ir nam e s .
’
not drunk and my sob e r i fa ce inspir e d ,
‘
I acc e pt th e ir invitation with th e him with a de sir e to qu e stion m e
That young man sai d h e in dicati ng
.

gr eat e st pl e asure re pli e d Robin gail y ,

’

, , ,
’

and I am r e ady to fo l low wh e reve r you Robin by a glance is doubtl e ss a prodigal

'
‘
,

a r e pl e as e d to l e ad m e who having sold l ands hou s e o r castl e

.
’
, , , ,
“
W e usually m ee t at th e Town int ends to squan de r his mon ey foolishly
‘
.
’

R ee v e s I nn answe re d t h e butch e r
’

,
’
I t may w ell be so I r e pli e d with ,
‘ *
,
’

and if that house is not o u t o f your i n di ff e r e nc e

‘ “

. . c

Maybe he doth sti ll posse ss som e ‘

wealth continue d th e Ree ve 1 .

T hat 18 ve ry li ke ly Mast er
,

.
,

D o you thin k h e would be dispos e d

to s e ll h i s r e mai ning cattl e ch e ap
58 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W ‘

I d o no t know ; but th ere : ,

r
. is on e

v e ry simpl e way o f fi ndi ng o u t

’
1 . v 3 ir
b Wha t i s : th a t ? as k e d the ’

toward th e R ee v e I d e sir e f or pr ivate .

‘

r e asons t o con ce al my nam e a n d quality .

A word o f e x plan ation a s to t he wh er e

abouts o f my cattle would be tray a se cr e t .

re quir e d i n min e o wn inte re st You ta k e .

gratula t e d him o n th e noble u se to wh ich me , d o yo u no t ?

h e was putting his fort u n e My young .

fri e nd add e d th e x Reeve t ha v e you no t

, ,.

s om e cattle t o s el l ? I wi ll fi nd yo u
"
p u r c h as e r a n d wh i l e r e nde ri ng you 1t hi s stand I unde rstand
n
«

pe n e tr ati o l
, , ,

se rvice pe rmi t me : ; to r e mark that a

,
“ “
f Yo u po s s e s s an a dmi r a b e
ma n o f your ra nk and app e aran ce can n ot o f mind said Robin myst e riously a n d
’
, , ,

we ll bec ome a cattl e d ea l e r without com -

I am te mpte d ; to belie ve that w e und e r
prom i sing his di gn ity . s tand ea ch oth e r wo nd e rfully W e ll a n .
.
,

Robin pe rfe ctly unde r st ood th e tru e if you lik e w e will profit by the i n a t te n
,

motive o f t his crafty s pe e ch ; h e ti o n o f t h e butch er s a n d make o ff se cre tl y

'

an t o , .

laugh a n d answe re d t h e obligi ng ee v e

, Ar e you re ady to follow m e ? ’

that h e pos se sse d a th mi s an d h ead o f ca ttl e , H ow now ! tis I who wait f o r yo u ’

. a

and t hat h e wo u ld dispose of th e m Will I will hav e o ur horse s saddl e d W ith a l

i ng l y f o r fi v e hundr e d gold en cnow n s
'
'
“

. haste .
l
I wi ll o ffe r yo u thr ee hundr e d said ,
’ “
G o the n ; I will re j oin you im me
‘
,

the R e e v e . d i a te l y .

At pre sent pr i ce s Robin conti nu ed The R e e v e l e ft th e room , and at Robin s

’ ’
“
, ,

my beas ts a r e worth taking o n e with or d e rs I w e nt to se e k o u r com pan i ons ,

'
‘
,

an oth e r two crowns a he ad whom I had post ed , in case o f m i sa d v en

I f yo u Will conse nt to se ll th e whole
x .
:
,

tur e , Within sound o f his horn , and

’
he r d I W ill give you thre e h u ndre d crowns ;
, an noun ce d t h e Town R ee ve s visit to , ,

and I might r e m ark my gall an t g e ntl e ma n , ,

that thr ee hund r e d g old cr owns in your '

1
“
A f e w min ut e s aft e r my d e part u re th e
p u rs e wou ld be w o r t h mor e th an o n e . r Robin u p to h is private lodgi ng l a tte r took ,

thousand b ea s ts i n your pastur e s Com e pr e sen t e d him to h i s wi f e a pr e tty woman .

, ,

d e cide the ba r g a l n will be fo r thr ee of som e t w e nty y e ars and b egging him to ,

hundr e d gold crowns tak e a se at sai d h e would go a n d count

.
’
,

hi s m o ne y
’
’
Tis t o o littl e r e pli e d Robin throwin g , , .

Wh e n the Ree ve re turn ed to th eroo m

A libe ral h e art like yours my Lo rd in which h e had l e ft Robin alon e wi th his , ,

r e plie d th e R ee v e tryin g to flatt er should wi fe he f oun d t h e young ma n at th e fee t

, ,
‘
,

n o t h a g l e ov e r a fe w crowns; Co m e l e t ‘

us strg
,

l e a ba gain Wh e re ar e your r
.

c at tl e i i l s h o ul d l ike t o ; s ee th em all
toge th e r .
’

“
C e rtainly my youn fri e nd ; and if ,

t he pastur e of thi s ma g ni c e nt h e rd i s n o t a nd t o t he g r eat s indig nation o f th e ,

v e ry far from h er e w e could rid e ove r scandali se d h usband announc e d to h e r

, ,

and conclude th e bargai n the re I wil l his spee dy r e turn "

Soon aft e r the R e a n d Ro bi n s e t o

.

tak e th e mon e y and if yo u a r e re asona bl e

.

“
eev ut
’

, , ,

t h e mat t e r ca n be s e t tl e d be f o r e w e r e turn on horse ba ck from N ottin ham

r

g .

to N ottingham ! Robin l e d h i s compan i on by th e most

des e rt e d woodland paths to th e cr oss ¢o ad '
 RO B I N
'

1
11 0 0 13 1
TH E O U T AW '
L 59
Ree ve who thought it was al l that your com panionship hath c eas e d to be
li e d t he ,

x This Fore s t with a ll i t

.
x
‘
agree abl e to m e i , .
’

i s th e prope rty o f t h e Ki r Happily for m e th e r e a r e v e ry fe w ’

Possibly re t u rn e d igobin ; but a s I pe opl e o f that opin i on Si r Ree ve re pli e d

.
,
’ ’

, , ,

have tak en pos se ssion o f ! i t ; it Rob i n laughin g ; but sinc e to my dis , ,

’

me tre ss you a r e o f that number ; it is u s e

’

: ,
.

n t ‘
o yo u ? f les s t o pr ol cmg o u r int e rvi ew
.
.

H “
C e r t a i n l y, an d you t s ha l l s oo n l earn i n As h e said this Robi n bowe d i r onically ,

Wha t mann e r R J to hi s companio n and rais e d his hunting

"
r

W e a r e in a lon e ly a n
.
,

d d a nge r o u s horn to his lips .

art s a i d t he R e e v e Th e w o od is in f e s t e d
’ “
(I forgot to te ll o u my‘
fri nds th t Wé
’

by robbe rs God
y e a
k ee p us l fr om i falling ha d fo l l owe d t he trav e lle rs st e p by ste p )
.
, , ,
'

'
. .

into t h e han ds o f that f wr e tch Robin At his fi r st call We ran fo r ward Th e

” f '

Hood ! Should such a i m

.
, .

i s f o r tu n e be fall t e rrifi e d Re e v e v e ry n ea r fell flat u pon the

ne c k of hi s ho r se .

Ro bin with a la ugh fo r I could Wag e r 3

, or d e rs , .
.
,

t h o u s a n d to o n e t hat w e shal l be fac e to

n
in s ta n tly
fac e with him im m
.

'

e diat e ly ! Do yo u always spe ak thus to Robin ,

“
Th e R e e ve turne d pal e l a nd cas t Littl e J ohn ? ask e d W ill Scarl et t
'

, .
‘

a fi r i g h te d glance s in to t h e und e rwood

'

Y ea Wil l for it is a duty and a .

, ,
’ "
“
I Wish said h e
‘
that your e s tat e sple asur e r e plie d the young giant good
, ,
‘
, ,

we re l e ss evi l l y situat e d ; and had yo u h i m o u r e dl y

t
I have b to ug h t hi th e r th e puissan t
.

w arn d m f t h dan g e rs sur r u d : ‘

‘

e e o o n
T
e
ing th e m would c e rtainly n e ve r hav e
o

own R ee ve o f N o tti n g h a in r epli e d ,

’ '

Robin His Lords hip wi sh e s t o s e e my .

I assure yo u l my d e ar sir , re plie d cattl e and share my suppe r S ee to i t

‘ ’ '

Robin that we are o n my land my/ good li e ut e nan t that o ur gu e st is

.
, ,
“ ’
'

Of what land d otre a t e d With t h e s ty le and spl endour d u e

.
, ,

1
“

What m e an yo u l ' '

you spea k ? aske d th e oth e r an xi ously to his position

’

,
. .

’
My words seem plain e now to me H e shall b e s e rve d with t h e choic e st ,
’

r e pli e d Robin 1 sh o w yo u th e se gl d e s ; viands

a .I r e pli e d
‘ '
for I know h e wi ll ,
’ ‘
-
,
‘ 1

"
va l le ys cross roads a n d I ssaa y Be hold pay v e ry e n e rously f o r h i s dinn e r
g
-
.
, , ,

my e stat es ”
Wh e n yo u s pe ak o f your . Pay I cri e d th e R ee ve What m e an ’
.
‘

wif e do you not say my W 1f e

“
you by that i

Y e a y e a W ithout doubt sta m m e re

,

, d Explanations will follow 1n th e ir turn

, , ,

t h e R ee v e And I pray you what is Maste r r e pli e d Ro bin And n o w pe rmit ’ ‘

‘
. .
, ,

your name ? I am anxious Ito kn ow th e m e to answe r th e qu estion yo u did m e th e

name o f s o rich a ll and l o r d 1 honour to put s w e en t e r e d th e For e st
a
‘

. .

W hat qu e s tion ? mutt e re d th e

" '
“
“ a Your ve r y pro pe r curiosity shall soo n
be g ratifi e d laugh e d Robin H ood
’
R ee ve J .
"
.
,

At that mome nt a l ar g e h e r d o f d ee r You ask ed my n am e t .

’

crosse d th e road “
Al a c k l groan e d th e I nn k ee pe r
.
1 -
.

. v “
Look look Mast e r t o your r i g h t ;
‘
, Th e y call m e Robin Hood Maste r
, ,
t
, .
’

th e r e a r e an hundre d 5beasts H ow sa y 8 0 I s ee said t h e Re e v e looking ’

,
’
,

you a r e th e y not fat and We ll t o look

, d at th e M e rri e Men '
’

"
u pon ? As to what w e m e an by paying it is l ,

T h e poor Re e ve tr e mbl e d i n all his this W e kee p op e n house for th e poor .

'
'
,

limbs . but W e t e imburs e ours e l ve s larg e ly by

"
f I would I h a d n e ve r c om e he r e said t h e g u e sts who a r e 1 fortunat e e now t o ,
’

h e gazing into th e de pths o f t h e wood poss e ss we ll furn is he d pu r se s

’
.
,

What a r e your conditions ? asked ’

t h e R e e v e i n a dol e ful vo i c e , .
c

W e have non e n o r any fixe d price ,

)

w e tak e th e whol e o f o ur gue sts mon e y

'

Witho ut counting it i F or e xampl e you .

,

ha v three hundr e d gold owns i n yo u r

e c r i

Stra nge r F o r s ome mo men ts pas t I own p ocket 18 f“ ’ ’

1 '
. .
 R O B I N U H O OD ; TH E O UT LAW
‘
A thousan d; thanks g o od l hos t fen , ,

o d r ; c o urt e ou s e nt e rtainme nt [ o f Robin .

oo d “3 3
’
11 1 1 7 1 1
.
1
Thr e e h un dr e d crowns l t B e fore the Re ev e could r ecov e r from
Yea and I adv i se you to ea t as mu ch th ea s t o ni shm en t ca us ed by Robin s words
’
, ,

a s pos s ibl e an d dr ink as much as you ca n t h e latt e r had vanish e d ,

.

so as not to ,hav e to pay for what you “

Good said W illiam “
but th i s fr esh ,

of Robin s ability d oth n o t t e ll us

’
hav e n o t consum e d p roof .

“
An e xc e l le nt repast w a s se rve d upon i n what mann e r you we r e disguise d ,

th e gr e e n turf Th e R e e ve was no t
'

hungry a n d a te but li ttl e; t hou h to mak e

, ,

up f or it h e drank h earti ly , hi s bound .

l e ss th irst w e suppose d to be a re sult of

He gav e us thr e e hun dr e d g o lde n ability to th e t e st a nd d e sir ed to kn ow
‘

, ,

crowns a n d no soon e r was t he l as t crown

, wh e th e r I was capabl e o f se conding his
in my purs e t han h e manife st e d an arde nt e wonde rful adroitn es s Th e choice o f .
-

d es ir e t o quit op r c ompany
-
_
. disg uis e w as l e ft to m e and h aving l earnt ,

ord e r e d his hors e to be brough t h el pe d of th e d e ath o f a rich N orm a n whos e

‘

him into th e saddl e wish e d h i m g o od

,

, e stat e s lay in t h e n e igh bourhood o f N ot

luck and begg e d e arn e stly to be r e m em

, ting h a m I r e solve d to mingl e with t h e
,

b e re d t o hi s char ming wif e . be g g ars who usually a ccompan y th e

,

Th e R e e ve mad e no r e ply to o ur far e fun e ral proce ssion On m y h ead w as a n

W
“ '
.
. _ ,

e lls h e was in such has te to l ea ve the ol d hat adorn e d with cockl e sh e lls I wore
For e st tha t h e put hi s horse to a gallop , a pilgri m s dr e s s a n d carri e d a mighty
’

,
'

and s et o ff without saying o ne word . staff a sack o f provisions and a purse

, ,

Thus ende d Robin 3 adv e nture with t he ’

d e stin e d for gifts of mon e y My garme nts .

Town R eeve o f N ottingham . we r e s o wr e tch e d a n d I SO much re s e mbl e d ,

“
I should much like said Will a r e al be ggar that e ve n o u r m e rry co m !
Scarle tt to prove my cl e ve rn e ss in di s
“
,
panions w e r e t e m pt e d t o offe r m e an '

guising mys e lf o n e day Have yo u e v e r . alms Abo u t a mil e from o u r r e tre at I

.

tri e d it Littl e J ohn ?

,
fe ll in wi th s e ve ral be ggars who like ,

Yea o nce i n ob e di e nc e to R obin s

, ,
’
my se lf w e r e o n the ir way to th e Castle
,
"
orde rs o f t h e d e c ase d nobl e O of th e se
'

ne
.
q
e .

An d how did you far e rog ues w a s appar e ntly blin d anoth er
, ,

W e ll e nough for t h e occasi on re pli e d ,

limpe d painful ly th e oth e rs bore no ,

J O h n 1 d is tinctive sig ns b e yond mis e rabl e rags

asked
I

And what wa s t heo ccas i on

o
1
1
.

and tatt e rs .

Much I said to mys e lf r egardin g

TW obin
.
,

a s thus O ne m or mng R th e m o u t o f th e co rn er o f min e e ye

’
. .

H eo d wish e d to p a y a visit to Halbe rt ‘

h e re i a r e fe llows w h o will s erv e m e
Lindsay and his pr e tty l ittl e wife ; but I for I so as
point e d o u t to him t h e dang e r o f going to be 1 abl e t o tak e a l e af o ut o f th e ir
‘ ‘
-

op e nly in to t h e fi o w n a f te r gw h a t had
’

,
’
happe n e d wi th t he Ree ve about th e sal e o f Good day broth e rs I cri e d h e artily , , .

I am righ t glad ,to m e e t you n W h i ch

”
th e c a ttl e fo r w e fe are d s e r i o u s i r e p r i s a l s
, .
‘
.

Robin Hood laughe d at my fe ars ; a n d , Wa y a r e you going ? ’

r e pli e d that , in ord e r to d e c e ive e ve ry bo d

y
W e a r e going along th e roa
h e would go disgu is e d as a N orman r e p li ed t he man whom I had mor e
'
l o .
'

t h a t inte nt h e assum e d a magni fic e nt particularly a ddr e ss e d .

kn ight s dre ss paid a visit t o H al bert and Th e j e st e r s companion s e ye d m e with

’ ’

, _ ,

from his abod e mad e his wa y to the suspicion from h ead to foot .

Town Ree ve s I nn Th e re he s pe nt much ’

“
Might not this fe llow be tak e n f o r
‘

mon e y co m pli m
.

th e Towe r o f L inton Abb e y ? quoth o n e

’
e nt e d t h e host s pr e tt
’
, y
wif e upon h er good l ooks a nd c hatte d .
, o f t h e be ggars st e pping back a st e p o r ,

with th e R eeve who ov e rwh e lm e d h i m

,
.
,

with att e ntions Th e n a fe w minute s .

,
I might be ta k e n for man who
a
'
:

b e fore quitting the hous e h e too ka t he ,

i n g a m e nacin g
ma n asi d e and said to him with a lau g h ,
, re re
. M 18
 ROB I N H O O D TH E OUT L AW 61 “
.

Come corn e p e ac e ! growl e d anoth e r

,
Wh e n I l e ft t h e b eggars with my
,

o f th e b eggar s pock e ts full o f th e ir spoils th e y could ‘

, , a

b e it I r e plied But what is scarc e stand up I quickly took my way

,
’
.
‘
.

th e r e to d e vour at th e e n d of this road to t he For e st de light e d with my prow ess

»
, , l ,

that I s ee surging from all dir e ctions o u r for th e r e i s a c e rtain j u stic e i n plunde ri ng
.

holy frat ernity o f rags ? W h y do t h e

b e lls o f Linton Abbe y toll so mourn Robin Hood surround e d b y hi s ,

q y?
’
M e rri e Men was practisi ng at a rch e ry , .

B e caus e a Norman hath j ust di e d “

W e ll Little J ohn h e cri e d as I .
’ ‘
, ,
’
,

Ar e ye th e n go i ng to his burial ?
,
app e ar e d a r e you back alre ady ? Had
, ,
‘
.

W e a r e going to take o u r shar e o f you not th e courage to carry o u t your

th e larg e ss which th e y distribut e among be ggar 3 part t o a finish
’

poor d evils like us o n t h e occasion o f a Pardon m e d e ar Robin I hav edon e , ,

fun e ral ; you a r e at libe rty to accompany m y duty and my q ue st hath b ee n pro ,

us .
’
d u cti v e I bring back six hundr e d gold
“
I trow I am and I
‘
o w e you no crowns "
Six hu n
.
,

thanks for t h e : p e rmission I r e pli e d dre d gold e n crowns he ,

’

scornfully . cri e d Th e n you have plund e r e d a Princ e .

‘

Long han dle of a dirty broom cri e d of t h e Church ,

’
.
’

t h e lusti e st of t h e b e ggars if that b e so Nay Captain I gl e an e d that sum ,

‘
,
‘
, ,

w e a r e not dispos e d to b e ar with thy foolish from m e mb e rs o f t h e be ggar tribe

’
.

company any long e r Thou dost app e ar Robin look e d grave. .

a v e ry sorry rogu e and thy pre s e nc e is Explain yours e lf John h e said to

, , ,
’

distast e ful to us G o and tak e as a m e . I cannot b e li e ve that you have

, .
‘

parting gift this blow o n t hy pat e robb e d th e poor .

’
.
’

As h e said th e s e words t h e ta ll raga “

I r e count e d th e adv e ntur e to Robin
.
, ,

mu ffi n d e alt m e a blow o n t h e h e ad obs e rving that b e ggars with pock e ts full .

“
This un e xp ect e d onslaught mad e m e of gold could only b e profe ssional
”
furious continu e d Littl e J ohn
,
“
I fe ll thi ev e s . .

o n t h e rascal and rain e d a voll e y of blows

, Robin was o f my opinion and smil e d ,

upon him . again .

’

H e was soon incapabl e o f d e fe nding That was a good day s work ’

“
,

himse lf a n d cri e d for m e rcy

, laugh e d Much si x hundre d golde n .

H e r e 3 at yo u lyi ng dog s ! I cri e d crown s at o n e haul

‘ ’

, .
’

, .

m enacing t h e oth e r miscr ean ts with my “

That ve ry e v e ning continu e d ohn , ,

staff . I distribut e d th e half o f my ooty

You would have laugh e d I a m sur e among t h e poor in th e n ei g h b o u r h o o d o f , , .
'

”
good fri ends to hav e s ee n t h e blind man Sh e rwood
, .

ope n his e y e s and f e arfully watch my “

Good John ! cri e d Will wrin ging ,

move m e nts and t h e lam e man run a t th e t h e young man s hand

,
’
.

top of his spee d toward t h e woods ‘

G e n e rous Robin ! you should say ; . .

“
I sil e nc e d th e brawl e rs who w e r e W illia m for in acting thus I only obe ye d , ,

shouting fit to d eafe n a man and laid my t h e ord e rs o f my Chi e f , .

staff soundl y a n d we ll across th e ir broad “

H e r e w e a r e at B a r n s da l e said ,

shoulde rs A wall e t brok e n ope n by Much : but t h e way hath n o t se e m e d

.
,

my blows l e t fall som e pi e c e s o f gold long to m e

, , .
’

and th e rogu e to whom th e y be longe d f e ll I shall te ll that to my sist e r cri e d ,

o n his kn ee s upon his tr e asur e hoping Will laughing , , , .

doubtl e ss to conc e al it from m e

, And I will add r e pli e d Much that “ .
, ,

I cri e d this puts anoth e r I n e ve r c e as e d to think of h e r for a si ngle

,
‘

appe aranc e o n t h e m att e r mis e rabl e raga instant ,

’

mufl i n s o r rath e r thi e ve s that ye a r e

, ,
.

Give m e instantly to t h e last groat all , ,

th e mon e y you poss e ss o r I will b e at y o u ,

all into a pulp .

’

“
Th e cowards again sue d f o r m e rcy ,

a nd as my arm w a s b e ginning to g e t .

tir e d o f b e ating b e at i ng , be ating I w as , ,

m e rciful .
62 R OB I N H O O D J TH E O U T L AW
“l '
s .

So much th e bette r ; the y will be oblig ed

1 C H AP
’

I ER
’
‘
VI I to pay th e ir court to m y siste rs yo ung ’

10 ! fri e nds and th a t w i ll be a most pl eas i ng

‘ ’
"
r r

I L L I AM , M uc h, and Littl e John

,
'
sight . Pi ctur e to you rs e lf f o r o n e
’
h a d l bee n s tayi ng a t B a r n s d al e mom e nt th e ap pe arance o f Gr e gory t h e ,

f o r a w e e k and t h e happy hous e hold w a s st e ady awkward s i m pl e fe llow o f ‘

f -
, , ,

pre paring to ce le brat e th e {we dding of

1 1
Gregory s triving to mak e hi mse lf agr ee
Winifr e d and Barbar a By Will Scar . abl e to a young woman Com e with m e .
,

l ett s ord e rs t h e pa rk and gard e ns o f t h e

’
R obin , for th e r e is no time to lose ; w e
.

Hall had bee n t ransform e d in t o dancing can o nly g iv e t h e m thr ee days in whi ch
“

gre e ns f o r th e ) goo d na tur e d youn g m a n ~

to make th e ir choic e I wil l call my .

was constantly wat chi ng ov er th e x we ll broth e rs tog e th er a n d in a grave vo i c e

be ing o i t h e Wor l d in g e n e ral and th e
,
‘
'
de live r a fa t he rly oration to th e m ”
.

happin e ss of e ach in par ticula r “ I nde . Marriag e 13 a s e rious thing W ill an d , ,

fatigabl e i n his efforts h e tur ne d his hand , ought not to be lightly tr eat ed I f yo u r .

to anything busi e d himse lf ove r e ve ry , broth e rs pe rs u ade d by yo ur e loq ue nc e

, ,

thing a nd fill e d th e house wi th his l i ght

, cons e nt to mar ry and the n later o n a r e
,

h e art e d mirth r e nde r e d unhappy through a tho ughtl e ss

Whil e work in g hard h e talked and
.

'

1
choic e will yo u n ot k ee nly r egr e t ha ving
,

laugh e d poking fu n at Robin t orm e nt ing

, , h e l pe d to mak e th e ir whol e life mis e r '

M uch Sudd e nly a wild id e a s truck him

.
, abl e
and h e be gan to roar with laught e r . Have n o fe ars o n that score Robin ; ,

What a l s you William ? as ke d

i I m e an t o find my broth e rs young
“
,
.

R obin i maide ns worthy o f th e most t e nd e r love

My d e ar fri e nd I Will le ave you to
1

, both now and in t h e futur e I kn ow for .

,
”
guess t h e re ason o f m y mirth r e pli e d .
, o n e a charming littl e cr e a tur e who lov e s
,

Will and I wag e r you will not succ e e d

,
“
. my broth e r H e rbe rt passionat e ly .
’

I t must b e som e thing v e ry e nt e rtain “

That is not e nou g h Will I s this , .

ing s e e ing it doth amus e you s o much

, maid en w o r t h y t cal l Winifr e d a nd
that you laugh all by yours e lf Barbara h e r s i ste rs
Without a doubt ; and what 18 mor e
.

“
I n sooth tis highly e nt e rtaini ng ,
’
.
“
, ,

Y o u lw ow my s ix broth e rs ? Th e y a r e
'

I am ce rtain that s h e wi l l make an

all bui lt much o n th e sam e mod e l—fair . e xc e ll e nt wif e 1
.

”
a s corn g e ntl e placid brav e and hon e st And hath H e rbe rt al r eady se e n this
“
.

y
, , , ,
”
“
What t his le adin g up to un dams l ?
W
, o e
”
ill ? e r ta i n l y h e ha t h ; but th e poor
To t his the se good l a ds a r e u n artl es s fellow li ttl e u n a g in es tha t he could
'
“.
.

a cquaint e d with lov e . be t he obj e ct o f such a pr e fe re nce :

”
W e ll ? a sk e d Robin smi li ng , . S e v e ra l tim e s I tri ed to make hi m
W e ll re pli e d Will Scarle tt
,
“
an , pe r c ei ve that he w a s a lwa s we l com e at
i d ea h ath j ust struck m e which might Mistr e ss Anna Mea d o w s l ouse Twas ’
.
’

iv l i S a good de al o f amus em e nt but wast ed l abour f o r H erbe r t did not

g e .
,

'
H 1 0 "
und e r stand m e h e is s o yo ung in spit e ,

As yo u a r e awar e I hav e a gr eat of his twe nt nin e ye ars I ha ve a gr e at

fri en ds hi p y
-
.
,

m flu e nc e ov e r my broth e rs and this v e , or a charming damsel w h o

day I will pe rsuade th e m th ey ought a would suit Egbe rt pe rfe ctl y i n e ve ry
”
t o nn a r r y .
A 1 11 '
1 1 r es pe ct ; th e n M a ud e was speak ing to m e
Robin b e gan to laugh . to day o f a maide n i n th is n eighbourh ood
“
I wil l ass e mble t h e m in a corn e r o f who think e th Harold a b ry fi n e .

th e court yard Will we nt o n “

and I fe llow Thus as yo u s e e obin w e ‘

, , .
, , ,

will put into th e ir h eads th e id e a o f taking have al r e ady a part o f what i s n ee dful to
”
e ach o f th e m a wife o n th e sam e day as carry out m proj e ct
2 U n fo r t uiia te l y W i ll ti s not suffi ci e nt
.

’
Much and Littl e o hn .
, , ,
“
I t is i m p o s s i l e to do such a s e e ing yo u have s i x brother s to marry
”
my d ear Will r e spond e d Robin Your H
“ H
,
. O .

broth e rs a r e o f to o placid and phle gmatic

a nature to b e influ e nc e d by your words
be side s , I know we ll th e y ar e no t in
“
Ve ry good . B ut when yo u 1 have
 O U TL AW
"

64 ROB I N H O O D TH E
things and I W a r n yo u tha t I int e nd As for m e I positi ve ly re fu se to
‘

, y o u ,
”
to marry . r e linquish my 11 said Gregory ’
.

R e ally 1 said Rupe rt d e fiantly , .

“
I did not think to fi nd such se lfishn e ss
“
W e ll I want no wife Marriag e m a y
, . in a son o f my moth e r s said William in ’

be a v e ry fi n e thing but at pre s e nt 1t , a wound e d ton e .

doth 1n no wise conce rn m e .

’
Poor Gre gory blush e d .

”
“
Thou dost no t want a wife ? r e pli e d “
S e e h e r e Gregory said Rupe rt Let
, .

Ve ry possibly ; but thou shalt

,

Will . Will do as h e doth purpose ; h e only

tak e o n e for I know a maid e n w h o will
, wish e s o u r happin ess aft e r all and if h e , ,
”
mak e th ee tak e back that opinion . will have t h e kin d n e ss to se e k m e a wife ,

Rup e rt shook his h e ad .

, I will tak e h e r Thou kn ow e st .

“
Com e now spe ak fr ee ly ; dost l o v e
, w e ry broth e r that r e sistanc e is use l e ss
w ,

any o n e woman more than an oth e r W illiam hath always don e W hat h e would
Yea r e pli e d t h e yo u ng m a
”
,
n grav e ly , . with us .
’

Bravo ! cri e d Will qu i t e tak e n , Sinc e William doth insist upon

”
aback at thi s un e xp e ct e d confide nce f o r , marrying us o ff a dd e d , St e ph e n “
1 ,

Rupe rt shunn e d t h e soci e ty o f girls . would as li e ve w ed 1n thre e days a s in six

”
Who 13 s h e ? T e ll us h er name .
’
months .

I t 13 my moth e r said t he simpl e lad , .

“
I am o f St e ph e n s opin ion said th e ’

Thy moth e r ! r e p eat e d Will a littl e , timid Harold .

scornfully “
Thou dost t e ach us nothing
. I give way t o force add e d Gr e gory
'

, ,

ne w I have long b ee n awar e that thou f o r Will i s a v e r d e vil ; h e wo u ld

sure ly e n d soon e r o r lz
.

dost love ve n e rat e and r e sp e ct o u r moth e r

, , . i ter in dragging m e
”
I am not s pe aking o f th e filial a ff e ction into his n e ts .

which w e hav e f o r o u r par e nts I spe ak Thou wilt soon thank m e for having
o f anoth e r thing — o f love tru e lov e Love , . ov e r thrown thy false all e gations and thy ,

is a se ntim e nt which a t e nde r fee ling j oy shalt b e my r eward .

that we ll a s e ns a ti o n w h i ch mak e s
,
'
I will mar r y to oblig e th ee W i ll , ,
’

t h e h e art l eap toward a young woman . said Gre gor y again , but I hope that m
O n e can a dor e o n e 5 moth e r and ch e rish a re turn thou wilt give m e a pre tty littl e
’

” ”
charming maide n at th e sam e tim e . brid e .

“
I d o not wish t o marry e ith e r sai d , ,
“
I wi ll introduce yo u o ne and all to
Gre gory . youn g a n d charmi ng maid e ns and if ye , ,

D ost think thou hast a will o f thin e do not find th e m adorabl e ye may ,

o w n my boy ? r e pli e d Will Wilt soon spr e ad it abroad t hat Will Scarl e tt doth
“
.
,
"
be shown thin e e rror Canst t e ll m e thy
, not know a pr e tty face .

re ason for r e fusing to marry ?

”
No murmur e d G r e ory fe arfully
, , .

Wilt liv e f or thys e lf o n e ?

Gr egory r e main ed sil e nt .

Hast thou th e audacity to answe r me ,

crie d Will w ith an a ff e c tation o f in digna

,

tion j that thou dost share t h e opin i on o f

,
‘
marri is but a m e rry j e st Who is thy
e .

t h e rasca ls w h o d e spis e t h e soci e ty o f

'
b e lov e H e rbe rt
A nn
,

wome n a M e adows W e had arrang e d

I did n o t sa y t hat a n
.

d still l e ss do I ,
th a t o u r marriage should tak e place at t h e
’
think it ; but sam e tim e as my sist e rs
Th e re 13 no bu t whi c h can ho ld good
. .

”
“ “
Sly dog i said Will gi ving hi s ,
“
in th e face o f r e as ons so concl us ive as broth e r a di g 1n th e ribs I spo ke to th ee .

t hos e which I d o give you all Th e r e for e .

,
y e ste rday o f th e mai de n and thou hadst ,
’
pre par e to se t up house my lads for yo u , n e v e r a word to say .

will be marri e d at th e sam e tim e a s Wini ’

Twas only this morning my d e ar
”
fr e d and Barbara . An na gav e m e a satisfactory re ply .

What crie d E be rt in t h r ee “
Very good ; = but wh e n I a llud e d to
Thou a r t m a d i N ill ; w e have not he r l ov e for the e
, ,

days u
,
‘

thou di dst make n o

,

ti m e to find Wive s I .

L e ave that to me ; I will unde rtak e to

satisfy yo u be tt e r e ve n than your natural
”
t mod e sty could dare to hop e .
 ROB I N H O O D TH E OU TL AW
ex hel le n t wife As I hav e long kn own
.
o
from his companions to pay a v 1s 1t to
al l that thy r e fl e ctions w e r e but an e cho
,
his b e lov e d ; Harold disappear e d som e
o f , min e o w n Thou didst add furth e r mom e nts lat e r ; and Will accom pani e d
'
.
, ,
.

Mistre ss Anna lov e th th e e W e ll I ’

by t h e r e st of his broth e r s mad e h 1s way
to t h e hom e o f th e maid e n d e sti ne d for
.
,

it ; w e w e r e
E b e rt .

i s t r es s Lucy op e n e d t h e hous e door -

h e rs e lf S h e was a charming girl W ith a

.

rosy face and archly sparkling e y e s H e r .

smil e e xpre ss e d goodn e ss and s h e was

always s miling
,

I had alr eady made up my mind t o

W illia m pre s e nt e d his broth e r to
.

m arry ” s a id H a rold ;
“
Maud e inspir e d
me with th e W
”
, ,
1
ish f . Mistr e ss Lucy a nd told h e r o f Egb e rt 3 ,
’

Hath Ma ud e chos e n th y Wife ? good qualiti e s H e w a s so e loqu e nt and

.

a sk e d W i ll with a laugh , . pe rsuasiv e that th e m aid e n with h e r ,

Yea broth e r ; Maud e said it was v e r y

’

, moth e r s c ons e nt allowe d Wi l l t o hop e

’
,

a r e eabl e t o liv e with a charming littl e

g i
‘
that his W ish e s Would b e accomplish e d .

W ai fe nd I agr with h D e light e d at Mistr e ss Lucy s com ’

r
, a g ee e .
y
H ur r a h pl aisanc e William l e ft Egb e rt t o continu e
i

cri ed Will in d elight

My good broth e rs Will yo u conse nt will
, .
,
“
,
'

his wooing alon e and we nt o ff with his ,

fu gly with han d o n h e art to b e marri e d

, , broth e rs .

o n t h e sam e day a s Winifr e d and Bar H ardly w e r e th e y o u t o f th e hous e

b ar e r e St e ph e n r e mark e d to W ill I W ish
“
a ,

W e cons e nt an swe re d th e young , I co u ld spe ak with as much W i t animation , ,

me n who had n o prospe ctiv e wiv e s

, . an d grac e as thou dost us e in conv e rsa
Hurrah for marriag e cri e d Will .
,
tion .

again throwin g his bonn e t 1n t h e air

, . N othing 1s e asi e r than to spe ak grac e
H urrah l r e pe at e d th e six voice s ,
fully to a woman my d e ar lad Th e , .

with o n e accor d . words th e ms e lv e s a r e o f littl e importance

Will said Egb e rt ,
“
think o f o u r ,
it is quit e e now to t e ll th e truth and that ,

brid e s ; thou must hast e to pr e se nt us ri g ht h e ar tily without e mb e llishing it ,

t o th e m fo r sur e th e y would wish t o con Wi th fi n e spe e ch e s

‘

.
,

v e rse a l i ttl e with us b e for e w e dding us .

’
I s s h e whom thou hast chos e n for m e
”
That 1s v e ry lik e Come with m e all .
, . com e ly ?
I have a pre tty maide n for Egb e rt and I a ,
“
L e t m e know thy tast e t e ll m e of ,
”
t h i nk I know thr ee girls who would suit t h e kind of b e auty thou dost admir e .

Gr e o r y Rupe rt and Ste ph e n admirabl y

, ,
”
. Oh r e pli e d St e ph e n
,
“
I am not v e ry ,

y d ear Will said Rup e rt I w 1s h “

, ,
hard to pl e as e ; a wife like Maude would
f o r a fair slim maid e n I would not car e
, ,
suit m e we ll e now
to marry t o o stout a W ife
”
.
"
‘
A w i f e l i ke M a u d e would suit th e e
. .

I know thy romantic tast e and I will ,

we ll e now r e p e ate d Will ove rc om e ,

d eal with t h e e accordingly thy b e troth e d with astonishm e nt “

That I can readily .

is frail as a r e e d and pr e tty as an an g e l . be li e v e a n d I would have th e e k now that

,

Com e my lads I will pre se nt you o n e

, ,
thou art not at all mode rat e 1n thy d e sir e s .

a fte r anoth e r ; y e shall pay your court By St Paul ! Ste ph e n a wife lik e Maud e
is a rar e thing to fi n d —i f not quite undis
.
,

and if ye do ii o t know how to pl e ase a

,
’

Woman I will a d v i s e yo u o r b e tt e r still I

, .
, , ,
cove rabl e Kno w w e ll poor ambitious
.
,

will tak e your plac e s be side your lady l a d that th e r e doth not e xi st o n e arth
,
”
lo ve s . any o n e to be compar e d W ith my de ar littl e
“
What a pity t1s that thou canst not wife !
marry o u r futur e wive s broth e r Will ;
‘

,
Dost think so Will 1 ,
”
things Would g o s o mu ch mor e smoothly I am c e rtain o f it r e pli e d Maud e s ,
’

husband in a pe r e mptory ton e

, .

I nd e e d I did not kn ow it Yo u mus t

, .

e xcus e my ignoranc e W ill ; I hav e not ,

trave ll e d ye t r e pli e d th e young

But 1f thou couldst g i v e me
,

innoce ntly “
.

a wife W hos e b eaut y w a s of Ma ud e s ’

kin d
66 ROB I N H o o n TH E OU TL AW ,

W ilt kiss h er Th e first ob s tacl e s u r ,

. . .

moun te d thou wilt no t fi n d i t diffic ul t tci 3 ‘ ‘ ’

.

,
”
continue the pro gr e ss .

‘
I 1 sh ould n ev er dar e to l be s o u
“ '

S 3
sa1d St e ph e n t l m l dl
’
J a

o w n tast e
u .
r

I should n e v er (ia r e ! r e peaited Wi ll

.
, ,

olat e ton e
’

Th e n thou wilt b e happy with h e r in a mocki ng ton e

.
P ,
'

U pon . .
.
‘f

First of all I Will t e ll t he e h e r nam e it is St e ph e n if I we r e not sur e that thou

’ ' ‘
-
, , , . ,

We rt a brav e a nd v a l i a ri t f o r e s t e r
' '

Minni e M e adows I
‘

I know h e r said St e ph e n smili ng sli o ul d tak e th e e for a girl dr e ssed m

.
E ,
’ ’
“
'

.
, ,

S h e 1s a young girl with black e y e s and ma n s cl o tl h e s

’ ‘

l
.

’
curly hair M i nni e was in th e habit o f St e ph e n bl u sh e d
'

. .

” 2
making fun o f m e ; s h e said that I was But h e said h e sitatingly , ,

foolish and sl e e p y H owe ve r I lik e h e r maide n sh o uld be distr e sse d at

.
, ,

in spit e o f h e r t easing O n e day wh e n haviour ? .

l " , 1
1
’
5

w e w e r e by ours e lv e s s l i e laughingly
“
W e ll thou w 1l t kiss h er ag ai n; a nd
, ,

Sw ee t mistr e ss a dorabl e
ll
aske d m e if I had e ve r kisse d a maid in s a y to h e r
'

, ,

M1n n i e I shall not c ease fi om ki ssin g

‘
”
,

’
my life
'

.
, .

" .

What r eply didst mak e to M inni e s you until y o u do forgiveh i e B esi d e

’
.
-
.

qu e stion ? which b e ar th i s in mind a nd r em e mbe r , ,

I ans we r e d that ce rtainly I had ki ss e d it o n occasi on a girl n ev e i

,

“ ‘

my sist e rs M inni e w e nt o ff into fits o f obj e cts to a kiss from t h e m a n s h e lov e s

'

. .
,

H av e But if h er love r d ispl e as e s h e r the cas e

'

laught e r and ask e d m e again

' ' ’

, , ,

ou n e v e r kiss e d an y oth e r wo man is alt e r e d ; th e n s h e d e fe nds h e rs e lf a nd ,

-

your si s t e rs ? B y y our l e av e s h e de fe nds h e rs e lf so W e ll that y o u

’
ut
‘

mistr e ss I r e pli e d I hav e kiss e d m

, ,

a h
'
’

, y cannot ,b egin ‘
gain T o u n e e d s t not . .
,

fe ar a r e al r e fusal f roiif JVIi nn ie I have

'

moth e r .
’
.

Thy moth e r thou silly

'

f ool ! W ell l ar n t from a o d sou r c that h

“
g
’

y , e o e t e , ' 3 5
W hat d i d s h e say to th e e a f t ér thy fi n e in ai d is fri e ndly d1s po s e d towa r d th e e
04

answ e r ? St e ph e n luc ke d
S h e laugh e d loud er th an e v e r Th e n pro mis e d VS
,
'

i l l iam ,
l l

s h e ask e d m e if I d id not W ish to kiss shy ne ss t

.
'

any oth e r wom e n b e sid e s my moth e r Min ni e w as alon e in the h ous e

'

and siste rs I mad e answ e r Nay , mis Good d a y s w e e t said

'

taking th e e x t e n de d hand o f th e maiden?

.
, ,

tr e ss .
’
,

Thou re at ninny ! thou shoulde st who blush ed pr e tti ly as s h e g reet e d him

'

have ki s s e Minni e ; that was t h e r e ply I have brought my bro th e r St e ph e n ,

“

d u e to h er qu e stions w h o hath som e thing I o f impor ance to

’

,
.

t t
.

I n eve r thought o f it answe r e d t e l l yo u

'

“
.
,

St e ph e n qui e tly , . H e ! cri e d t he girl And W hat ve ry .

How did y e part aft e r this plea s an t 1m po r ta n t thing can he hav e to say t o .
”
conv e rsati on ? me ?
“
Mi nni e call e d m e a gaby ; th e n s h e
r an away lau hing still , .

I th o r o u g l y approv e o f th e
app l i ed to t h ee by thy futur e wife .

s h e r e ally suit th e e ?

Y ea but what s hall I s a y to h e r

,

wh en w e a r e al on e ? W hat h e w i
“
Thou must say all s orts of pr e tty kindn e ss .

things to h e r ’
nounc e my sist e rs marriage s ’ ’

t e ll m e Wil l
. .

i
I h ave h e ard o f th e fes tivi ti e s wh ch
'

“
I und e rstand “
.
, ,

how must I b e gin ar e o n foot at t h e H all .

is alway d i fli c u l t
”
word .

Wh e n
thou wilt
 R OB I N H OO D TH E OU TLAW
Yo u Will bring your lov e r will you I love Winifr e d and Barbara Wi th all
nt
,
” ”
o , Minni e ? my h e art r e pli e d th e girl softly
, ,
.

”
Th e n ; said St eph en “
I may hope
, ,
‘
,

mistr e ss t hat in consid e ration o f your

m
,
"
love f or y sist e rs y o u will tr e at m e
"E
,

kindl y
i
W e sh al l s ee said th e girl coqu e t , ,

t s hly .

“
Good bye charm i ng M inn i e said
William with a smil e I pray yo u be
, “ ,
“
, .

good and kind to th e fi n e fe llow who lov e s

yoti s o w e ll ev e n though h e do th not , ,

t e stify very e l oqu e ntly to his love ‘

.

Y o u a r e too s e v e r e Will re pli e d the

mai d e n grav e ly I do n o t thi nk St e ph e n
, ,
“
.
,

could possibly hav e e xpre ss e d hims e lf

b e tt e r .

W e ll I s ee t hat yo u ar e r eal ] a most

e xc e ll e nt young woman
,

sw ee t inni e ”
, M ,

said Will “
P e rmit m e to kiss our hand
.

and to s a y once mor e Good ye sist e r

I
, ,

min e
Should I r e ply to William Good
.

sist e rs “
,
‘

As tom s h e d this abrupt d e cl aration

a t , b ye , broth e r min e ? ask e d Minni e ’

th e maide n did not know how to answ e r . turning to S t e ph e n .

List e n to me d e ar Minni e
, said ,
’
“
Y ea d e ar l ady y e a
, cri e d St e ph e n , , ,

Will .M y b r o t h e r h a th long lov ed you

‘
, J oyfully S a y to h
. i m Good bye broth e r , , ,

and his sil e nce com e th not from his h e art so that h e may go quickly .
’

“
Thou d os t make progre ss my lad
'

, ,

laugh e d Will “
My l e ssons a r e e vi de ntly
.

b e arin g fruit
With Which Willia m ki sse d Minnie
.

an d w e nt o n H i s w ay wi h Gr e go r y an d
‘

t
Rup e rt .

N ow tis o u r turn is t n o t Will ?

“ ’ ’
, ,

said Gre gory I am impati e nt to s e e my

futur e W i fe
“
And so am I add ed Rupe rt , .

e pl i e d girl looking
th e Wh e re do th sh e live ? ask e d G r e
I W
,

a s so littl e p r e gory y
o p os a l ; tis s o hasty S h a ll I s e e my futur e brid e t o day ?
‘ ’

do not know h o w to continu e d Rup e rt .

Your ve ry natural curiosity shall b e

satisfi ed r e pli e d Will
, Your futur e ‘

W iv e s a r e cousins a n d a r e call e d M ab e l ,

and Editha H a r r o w fi e ld .

I know th e m both said Gr e gory , .

”
I know th e m too add e d Rup e rt ,
.

Th e y a r e pr e tty girls W ill continu e d

”
, ,
“
and I am not surpris e d that th e i r
charming face s have attract e d your att e n
tion I hav e hardly b e e n e ight e e n months
.

at B a r n s d a l e but th e r e is not a maid e n ,

in t h e county blond e o r brun e tt e that I do , ,

not know Lik e yourse lve s min e att en.

,

tion hath alr e ady b e eri attracte d by Mabe l

an d E di th a
’ ”
.

I n e v e r saw a fe llow to e qual th ee ,

”
Will said Gr e gory ; thou dost know all
,
“
68 ROB I N H O O D i TH IE OU TLA \Y .

t h e wom e n and art always rovi n Of a voi ce as swee t as th e song o f a bird

g
.
, .

Do us th e honour to e nt e r 211111 part ke

,
.
”
t r uth w e r e se mb le t h ee but littl e
a
.

”
“
Unhappily for you r s e l v e s m m y lads ; o f s om e r e fr e shm e nt
i
.

A thousand t ha n ke cha r rhi ng Mabe l

.
,

for did you r e se mbl e m e th e le a s t bit in ,

t h e world I should ri ot be obli e d t o r e pli e d Wi l l S o kin d and g r acious an

“

wive s for you o r have to t e a ci you h o w offe r shoul d n o t m e e t W

, ith a r e fusal W e .

”
t o mak e lov e to th e m W ill drink your h e al th an d happin ess in a
Oh r e pli e d Gr e gory firml y it ill fi a on o f a l e 1 W
.

.
, , ,

not b e d i fli c u l t for di r ba and Mab e l who we re kind ,

Mab e l ari d E ditha h eart e d and sprigh tly ma1 d en e r e ce iv e d

.
, ,

charming and ,I l am , t he broth e rs complim en ts with much ’

a good cr eatur e so laughte r ; th e n aft e r a n h our s m e rry ’

conv e rsation Gr e go ry su m
, ,

an if s h e will b e t m o n e d up h i s ,

G a m w ell . cour ag e to a s k Editha ti mi dly wh e the r

Such a qu e stion must not b e put s h e i nte n d e d go i ng to th e Ha ll i n t h e
abruptly my good l a d o r thou w ilt r u n com any o f h er lov e r
l

p 1
.
, ,

t h e risk o f a r e fusal shall not be a ccompani ed by o ne

.

“
T e ll m e th e n how I should e xplain love r alon e but by half a doze n m e rry
, , ,
"
m in e int e ntions to Editha I do not lads r e plie d Editha gaily .
, ,

know th e tricks o f cunning I wi sh to This most un e x pe cte d an s we r thre w “ .

hav e h e r for wife and I should think it poor Gr e gory into gre at confusion H e
, .
‘

but natural to say Editha I am r eady si b e d a n d tur ning to his broth e r

, , , ,

W i s pe r e d him asid e
.

,
to marry you .

“
Thou wil t e m barrass the maid e n Tis all ove r with m e ; dost not think ’

ov e rmuch an thou dost s hoo t such a so ? I can not compe t e with half a doze n
,

d e claratio n at he r point blan k s a spirants R e all

y I h av e n o luck and
What must I do
. .
, ,
“
a ke d must e e n r e ma m a bach e lor all my
.
,
’

Gr egor y m d e spair , days . .

Thou must g e ntly l e ad th e conv e rsa “

Since t hou dost not wish t o marry
tion in th e w ay thou wouldst follow ; that Will suit th ee said W ill t eas i ngly
,
”
.
, ,

sp e ak first o f th e ball to be give n at th e I had not thought o f it t hat was all ;

H all 1n three days tim e o f th e happ i n ess but s i nce th e id e a e nt e r ed m mind I
,
’

, ,

o f Littl e J ohn and Much ; mak e a skilf u l hav e b ee n tor me nt e d with t h e ea r o f not .

allusion t o thin e a pproaching m arr i ag e b e ing abl e to find a Wife , .

,

Thou shalt hav e Editha ; l e t me

0

and in this conn e ct i on ask Edith a as I

, , ,

hav e ask e d Minni e if s h e thinks o f be ing ,

it Mistre ss E ditha sai d .
,

marri e d and if s h e will com e t o th e fe ast

, o u r vi sit had a do ubl e o bj e ct .

”
at B a r n s d a l e W ith a love r W ish e d to invit e you to o u r
What if Editha r e ply Yea Greg ory fami ly fe sti v iti e s th e n I would pr e se nt t o
,
‘
, , ,

e a I will go t o t h e ball with a lov e r ? you not a g a llant for h d anc an ’

y t e e

W e ll th e n thou wil t say Mis tr e ss ador e r f o r fo u r and twe nty h ours—yo u

, , ,
“ ‘
, , . ,
i
th at lov e i 1s m yse lf l a v e six o f those and th e s e ve nth wo u ld
’

But Gre gory v e nture d once again cut a sorry fig ure—but an hon e st lad
.
,

, , ,
“
what if Editha doth r e fus e my hand P st e ady good mob a nd o n e who Will be , , ,

Th e n you will o ff e r it to M ab e l proud and happy to o ffe r you his h eart, .

And what o f m e P said t ert hi s hand a n d his nam e .

, .

”
Editha will not re fuse answe re d M istr e ss Editha look e d pe nsive ,
.

Will ; th e r e fore n e v e r be un e asy e ach “

Ar e you spe aking s e riously Will ? ,

o f y o i1 shall hav e t h e girl o f his h e art to s h e ask e d

.

"
W if e .

Th e young m e n cross e d th e village

gr e e n and stopp e d b e fore a pr e tty house
, ,

upon t h e doorst e p o f which stood two

girls .

“
Good morrow fair Editha and Mab e l ,

s aid Will gr ee ting t h e cousins

,
“
My .

broth e rs and I a r e com e to ask yo u to a

we dding dance .

W e lco m e fair Sirs s aid Mabe l i i i a

”
, , ,
 O U TL AW
'

ROB I N H O O D TH E 69

all owe d Gr e gory to approach t h e m aid e n th e m erry band o f outlaws Th e n e w

co me rs prote st e d loudly and carri e d th e ir
.
,

and look e d at Rupe rt to s ee Wh e th e r h e ,

re quir e d any h e lp inte nding to go to his ,

complaints to t h e a uthoriti e s 1n th e town
assistanc e if it we r e n e ce ssary But
, . o f N ottingham But th e s e complaints
.

u e r t did n o we r e ta xe d w ith e xagg e ration and r e c e ive d

l
Rp t r e quir e his a i d ; he ,

tal kmg to Mabe l in a low voic e and no r e ply and th e r e ason o f this apathy o n
,

holding h e r hands as h e kn e lt on o ne th e part of t h e R e e ve and oth e r i mportant

‘ '

kn e e be for e h e r appar e ntly thanking h e r

,
pe rsonag e s was as follows .

for som e favour . Many of Robin Hood s m en we r e ’

Good quoth Will to hims e lf “

he ,
r e lat e d to t he inhabitants of N ottingh a m ,

ca n look aft e r hi ms e lf ; I can l e av e him and quit e nat urally th e s e latt e r us e d th e ir

”
.

to his o w n r e sourc e s . influ e nce with t h e civil and military

H e watch ed t h e lov e rs f o r a f e w authoriti e s to pre ve nt any rigorous
minute s and th e n W ithout attracting
, , m e as ur e s be ing tak e n against th e
th e ir atte nti on h e l e ft th e room and ran
,
For e ste rs Th e s e worthy m e n w e r e
.

back to th e Hall . t e rribly afraid that if i n cons e qu e nc e ,

The r e h e m e t Robin Marian and , ,

o f a succ e ssful attack t h e M e rri e M e n ,

Maud e to Whom h e re lat e d what had

,
w e r e drive n from the ir gre e n dwelling
happe ne d d e picting to th e m the timor ous
,
plac e th e y migh t som e morning hav e
,

em barrassm e nt o f t h e prospe ctiv e brid e t h e m e lancholy satisfaction o f s e eing o n e

grooms but h e en d e d 1n r e cognis i ng that o f th e ir o w n kinsm e n han ing by th e
, g
the y oun g me n had brough t th e ms e lve s n e ck from t he town gallows .

o u t o f th e 1r d i fii c ul t positions v e ry w e ll . Ho we ve r as it was n e c e ssa r y to mak e

,

Towar ds e ve nin g th e broth e rs r e turn e d a pr e t ence o f right e ous indignation and

t o th e H all radiant with j oy Th e ir ‘
j ustic e th ey doubl e d t h e r e ward pro mis e d
victo ry Wa s co m
. ,

pl e te , and th e y h ad o n e to any o n e who should succ e e d l n ca p t u r

a n d a l l obtaine d t h e conse nt o f th e ir lady ing Robi n H ood Whoe ve r appli e d for
.

l ov e s . it could at once obtain a warrant for

Th e pare nts of th e maide ns thought o
it arr e sting th e famous Outlaw Many m e n .

a pi e ce of folly to marry with such of gr e at physical str e ngth o r of a d e t e r

pr e cipitation but t h e honour o f en te r i n min e d spi rit had mad e th e att e mpt b u t
an un e xpe cte d thing happe ned—th e y had
, ,

t h e nobl e family o f G a m w e l l r e mov e d a 1

th e ir scruple s . all be com e by th e i r o wn wi sh m e mb e r s
, .
,

Sir Guy cl e ve rly pr e par e d b Robin to o f th e band of m e rry For e st e rs

choic e w e y
.
,

corn e d th e
gr e at kind n e ss The
r e ce l e brat e d o n o n e
much pomp ; and each Wa s
at t h e happin e ss which had
,
O n e morning Robin and Will Scar l e tt
. w e r e strolling through t he For e st wh e n
Much sudde nly appe ar e d b e for e th e m,
str e aming with pe rspirati on and pant i ng
f o r br e ath .

t o his shar e . What hath ha ppe n e d Much ? aske d ,

Robin; anxiously “
Ar e yo u pursu e d ?
.

”
Yo u a r e s o aking w ith pe rspi ration .

”
N e ve r fe ar Robin , r e p l i e d t he ,

young man W iping his crimson face

,
5
! .

(311 11 1 11 5 11 VI I I Thanks be to H eave n I have had no ,

dan ge rous e ncounter I have only come .

l t
'

MON TH a f té r th e e ve nts j ust r e a e d, from a bout with quart e r sta ve s with

Robin Ho o d , his W if e , and t he P e ace ful Arthur Good Lord ! t h e lad
.

w h a le of hi s band o f M e rri e Men we re hath th e str engt h of a gi ant in his arm

'

install e d onc e again be ne ath th e tr e e s o f “

Yo u spe ak truly my d e ar Much and , ,

ti S in d e e d a r ou h j ob to fight with
’

g
1

Abo u t thi s tim e a numbe r o f N ormans , , Arthur wh e n h e 15 m e arn e st .

liber ally paid for th e ir mi litary se rvice s

a Arth u r always k ee ps cool re pli e d ,

by H e nry I I cam e to tak e poss e ssion o f

.
, M uch ; but as h e 13 ignorant o f th e r eal
t h e domains give n th e m by t h e Ki ng s
’
rul es of t he game h e owe s his succ e ss
.
,
”
g e n e rosity Som e o f th e se N o rmans
.
, only to hi s tr e m e n dous muscl e .

W11 0 we r e oblig e d t o cross Sh e rwood

“
Did he make yo u cry for quarte r
Fo res t to reach t he ir ne w e sta t e s W e re I should think s o But f or that h e
'

.
, ,

c o n straine d t o pay th e ir way libe r lly by would have knocke d all t he br e ath o u t of
‘

a
70 ROB I N 1 H OO D TH E j OU TL AW
m e At this mom e nt h e is trying a bout looking m e up a nd do wn from head to foo t
.

with Littl e J ohn but with such an a d v e r disdainfu l ly if I g ave t h ee ga si ngl e blow
, ,

sary Arthur s d e fe at cannot be doubt e d o n t he fi n g e r s with my staff thou ; woulds t

’

,
.

for wh e n he be g i n s t o strik e hard Littl e not b e abl e to u s e e ith e r s w or d o r bo w , .

’

S pe ak civill y my lad I re pli e d a n

_

John doth e e n lift his staff and giv e him ’ ‘ ’

thou wish not to ge t a s o u hd thrashing

, , ,

som e shre wd ; blows on t h e shoul de rs , .

’

t each him to mo d e ra t e t he transports of

~
H ow now h ttl e fri e nd whip a n oa k , , ,

his str e ngth . with a r e e d ! Whom dost take thys e lf

For what r e a s on did yOu e ngag e With for th e n young pr o d igy o f ”val o ur ? Lea r n , ,

t h e indomitabl e Arthur ask e d Robin that I car e not fo r th ee t he l e ast bit 1n t h e , .

“
Without rhym e o r re ason sim ply world Howe ver an if thou wi sh te fi g ht , .
.
, ,

pass an hour agr ee abl y and to g i ve o u r I am thy man ’

a

Thou hast no swor d I obse rv e d

. 1
.

limbs h e althy e x e rcis e ’

I n ee d non e wh e n I have my s ta fi
.
,

Arthur is a t e rrible fi g h te r sai d

'

“ ‘
'

, ,
.

Robin and o n e day h e ov e rcam e m e in

, Th e n I must tak e a staff o f t h e same
a bout with quart e r s tave s l e ngth as thin e
-
.

You ! cri e d Will So be it s aid h e putting hi mse lf o n

’

e som ew m
. 1
, ,
“
Ye a c ousin h e t e a te d
,
r h at hi s u a r d
, .
Q A'

aft e r th e fashion in Which h e hath imm ediat e l yd e alt him th efirst blow,
han d l e d Much ; th e rascal us e d his oake n a ii I saw th e blood gush from his fore ii
staff lik e a bar o f i ron h ea d a nd stre am down h i s ch e e ks S tag
H o w was it t ha t h e beat yo u ? g e ring und er t h e blo w h e made a st e p
. .

“
.
,

Wh e re di d th e bou t t ake place

, ask e d backward I lo we r e d my weapon but .
,

Will curiously
, s ee ing t h e move ment which no doubt
.
1

Th e match took plac e in th e F or e st appe ar e d t o him an e xpre ss i on o f triumph , ,

a n d th i s : i s h ow
1

I mad e Arthur s a o he s e t himse lf again to wi e ld his staff w ith ’

quain tan ce I wa s wa l ki n g by mys e lf a n e x traordi nary s tr e n

. a n d cl eve rnes s .

down a l on e ly path in t h e wood wh e n With such viol e nc e di h e strik e o u t tha t ,

I saw th e gigantic Arthur l e aning upon I had hardly str e ngth to ward o ff h is blows
an iron fe rrul e d staff with e y e s and and k ee p my sta ff 1n my cle nche d hands , .

mouth wid e ope n wat ch i n g a h er d o f I n l e aping back to avo i d a t e rr ibl e attac k, . .

d e e r w i th i n z a f e w fe e t o f him H is I n egle ct e d to k e e p up my nard a nd he

gigantic appe arance ; t h e air o f candid took advantag e o f it to d eaf m e th e most
.
. . .
,

, .

innoce nc e which ov e rspr ea d his larg e t e rrific crack on th e skull I ha ve e ve r , , .

face m a d e m e w ish to amuse myse lf at r ec e iv e d I fe ll b a ck a s though pi e rced by

,
'
.

his e xpe ns e I glid e d d e xt e rously be hind an arrow b u t I did no t los e conscious

.
,

him and accost e d him by a v i gorous bl ow n e ss a n d again sprang to my f ee t The

, ,
.

with t he fist b e tw een his shoulde rs co mbat suspe nd ed fo r an i nstant b ega n .

, ,

Arthur start ed turn e d his he ad and again Arthe r r a in e d his blows upon m e
, ,

glar e d at m e w r a th f u l l y with such tr e m endous forc e b e s ca rce

m
u ,

Who a r t thou said I to hi and gav e m e tim e to d e fe n d mys e lf Thus ,

‘
.

what d o st thou m e an b wand e rin g in w e fought for n early four hours W e

1 .

t h e woo d ? Th o u h ast a l t he appe aranc e mad e t h e e cho es o f th e o l d wood ring

o f a robbe r go i ng to st e al t he d ee r: B e wi t h o u r blows r e volving round o ne
.
1
,

I am th e anoth e r like two Wil d boars wh e n th e y

"

.s o go o d a s to cl e ar o fi a t on ce .

K ee pe r o f this par t o f the Fore st and I fi ght At l e ngth thinking th e r e was not . , .
,

will n o t suffe r t e pr e se nce zo f rascals of much u s e in conti n uin g a str u ggl e : in

th y kind h ’ 1

which th er e was li ttl e to gain n o t ev en

p
. z ,

W e ll h e re l ie d carelessl y tr y a n d
:

‘
, ,

re mov e me if t hou dos t wish it but I do ,

not int e nd t o g o Cal l f o r h el p if it be ,

thy good pl easur e ; I wil l n o t oppo se th e e th e quarr e l W e might knock ea ch o th e r . . 1 .

I nee d cal l for no o n e to e n fo rc e t h e about until to morro w and b oth b e g r o e nd

. .

law o r my wish e s my fin e I am ,

accusto m e d to trust to min e o w n r esource s ,

W t h a s tho u mayst s e e a r e worthy o f

, .
1
, -
 2 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLAW ,
,

vanquish e d again and t h at would be for , ,

arr e st Robin a nd pr o po s eth m e th e ,

t h e third t i m e r e ward ’

W hat for t h e third ti m

. .

, e ? cri e d Thou sp eak est o f thi s arr e st alr e ady ,

Wil l s o oft e n vainl att e mpt e d ? as if it w e r e

.

y
Ye a aspe r the Tinke r gave me a t h e e asi e st t h m g in t h e world t o a cc o m
J
“
,
”
sound dru bing p li s h .

“
R e ally ? W hen was that ? Doub t ‘
I t will n ot be v e ry di ffi cult
l e ss b e fore h e was e nroll ed in th e band r e pli e d t h e Tink e r I am of solid .
‘

“
Ye a
”
r e pli e d Ro bin
,
“
I am in t he . hav e muscl e s o f 1m m a t r i e d ,

habit o f provi n g the courag e and str e ngth much pati e n ce Th us can I .

o f a man f o r mys e lf b e for e putting my catch my man .

’

confid e nc e in h i m I do not wish for . We rt thou to m ee t accide ntall y

‘
,

co m p a n i o n s w 1th w e a k he a d s and h e arts

, , ,
. shouldst r ecognis e him ? ’

O n e m or n i n I m e t aspe r t he Tink e r o n “ ‘
I hav e n e ve r s e e n him ; an if I
t h e roa d to i l o tti n g am Yo u know his kn e w his face m y task would be hal f
acc omplish e d Art any w ise r than I am
.
,

vi gorous broad shou l d e re d p e rson and I

n e e d give yo u no d e scription o f th e jolly
.
,

in this r e spe ct ?
rascal his looks pl e ase d m e as he walk e d
, ,
Y ea I hav e m e t Robin Hood t w ice
, ,

with a firm ste p whistling a gay ai r I , .

:
and pe rchanc e it would be possible for me
advan c e d to m ee t him . to h e lp th ee m thin e e nt e rpris e .

Good day my fri end said I to him , ,

’
. My fi n e l a d an thou canst d o that , ,
’

‘
I s e e thou art a trave ll e r Tis said ,
.
’
s aid h e I will e en give th e e a large
,
‘ ’

th e r e is bad n e w s abroad ; is that t rue ? ’

shar e o f th e r e ward I shall gain .

What n e ws dost spe a k o f ? h e .

‘
I wi ll point o u t a place wh e re tho u
ask e d I know o f non e w o rth naming
.
‘
. couldst m e e t him I r e pli e d ; but be fore ’
,
‘

I com e from B a m bo r o u g h a nd am a ti n ,
. goin any f u rth e r in o ur und e rtaki ng I ,

smith by trade and I think on ly o f my s ho d li k e t o see th e ord e r for his

arr e st ; t o be v a l id it must be draw
,
’
work . n up
Th e n e ws in qu e stion ought to acc ording to r 11l e .
’

in te r e st th e e all th e sam e my fi ne fe l lo w I am gr e atl y obli e d for th y pr e

caution answe r e d th e I i n ke r d e fia n tl y
.
,

I hav e h e ard that te n o f you T ink e rs ,

’
, ,

hav e j ust b e e n put in th e stocks for be ing but I sh a ll confide t h e pape r to 1i o o n e .

drunk .
’
I know it is valid and i n orde r ; th at
e » ‘
Thy n e ws is not worth a groat h e ,
’
satisfie s m e and s o mu ch th e wors e fo r
, ,

re pli e d but if all w h o drank we re put in

,
‘
th ee i f thou do st n o t be li e v e it Robin
. .

t h e stocks thou wouldst c e rtainly tak e t h e H ood shall s e e th e Kin g 5 ord e r wh en I

’

fir st plac e th e re for thou hast not the a i r , have him in my powe r bo u ri d han d and ,

o f a man who d e spis e th g ood win e

’
.

‘
I n truth I am n o e n e my to th e ,

bott le and I do n o t think th e r e i s a j ovial

,

h e art i n all t h e world that d es pis e th win e .

B u t ww h a t brings th e e hith e r from Bam

borough ? F o r assure dly it w as n o t th e
int e r e sts o f thy trade ’
1

‘
I t was not my trad e i n sooth , ,
’

r es n ded aspe r I am s ee king a robbe r .

cal e d R0 in Ho od A r e w ard o f o n e . .

hundre d gold e n crowns is prom i s e d to

any o n e who can capture him a n d I much ,

d e sir e to gain that r eward .

’

H o w ,; t li i n kes t to captur e Rob in

Hood ? I a ske d t h e T ink e r fo r I w as
’
,

gr ea tl y surprise d at th e cal m and se rious

way i n whi ch h é made this stran g e .

confid e nc e .
 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U TLAW 73
s topped at Pat s I nn an d I aske d th e ’
Of my compan ion H e hath plunde r e d
, .

mast e r o f t h e hous e f o r a bottl e o f a m e .

’

S p e cial kind o f bee r Th e Tinke r who “

W e ll that doth n o t suit m e at all
.
,
‘
, ,
’

had b ee n on his fe e t sinc e e arly morni n g sa id th e I nnk e e pe r with an appe aranc e , ,

was lit e rally dying o f thirst a n d t h e bee r o f an g e r f o r you hav e h e re a long shot
, ,
‘

soon disapp e ar e d Afte r th e bee r I to s e ttle .

’

cal l e d for win e and aft e r th e win e again ,

“
A shot to s e t tle l groan e d Jaspe r ‘ ’

f o r b ee r and so o n f or a n hour
, Without I hav e naught l e ft naught whate ve r ; .
,

p e rce iving it th e Tink e r had e mpti e d t h e wr e tch hath utt e rly d e spoil e d m e I
, .

e v e ry bottl e s e t be for e him for I b e ing had in my purs e a warrant o f arr e st und e r
, ,

by nature ave rse to t h e immod e rate u s e t h e King s hand ; and by th e h e lp o f that ’

o f win e co nt e nt e d myse lf with a fe w warrant I mi ght h a ve ma d e my fort un e

,
.
, ,

glass e s I n ee d hardly t e ll yo u that th e I might have captur e d Robin Hood

. .

worth y fe llow be came compl e t e ly i n to x i Th i s thi e f o f a strange r promise d to h e lp

c a te d . Th en h e b egan to r e gal e m e with m e and was going to conduct m e intos ,

a boastful account o f all h e would do to th e pre s e nce o f the outlaw chi e f Oh .

,

captur e Robin Hood and h o w afte r t h e rogu e ! H e hath abu s e d my c o nfi

, ,

taking th e Chi e f o f t h e M e rri e M e n d e nce and carri e d o ff my prec i ous pape r !

pr i son e r h e would arr e st t h e whol e band
, How ? r eturn e d t he I nnk e e p e r ,
’
.

and tak e th e m all to London Th e King Yo u confide d to that you ng man th e .

‘

would re ward his brave ry by giving him e vil int e nti o ns that have brought you to .

a fortun e and th e privil e g e s o f a grand N ottingham ? 1

dignitary o f t h e Sta t e ; but at th e v e ry Th e Tink e r thr e w a sid e long glanc e

mom e nt wh e n t h e illustrious co nqu e ror at his host .

was o n t h e point o f marrying an English I t a ppe ars said he that you would ,
’
,
‘
.

Princ e ss h e fe ll from his chair a n d roll e d not l end a h e lping hand to th e brav e
, , ,

fast asl ee p ben e ath the tabl e , fe llow who would wish to ar r e st Robin
. .

I took th e T inke r s purse ; it contain e d Hood ? ’

,
’

be sid e s mon e y t h e orde r f or my arr e st , By my faith r e pli e d th e I nnk e e pe r .

,
’
,

I paid o u r e xpe n s e s and told th e I nn Robin H oo d h a th n e v e r don e m e

,

kee p e r and his quarr e ls with th e r u l e rs o f t h e

“
‘
Wh e n this fe llow awak e s you will land d o not conc e rn m e B ut how th e ,
.

ask him to pay fo r o u r r e fre shm e nt ; th e n de vil continue d t h e man did you com e , ,
’
,

if h e asks you who I am a n d wh e re I am to be drinking j oyously with him and ,

to be found yo u will answe r that I live showi n g h i m your littl e pape r inst e ad o f
, ,

in th e For e st and tha t my nam e is Robin s e izing hi s pe rson ? ’

y
,

Th e Tink e r sta r e d wi ldl at

’
H ood .

“
Th e I nnk ee pe r a worthy ma n in What do you m e an ? h e aske d
, ,
’
.

whom I have e v e y -co nfi d e n ce b e gan I m e an that you have lost an o ppo r

laugh gaily r . t u n i ty o f capturing Robin Hood
,

.
’

“
B e ea s Mast e r Robin said h e H o w so ?
‘ ’

will f a i th f u l h
1

y
, ,

carry o u t your
y ord e rs ; and Oh what a dolt you b e ! ,
~

s houl d th e Tin ke r wish to s ee yo u again Hood was h e r e j ust now ; You e nte re d ,
.

h e will only have to s e e k you tog e the r you drank tog e th e r .

’
, ,
‘
You und e rstand m e my good fe llow thought you we re o n e of his band, ,
’
.

I r e pli e d picking up th e Tinsmith s bag

, I drank with Rob ’
.

And th e r e is e v e ry re ason to be li e ve t h e glasse s wi th Robin '

good man will not l e t m e wait his visit astound e d Tink e r .

long ’
Y e a a thousand tim s y e e a "
Saying which I bade th e I nn ke e pe r
. .
,
“
,This i s too much ! e xclai me d th e ’

far e we ll and l e ft t h e hous e

, poor man s eating himse lf h eavily in a
.
,

Afte r sle e pin g for som e hours Jaspe r chair But h e shall n e ve r s a y that h e,
.
‘

awok e H e soon be cam e awar e o f my tricke d aspe r t h e Tink e r with i mpunity

J
. .

abse nc e and of th e los s of his pu r s e Oh vil ain ! Oh thi e f b e llowe d t h e .

, , .

Tink e r wait wait wait while I s ee k ,

‘
, ,

th e e out .
’

“
I would fain s e e th e ‘

yo u sa id
 ROB I N H O OD TH E O U T L AW
“

74
“ ‘
is th e amount o f your bi ll ? I po int e d o u t t h e re inforc e m ent w hi ch
VVh a t
’ ’

ask e d asp e r wrathfull y , had com e to my assis ta nce .

w
'
.

e n shillings r e pli e d th e h o s t ove r What 1s i t ask ed ohn

,
’

jo
, .

ye d a t t h e : unhappy Tin k e r s furious e r e i s a Tin ke r

’
u

My lad I r e pli e d ’
‘

Wight w h o hath g i ve n m e a sound drub

, ,

I hav e not a pe nny to give yo u bi n g and I r e comm e nd him to you for ,

’
, ,

r e turn e d Jasper turning o u t his pock e ts h e 13 worthy o f yo i1r consid e ration My

,
'

bu t as gua rant e e for th e paym e nt o f this good man I add ed

’
an if yo u will j oin , ,
‘

u nlucky d e bt I will l ea ve my tools with o u r band 0 11 will be v e w e lcom e ’

e s
, , .

T
”

y ou Th e.y a r e worth thr ee o r four tim e s “

h ink e r acc e pt e fo r thwit h and ,

what yo u claim Can yo u t ll m e wh e r e from that tim e as you a r e awar e h e hath ‘

e
.
, ,

to find Robin H ood ? i 1 be e n o ne of us 1

“ ’

N ot t hi s e v e n i ng b u tto morrow you

.

‘ “
I pre fe r a bo w and arrows to all t h e
,
’

will find yo ur ma n hunti ng th e King s c udge ls in t h e world

:
”
sa id Will iam ’ '
'
'
, ,

d ee r w h e th er a s a gam e o r tak e n a s w e apons

’

to m o rrow th e robb er o f offe nce and de fe nc e : It is Be tt e r in

.

shall be ca ptur e d r ej o i ne d t h e Tink e r my O p i nion at l e ast to be s e nt o u t o f th e

,
’
L
, ,

with an assu r anc e which gave t h e I nn wo rld by o n e singl e bl O w than t o go

k e e p e r food for thought for add e d Robin p ie c e m e al ; an d th e w o u 11d o f an arrow is
'

, , ,

wh e n rec ounting this to m e th e host a tho u sand tim e s pr e fe rabl e to th e pain ,

avo w e d tha t h e gr e atly fear e d J as pe r s caus e d by a blow f r om a cudge l ’

.

”
rag e against m e My “ co d fri e nd r e turn e d Robin
.
, ,

Th e n e xt morning I start e d 1n qu e s t “
th e cu g e l r e nde rs v e ry good s e rvic e
'
,

not o f t h e d e e r but Of th e Tinsmith an d I wh e re t h e bow hath no powe r Th e

, , .

had not long to s e e k 1 As soon as h e e ffe ct doth not d e pe nd o n wh e th e r your

-
'
.

pe rc e iv e d m e h e utt e r ed a cry and t hr ew qu i ve r is e mpty o r full a n d wh e n yo u do

'

, , ,

m
h i in s e l f upo n m e brandishing an e n or ous not d e sir e t h e death o f an e n e my a good
'

b e ating will l e av e h i ma sharpe r r e m e m

, ,

cudg e l .

’
What cl Ow n is this I Cri e d wh o br anc e than t h e wou nd o f an arrow ,
’

,
‘
.

d ar e s to pr e s e nt hims e lf bef o r e ni e in s o “ The three fri e nd s we re making th e ir; 1

unse e ml y a mann e r ? way to N ottingham as th e y conve rs e d a n d

I t 18 no clown r e pli e d th e T
1 1

i nk er all at onc e th e y me t a ittl e girl dis sol ved

l
’
‘
: 1
, ,
‘
but an ill u se d man r e solv d to tak e his in t ears '

e Robin ha st en e d t o w ard th e wee ping

1

.
,

re v e ng e fl 3 1 ”

S a y i n g th i s h e attacke d me with h is b e aut

1
.

i
t
1

h
,

cudge l ; but I plac e d mys e lf yOn d l h i s

b y dos W ee p my child ? h e
e
,

r e ach a nd dr e w my swe rd ask e d m a kindly ton e . .

Stop I sai d to h i m W e wi ll fi ght The littl e gi rl brok e into 3 053

,
’ ’
.

with e qual weapo ns ; {I must h ave a “

I w a n t to s e e 3 Robin H o od She
' L
, . .

cudg e l .

Jasp e r su ff e r e d m e qu 1e t1y to trim th e ‘

branch o f a n o a k t r ee and th em rec om ,

r h e n c e d his att a ck .

1
“
H e h e ld his sta ff i n both hands and ,

hack e d a t m e lik e a woodcutt e r a tl a tr e e ”

’

'
1 -
.

y a rms and w r ists w e r e b e gi nnin g to

f ai m e wh e n I D c all ed for a 3t r u ce ; fo r
’ ’ “

th e r e was no honour to be ga i he d from h be ‘

such a cont e st fall e n us ; thr e e o f my broth e rs who

.
,

I would fai n han g t h ee 011 th e e o

‘
b l ng to thy ha n d I ha v e b e e n tak e n 1
'

L
' '

ne are st tr ee he said f u r ro u s l yf t h r o wi n g prison e rs by t h e Sh e ri ff of N ottingham

,
’
.
’

do wn his staff “
T e ll m e th e nam e o f thy br oth e rs my
‘

I l e apt back and bl e w my hOr n ;

.
,

child
’

“ 1

Adal be rt E del h
1

er t a nd Edwin th e
1
.

fe ll o ww a s strong e nough to s e nd me
M e rr y h e arted s o bbe ci t h e li
, ,

an oth e r world .
,

Littl e J ohn and th e M e rri e Me n l An e xcl a mati o n o f d i s m

'
‘

up at my call Robin
I was seate d b e n e a
L

t h a t re e spe nt 3 Good c o m pa nions

. .

“ z “
said b e “
th e se , , ,
i
with fati g u e and , without sa in g a w ord a r e th e bra v e st a n d hardie st o f al l my
"
x
y , ,
 R OB I N uH O OD T H E OUTLAW
‘

1
75
troop H o w did the y fall into th e Sh e ri ff s
.
’
take care to pre v e nt any ; atte mpt at
hands my littl e fri e nd ?
,
d e live rance on my part and wo u ld hang ,

comr a d es: wi thin t h e C a stl e S o

.

“
I n r escuing a young m a n who was '
our .

be ing tak e n to prison for having d e fe nd e d much for t he prison ers As for yo 11 y o u .
,
1

his moth e r again st t h e insul ts o f som e a r e w e ll awar e t h at his Lord s hip hath

soldi e rs At this ve ry mom e nt Sir th e y

.
, ,
lou d ly boaste d that if e ve r w e fel l into his
a r e g e tting r e ady th e gallow s at t h e gat e

of t h e town doubtl e ss to hang m y , . .

'

”
broth e rs th e re on .

”
Dr thy t e ars pre tty child answ e r ed h e cannot f ear that I hav e b e e n warn e d
Robin lim d l y
, ,

Thy broth e rs hav e naught o f t h e fat e I n stor e f o r th e m cons equ e ntly

in order to instil a w h o l e s o ine l e sson into
.
, ,

to fear ; th e r e is not a man i n all , J

She rwood For e st b u t would not be re ady th e cit i z e ns o f N ottingh am h e will hang , ,

t o give his life for th e s e thr ee good o u r comp a nions publicly I will mak e all .
1

fe llows W e will go into N ottingham

.
,

r e turn to thy hom e c o nsol e thy fath e r s ,

’

affli ct e d h e art by thy sw ee t voic e and t e ll ,

thy m oth e r that Robi n Hood will g ive

”
h e r back h e r childr e n .

“
1
I will pray H eave n to bl e ss th ee ,
”
M ast e r m urmur e d th e li ttl e girl
, ,

amid h e r te a r s “
I had h eard that thou . Rather ? a s k ed
R o bin .

’
i we rt alway ready to h el p the unfor tunat e “
The n ew s from the town young ,

ma n replied the p il g r i m
’’
a n d pro te ct the poor But I b e s e ech is full o f woe
and lamentation T hree of Robin H ood s
.
, ,

th ee Maste r Robin h a ste thee fo r my

, -

’
.
, , ,

de ar brothe rs ar e in so r e da ng e r o f c o m pa n i o n s are t o be han e d by order of

'

g
th e ir live s the Lord F i tz Alwine
Trust m e d ear c h ild I will arrive at
. .

, , A sudden idea crosse d Robin s mind ’

.

”
th e most propitious tim e Hurry back to .
“
Father said he , sh ould like to ,

No t ti n g ham and t e l l no o n e of what t hou be present a t the e xecution o f these

’

, . ,

”
hast don e poachers wi t hout bein known f o r o n e o f
,

Th e child took Robin Hoo d s han ds ’

the Keepers o f the orest W ilt ex .

a n d kisse d th e m warmly . change thy clothes for mine P

I shal l pray for thy happin e ss a ll my Art j oki ng un
g man
N a y f a the r o
,

I Si mply desir e to g 1v e
” “
life Mast e r said s h e in a voic e full o f
, , , , ,

e motio n .

God ble ss th ee my child ! Good by y e , .

Th e littl e maid ran o ff down t h e r oa d

to th e town and soon disappear e d be ,

n e ath th e shad e o f th e tr ee s .

H u rrah l said Will “

W e sh al l have . author o f this strang e r e qu est
s om e thing to d o now I s hal l be amus e d Thy cl oth es a r e handsom e said h e
'

.
. .
, ,

a n d m y robe I S r ag ge d
”
What a r e our o rde rs Robin ? I t 15 not poss i ble
Go to i tt l e John te ll hi m to a
.
,

sse mble , to b e li e v e thou sho uldst wis h to chang e -

as many o f th e m en as h e can fi n d a nd
l ead th e m—o f cours e W i th o u t vbe ing seen
,

— to th e outsk irts o f th e woo d ne ar e st to

N ot ti n g ham Th e n at sou n d of my horn .

y o u W111 cut your way through to m e Father repli ed Robin I respect thy “

whi te hai r s and I pray d 1e V irgin to take

, , ,
”
swo r d i n han d a n d with bo ws be nt .
,

What do you p urpose th en to d o ? , , thee u n der her Divin e protection I put .

a s k e d W ill . my r equest wi th no ill intent in mine heart

“
I shall g o in to th e town a n d s e e ftis necessary f o r the ac complishment o f
wh e th e r th e r e be a ny me an s whate ve r o f a good work Hold added he o ff ering
.
, ,

de laying th e 1 e xe cuti on Forge t ! not ,

the old man twenty pieces o f money ,
”
fri e nds that you m us t act with e xtr e m e
,
“
here 1 3 an earnest o f our bargain 3 .

cautio n for should t h e R e ev e com e to

, JThe pilgrim l o oked cove tously at the
l e arn that I have be e n war ne d o f th e coins .

criti cal co n d i ti o n o f my me n he would ’

,
 H OO D THE O U TLA W
'

76 R OB I N

he and if th o u a r t in a paroxysm o f
“
head o f the procession advanced towards
‘
’

, ,

f antastic mi rt h I s ee not why I should ,

-
Baron Fitz Alwine .

"
refuse to let thee have thy way .
“
N oble Lord said he in a s n u ffli n g , ,
“
N o w that is well said
, return ed , voice what will you give me an I
,
“
,

Robin “
and if thou wilt disrobe
,
. sent to take the hangman 5 place ? ’

”
Thy hose are fashioned by events co n , The Baron stepped back as one who ,

tinned Robin gaily for to j udge by the

“
, , , fears a dangerous contact .

innumerable p i eces o f which they are Methinketh replied the noble Baron , ,

composed they have gath ered to them the

, looking Robin up and down “
that if I ,

materials o f the four seas ons . should o ff er thee a new assortment o f

The pilgrim began to laugh . clothing thou shouldst be glad to accept
,
“
My robe is like a N orman s co n ’
such reward Therefore beggar if thou
.
, ,
”
science he said ,
“
tis made up o f odds ,
’
wilt get us o u t of this difficulty I will e en ’

give thee s i x new suits and beside that

,

and ends while t hy doublet is the 1mage

, ,

o f a Saxon heart strong and without , the hangman s perquisite of thirteen ’

”
blemish .
p“en ce .

“
Thy speech is golden F ather sa id , , And what w il l you give me my Lord , ,

Robin donning the old man s rags as fast

,
’
if I ha ng you into the barg ain ? asked
as he was able and if I must d o homage
“
, Robin approaching the Baron
, .

t o thy wit tis lik ewise my duty to a cord

’ “
,
c Keep thy distance beg gar and repeat , ,

praise t o the manifest scorn I i nsp i re in what t hou h ast j ust said ; I did not under
”
thee for thy robe I S o f quite a Christi an
, stand it .

simplicit Yo u o ff ered me s i x new sui ts and

Am yto keep thy arms ? asked the
.

"
thirt een pence return e d Robi n “
for
, ,

pilgrim . hangi ng these poor l ads I as k what you . .

N ay Father for I sha ll want them

, , . would add to my rewar d an if I engage
N ow that o u r mutual transformation i s to hang you and a dozen o f your N orman
"
complete allow me to give th e e some
, dogs .

advice Get thee hence from this p art of

. Shameless r a g a m uffi n l W hat I S the
”
the F orest and above all in the interests , , meaning o f thine insolence ? cried the
o f thine o w n safety beware o f attempting Baron astounded at the pilgrim s audacity '
.
, ,

to follow me Thou hast my clothes . Dost know whom thou art addressing
upon thy back my money in thy pocket ,
‘

, I mpertinent knave o ne word more and ,

thou art rich and well clothed go seek , thou wilt m ake the fourth bird hanging o n
”
thy fortune some leagues away from the gallows tree -
.

N ottingham .
“
H ave you remarked quoth Robin , ,
“
I thank thee for t hy advice good lad ; ,
“
t ha t I am a poor man very miserably ,

it doth accord well with mine o wn wishes . clad P

Take the benediction o f an old man a n d , Yea 1n truth very m
, iserably clad , ,

if thi ne enterprise be honest I wish it , the Baron maki ng a face o f ,

”
immedi ate s u c ces s f
Robin sal uted the pilgrim g r a ce f ull y a conti nued o ur hero ,
“
t hat
and made o ff with a ll has te 1n the d ir e c

At the moment when Robin, thu s di s

guised and bearing no w eapon save an
,

o a ken cudgel arrived at N otti ngh am a ,

-
,

procession o f m ercen ari es left the Castl e , insult my mis ery .

and took the road toward the end o f the "

“
Hold thy tongue thou beggarly , .

town where three gallows had been set up C hatterbo x D ost dar e compare thyself
'

. .
,

Suddenly an unexpected piece o f news With me the Lord F i tz Alwi ne ? Go to

,
-
,

went r o u n d t h e crowd ; the hangman w a s thou art mad .

ill and being on the p oint o f death hi m

, , I am a poor man s a i d R o bi n a ve ry ,
'

,
"
self was qui te unable to launch another poor miserable man
I did n o t come here to l istento the
.
, ,

into etern i ty By order o f the S h er i fl a

”
“
.
,

proclamati on was made ; and a man was

called f or w ho would conse nt to f u lfil the
office of hangman '
.

’
Robin w h o h a d placed hi ms el f a t the
,
1
 HOO D TH E O U TLA W
'

R OB I N 77
I do not rightly know i n what mine of t he
knife ! and the shining reflection
office consists returned Robin w h o was "
daz zled t h eo l d lord an d ma de him a ppr e
’
’ '

, , ,

seeking to gain time for his men to reach ciate his adversa ry 3 power so instead of ’

the outskirts o f the wood “

I h ave n ever . attempting an i mpossible resistance he ,

acted as hangman and I thank the H oly , submitted with groans

V irgin for i t Cur s ed be the infamous
.
“
W hat dost desire o f m e ? he s a id ,

trade and the miserable wretch who doth trying to put a conciliatory softness into
practise it . his voice .

H OW now ? dost mock me ? roared “

The life of the three men whom you '

”
the Baron beside himself at Robin s ,
’
would hang my Lord replied Robin , ,

insolence “
Hark thee if thou dost not
set about thy work at O nce I will have
.
, ,

, ,
“
I cannot grant thee that boon my ,
”
thee so undly beaten . good man returned the o l d man ; the,
’’
“

And would that help you o n at all my , unhappy creatures have killed the King s ’

Lord ? returned Robin “

W ould you . deer which misdemeanor is punishable
,

the more readily find a man disposed to by death The W hole town O f N ottingham
.

carry o u t your orders ? N O you have , knows of their crime and thei r sentence ,

j ust made a p r ocla mation which all have and if from a culpable weakness I grant
,

heard and yet I am the only man who

, thy prayer the King would be informed,
”
hath off ered to do y our wishes . o f a compliance s o entirely inexcusable .

“
I know well enow what art drivi ng At that moment a great tumult was
at base wretch cried the Baron over
, , , observed among the crowd and the ,

whelmed with rage “

Th Ou wo uldst have . Whistling o f arro ws wa s
the sum pre mised thee for despatching Robi n who knew his men were come
, ,

these clowns i nto another world increased . gave a shout .

Robi n shrugged his shoulders “

Ah yo u are Robin Hood groaned
the B a io n
.
, ,
“
Let them be hanged by whom you ‘

please ,
”
replied he a ff ect i ng complete ,
“
Yea my Lord replied o ur hero
, I , ,

i ndi ff erence . am Robin Hood .

N ot at all n o t at all returned the , , Protected in a friendly manner by the

Baron in a milder voice ; thou shalt do
, inhabitants o f the town the Merrie Men ,

the work I W ill double the reward and

.
,
n o w appeared from all directions and ,

if thou dost not fill thine O ffice exa ctly I ,

W ill Scarlett with his brave fellows soon
shall have the right to call thee the least joined t heir companions .

conscientious hangman i n the world . The prisoners once free Baron Fitz ,
“
I f I Wished t o put the unhappy Alwine saw plainly that the only means
creatures t o death replied Robin “
I , ,
o f getting himself safe and sound out o f
should content myself with the reward such a critical sit uation was to conciliate
y o u have al ready o ffered me but I refuse Robin Hood
T ake the p risoners away quickly
.
,

point blank to soil my hands by contact ,

”
With the gallows . said he “
My soldiers exasperated by
.
,
“
W hat dost mean wretch ? be llowed ,
t he remembrance o f a recent defeat ,

the B aron . might put obstacles in the way o f the

W ait my Lord ; I will call fo r men
, success of your project .
’

w h o at my com mand will deliver you f o r

, ,
This act o f courtesy w a s dictated to
”
ever from the sight o f these terrible by fear retorted Robin Hood
y
, ,
”
aouu h in l I do not dread any violence
“
culprits . a g g y .

As he fi nished s peaking Robin blew a from your soldiers ; the number a n d

joyous flour is h upon his hunting horn and ,
valour of my m en r ender the mi n v ul n e r
la1d h i s hands upon the terrified Baron . able .

M Lord said he your life hangs , ,

Saying which Robi n Ho od sal u ted th e ,

t u i ri é d hi s back o n
'

o l d man ironicall y

g
’ a read ; if yo u make a movement I
iunge this kn ife i nto you r heart Forbid him and ordered his men to hie them
, ,

. ,
5 t
o u r servants to come to your assistance back to the Forest b

yi obin added brandishing an immense

.
,

hunting knife over the O ld man s head ' ’

.

Soldiers remain in your rank s !,

cried the Baron i n a stentori an voice , .

The sun glanced o ff the sparkling blade

78 11 08 1113 11 0 0 1) THE O U TLAW
ar ded as hardly a bla me
fivg
e
r th y a c t i o n surrou
s urr nde d the Merrie
,

Men uttering shouts o f j o y Then t he

,
.

chief men o f the town put at ease b y the ,

Baron s flight testified the i r sympathy to

.
’
,

Robin Hood ,W hile the parents o f the

,

yo ung prisoners embraced th e knees o f a strange way of con

”
their son s del iverer ’
soling yourself my dear Robin laughed
, ,

W ill but it shall be as you W ish W e

.

The humble and sincere thanks o f ,

“
.

these poor people appeal ed m or e to Robin will go i n search o f some passing dis
”
Hood s heart than any lofty sentiments
’
tractio n .

expr essed in flower y rhetoric could have The tw o young men call ed M uch
done 1 .
L
1 ,
On his appearance they all set Off tog
in the direction indicated by Robin .

Robin is very gloomy to d a y said ,

’

W ill thoughtfully
W h y ? ask ed Much in a tone o f
.
,
“ ”
,

surpr i se .

away Because he fears he hath been d eceived

”
had SO in tr usting Sir Richard o f the Plain ,

rep l ied Little j ohn .

past the Merrie I d o not see W h y it sho uld cause

Robin such sorrow ; we d o not n eed
.

Men h a d a ai n taken u p their ab o de m

B ar ns da l e gorest From . money a nd four hundred crowns more o r
,

ing o f the day fixed for th less 111 o u r treasure chest .

Robin ha d bee n prepare d “

Robin d oth n o t thi nk o f the mo ney ,

but the appointed hour d i d n o t br i ng the

.

interrupt ed J ohn almost irritably ,

Yo u .

expected V I SI tOI ’

are talking ve ry foolishl cousin Robin

is wounded at hav i ng he y
.
,

He Wl u not come said W 111 Scarlett , pe d an ungrateful

who with Little J ohn and Robin w a s soul that i s all
'

, , .

Stop sai d Wil l

'

"
seated beneath a tree watching with some ,
I hear horses .

impatience the r oad which stretched before pp r oa c h in g fi

them . I will go and m eet the travellers ,

Sir Richard s i n r a ti tu d é will give us ried Much ru nning o ff

’
d
,
.

”
a lesson replied R0 in
,
“
I t w il l tea ch u s I f it is the Knight call u s
.
‘ "
said , ,

t o put no trust i n the promises of men ; ohn .

but f er th e sake o f the human race I W il liam and his cousin waited and ,

should not like to be deceived by Sir soon Much re appeared at the end o f the
Richard for I have never seen a man path
, . '

I t i s not Sir Ri chard said he as he , ,

came up to his friends b u t two Dom i n i , ,

80 ROB I N H O O D ; TH E O U TLA W
shall befa ll you Seat yourselves at the
. H ood s questiongrew pale a n d stamm er ed
’

, ,

table and eat your fill

,
. o u t in an almost unintelligible vo i ce
The Monks obeyed y b u t it was easy to , I have s carce anything Master ; at
most but a score o f g old pi eces
. ,

see that the y were b u t little reassured by .

the young Chief s kind words “

On l tw e n t y p i eces o f gold ?
’
. re i

W here i s your Abbey ? asked turned obin fixing a stern look upon ,

Robin a nd what name doth it bear P the Monk .

“
I belong to t he Abbey o f St M ary .
“
Yea Master replied the Monk ,

whose livid face became suddenly su ff used

, , ,

said the elder o f the Monks and I . ,

am the Grand Cellarer o f the M onas with colour .

te 1 “
I f yo u are speaking the truth said
2VVe l co m e Brother Cellarer
'

W
.
,

, , Robin i n a friendl y tone I ill not take

, ,

Robin “
I am happy to receive a
. one groat o f your smal l fortune from you .

your wor th Yo u sh all give me your

. Better sti ll I will give you as much ,

opinion o n my wine fo r you must be an , money as yo u may need But o n the . .

,

excellent j udge i n such matters though ,

other hand if you h av e had the bad taste ,

I da re hope you will find it to your taste , to lie to me I will not leave you even a ,
”
for bein g myself di ffi cult to please I
, , penny piece Little J ohn continued .
,

always dr i nk w i ne of the best quality ”

. Robin o pen the little tru nk ; if you find
,

The Monks took heart ; they ate with there but twenty pieces Of gold you may ,

a good appetite and the Cellarer acknow

, r espect o u r guests property but if the ’

ledged the excellence o f the dishes and sum is double o r treble tha t amount take ,

t he full body o f the w i ne adding that it

”
,
it all .

was a real pleasure to dine upon the turf Little o h n hastened to obe y Robin s ’

order T e colour faded from the Mo nk s

.

in such j oyous company . .

’

”
M y good brothers said Robin Hood
toward the end o f the meal
, , cheeks ; tears o f rag e coursed down his
“
ye , cheeks ; he clasped h i s hands co nvulsi vely
‘

appeared surprised at being asked to t h I l d a deep groan bu r st from

gm
og e er a ,

dinner by a man whom ye did not know

-

. . 1 o

I will explai n the mys tery o f the invita HO ho ! said Robin watching the
, ,

tion in a few words A year ago I lent a . Brothe r “

it appears that the t wenty
,

sum O f money to a friend o f your Prior , pieces o f gold are i n numerous c ompany .

and accepted as a guarantee the H oly W ell J ohn he asked is o u r guest a s

,
” “
, ,

Mother o f J esus o u r sa i nted patroness.

, poor as he would fain make o u t ?
My unshakeable confiden ce i n the Holy “
I know not if he be poor answered ,
’’

V ir in le d me to believe firmly that at th e John ; but o f o n e thing am I well

g
expi ration o f the appoi nted term I should assured and that is that I have j ust
,

receive in some manner the money I h ad found eight hundred gold pieces i n the
len t W h ere upon I sent three of my little tru n k
Leave m
. .

men to seek f o r travellers ; they saw you ,

e the money Master said , ,

and brought yo u hither You belong to . the Monk ; it is not mine and I
“
,

a MO n a s t e r y and I c
, a n gu ess the delicate r espo nsible for it to my Father Superio r .

missi on confided to yo u by the provident To whom he a r you these eight hundr ed

an d gen erous benevolence o f o u r Holy
-
p“iece s o f o l d ?
”
q u e s ti On e d Robin .

To t e I nspectors of St Mary 3 .
’

Abbey from our Abbot , . .

The I nspectors abuse the e n e r o s i ty,

o f your Prior Brother and it i l becomes , ,

them tO repay themselves so heavily for a

few w o rds o f indulgence This time they .

shall have no t h i ng and you will tell the m , ,

that Robin H ood havi ng need Of money , ,

hat h carried o ff th e sum they expected .

”
“
There is ; yet another chest said ,

J ohn sha ll 1 i p en it P
° °

”
N ay replied R o bin ; I will content
,

myself with eight hundred pieces of gold .

Sir Monk yo u are free to continue your ,

j ourney Y o u have. b ee n treated with

 ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLA W 81

courtesy and I hope I s ee you depart

,
who had stretched himself carelessly o n
”
satisfied o n all points . the grass .

I d o not consider a fo r cible invi tation The unexpected a r rival o f a body o f

and a n open th eft very courteous said "
,
men so formidable in proportion to th e
the Monk superciliously “
Here am I
, . numbe r of the Foresters who were mostly ,

obliged to return to the Monastery and , s cattered all about the wo od disquieted ,

w hat can I say to the Prior ? Robin slightly and he did n ot wish to ,
“
You will greet him from me la ughed , commence hostilities before being assured
Robin H ood H e knows me the o f victo ry
“
. .
,

worthy Father and he will be very ,

sensible o f this token o f good friend

ship .
’

The Monks mount ed their horses a n d

3

, ,

with hearts bur sting with rage gallo ped '

o ff along the road leading to the Abbey

”
“
The Holy V irgin be praised ! cried
Little John ; she hath returned to us
“
,

the money you lent Sir Richard and if Hol y Moth er I praise thee ! said
'

, _

the latter have broken his word we can

.
, Robin s pr i n ing to his feet
,
“
A Saxon .

”
still console ourselves in that we have hath not bro en his word .

”
lost nothing . Sir Richard leapt from his horse ran ,
“
I cannot so easily console m yse lf 1n toward Robin and threw himself into his ,

having lost confidence 1n the word o f a

”
Saxon replied Robi n ”
and I should God keep thee Robin Hood said he
‘
“
, , , , ,

have preferred a visit from Sir Richard , givin the young man a fatherly embrace .

poor and des poiled of everything rather ,

“
Go keep thee in health and happiness
than be co nv m ce d that he is u ngrat eful to thy last day l
and without honour . Be welcome to the green wood gentle ,
“
N oble Master "
sudden ] called a Knight repl i ed Robin with emotion
” “
I .

am happy to see thee true to th y pro mise

, , ,

voice from the glade “

a night a p , ,

p e a r e t h o n the high road accompanied by , and w i th a heart full o f ki nd ness to thy

an hundred men al l armed to the teeth , . devoted servant .

Shall we prepare to bar their way “

I shou l d have come empty handed
”
“
Are they N ormans ? a sked Robin , even Robin H ood to have the honour o f
, ,

quickly .
‘

wringin g thy ha r id ; but luckily for mine ,

One seldom sees j S a x o n s so richly own s a t1s fa c t i o n I can return the m oney ,
”
clothed as thes e travellers answered the , thou didst lend me with so much grace ,

lad who had announced the approach o f kindness and courtesy, .

the troop . Hast then recovered entirely the

, ,
“
Look alive then my Merrie Men , , , possession of th y p r o perty ? asked
cried Robin To yo u r bows and lurki ng Robin Hood
l

. .
,

Yea and may God prosper the e in

‘

places Get ready your arrows but draw

.
,
“
,

n o t ere o u receive my order to attack proportion to the happiness which I owe

y .

”
The men disappeared and the cross , to thee .

road where Robin remained soon appeared Robin 3 attention was next attracted by
’

completely deserted . the men magnificently clad l n the fashion

,

Yo u come not w i th u s ?
”
J ohn asked , of the day who formed a glittering line
,

Robin who sat motionless at the foot o f

, behind Sir Richard .

a tree . Doth this fine troop bel ong to thee 7 .

 ROB I N H o o n TH E
”

O U TnAw
’
82
which I have described to thee : Thou
wouldst do m e a good service dear Robin , ,

if thou wouldst instruct t hy men to enter

tain my co mpanions ; they have made a
long j ourney a nd will require some hours
,

o f repose
’

T hey shall learn the m

.

“
eaning o f
forest hospitality re plied Robin heartil y ,
’

, .

”
“
My Merrie Men continued he to his ,

band who began to appear o n all sides

, ,

1
us in the green wood .

The F o r es tEr s obeyed R obin 3 orders ’

with a prom ptitude which s ho uld h ave

satisfied Si r Richar d for before retiring ,

With his host he b e li e ld the turf covered

with viand s pots o f ale an d bottles o f
,

g ood wine .

Robin H o od Sir Ri chard Little j ohn

“

,
z
, ,

and W ill sat down to a succulent repast ,

and when dess ert was brought the Knight .

,

began the following a cco unt o f the events

which had befal len him s ince his first
en counter with o ur
“
I cannot depict to yo u m good )

friends with what s entiments o f y ati

,

, .

r
tude and infinite j o y I qu i tte d the o r e s t
‘ ’

a year agon e to da y : My h eart leapt :

within me and I wa s i n so great a haste

,

to s e e my wife and children once more

.
'

that I regai n ed the Castle in l ess t i me

0
16 113 11 yo u a ll my
”
th an it wo uld
take from me four hundred pieces o f gold ; he
W
story ‘ ‘

straini ng m
.

e are sa v was to repay me the money ith interest

’
ed I y , w ,

beloved one s to my heart M y wife o r l eave me the free disposal of all his .
’

d issolved 1n tears and alm ost fain ted;

‘
property Accordin g t o me the time is
, .
,

W h o l s the gener ous friend W ho hath up at mid d a y therefore I consider the -

mo m
,

come to our aid ? asked Herbert ’

ent f o r payment hath i rr i v e d f a nd I .
‘

“
My children I replied I knoc ke
‘
d consider myself absolu te master o f all his
,
’

,
‘

in va i n at every door ; i n vain I implored hereditaments ’

the succour o f t hose who called the m

.

selves my friends ; and I received no pity

save from o n e m a n to w ho m I was

th esupport o f the
of th e O ppressed
.

,
 RO BI N H OO D TH E O UT LAW 83
“
At this moment the C hief Cellarer company and with a nair of fals e hu mili ty
, ,

ent er e d the refect ory .

_
I said to t he Abbot
H ave you any new s o f Sir Richard You see Sir Abbot I hav e
b
.
, ,

of the Plain the Abbot asked of him .

p romise and have come a ck .

“
N ay But that matters not All I
. . Have you brou ght the money ?
k now is that hi s property is now yours demanded the holy man sharpl
y
.
, ,

Sir Abbot ’ “‘
Al a s l not o n e penny .

The Chief Judge i s here contin ued ,

’
A pleased smile hovered o n the lips of
the Abbot ; I Wi ll ask h im w h e t h e r I may
‘
my generous creditor .

now cl aim Sir Richard s Castle ’

.
’
Then what doest thou here an thou ,
“
The Abbot went t o find the Ju d ge , art not prepared to discharge thy debt ?
and th e latter for du e considerat i on
.
, I am come to entreat you to give me
received replied to the Monk a few days longer ’

Sir R i char d will n o t come to d a

, i .

I t i s ; impossible ; accordin g to o u r
,

“ ‘
y ,

therefo r e yo u ma y consider y o u r s e l f a r e e m e nt thou must pay this ver y day

I gth ou canst not do it thine estates belong

.
,

entitled to all hi s es tat es .

’
,

This iniquitous judgm ent had j ust been to me ; besides which the J udge hath so ,

gi ven when I pr es en ted mys elf at the gate d ecided I s that n o t true my Lord ?
.
,

o f the Mo n astery . It replied the J udge Sir .

“
I n order to r o ve the g en erosi o f Richard he continued throw i ng a co n
’

my creditor I p
, ,

ad arrayed mys el m , t e m p t u o u s look at me the l a nds o f your ,

mean garments while the men w ho , ancestors are t h e property o f our worthy
accom panied me were also very po or ly Abbot .
’

accoutre d .
“
I f ei g n e d a great despair and entreated
The porter o f th e Abbe y cam e to meet the Abbot to have compassion upon me ,

me I had been ki nd to h 1m in the ti me

‘

tt o g a n t me three days lon er

g I de p i ct d
t g m the mi serableyfate 1n st ore for my
. e .

o f my pro s perit y a nd the poor man ha d

'

not forgotten it He told me o f the co n . wife and children an they were turned o u t ,

versation which had taken place o f their home The Abbot was deaf to
.

the Abb ot and th e Prior I was not . my en treaties he wearied o f my presence, ,

surprised ; I knew well that I and imperiously commanded me to qu i t

reason to expect any grace from the holy the Hall .

E xa s er a ted by this unmerited tr e at

“ ‘
Béwelc ome ; cont inued the M onk ; ’
ment I eld up my head proudly
, y and ,
‘
your arrival Well be a very agreeable advancing to the middle o f the t ea t room
I laid upon the ta ble a bag ful? o f money
,

sur rise to the Prior My Lord Abbot

pdoubtless be less satisfi ed for alr eady
. .

‘
Here are the four h undred pieces o f
gold o n lent me T he dia l doth not as
,

b e look eth upon himself as owner o f your .

estates Yo u wil l find a large company

. yet 5 ow the hour o f noon I have there
i n the Great Hall several lords and , fore fulfilled all the conditions of o u r
gentlemen I hope Sir Richard that
.
, , agreement and despite your subterfuges
, , ,

y o u will put n o confidence 1n the honeyed my estates will not change owners .

wo rds of o ur Fa the r Su perior an d that , Yo u ca nnot co n ceive Robin

”
added , ,

y o u hav e b r o ii g h t t he money added ,

’

the porter in to nes o f a fiec t io na te so lici

'

tude
I r ea s sil r éd th§ g ood Mon k and pro
. .

" 1
»
,

céeded al one t o the Gr eat Hall where the ,

who le o f th e Communi ty was assemble d

in solemn concla ve to make arr a ngem ents ,

for informing m e of th e sequestration o f

 RO B I N H OO D TH E OUTL AW
” ‘ ‘

84
l’
address myself t O yoii my Lord I
I , ,
’
Yea Sir Knight let us spe ak n o more
,

said in a loud firm vo i ce to a sk i n the

,
”
o f it said Robin gaily But t ell me
‘ “
, , , , .

p r es e n ce of this honourable com pany how i t is thou did st come s o late to keep
”
wh ethe r h a v m g fulfilled all the conditions
, thine assignation .

o f my bond the lands and Castle o f the

, On my way hither repli ed Sir
Pla i n are not mine i
,

Richard “
I passed through a village
,

They are you r s replied th e J udge W here all th e best yeomen o f the W est
’
, ,

Country wer e gathered together O ccupied

.

reluctantly .
,
“
I acknowledged the justice of this in trying feats o f strength against o n e
d ecision and left the M onastery with a another The rizes destined for the
.

light heart . victor were a W h te bull a horse a sa ddle , ,

On the way h o m e I met my wife and , and bridle studded with g el d nails a pair ,

children . of gauntlets a silve r ring and a cask o f

, ,

Rej oice my dear ones I said as I

, ,
’
, o l d Wi ne I stopped a while to watch the
.

embraced them and pray for Robin ,

‘
'
sport A yeoman o f ordinary size gave
.

H ood ; for without him we should be such pro ofs o f stren th that 1t was evident
beggars And n o w let us try to show
. the prizes would h e his and indeed , , ,

g enerous R o bin H ood that we are n o t having felled all his adversaries li e r e ,

i nsensible o f the service he hath rendered

’
mained master o f the field They were .

us . about to give him the obj ects he had

W e set to work the very next day , earned so well when he was recognised a s
,

and my estates with proper culti vat i on o ne o f thy b nd

, ,
a .

soon realised the value o f thy loan I . W a s he i n truth o n e o f my ni en ?

bring thee five hundred pieces o f gold my , asked Robin quickly , .

ood Robin o n e hundred bo ws o f the Yea they called him J a sper the
gnest yew with qu i vers and arrows and Ti nker
, ,
”
.
, ,

besides that I make thee a present Of the

,
“
Then he gained the brave
“

tr00p of men Whose fine appearance thou

didst but n ow admire The men are well
armed and each o n e hath a good horse to
ride Accept them as foll owers they wi ll
.
serve thee with gratitude and fidelity
. gai ned them all ; but under pre
text o f his being o n e o f the band o f
, Merrie Men they disputed his ri g ht to
. them J asper defended hi s cause v a l 1a n tl y
. .

“
I should hurt m ine o w n self esteem And then two o r three o f the other com
a n I were to accept so rich a gift my , b a ta n t s set t o calling thee evil names .

”
dear Knight replied Robin with emotion
, . Thou shouldst have seen the vigour o f
lungs and muscles with which Jasper
defended thee ; he spa ke so loud and
gesticulated s o wil dly that knives were
drawn and th poor Jasper W ould have
been vanquished by tt he numbe r o r
,

t r e achery o f his enem i es W hen ai d ed by , ,

my men I pu t them all to fligh t T hi s

, D
.

s mall service rendered to the br a v e lad ,

I gave him fi ve piece s o f 9 11 to

drink with an d I i nvited the 5
5
1g i ti v e s
.

,
u

o make acquain ance with the ca k o f

t t s
Win e. As yo u may i ma gine they di d ne t ,

refuse ; and I brought Jaspe r away i n

order to save him fro m their futu re
 RO BI N H O OD TH E O UTLA W 85

a nd , I hope that thou W ilt treat me in

the s ame S pi rit .

The re m aini ng hours of the aftern oon

W o re merrily a way and toward even i ng ,

Sir ( Richar d acc ompanied Robin W ill , ,

a nd Little John to B a r n s d a l e H all where ,

all the members o f the G a m w ell fami ly

were again assembled .

Sir Richard could hardl y refrai n from

smiling as h e :admired the te n charming
,

women who were presented to him s .

Af t e r havi ng r directed th e Knight 5

. ,
’

attention to h 1s be loved Maude W ill took ,

his gu est aside and asked h i m in A second vo l le y y more v 1g o r o u s

,

wh isper if he had ever seen so t avi shi mor e murderous still followed the first ; ,

each ar row found its mark W hile th e

. .

a face as Ma ude s ’

The Kn ight smiled a n d W

.

hispered , b o en remai ned invisible .

W ill that h e wou l d be lacking Having thu s fi lled the ranks o f t he

gallantry t oward t h e other ladies i f ,
enemy with fear and confusi on ,

p e rmitted himself to s a y al oud W h a t '

Foresters broke f r om their hiding pl aces ,

h f
thoug t o the adorable Maude 7 s h o u tl n loudly and overthrowing all who
.
g
W illiam enchanted by this gracious
, ,
tri ed t o r esist them A terrible pa m c .

reply went ove r to his wife a n d kissed

, ,
spread among the Baron ’s troop and in ,

her with the firm conviction that he w a s indescribable confusion they regained
the most favoured o f hu s b and s and t he Nottingham Castle .

happiest of men ; N ot On e o f the Merrie Men w a s

W
1
.

W hen night fell Sir Richard left ,

ounded in this stra nge encounter and ,

B a r n s d a l e and e s c Or t e d by some o f in the evening recovered from their

Robin 3 men ’
,

h o were t o guide h i m
, W , ,

fatigue a s fresh and vigorous as they

,

through the Forest he soon regained the had been befor e the combat they c o l : ,

C astle O f th e Plai n wi t h h i s numerous l e cted“u pon litters the bodies o f the

soldiers W
.

following h o had been k illed and de

posited the mat th e Outer Gate o f Lord
. ,

F 1tz Al w 1n e 3 Castle
-
.

Desperate an d furio us the B aro n ,

C HAPTE R x passed the night 1n cursing his l n

i accused his men ; he sa id th at his patron
he r i f fi o f N ot tin gham (we saint had deserted hi m ; he laid the blame
noWspeaking o f Lord F 1tz Alwi ne .
o f t e non success o f his arms o n every
h
of happy memory) having l ear nt that bO d y and proclaimed him s elf a va liant
,

Robin H ood and a portion o f hi s ban d . leader b u t the vict i m o f the faintheart ed
,

were i n Yorkshire t hOu g h t it woul d be

.

, ness of his subordina tes .

possible W ith a strong troop o f his o wn

,

brave men a t arms to clear She r wood -

,

For est o f these O utlaws who s eparated

_

from their chief would fin d i t i mpossible

, ,

to de f end themsel ves {I n plannin g this .

clever expedition Lord F 1tz Al wine ,

resolved to watch the approaches to the

Fore s t in order to catch R obin a s b e invisible .

returned W e know that the Baron s

. My dear Baron quietly replied S ir ’

Guy Gisborne (such was the v i sitor s ’

name ) if Robin Hood were the devil

“
,

in person a n d l took it into my head to

'

tear o u t his horns I should tear them ,

out ” .
 ROB I N f H o o o f TH E O U T LA W
‘

to put me on t he track of this man wh om

Hood .
y o u are please d to consid er i nvincible “

on ly because you are un a bl e to vanquish

'

him I undert ake to sei z e hi m crop his

.
,

ears and hang him up by the fee t with no

'
,

more c o m p u ncti On than if he were a hog

“
'

W her e i s thi s 3mighty man to i 3 91 in et ‘

with
"
I n B a r n s d a l e F Or e s t .
i

ble being ‘
i
’
a
You may say wha t you lease S i r
”
'

, .
'
“
H ow f ar is the
‘

Forest from N ottin g

Guy declar ed the B aron ; evi ently be nt
.

o n persuading t he N o r m ah t o make a r i fake us

‘ ’

tr us tworth y s ource that at this moment , , ,

he 15 sep a rated from the greater part o f

his men ; it would therefo r e be easy if
'

we act with p ru dence to surround the

' '
“

but you robbers den carr y 05 their C hief and

’

, ,

the present Robin Hood hath fough t O nly ’

deliver his band o v er to the vengeance
phantoms . of our sol d iers Mi ne ha ve suffered .

“'

W ha t l crie d t h e Ba ron cr u el ly , great ] in Sherwood Forest and they ,

W ounded in his s elf1 esteem as co m

" '

wOu l be o verj oyed to f t ke a fierce and

a
.

mander 1n chief s a v age r evenge

.

I a m right glad to accept you r off e r

. .

"
Ye a ph antoms ; I repeat it
,
'
my ,
‘
,
“
,

frien d Your soldi er s are made no t o f m g oo d fri end

”
repli e d the N or man ;
yor it will give me the satisfaction o t
.
, ,

flesh and bo nes but o f mu d and milk , .

"

W h o ever saw such fool s ? They fly proving to you that Robin H ood is
neither a devil nor invincible And not .
,

only to equal ise the struggle between the

Outlaw and my self but l ikewise to show ,

you that I do not intend to act in any

underhand manner I will don a yeomans ,
’

cost um e and fight hand t o hand with

’

Robi nHood
cea l e d t h

would yo u not ? You amuse me very

mu ch my friend with all your bragging
, ,
‘
. T he N orman bur s ti ng wi th v anity and
,

Let be you would tremble from head to self confide nce cu t short the Baron s ’

foot if I were only t o say Th ere is

, ,

, ,
‘
false hearted objections ; and the latter
Robin H ood ’
hastened wit h a b r i s kn es s quite remark
’

Th e N orman bou nde du p

.

ab le i n o n e o f his a e t O make ready his

g
.

Know well said he furiously t hat“

men a t a r ms -

I have no fear o f either man O r devil o r

.
, , ,

o f anything 1n the world and I challenge ,

you to test my courage Since the name .

o f Robin H ood was the starting point o f -

o u r co nversati o n I ask as fav ur

yo u a o , , .
 ROB I N H O O D T H E O U TLAW
come a time when m default o f a n a d v e r
sary I shall be obliged to beat thee
,

unmercifully ; o h l only to keep my hand

in but thou wilt be none the less the
,

victim o f thy benevolent generosity Go .

and rej oin W ill and do not return t o me ,

un til thou hearest the sound o f a tr i u m

phant blast .

Your will i s my la w Robin Hood , ,

answered J ohn m an o ff ended voice and , ,

it i s my duty to obey however unwill warning

,
,
.

ing ly
”
. W illi am we nt a t hi s c o u sin s reque s t
" ’

W e W ill leave Robin o n h is way to it w a s eas y to u n d e r s ta i fd its impo rt co n

.

meet the stranger and we Will follow s i d e r in g the number of soldier s who now
, .

Little J ohn who faithfu l slave to his a peared 1n the gl a de H e dealt a terrific
Chief s commands h ast e ned after W illiam bp ow at a m
.
, ,

an who att empted to bar h i s

’

, ,

w h o had started W ith two men o n the way a n d disappeared i n the thicket , .

high road to Mansfield Little J ohn fought like a lion but it

.
,

About three hundr e d ards from the Wa s m adness t o try a n d ti g h t so many

spot where Little J oh n i n Robin al one ene mi es single handed ; he was vanquished
wi th the yeoman he found W ill Scar l ett and fell and the soldiers after binding
with his two companions occupied in him harid and foot tied him to a tree
, , ,

.
, ,

e x er ci s in all the i r strength against a The Baron s arrival w as to dec ide the ’

dozen so diers J ohn gave a shout and fate o f o u r poor friend

. .

, .

with a bound placed himself beside hi s Lord Fitz Alwine hastened up attracted ,

friends B u t the danger already s o b the shouts o f the soldiers At sight

great be came even more so as the clash ythe prisoner a smile o f gratified hate
. .
,

, ,

o f arms and t he sound o f horses hoofs lent a ferocious expression to the Baron s
’ ’

attracted the young ma n s atte n ti on to the fea tures ’

.

extremity o f the road “

Ha ! ha ! sa id he relishi ng with
‘

.
,

At the end o f the road and m the hal f unspeakable Jo y the triumph o f his victory
, ,

shadow cast the t r e e s appeared a I have you in my hands then great

“

compan y o f s olil i er s and at their head maypole o f the Forest {Yo u shall pay
r
, ,

.
,

trotted a richly caparisoned horse dearly fo r your insolence ere I despatch .

,

J ohn sprang forward to meet the new yo u into another world .

co m ers bent his bow and took aim at the B y my faith said J ohn in a fli p a
”

The movements o f the young tone bit i ng his lip furiously the whi le
, , , ,

B aron .
, ,

man followed each other with suc h whatever tortures it may please you to
“

rapidity and violence that his to o tightly inflict upon me they coul d n o t make you ,

stretched bo w broke like a t hr ea d o f forget that I h ave held your life in my

.
'

. .

hands and that if yo u still have the power ,

t o martyrize th e Saxons it i s to my good ,

ness that you o w e it B u t beware ! Robin .

Hood is com i ng and you will not have ,

t h e easy victory over him th a t you have .

had over me ’

Robin Hood s ri e
.

”
er é d the Baron ,
'

Robi nH ood s last hour will soon arrive ’

.

up on h i s horse unt i l he appe ared to be I have ordered his head to be cut o ff a nd

one with the animal and the arrow des his body to be left here as food f o r m a n
,
”
tin e d for him sent a man behind him eating wolves Soldiers he a dded turn .
, ,

i ng Ito tw o men the vile slaves o f his ,

wishes place this villain upon a horse ,

and let us remai n o n this S pot to a w ait

the return o f Sir Guy Wh o wi ll I presu me , , ,
”
bring us Robin H ood s h e a d f ’

The men who had dismounted stood

ready to leap into the saddle and the ,

B a ron seated comfortably u pon a grassy ,

 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W 89

hillock waited patien tly for Sir Guy

, Me ? I d i d no t know hi m even by
G i s b o r n e s bugle call
’

f
name until a few hours agone ; and a s
.
,

Let us leave his lordship to recover y o u will see if yo u will take me to him "
,

from his fatigue and s e e w h a t has been my face is quite unknown to him
,
'

p a ssing be t w een Robin Hood and the “

F o r W hat reason then would yo u , ,

man in the horse skin cloak -

take his life ? .

”
“
G o o d mo r r o w fair Sir said Robin F o r no reason at all simply because
‘

, , , ,
”
approaching the stranger “
O n e mi g h t it is my pleasure .
,
.

think j udging by t h e excell ent bow you

,
“
A singular pleasure if you will pardon ,

carry that you were a brave and honest me for sayi ng so ; and moreover I pity
, ,

archer . gr eatly for having such bloodthirsty

“
I have lost my way replied the S ,
9,

traveller disdaining to reply to the inter

, W ell you are wrong I am n ot real ly , .

rogatory suppos i tion addressed to him ill natured and had it not been for that ,
-
,

and I fear much to stray in this labyrinth fool Fi tz Alwine I should be at this -

moment wending my way quietly home

,
.

o f cross roads glades and paths

-
, ,

f To me all the fores t paths are well ward I t was h e who induced me to
‘ '

known Master replied Robin politely make the attempt by defying me to van
, , , , ,

and if you will tell me to what part of qu i s h Robin H ood My self esteem is .

'
-

the wood you wish to make your way I involved therefore I must bear o ff the , ,
” ”
will be your guide . victory at any price But by the way .
, ,

I am not maki n g my way to any added Sir Guy now that I have told “
,
”
,

particular spot answered the stranger you my name estate and projects you
, , , , ,

exami ning his in terlocutor atte ntively must a nswer me in your turn W h o are
’

. .

“
I wish to get near the middle o f the you
wood for I hope to meet there a man
,
“
W h o am I ? repeated Robin with ,
”
with whom I would fain converse loud voice and serious look “
I am the . .

“
This man is doubtless some frie nd o f Earl o f H untingdon the King o f the ,

yours ? asked Robin amiably Forest ; I am the man you seek I am

'

, .
,
”
Nay returned the stranger quickly ; Robin Hood l
, ,
“
he is a villain o f the deepest dye an The Norman leapt back ,
.

”
Outlaw who doth well dese r ve the noose Then p r e pa r e t o die he cried draw .
’

, ,

Oh l indeed said Robin still smiling ing his sword

,
“
Sir Guy Gisborne hath
, . .

“
An d m a y o n e i n qu i r e w i th o u t i n di s c r e ti o n but o n e word ; he h ath sworn to kill ,

the name o f this sc apegrace ? thee thou shalt die ! To th y prayers ,

'

Certainly ; he is called Robin Hood Robin Hood for in a few minutes the
’

“
'

.
,

And hark ye young man I would gladly call o f my hunting horn will announce to
, ,
-

give ten pieces o f gold to have the my companions who are n ea r a t hand ,
'

pleasure o f meeting him that the Outlaw Chie f is only a headl ess
.
'

,
“
My goo d Sir said Robin “
con shapeless corpse
, ,
.

g ratulate yourself upon the luck which T the vanquisher sh a ll be reserved

'

o
the right of disposing o f f th e bo dy o f his
'

hath placed you i n my way fo r

'

, _

"
conduct you into th e pr e s e n c e o f o
adversary r eplied Robin Hood coldl y
‘
, , .

H ood without putting yo u r g e n é r o s i ty to Look to t hyself l Thou has t sworn to

’

the proof Only s u fi e r me to ask your spare me not ; I swear o n my s i d e t h a t

.
’ ' ’

.
. .

”
name . if the Holy V irgi n grant me the victory ,

I am called Sir Guy Gisborne I am I will treat thee as thou dost deserve . .

rich and o w n many vassals My costume Come then no quarter ”f o r either ; tis .
, ,
’

as you may well imagine is but a clever a matter o f life and death ,
.

disguise Robin Hood not being o n his

. And with that the two opponents
, ,

gua rd agai nst a poo r devi l so wretchedly crossed swords .

attired will let me come right up to him

,
The N orman was not only a perfect .

So the question is simply h o w to find Hercules but also a past master in the ,

him Once Within reach o f my hand he art o f fencing : H e a tta cke d Robin with
.
'

Will die I swear it without having ei t her such f u ry that the young man hard
“

, , ,

the time o r chance to defend himself ; pressed was forced to ste p back a nd ,
.
, ,
”
I will slay him without ruth or pity caught his foot in the r oo ts o f an o a k .
'
.

Robin Hood h a th done yo u much tree Sir Guy Whose eye was as quick .
,

evi l the n? a s hi s h and w a s st r ong a t o nce perceive d ,

 go ROB I N 1 H O OD TH E O U TLA W
his adva ntage ; he re doubled h i s blows ,

and several ti mes Robi n felt his sword

turn i n th e n er v o u s g r a s p x o f his hand
. . .

His position was becoming cr i t i ea l ; hi s

m ov ements fettered by the gnarled r OOt s
O f the tree which bruised his ankles he
, ,

could neither a dvance nor retire he

therefore determined to leap bey ond the horn
A hurrah O f triumph an sw
.

circle i n which he was en closed a n d with ered the

'

a sp r ing li ke that O f a stag at ba y he , young man s call and he rushed toward ’

lea pt to the opposite side o f the path but , the spot from whence he heard the j oyous
in j umpin g he caught his foot i n a low voices .

branch w h 1ch Sent him roll i ng l n t h e d u s t , .

“
Hark ! h ark ag ai n !
Sir Guy was not the ma n t o miss such Alw ine starting up
"

,
“
Is .

an opportunity f o r revenge he uttered , sound o f S i r Guy s h Or n ’

a triumphant cry and threw hi mself o n “

Yea my lord replied o ne o f the
it could not be m
, , ,

Robin with every intention of l s pl i tti ng Knight s men

’
-
istaken
my master s horn hath i ts o w n pe cul i ar
_

open hi s head ’

Robin saw hi s danger and clo si n

.

”
g his note
V ic tOr y then !
.
,

e yes he mu r mured fervently

, , cri ed the O ld man
, ,

Holy M other o f God help me ! Dear ,

“
the b r a v e and worthy Sir Guy hath
Lad y O f Succour wilt thou leave me ,
slain Robin Hood .

to d i e by the hand o f this miserable An h undred Sir Guys could not suc
N orman ? z c ee d in beating Robin Hood if
Hardly had ROb in pr on O
,

u n ce d these attacked him o n e by o n e and

words whic h Sir G u y did not dare t o
,
’
roared poor Little ohn his heart 0 ,

interrupt (taking them n o doubt for a n by terribl e ang ui

act O f contrition ) th a n h e f e 1t a new force
.

S 11en ce thou long leg ed dolt !

'
'

, ,

in all his li m bs H e turned the point O f

.

. . answered the Baron brutal y “

and if ,
°

his sword towards his ene my a n d as the , , thine eyes be good loo k toward the end ,

latter sought t o turn aside th e menacing o f the gl ade W here thou W ilt s ee hurrying
, .
,

weapon Robin leapt to his feet and stood

, to us Sir Guy Gisborne the vanquisher
, ,

up strong and free in the middle o f the o f thy wretched chief

'

.
.

J ohn raised him self and saw as the

.

road The combat suspended fo r a

.
, , ,

moment began a gain wit h renewed

,
‘

Baron had said a yeoman with his body

'
,

vigour but the vi ctory had changed sides

, half enveloped in a horse s hide Robin ’
.

and was now with Robin Sir Guy dis .

, imitated the gait O f the Knight so well ,

a r m é d a n d struck f ul l in the breast fell that J ohn thou ht he recognised the man
'

dead without even a cry After thank whom he had e f t f a c e to face with h is
ing God for the success O f his arms
.
.

, friend .

Robi n assured himself that Sir Guy had Ah the r u ffia n l th e miscreant !
,
~

reallyy breathed hi s last ; and a s he looked , s houted the young m a n in despair He .

u po n the Nor m an Robin remembered hath kill ed Robin H ood ! He ha th kil ledd
+
.
,

that this man h ad no t come alo ne to s eek the m o st v a l ia n t , S a x on in all England !

him but had brought with him a troop of V en eance veng ance 1 vengeance
,
g e
companions who were now hidden so me , R O b1n H ood hath friends and m N o tti n ,

where i n : the wood awaiting the call of , hamshire there are a thou s and hands a b s “

his huntin horn -

and wil ling to p u nish hi s murderer !
I thin it wo ul d be wise tho ught
.

”
TO thy prayers d o g l cried the
and leave us in peag e Th y
, ,

Robin to fi n d o u t Wh e ther these brave

,
‘f
B a ro n “
, .

fellows are n o t Baron F 1tz Al w i ne s ’

maste r is dead an d thou shalt d ie like ,

soldi ers and see fo r m yse lf the pleasure

, . h 1m To
. a
,

which the news o f my death will give thy s Oul

hi m .I will dress myself i n S i r G uy s
t .
’
thy body .

cloth es cut Off h 1s h ead and call hi the r

, 1 ,
 R OB I N HO O D TH E o u TL Aw
‘ ‘
‘
'
9 1

H Oo d , w h o advanced quickly Tho u dost R ob i ni H ood l eft a l o ne t w it h i Little

’

.
,

merit a ll o u r prai se a nd consideration Joh n ha s te ne d i t o ou t hi s b onds a n d put

'

, ,

thou ha st rid thy country from this scourge 1nto his hand s the b o w a n d ar r OWs which .
n

Of Outlaws thou hast killed a man whom had be l o ng d to S i r Guy ; then 1h e wOu n d
e
.
,

the popular terror d e clared invincible ; his horn .

thou hast slain th e cel eb r ated Robin Hardly h ad th e sound st i rred the depths
H o Od ! Ask m e f or the re wa rd due t O o f the WOOd er e a great clamour was
’

thy good Office s! I will place at thy dis heard as the branches o f t he trees were
'

posal my favour at Court the support O f thrust violently aside to make way first , ,

m eterna l friendship Ask what thou for W ill Scarlett whose face was of so
y .
,

W1 1t noble Knight I am r eady t O do thy vivid a red as to approach purple and

, , ,

biddin g . next for a body O f the Merrie Men sword ,

R Ob i n had taken in the s i t tia ti o n at a i n h a n d 1 4 2 13

q '

1
-

glance an d th e fierce lo o k W t h John

,
This ter rifying ‘

s h Ot at h i m revealed t O h i m e ven m ore the B aron more

' '

clearly than the Old Ba ro n s protestations

‘ '

Of gratitude how c o mpl e te w a s the success

'
’

o f his disguise .

“
I meri t not s uch thanks answered ,

Robin imitating the Kni g ht s v o i ce to the

,
’

echo “
I have slain m i ne adversary in
.

fair combat and since you are willing to supposed N orman and f Ou n d himself
'

, ,

my face to face With Robin Hood who

'
'

al low me t o claim the reward of

"
, ,

prowess I ask my dear Baron in r eturn rid himself o f the horse s lfi n an d
'

, , ,

for the se rvice I have j u st rendered yo u

’
his sword com man ded the respect , ,

permissio n to array ni ys el f again st yonder o f the sol diers as well as th at of their me

ras cal whom you h a v e se i zed He sits l es s dejected leader
The B a ron With clenched teet h and
. .

glarin at me so th at he doth quite anger

' ‘ '

me g will e en send him tO bear his unable to utter a word tu r n ed abruptly

,
’

, ,

a miable comrade company i n t h e next mounted his horse and With out a ny orders
.

to his men galloped away with all haste

'

returned L ord Fitz The soldier s carried away by so praise 1 ,

Alwine rubbing his hands gleefull y worthy an exa mple imitated their Chief
,
.
,
“
Kill him an it s é please you h 1s life 13 and followed 1n his steps
, ,
.

yours . “Ma y the devil catch th ee in his

”
Robin H ood s voice had not deceived claws ! Or i e d L i ttle J furiously ;
’
,

Little John and a sigh O f unspeakable but thy cowardice sh a l1ohn not save thee ;
' “
“
,

satisfactio n had lifted fr om h i s heart the my arrows carry f ar enow to strike thee
'

w a s begi nning to d ea d f
’

“
S h o o t no t John said R Ob 1n holding
”
'

, , ,

J ohn followed b y his friend by the arm “

Thou canst ’
see .

that by all the laws O f nature this man

,

the Baron
'

My Lord s a i d Robin l augh ingly hat h not long to live; why then hasten
.

Leave h i m to
, , ,

pray le ave me alone with th i s villai n his death by a few days

—
.

I am convinced that the fear O f an g i n o his remorse to his lonel in ess r u t O ff from ,

mi ni o ns death will compel him to con fide all family ties , a prey t O h i s malevolent
in me the secret o f the hidi ng place O f helplessness .
J

the r obber band Keep back and draw Hark ye R Obin I cannot let the O ld
.
, , ,

611 your men fo r I will treat any inquis i thief save himself thus ; let me give him
”

tive person in the manner that I used a lesson as reminder O f his S OJOLI I D in
,
‘

whose head yOu se e the Forest I will not kill h i m I g i ve

,

OW
.

a r d the man
'

{
.
,

e
I re thee my word .

As he spok e these words Robin put “

S O be it then ; draw but swiftly or , , ,

he will be Ou t o f sight round the bend O f

,

”
the road .

John let fly an arrow and judgi ng by , ,

the way in which the B a r On bounded

in his saddle and the has te he ma d e j t o '

draw the arr ow from the wou nd i t was

’ ' ’

all speed . ,
 2 RO i
B N j H O O D ; TH E , O U TL AW
9
impo ssible to do ubt that it wo uld be long order t o equalis e the match be tween the
ere he would mount a horse agai n or be rival part i es we W ould hold the encounter
,

o n the borders o f the tw o Counties t h e

able t o si t at ease in a c hair i
'
— . .
c
. ,

1 1 Little Jo h m s h OO k h a nds War mly with

'
' ’
victor s prize being an arrow with silver
’

his rescuer W ill asked Rob i n to giv e arb n d feathers of g O l d

b
'

a 1
. “

h
t e m fa n a cc o unt o f his d o i ng s an d the
’ '

,
! The citizens called together by the ,

B aron s ally r eceived th e su g g e sti o n with

’

latter h o urs of t his me mora ble d a y slipped ,

a g e n e r o u s heartiness an d i n company , ,

with the merchant they W ent to a s k L Or d ,

Fitz Alwine s permiss i on to announc e an

’

archery c Om pe t i ti o n between the rival

C o u n t 1e s .

C HAPTE R The O ld ma n delighted at the prompt

x1 ,

S uccess o f the fi rst part o f h i s project ,

A RON F IT Z AI JWI N E looked con cealed his secret satisfac tion and wi t h
-
, ,

upon Robin as the curse Of h i s e x i s t : an a i r o f supreme indifference gave the

‘
,

ence and his insatiable desire to avenge requir e d conse nt ; even adding that if his ,

hi mself libera lly for all the humiliation s presence W ould give any pleasure o r be
,

he had su ff ered at the young man s hands O f a n y advant age to the success o f the ’

did not lose o n e w h 1t o f its intensity festi v i ties it would be both a pleasure
Beaten o n every occasion by h i s enemy , and a duty to him to pre side O ver the
.
,

the Baro n returned to the charge swear games , .

ing both before and after the attack , to

,
The c1t1z e n s cried unanimously that
exterminate the whole band Of Out l aws the pre s ence O f their liege Lord would be .

W hen the Baron found himself forced a heaven sent blessing and they seemed ,

t o recognise that it was quite impossib l e as happy at receiv i ng the prom i se o f the
t o vanquish Robin by force b e resolved Baron s presence as if the latter h a d
’

to have re course to cunning This new been bo und to them by the closest ties . .

plan O f conduct having b een long medi They left the Castle wi th light hearts and ,

r ated he hoped that he had at last dis made the Baron s condescension known ’

covered a means O f decoying Robin into to their follow citizens with enthusias tic
his snares W ithout losing a moment gestures and eyes and mouths agape with
. , ,

the Baron se n t for a rich merchant o f astonishment P o o r f el l o w s they w ere .

u ,

N ottingham and confided to him h i s s o little used to politeness from a N orman

plans recommending him the while to Lord
, .

keep the most profound silence regardin g A proc la mation learnedly worded ; ,
.

them announced that a match wo uld be

This man who was O f a feeble and thrown O pen to the inhabitan ts o f the
.

i rresolute characte r was easily led to Counties O f N otting ham and

, York .

share in the Ba ron s hatred f o r o n e whom The day was fixed th e s pot chose n
’

he described as a highway robber between the forest of B a r ns d a l e a n d the .

O u t he m o r r e w O f his interview with village O f Mansfield

l
As great care ha d .

Lord Fitz Alwine the merchant true t O been taken to spread t h e new s o f this
-
, ,

the promise he had given the irascible O ld public j oust to every corner o f the two
,

man gathered together in his house the Counties concerned it reached Robin
, ,

principal citizens o f the town and pr o Hoo d s ears The young man at once ,
’
.

“
posed to them to go with him to ask the resolved to enter the lists and sustain t he
Sheri ff to esta blish a public shootin g honour O f N ottingham From further .

match W here the men O f N ottinghamshire information whic h he received Robin

, ,

might try their skill against those O f learned that Baron F i tz Alwine would
'

Yorkshire . preside O ver the games This co n d e s ce n .

“
The two Counti es are not a little sion s o little in harmony with t he O ld ,
”
j ealous o f each other added the man s morose character ex p lained to
, '
’
,
’
merchant “
and for the ho nour O f the Robi n the secret end to which the noble
, _
”
town I should be hap py to offer o u r Lord s Wishes tended
,
“
Oh indeed ’
.
,

ne h b o u r s an opportunity of g said friend himself we must

“
1
g provin o ur t o
t
,

the 1r skill at arche ry ; o r better stil l an needs attempt this venture wit h ev e ry
, ,

o ccasion to set forth the i n co i t e s ta b l e necessar

p r eca ti o n for a val orous
y
u
g ”
s u p er i ority o f o ur able marksmen And in defence . .
 R O B I N H O O D TH E O UTLAW
'

93
The eve o f the day o n whi ch the ’
”
N ottingham grazed the target each o f ,

contest was to take pl ace Robin -

,
them touched the mark w i thout reaching
asse mbled his men and announced to the centre After th e m came three men
“
’ .
,

them his intention o f bearing from Yorkshire who were equ l y suc ,
'

archery prize for the honour o f t h e town c es s f u l W ill Scarlett presented himself
.

O f N ottingha”m in his turn and he pierced the centre o f

My lads he added h e
. ,

W
“
arken to me .
’

the mark with the greatest ease .

A shout O f t r i m ph greeted
,

Baron F 1t z Alwine W ill preside O ver the

,

ill s ’

games and there must certainly be some

,
prowess and Little J ohn took his pla ce
, .

partic ul a r reason why he should be so The young man sent his arrow into the
anxious to please the yeomen I think I hole made by W illiam Then even before
know the cause —i t I S to attempt my
.
.
,

the range keeper had had time to ta ke it

-

capture Therefore I shall take with me

. out , Robin Hood s arrow broke it in ’
‘

to the r nge one hundred and forty pieces a n d lt oo k its place o

a
.

companions I will enter s i x O f them as . The enraptured crowd became violently

compet i tors for the prize ; the others will excited and the men o f N ottingha m laid
,

be dispersed among the crowd in such big wagers .

manner as to r e assemble at the first call -

The three best archers o f Yorkshire
in case O f treachery Hold your arms . came forward and with steady hands , ,

ready and prepare f o r a des perate co m hit the bull s eye ’

-

I t was now the turn O f the N ortherners

. .
,

ba t
to cry victory and accept the wagers O f
.

Robi n H oo d s O rders were faithfully

’

carried out and at the appointed hour his

,
the citizens of N ottingham .

men in little grou ps took the road to ,

All this time the Baron but l ittle
‘

m te r e s te d in the success O f ei ther o n e o r

,

Mansfield and arrived without hindrance

,

at the place w here a crowd was al r eady ,

other o f the Counties was attentively ,
’

assembled watching the archers Robin Hood had

Robin Hood Little J ohn W ill Scar
. .

, , attracted his attention ; but as his sight

lett Much and five others of the Merrie had for some time been getting feeble it .
,

Me ii were t o take part in the contest ;

, ,

was impossible for him to recognise his

they were all d i ffe r e n tl y dre ssed and enemy s features ’
’
s
.
,

hardly spoke t o o n e another in order to , Much and the Merrie Men selected by '

avoid any danger o f being recognised Robin to {compete touched the mark
‘

. .

The place chosen f o r the archery was without difficulty ; four yeomen followed
a large glade situated o n the borders O f them and succeeded equally well
, .

B a r n s d a l e F o r es t and a short distance The greater number o f the archers

'

.
, ,

from the main road An immense crowd w e r e s o well used t o shooting at a target
‘

.
,

gathered from the neighbouring country , that it appeared as though the victory
a nd pressed noisily into the enclosure in , would be to none in particular and it was ,

the centre o f t which were placed the -

decided to set up wands and choose ,

butts A platform had been erected

.
“

seven men o u t o f the v i ctors o n either

opposite the shooting range this was for , side .

the Baron o n whom devolved the honour

, The citizens O f N ottingham chose
o f judging the shooting and awarding the Robin Hood and his Merrie Men to ,

prize . susta in the h o no u r o f their county W hile a

,

1 The Baron soon arrived accom panied , the inhabitants o f Yorkshire took as their
by an escort o f soldiers fifty o f his men :
, champion the yeomen who had proved ’

havin g already mingled with the crowd , the best archers .

clad i n yeomen s dress with orders to ’

, The yeomen began The first split the .

arrest any suspicious characters and take , wand the second gra z ed it and the third
, ,

them before the Baron . skimmed it so closely that it appeared

These precautions taken Lord Fitz , impossible that their adversaries would
Alwine had hopes that Robin Hood be able to surpass their skill
W ill Scarlett advanced a n d taking U p
.
,

whose adventurous n ature courted danger , ,

would come to the j oust alone and he , his bo w he shot underhand an d broke
, ,

the willow wand into two pieces 3 . .

”
“
H urrah ! f o r N o tti n g h a m s b i r e cried
the citizens O f N ottingham throwing
,

their caps into the air with o ut in the ,

94 RO B I N 3
H OO D TH E O U TLAW ~

b e took the arrow and

‘

, bo wed po li te iy as

New! w a ri d s t w e r e prepared el Ro bi n 5 Af mo m e n t pas sed

’
Robin pr ete nded to
'

”
oi
’
I .
;
men fr o m Little J ohn t o the lea st (o f the
, mov e Off Then as the Baron , desperate at
.
,
I
archer s split th e m ea s i l y RObi n 5 turn
,
z .
’
seei ng him thu s escape w a s a bOut t o take ,

came ; h e s h Ot three arro ws at the wands decisive measures ; b e rais e d h i s head an d ,

with such r a pi d i ty t h a t had it not bee n

“

, looking full at the Old mah said with a ,

’

seen that the wands were shattered 1t la u g h E

w ould have b e en i m expre ss the va l u e
,

possi ble to believe 1n W o r ds fail me

'

to
which I attach to the present you have
Several fresh attempts wer e made b u t j ust g i ven m e my excelle nt friend I s h a l l
Robin triumphed over all his adversaries
, , .

r e t u r nf gw i th a heart full o f
g ra itude to '

, t
a lthough they were all tried b o én and the green tree s of my fair dw e lling place
’

it began to be said that Ro bin H OOCl h i m

,

and t h e r e u I will treasure w i th care this

,
'

m
J

self could not c Omp e te with the yeo a n precious token o f friendship I Wish y o u .

in the red doublet f o r i t w a s thus th e a ver good day n Obl e L o rd Of N o tt 1n g

’
'
w

y
r
, ,
”
crowd had named Robin T . ham .

This supposition so dangero us to the

,
1
“
Stop step 1 roar e d the Baron
, .

y oung man s Oo n became an a ffirmati on

,
'

,
1
i e r s d O your dut y! That man is
,
.

and the report circulated tha t the victo r Robin H ood Se i z e hi m ! . 1 1

was none other than Robin Hood .

“
"
Miserable coward ! returned Robin .

The York shiremen smarting under ,

Yo u proc laim e d that the game was
defeat hastened to assert that the ma tch pub lic O pe n to all destined for the am
was 1not an equ al o ne be t ween th eman d
, , ,

me nts o f ever o n e without e xc eption

”y
a man of Robin H ood s strength They ’
wi th Out fear M
An Out l aw hat hno rights said th e
. .

complained O f the slur cast upon their ,

ho nour as archers O f the loss O f their

,
'

Baron ; thou wast not included in the

“

money (the most weighty consideration a pp ea l to all

g
’
O
' '

o d citi z en
-
s N ow then ,
”
with them ) and they atte mpted n o doubt
1
, , soldiers sei z e the robbe r , .

with a hope Of elud ing their wag ers to ,

“
I will slay the fir st who a dv a n ce t h '

cried Robin m a stentorian vo ice d i r e cti rig

,

turn the discussion into a quarrel .

'

his bOw to ward t h e fel l ow who approach ed

, ,

As s o On as the M errie Men be came '

aware o f 3 the 1r adversarie s i ll will they ’

,
'

him . B u t at sight o f his menacing atti

rallied t o g et h e r g a n d formed th ou h with : tu de the man drew back and di s ap ea r ed
out apparent i nte nt i on a group Ogeight y p
, , ,

into t he crowd 1

Robin w ound his horn a n d h i s M errie

.
,

six m en .
,

W hi le th e s ee ds o f strife were be ing Men prepar ed to sustain a blood y com bat

, ,

sown among the Robin H ood y

advance d quickl to p r o t ee t him Steppin
'

g .

was borne to the Sheri ff amid t h e j oyous back int o the m 1d s t O f his men he orde r ed ,

acclamations o f the citiz ens o f N otting them to be nd the ir bows and retreat slowly ;
f o r the B aron s so ldiers were t o o nume r ou s
’
ham .

“
W a y for the victor ! H urrah for the ‘

skilful archer ! cried tw o hund r ed voi ces .

He 1s the winner o f the prize

i
“ .
i ‘
l

Robin H ood with eyes

d OW
,
m o d es tl
y ca
n s tood before Lo r d F i t z Al W i ri e l n
D
st
»
,
’
the most respectfu l attitude 3 P h prepared t o obey and the Yorksh iremen
.
'
1
, ,

The Baron stared hard to try and irritated by their defeat and e x a sperated
descry the young man s featu r e s A by the loss o f their m On e y in t he wagers
’
.

certai n resemblance o f fi g ure perhaps they had j ust made j o i ned the Baron s
, ,
’

even o f dress led the Baron to believe

,

that the invincible Outlaw stood before

 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W
appear upon the road ; they will overta ke “

us an we do not hasten to seek shelter

,

behind the Castle walls .

“
The drawbridge 1s already lowered ,

an the gates be closed said Herbert Let us hasten and m ten

.
,

to us minutes you will have nothing to fear

“
I will answer for the benevolence o f from your enemies .

the owner for Sir Richard of the Plain is

, The Sheri ff and his men arrived i n
a brave Saxon . time to wi tness the little troop d e fi l i ng
“
Sir Richard o f the Plain ! cried along the drawbridge o f the Castle .
“

Robin . Then are we saved Fo r ward , Exasperated by this fresh defeat the ,

my lads forward , Praised be the H oly Baron immediately took the audacious
”
V irgin ! he conti nued crossing himself , resolution o f commanding Sir Richard in ,
“
gratefully ; she never abandons the u n the King s name to deliver up to him
’

fortunate i n the hour o f their need .

. these men who doubtless abusing his
, ,

W ill Scarlett g o thou o n in advance

.
,
'

, credulity had pl aced themselves under

,

and say to the keeper o f the drawbridge , his protection .

that Robin H ood and a ba nd o f h i s men ,

i W hereupon at Lord Fitz Alwine 5 ,
’

pursued by N ormans ask permission o i ,

-
request the Knight appeared upon the
,

Sir Richard to take refuge within his - -

'

ramparts .

Castle walls .
“
Sir Richard of the Plain said the ,

W ith the speed o f an arrow W illiam

‘

, Baron whose people had told him the

,

covered the space which separated him na me o f the owner o f the Castle “
do ,

from Sir Richard s domain ’

. you know who the men are t hat have
W hile the young man accomplished entered your domain ?
his errand Robin and his companions
,
“
I know them my Lord replied the , ,

proceeded toward the C astle . Knight coldly , .

Soon a white flag was hoisted o n the “

W hat ! you know that the rogue who
outer wall a horseman emerged from the
,
com m ands this troop o f robbers is an ’

Gate and followed b W ill advanced at Outlaw an enemy o f the King and yet
full speed to meet Ro bin Hood Arrived
, , , , ,

. you g i ve him shelter ? Do you know

in the young Chief s presence he leapt to ’
that yo u inc u r the pen al ty of treason
I know that this Castle and the
,

the ground holding o u t both hands

, .

”
Sir said the y oung man grasping r ounds that surround it are my prope rty
“

Robin s hand with visible emotion I am gknow that I am master here a n d do as

.
, ,
’
“

I please and receive whom I choose

, ,

Herbert Gower Sir Richard s s o n My ,

’
.
,
.

father wishes me to tell you that you are That is my answer Sir W ill you with , .

welcome to o u r home and that he will ,

dr aw at once an y o u would avoid a ,

feel the happiest o f men an you will give combat in which you would not gain the
advan tag e f o r I have an hundred men
,

him the opportunity o f discharging even ,

a portion o f the great debt we o w e you a t arms with the best sharpened arrows
I am yours body and s oul Sir Robin
.

"
, , ,
in all the country side at my disposal : -

added the young man with an outburst ,

Good day my Lord ,
.

o f profound gratitude
“
do with me what ,
And with this ironical reply the Knight
y o u will ”
l r left the ra mparts
I thank you with all m
. .

“
y heart my ,
The Baron who felt that he was not,
”
ung friend replied Robin e m b r a ci n well enough supported by his soldie rs to
{perbert ; your o ff er is tempting fo r
, ,

,
attempt a n att ack o n the Castle decided ,

should be proud to place so good a horse to retrea t ; and with suppressed rage in ,

man i n the ranks o f my lieutenants But . his heart a s can be well imagined he
,
.
,

for the p resent we must think o f the took the r o ad to N ottingham with his
danger that threatens my men They .

W el come a th o usand time s to th e

,

are worn o u t with fatigue ; my dearest

comrade hath been wounded in the leg house which I o w e to thy goodness
,
.
,

,
”
by a N orman arrow ; and for near t w o Robin H ood said th e Knight embracing
'

, ,

hours we have been p ur s u e d b y B a r o ri hi s guest ; welcome a thousand

“
times t

I thank thee Sir Knight said Robin

,
.

” ”
Fitz Al w i n e s soldier s Behold my lad
-
’
.
, , , ,
.

continued Robin pointing o u t to the But prithee speak not o f the pa ltry
“

youth a band o f soldiers w h o beg an to service which I had th e satisfa ct i on to

, , ,
 ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLA W 97
render thee Thy friendship hath already
. woman Tall slim and graceful a s a
.
, ,
’

repaid it an hundred fold and to day thou , young fawn Lilas advanced toward the ,

savest me from a real danger Hark ye v i sitors with dow ncast eyes and a lovely
I have brought a wounded man ;” I pray
.
,

smi le upo n her rosy lips She raised two .

that thou wilt kindly entreat him . ti mid blue eyes to Robin H ood and held
He shall have the same consideration o u t her hand .

”
as thyself dear Robin , .
“
Our deliverer is no stranger to me ,
“
The worthy lad i s n o t unknown to she said sweetly
’

n .

thee Sir Kni ght replied R obin

,
I t 13, . Mute with admiration Robin Hood ,

Little j ohn my first lieutenant the clearest

, , raised the white hand to his lips .

”
and most trusty of my companions . Herbe r t who had followed Robin said
, ,

My wife a n d Lil as will l o ok to to W ill with a smile o f tender pride

,
’

him returned Sir Richard

,
“
And he . Friend W illiam this I S m wife ,

will be well cared for ; be e a s y o n that She is very bea u ti f u wh ispered

'
’’

W ill ; but Maude

“
he added in a
“

I f you a r e speaking of Little j ohn o r

,

still lower voice

He said no more Robin H
.
,

rat her of the biggest j ohn sure Wh o ever , ood co m .

ma nd ed him by a glance to have no eyes

,

wielded a cudgel said Herbert ; he is “

,

already in the h ands o f a clever leech save f o r Herbert s charming wife ’

.
‘

from York who hath been here since last

, After a mutual exchange o f compli
evening He hath already te nded the
. ments between Sir Richard s wife and her ’

wound and pr o m i s e th a speedy cure "

.
’
guests the Knight leaving W ill a nd his
, ,

God be prai sed ! said Robin Hood son to talk to the ladies took Robin Hood ,
“
m y d e a r j ohn is o u t o f danger
'
N ow 1
aside and said
Sir Knight added he I am at the dis My dear Robin I wish to prove to
.
, ,
“
, , ,

posal o f t hyself and o f thy family thee that there is no man in the world
whom I love like thee and I declare again
.

My wife and L ilas are impatient to

'

,
”
greet thee said the Knight , They await . my friendship for thee so that thou ,

thee 1n the next room

1
.
’
1
mayest carry o u t thy plans according to
”
Father said Herbert with a laugh thy will Thou wilt be secure here s o
'

I have j ust told my friend—I mean the

.
, , ,
“
long as this house can shield thee so lo ng
young man W ill Sc arlett —that I am the
,

as there remains a man standing u pon i ts

'

ramparts and sword 1n hand I will defy

,

husband of the most beautiful woman i n

all the Sheri ff s in the Kingdom I have
, , ,
"

the world And d o you know what he .

replied given orders fo r the G a te s to be closed ;

'

Sir Richard and Robin Hood exchan ged and for none to be permitted to ent er the
Castle without my leave My men are .

He dec lared that he possessed a wife under arms and r e a d y to o ff er a stout

,
'

t
whose beauty was unrivalled But he resistance to any attack Thy men are
' '

.
'

shall see Lilas and then , resting ; let them remain o n e week i n
“
Ah ! had you but s een Maude yo u , peace and when that time hath elapsed
, ,

would not speak thus young man W ould , . we will take counsel together as to the
”
he Robin ? part thou shouldst play
Certainly Herbert would thi nk Maude
, .

“
I willingly consent to remain here
very pretty replied Robin i n a co hci l i a
, ,
"
some days answered Robin ,
But o n .

”
tory tone 1 . one condition only .

Doubtless doubtless said Herbert , , . W hat 18 that

But Lilas is marvellously beautiful ,
My Merrie Men will return to morrow -

and in my opinion there exists no woman

, ,
to B a r n s d a l e Forest W ill Scarlett shall .
‘

to be compared with her .

’
accompany them and he will return ,

W ill Scarlett listened to Herbe rt w ith hither with his dear Maude Marian and , ,

a frown The poor young husband s self

.
’
poor Little j ohn 3 wife " ’
.

love was wounded But we must do him . Sir Richard readily acquiesced in
the j ustice to say that when he beheld ,
Robin s wishes and all was a r r a n g e d i t o
’
,

Lilas he utter e d an exclam ation o f sur

, the mutual satisfaction o f the two friends .

prise and admiration A fortnight passed happily away at the

Lilas had fulfilled all the pr omises o f
.

Ca s tle o n the Plai n and at the end o f ,

her yout h ; the pretty ch i ld we saw at St . that time Robin Little j ohn entirely
, , ,
’
Mary s Abbey h ad become a be autiful cured o f hi s wound W ill Scarlett and the ,
98 RO B I N H O O D 1TH E O U TLA W
incomparable Maude , Marian a n d ; W in i tance fro m the Castle He had not long .

fred found themselves once more be neath

,
to wait The next mo rning Sir Richard
.
, , .

the gr een trees o f B a r ns d a l e F orest . i

h son and some fol lowers fell into t he
s , .

The day after his ret urn to N otting ha m

1,

trap l ai d for them and in spite o f the

B aron F 1t z A1w i ne m
, ,

ade his way ; to v aliant resistan ce the y offe re d they were

London obtained an audi ence o f i the
, vanquished gagged tied to horses a n d , , ,

King and rec oun ted to him h i s p ti fu l

,
t '
carried away to N ottingham .

adventure . One o f Sir Richard s ser vants ’

Your Majesty s aid the Baron will cee de d in making h is escape and
“
, , ,
.

fi nd it strange ; no doubt t hat a Knight , , all black and blue with the blows he had
with whom Ro bi n (had sought shel ter v received to announce the sa d news to hi s
,

should have refused to deliver up this , mistress .

g r eat crimi n al to me eve n t hou gh I as ke d , Lady G ower distracted wi th g rief 1 , ,

i n the King s nam e wis he d to j o in h er h u sband ; bu t Lilas

’
.

W hat ! a Knig ht and failed to S how made the unhappy wo m an unde r stand
'

respect to his Sovereign ! cried He ry that this step would be o f no help to '

in an i r r i ta te d t o n e f g ;
n .
,

1
,

the m U She advised her in o th er to apply

.
1

Y e a S ire
, th e Kni gh t S 1r ( R 1e b ar d of , to Robin Hoo d he a l one w a s capable o f '

b
, ,

the Plain refused my righteous de mand j g gd i c l ml y f S i R i ha r d s 1 p s i ti o n

’ '

u n a r 1 c
o
.
,

H e replied that hewa s king of his domain s , a nd e fi ec ti n g hi s de liveran ce .

and cared but little f or the power o f your Lady Gower yie lded to th e e n treaties ,

o f the younge r woma n and W t hout losing

i
As may be p erceived the w o r th i ar o n
,

, an instant s he choose t wo faithful ,

'

lied freely f o r the good o f his cause 1 . servants mo unte d a horse and s e t o u t in
, ,

all h aste f or B a r nsd al e Forest

,

W ell replied King “

w e will ,
.
.
1

j udge for ourselves o f the im pudence o f A F oreste r [who ha d re mai ned ill at the ,

this rogue W e will be in N ottingham

. Ca stle was now su fficien tl y recovered to
,

within fifteen days B ring with you a s . a ct as guide to t he Trysti ng Tree 1 .

many men as you think needful to g i ve

.

By a providential chance Robin {H ood ,

battle an d if any unto ward occurren ce

, . was at hi s p ost .

sh ould prevent o u r j oi ning yo u act a s be st G o d bless you ! c ried Lady Gower

t hr owi ng her se lf with feveris h h a st e from
, ,

o n can Carry o ff this ind omitable

I come to you a s a suppl iant
.

obin Hood andryS ir Richard I mprison . her horse .

th em 1n your gloomi est dungeon ; and wh en I come to as k you yet anot her fa vour i n
you have them safe under lock and key the H oly V irgin 3 name
’
.
,

advise o u r j ustices W e W ill then reflect . Lady you fri ghten m e F o r mercy s
, .
’

upon o ur course of ac ti on "

. sake W hat a i ls you ? cried Robin o ver
, ,

Baron F 1tz Alwine obe yed the King 3 c ome with asto nishment Tell me What
’
“ ‘

you desire I am rea dy to obey

.

”
order s to the letter He assembled a . .

n umerous troo
p o f men and marched a t Oh Robin ”s o b bed the p oo r woman
, , ,

their head against Sir Ric h a r d s Castle m husband and my s o n have been
’
.

y
B u t the poor B aron w a s car r i ed o ff by y yo u r en emy the Sheriff o f ,

fate fo r he arrived th e day

, N ottingham O h R o b i n s a v e m y h us ba n d .
, , ,

s a ve my child ! Stop th e wretches w h o .

have take n t hem away ; they a r e few

‘

in number and have only th i s min ute le ft

,

,
”
the Castle 6
1,
Be reassure d; Madam said Robin
“d
.
U
”
and a certain soreness whi ch still r e n , ,

dered ridi ng painful to him checked his , Hood Your husband sh all soon be give n
“
.

ardour 111 th at dir e ction He resolved a s .

,

he could do no better to take Sir Richard , ,

and as an assault o f the p lace would bea

,
1 00 RO B I N H O O D TH E O UT LA W
By Robi n s orders some the Merrie thee ,the word a n h o n e s t m a n that of of
’
*
.

Men conducted the vanquished men to while a breath of life is i n my bO d y th o u ,.

Not ti ngha
g m while at the head
rest o f his ha n d he carried awa y the
dead su ccoured the wounded and remove d
o f the
, alt
en
“
be safe
,
under the
, care

I gla dl y accept thy ge n

o f my M errie

erous o ffer
M
.

Robin Hood I accept it with j oy and

, , ,

all trace s of the combat . .

Farewell for ever thou man o f blood g ratitude But before estab lishin g m yself
,
.
-
.

and iron said Robin throwing a look o f i n the Forest which my children s future
”
, , ,
’

disgust at the Baron s corpse “

At last makes my d u ty I am goi ng to try and
’

thou hast m
.
,

e t thy death and wilt receive soften the King s anger The o ffer o f a ’

, .

the reward o f thine evil deeds Thy heart considerable s um o f money may induce .
-

hath been covetous and pitiless thy hand him to spare the life o f a well born ,
r -

hath been as a scourge to the unhappy Knight .

Saxons Thou hast oppressed thy vassals

. That very evening Sir Richard sent ,
»

betrayed thy King and abandoned thy a messa ge t o Lon don to ask a powerful
,
.
.
.

daughter Thou dost merit all the member o f his family to speak t o the
tortures o f hell Yet do I pray the
.

King for him The messenger came back

. .

o f infinite m e r c y t o have pity o n thy soul from London at full speed and announc e d ,

and to pardon thy sins t o his master that He nry I I deeply

’
. .
,
“
Sir Richard said Robin when irritated by the death o f Baron F 1tz
, ,

o l d man s corpse had been raised by the Alwine had se nt a c ompany of his best
’

soldiers and borne away in the direction soldiers to the K night s Castle with
,
’

o f N ottingham this hath been a sorry orders to hang him and his son to the
“
,

day W e have saved thee from death first tree o n the r oa d s i d e The Chief
.
, a .

but n o t from ruin for thy goods will be o f thi s company w h o was a penniless
confiscated I co uld wish Richard that N orman had rec eived from the King s
, ,
'
’

I had never known thee

.
, , ,
”
hand the Castle o f the Plain as a gift to .

“
H ow 15 that ? asked the Knight in himself and his descendants to the last ,

great surprise generation

Sir Richard s k insman likewise sent
. .

“
Because Without min e aid thou ,
’

W ouldst assuredly have succeeded i n word to the condemned man that a pr o .

paying thy debt to the Ab bey and th clamation w a s to be made i n the Counties ,

wouldst not have been obliged to render of N o tti ng h a m s b i r e Derbyshire and

me se r vice o u t o f gratitude I am the Yorkshire o ff ering an immense reward
, ,

.
,

involuntary cause o f all thy troub l e to the man clever enough to capture .

Thou wil t be banished outlawed from t he Robi nHood a nd give h i m alive o r dead , , ,

Kingdom thy house become the pr operty into the hands o f the Sheri ff of either o f
,

o f a N orman thy family will su ff er and these Counties

, .

Sir Ric hard at once warned R o

,

it will be my fault Thou canst see . bin

for thyself Sir Richard how dangerous H ood o f the danger menac i ng his life and
, , ,

my friendship 18 l announced his o w n immediate arrival

. .

My dear Robin said the Knight Actively assisted by his vassals the
, , ,

with an express i on of ineffable tenderness Knight despoiled the Castle o f all that it , .

“
my wife and my children are alive thou conta ined and sent h i s f u r n i tu r e a r m s and ’

art m y friend what have I to regret ? I f plate to the trysting place of B a r n s d a l e

, , , ,

-
.
,

the K i ng condemn me I will leave my W hen the last wagon had crossed the , ,

Castle deprived o f all but still happy drawbridge Sir Richard his wife Herbert
, , . , , , ,

and bl essing the hour that led me to and Lilas rode away from their dear °

noble Robin Hood home and gained the Forest W ithout

.
, _

The young man gently shook his head hindr ance . .

“
Let us speak seriously o f thy situa W hen the troop sent by the King
tion my dear Richard returned he The reached the Cast l e the doors were open
,
“
, .
,

news o f the events which h ave j ust and the rooms completely empty .

occurred will be sent to London and the The new owner o f Sir Richard s d o m a i n s ,
’

King will be pitiless W e have attacked see med much di sappointed to find the .

his o w n soldiers and he W ill make thee place deserted but as he h ad passed the
, ,

pay fo r their def eat no t only by banish best part o f his life in stru ggling against
,

ment but by an ignominious death the freaks o f fortune he readily a cco m mo

Leav e thy home , c om e with me I give dated himself to his circumstanc e s
, .
,

. .

Consequently he sent away t h esoldiers
’
and to the great despair O f the vassals
, ,
established himself as master o f the
’ .
'
Castle O f the Plain
C HAP TE R
'
H RE E peaceful years followe d the
events we have j u s t r e l a ted Robin
Hood s band had develope d m a r e mark
’
able manner and the renown o f their
-
, park Allan and Christabel had remained
i n tr e pi d C h i e f had s read all over England
p .
The death o f Hen ry I I had pla ced his
s o n Richard o n the throne and the latter
after having squandered all the C r OWn
treasure had set o u t f o r the Holy Land
abando ning th e Re gency Of the King d o rr i
, ,
to his brother Pri nce J ohn a man Of , ,
dissolute habits an d extreme avarice
whose feebl e spirit rendered him i n ca p
able Of f u lfil l i ng the high mission entrusted
to him . how much greater would her sorrow have
The mise r y o f the people already very
great under H enry became complete
destitutio n during the long period o f this
bloodstained regency Robin Hood with
i nexhaustible generosity relieved the cruel
su ff erings of the poor in N ottinghamshire
and Derb ys h i r e and he was the idol O f
them a ll B u t if he gave to the poo r he
.
took from the ri ch i n return and N orm an s
prelates and mo nks contributed largely
, ,
to their great vexation to the good works
o f the noble Outlaw
Marian still lived in th e Forest 1 and
the young couple still love d each other
as te n d e r l y as in t he first days o f their
'
happy un i on
u
. further steps and did not regret the loss
Time had not lesse n ed W illiam s pas
sion for his charmi ng Wife and in the
eyes o f the faithful Saxon ; Maude like a
pure diamond still kept her immutable ,
beauty . fl
Little John and Much still congratulated
the ms elves o n their choice in taking to
wife sweet W inifred and wi tty Barbara
and as for W ill s brothers they had no
r e ason to repent of their hasty marriages
they were happy and life was rose coloured
ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W
'
I OI
still l iv e d h a ppi l y together Their home
~
.
,
'
built chiefly under the Knight 5 directions '
was a marvel o f co m r t and good taste
A circle o f O ld tree s shut o ff the g arden
' ‘
.
from inquisitive eyes and seemed to place ,
an insupe rable barrier around the place .
Beautiful children with sweet faces ,
’
living flowers in this oasis of love en :
‘
.
,
'
X II li ve ned the calm repose o f the great
House wi t h their turbulent spirits their ,
laughing voices awoke the echoes and ,
x thel light steps o f their little feet left a
.
fleetin g imprint on the sandy paths o f the
.
—
young in heart ‘ spirits and looks and for
, , ,
. them a week seemed like a day a day
'
, , passed as quickly as an hour
.
Christabel had not seen her father
since her w e d d i n g w i th Allan Clare in
Linton Abbey for the irascible Ol d man
was cruelly determined to repulse all the
, e ff orts at reconciliation made by his
daughter and the Knight The Baron 3 .
’
death a ff ected Christabel profoundly ; but
, been if in losing the author O f her being
, ,
, she had lost a true father .
Allan had intended to maintain his
rights to the Baron y O f N ottingham and
‘
.
, , ,
, by Robin 3 adv i ce who recommended
’
him to mak e all haste 1n putting forward
his very j ust claim he was o u the point
'
, ,
, O f writi ng to the King when he learned ,
, , that the Castle o f N ottingham with its ,
revenues and dependencies had become ,
the prope rty o f Pri nce JOh n Allan was
‘
.
,
’
. t o o happy to risk his peace and well being
,
in a struggle which the superior rank o f
his adversa r y would render as dangerous
as it was useless He there fore took no .
,
’
o f this magnificent heritage .
,
Robin s attacks upon the Normans and i
’
,
clergy became so frequent and so pre
j udicial to the rich that t h e y a t tr a c te d i
the attention o f the Lord Chancellor O f
England Longchamp Bishop of Ely 3
.
, ,
The Bishop resolved to put an end to
the existence O f the Merrie Men a n d he ,
’
,
prepared a serious expedition Five hun ’
dred men with Prince J ohn at their head
, ,
,
-
arrived at N ottingham Castle and there , ,
after a rest o f several days they m ade ,
arra ngements to seize Robin H ood H e .
,
however being promptly informed of the
,
intentions o f this honourable troop only ,
la ughed and prepared to baffle all their
,
attempts without exposing his men to the
dangers Of a fight .
102 R O B I N J H O O D , TH E OU TLA W
, H e ma d e g h i s band take shelter arrayed ‘
,

a d o z e n f o r e s te r s i n di ff erent cost umes ;

'

and sent them t o the C a s tl e wh e re they L ,

e m se l v e s a n d O ff ered to gui d e
.

p r es e nt ed th ‘

the tr o o ps i n to the inextrica ble r ecesse s . ,

o f the Forest taking him into the Forest and making

These o ff ers O f service were accepted him pay three hundred gold crowns fo r
.

'

with al a crity by the chiefs o f the troo p ; his visit , .

an d a s th e Forest c o vered very nearl y U nder t h e influence o f this poignant

.

t hir ty miles o f ground it w a s n o t easy memory the Reeve answered the King , ,

to t a ke a cco u n t of the turns and twists th at the archers in question coul d certainl y
through w hi ch th e g uides led the unhappy be none ot h er than those o f the terrible
, .

soldiers N ow the whole o f th e t r oo p was Rob i n H ood

.
, ‘ _
.

engulfed in the declivit ie s ; o f a valley This Robin Hood added the malici '
, ,

now the sank knee deep in the ;mudd y o u s I nnkeeper is a do w nr i g ht f r as ca l , , u .

water 0 swamps now th e y f o un d them He suppor ts h i s b and a t the e x pe n s e o f

‘

, , , _

selves dispersed o n wild and barren traveller s ; he robs honest men kills the , , .

heights They cursed a i sol d ier s life

. .
’

wi s h ed th e Lord Chancellor o f England

‘

Robi n Hood and his invisible b and at the

’

devil ; fo r it should be o bs e r v e d that not

a single green doublet had ever appear ed fortune to keep his pl a ce a s W arden o f
, ,

upo n the horizon the Castle ha ppen e d ; by chance to be

. ,
, . -

At t h e close of th e day the soldiers n ear the Kin durin thi s interview
found themselves s e v en c r e ight miles I mpelled by a feeling 0 gratitude toward
~
. , .
, ,

. .

from N ottin ham Castle w hic h t hey Robin and by the n a tu r a l i m pe tu o s i ty o f ’

must regain i gthey did not wi s h t o pass a a g en erous ; n a t u r e h e forgot his lowly
,

night in the O pen They returned there co ndi tion made a step towards the Reev e s
,

’
. , ,

fore exhausted with fatigue dying of august listener and said i n an : eager
, , , . g

h u n g er a n d without having seen a thi ng tone

, ,

that co uld reveal to them the pre sence o f Sire Robin Hoo d is an hone s t Sa xon , .

the Merrie Men and an unhappy Outlaw An if he

. .

F o r two weeks they renewed these despoil the rich o f their wealth yet he ,

fatigui ng marches an d th e result was doth allay the misery of the poor ; and in ,
‘

always the same Prince J ohn recal led the Counties of N otti ngham and York the .
,

t o London by his pleasures a bandon ed name o f Robin H ood is aye spoken with ,
”
th e undertaking and re t ur n ed with h i s respect and etern al gratitud e , .
.

e s cort to the town Do y o u kno w t his brave bowman

.
‘f

years after this ex pedition Richard persona lly ? I asked the King o f Hal bert ,
’
.

r etur ned t o England ; and Prince J ohn The question recalled H albert to h i m ,

w h o j u s tl y dreaded t o face his brother self

.
He blushed crimson and ,
.
,

sought refuge from the King s anger confusedly -

’

within the w a ll s o f N ottingham Castle I have seen Ro bin H ood but . ,

,

Ri chard Coeur de Lion ha ving, l e arned lon g time ago ; an d I only repea t to your , ,

of the Regent s obno x ious be haviour Maj es ty what i s s a i d o f him by the poor
’

, _ , , ,

s tayed o n l y t hr ee day s in London ; and whom he hath sa ved from dyi ng o f

‘

then a cco m pa ni e d g by f a s ma ll troop

, I , ,

marched resolute ly against the rebel Come come my g ood d a d said the .
, , ,

N ottingham Castle was he s i eg ed After King with a smile hold up thy head
,

“ ‘

.
, , , J

three days it surrendered at discretio n and never disown thy friend B y the ,
'
. . t

but Prince John managed to escape Holy Trini ty if hi s co n d u ct be such as .

,
‘

W hile fig h ti n g l i ke the meanest o f his th o u ha s t d e s cr i be d ; to me he is a man

j , u
-
, ,
-

soldier s Richard had noticed th at a tr o op

,

o f lusty e o m e n him great assistan e '

y g a v e c ,

and that it w as owing to their val ua ble ,

help that he was able to wi n the v i cto r y xs ,

“

After the combat and once installed in ,

the Castle Richar d asked for information even toward an Outlaw To morrow even
, .
-

"
concerni n g the brave archers who had ing I will hie m e to Sherwood Forest ,
.
1 04 ROB I N H OO D TH E O UTLA W
I had no t mad a a vow to squeeze more or i
'

1 W ell h it ! well hit ! cried the King ,

le s s every member o f Holy Church I “

,
heartily l .
, i p .
a
.

s h Oul d refuse to accept your generous

“
That i s vn ot a very wonderful sho t ,

o ff er However it shall not be said that , Sir A bbot said Robin looking at Ric hard
, ,

in surpr i se All my men w i thout e x ce p

.

“
you have suffered too cruelly on y our way .
,

through Sherwood Forest Your escort . tion can kill a deer like that and my w ife
, ,

a r i d horses m a y pass freely and m ore ,

'

,
herself can draw a bo w and accomplish
y o u must al l ow me to accept only twenty acts o f skill far s u pe r i o r to the feeble '

o i e ce s of gold . exploit which I have achieved before your ‘

"
Th o u r d o s t behave nobly Forester e yes ’
‘
.
fl
.

, ,

r e plied Richard who app e ared sensibl e ,

“
Thy repeate d the King in ,
.

o f Robin s generosity ;
’
and I s h a l l g i v e :
'

q uestioning ton e “
Thou hast a wife ? .

myself th e pleasure o f speaking of thee to By the Mass I am anx i ous to make the ,

our Sovereign H is M aj esty knoweth . acquaintance o f the woman who sh ares

”
somewhat concerning thee for he told me ,
the perils of thine adventurous life .

My wife i s not the only O ne o f her

_

t o greet thee from him if I were so

’

fortunate a s to meet thee I believe .

,
sex S ir Abbot who pref ers a faith ful
, ,

betwixt ourselves be it said that King heart and a home in the wildern ess to a
Richard—who doth love bravery where er
, ,
’
faithle s s love and the luxury o f a town
he fin d s i t—would n o t be s orry to gi ve existence ”

I will introduce my wife t o 011 Sir

.

“
his thanks in person t o the brave yeoman ,

who helped him to open the Gates o f Abb o t cried W ill Scarlett an if thou
”
,
“
,

N ottingham Castle and to a s k him why ,

dost not ac knowledge tha t her beauty is
he and his valiant companions disappeared worthy o f a throne thou must permit me ,
”
s o soon after the battle . to declare either that thou art blind o r ‘

I f some day I were happy enough to that th y taste i s execrable ”

.

find myself in His Maj esty 5 presence I ’

,
“
By St D unsta n ! returned Richard
”
. -
,

should not hesitate to rep ! to the latter th e popul a r fa cy 1 s quite right i n calling
n
question ; but at present Si r Abbot let
'

you the Merr i e Men Yo u want for

—
.
, ,

us speak of something else I love King . nothing here lovely women royal game , ,

Richard well for he is English in heart

, fresh verdure and entire liberty , .

and s Ou l though he belongeth by ties o f

,
“
Yea ! we be very happy folk Sir , ,

blood to a N orman family All o f us

. repli ed Robin laughing
The escort soon reached the gree
.
.
,

here priests and laity are the faithful

, , n
servants o f His Most Gracious Maj esty , s w ar d w h er e a repast awaited the guests
‘

and if you will consent Sir Abbot we , , and this repast sumptuously furnished ,

will d r i n k in company to noble Richard s

'
’
with fragrant venison excit ed Richard ,

healt h Sherwood Forest knoweth how Coeur de Lion s appetite by i ts ; mere ’ '
‘

- -
.
_

to be freely hospitable when it receiveth

Saxon hearts and generous Monks beneath B y m y mother s co ns cien ce ! he cri e d ’

”
the shade o f i ts o l d trees ( h
'

let usy as t en t o say t ha t the

. Lady Eleanor
had so l ittle conscience that it w a s sheer
I accept th kind invi tation with
”
’
ple a sure Robin 00 pleasantry to appe al to it) here 15 a truly
replied the King
’

, ,

and I am ready to f O ll o w thee whe r ever

royal dinner ! W hereupon the King
thou dost wish to conduct me too k h is place at the bo ard and ate —
”
s with .

u f o r your confidence good m f

q
t t Towards the end
the m e al i ch a r d said to hi s h ost—
g r ea e n e n o ,
~

Robin leading Richard s , 3 ,

’

hor s e toward a path ending at the Trysting“

Thou hast mad e me anxious to meet
t h e bea u ti f ul w o m e n who peop l e thy vast
W
~

i ll Scarlett and th e domain I ntroduce them to me I am

,

Little John , , . .

four Knights d n u i s e d as Monks fol curious t o see if they are wor thy as thy , ,

lowed the King who was preceded by red headed c o m p a m o n assure d me to

, ,

Robin H o od . ornament th e the King o f

England 1 .
,

Robin sent W ill to find the beautiful

woodland nymphs and to tell his men to ,

prepare the sports in which they eng aged

o n days o f rest .
f

My men will endeavour to amuse you

 ROB I N H O O D TH E O U TLA W 1 05

a little Sir Abbot said Robin again

, , , God alone that token o f humility and
taking his place beside the King ; and “
respect . I
0 11 will see that there is n aught really
“
Tha t is a y e r y moral rebuke for the
l a m e w o r t h y i n o u r pleasures and the wife o f a simple forester murmured t h e ,

wild fashion of o u r lives And when King ag ain taking up his position under
’

.
,

o u find yourself 1n the presence o f good the Trysting Tree

y; i n g Richard I ask it as a favour that
.

,
“
S i r Abbot here is m y wife cried , , ,

y o u w i ll tell him that the Merrie Men W ill leading Maude up to Richard
, .

o f Sherwood are neither to be feared by The King looke d at Maude and said ,

brave Saxons nor unkind to any who ,

laughingly
have compassion o n the inevi table hard This lovely lady is without doubt the
”
ships o f the rough life they lead o n e who would do honour t o a King s
’
'

“
Rest assured brave yeoman His , , palace .

Majesty shall know o f all that ha th ha p o

'

.
Yea Sire s ai d W ill , , .

p ened here as surely as though he himself W ell my friend replied Richard

”

I share o u r O pinion and if you will

, , ,

had partaken o f thy repast i n my stead

,

allow m e i w ill implant a kiss upon the

.
,

Yo u Sir are the most grac i ous Abbot

, , ,

that I have ever met in all my life and , beautiful cheek o f her you love .

I am very glad to be able to treat you as W illiam smiled and the King who , ,

a brot her N ow be pleased to direct your

. took this smile for a reply in the a ffi r ma
attention to my archers There is nothing . tive embraced the young woman gallantly
, .

”
to equal their skill and in order to amuse , , A word in your ear Sir Abbot sa1d , ,

y o u ,I am sure they will accomplish W i l l a ppr o a ch i n g the King who listened

, ,
,
”
wonders . with complacency to the young man .

”
Robin s men t hen began to draw the
’ ’
“
You are a man o f taste continued n
,

W ill and y o u w i ll n e v er have anything

.

“
bow with such extraordinary steadiness ,

of han d a n d aim that the King compli , to fear in S he r w o o d F o r e s t From this e

.

m e n t e d the m with an e x pr e s s i o n c f re a l da y forth I promise you a cordial reception

surprise . every time a happy chance brings you
”
The exercise lasted about half a n hour , amongst us .

when W ill Sca rlett reappeared bri nging I thank yo u f o r y o u r courtesy good
’

, ,
”
with him Marian and Maude arrayed in , yeoman said the King gaily ,
“
Oh ! ,
’

Amazon costumes o f Lincoln green cloth , oh ! but what more do I se e ? cried

and each carrying a bow and quiver o f Richard with his eyes upon W ill s sisters
,
’

arrows . who accompanied by Lilas appeared

, ,

The King open ed his eyes in astonish before him Truly my lads your dryads .
“
, ,
”
ment and gazed speechl ess at the charming
, are real fai ries The King took L i l a s s .
’

faces that blushed beneath his gaze
”
“
Sir Abbot said Robin taki ng Marian
by the hand allow me to pre sent to yo u
t h Q uee n o f my heart my dearly loved
W1g
”
. hand “
.By o u r Lady ! he murmured ,
, , I did not believe that so beautiful a
, woman as my sweet Berengaria existed ;
but upon my soul I am forced to confess
, , ,

e .
’
that t his child equals her in purity and
”
Thou mi h test we ll add the Q ueen o f beauty My pretty o ne sai d the Kin g
'

.
, ,
”
th Merrie en brave Robin cried the pressing the little hand he held in h 1s
y , ,

K thou hast chosen a very har d life

“
i ng and y o u have every reason to be own , ,

proud o f i nsp i ring a tender pass ion i n

, ,

dep rived of all the pleasures o f th ine a e g .

”
s uch a charming creature Dear Madam .
, Dost not fear poor child that the storm y , ,

continued the King allow me to sal ute

“
, winds of this Forest will destroy thy f r a l l
y o u as the Q ueen o f Sherwood Forest , life as they des troy young flowers ?
,
”
and to render you the homage o f a faithful “
My father replied Lilas , gently , ,
”
subject . the W ind is te m pered to the strength o f
S o saying the King knelt upon the , the plants ; it spareth the fee ble ones I .

ground and taki ng Marian s white hand

,
’

, am happy here ; o n e who is dear to me ,

touched it respectfully with his lips . lives in the old wood and I kn ow no ,
”
“
Your courtesy is great Sir Abbot , , sorrow by hi s side .

said Marian modestly but I pray you

, Thou art right to acknowledge thy '

remember that it doth but ill become a l o v e t i f the man whom thou lovest is
ma n o f your holy character to bo w thus worthy of thee my sweet child returned , ,
.

before a w o m an fi You should render to Richard . N

 RO B I N H OO D TH E O UT L AW “
’

1 06

He i s UwOr th y o f even 1 gre ate r lov e a n d s oo n l th e tOp o f t h e wand w as seen

"
i
than I g i ve him my father repli e d ab o ve a c i t él e formed by the flow e r s "
”
. '

, , .

Lilas Albeit I love hi mas t e nde r ly as

.
,
I “ ”
N ow my l ads c r i ed R o b i n “
take , ,
’
,

m at t he w a n d ; he Wh o misses h is
'

can be i t tf
’ ‘

3 a i f ‘

O
q 1

Sa ying the se W rd s the girl blushed stroke wi l l have to give me a g o od arrow

,
.
a i

Richard s big blue eyes were fixed upo n with which he shall rece ive a blow
’
.

’
her with such a b u r n l ng l oo k that sei z ed Attend fo r by O u r L a d y I shall not , , , ,

with an u n d e fina b l e fear s he gently d r e W spare the maladroit I t i s well under

, .

her hand aw ay from the King 8 clasp and st ood that I take part with you arid ’

,
=
, ,

sat down by Marian in case o f unskilfulne s s I submit to a

.
,
”
I o w n to yo u M a ster Robin said like pu nis hme nt ,
s J , .

the Ki ng '

tha t ? there i s n o t C a single

, Many F o r és te r s mi ssed their ai m and
” '

Court 1n Europe that can boast o f gather rece i ved with good grace a sturdy blow .
.

ing around the t h r On e s o many young an d R obin H ood broke the wand i n pi e ces ;
be autiful wome n as we see around us I anoth e r W as put up in its stead W ill ‘

. .

have seen the women o f many countr ies and Li t tle J ohn missed their aim and
d I have ne ver met a nyt h i ng to c o m a m
, ,

an id shouts o f laughter from all the

‘

pare with the sweet an d tranqu il bea ut y onlookers th ey received the re ward Of
o f Saxon w or n en C u r s e me f 1f a n y On e th eir awkwa rdness 1

o f the fre sh faces tha t m

>
.
,

eet i n gaze be Robin had the las t shot ; but Wishi ng

nO t wort h an hundred women 0 the East to s how the sup pose d Abbot tha t m such
"

o r o f any fO r e i gn race a case there w as n o dis tinction mad e be

‘
o h
1 .
.

I am pleas ed to hear you spea k thus twee n himself and his men he pur po sely , ,
”
Sir Abbo t said Robi n , Y o u prove to missed the wand . .

”
me o nce more that pu re Engli s h blood
)
Oh o h M aster ! dr i e d an astonis h ed “
1

floWS in your veins I cannot presume e o m

, ,

an have missed the ma k

'

yo u r
y T is true i faith and I deserve the
. .
,
'

to judge of s o delica te a p oint for I have “

,
’

,
’

never travelled and know no l a nds beyo nd puni shment Little J ohn thou art the
, .
,

Derbyshir e and Yorkshir e N atheless I strongest o f us all and thou .

, ,

am strongly disposed to s a y with you that how to strike har d .

Saxon women are the most beauti ful 1n W I d o no t hold with it in th e! leas
'
! “
,

repli ed J ohn “
the m i ssion is
T hey are ce r ta inly the most be au ti able o n e for tw Oul d se t me ,
’ ‘

ful c r 1 e d W 1l l d e ei d é dl y I have with my right hand fo r ever ’

N “ 1 a

V ery well then W ill I a s kyou

‘
. .
,
r
travelled ove r a g r ea t part o f the Kin n m
’
“ 3 .
, , ,

o f France and I can c e rtify that I have

’
, Thank yOu Robin ; I refuse en tir ely ,

not met with n single matron o r maid to d o thee th i s kindn e ss

i ' .

who can co mpare wi th Maude Maude ’

I refu se to O said Much

I too c r ied another man
. .
,
' ”
is the pick o f English b ut y that is
h ! “

my Op1n1o n a And s o do w e all ! exclaime d th e

.
,
“ ”

“
Yo u h ave s
'
erv ed as a soldi er ? a sked
1 08 ROB I N H OO D T H E O U TLA W
t h e ir r i m m e n s e
‘
treasures in t hine hands .
, and i f h e will permit me I will choose
u
,

thy pardon ne eds b e set down in Writing from among m y men an hu ndred and -
;

s o t h a t thou : mayest live henceforth in

.
.
forty archers who will humbly serve your
safety f r ee 1 f r o m all reproach and all
'

most gr acious Maj es ty with absolute

'

,
”
pursuit To morrow in the presence of -
, devotion .

my Kn r g h ts I wi ll proclaim aloud that , The King as much flattered as sur ,

'

the ban o f proscription which hath placed , prised by the heroic Outlaw s humble ’
t

thee below the meanest serf o f my de meanour in his presence thanked

'

,
.

ki ngdom is entirely removed , I restore . . Robin H ood cordially and making him ,

to thee a nd to all those who have par send hi s men back to the ir momentarily
t i c i pa t e d in thine adventurous career the suspe nded games took a cup from the , .

rights and privileges o f free men I table filled 1t to the brim drank it to the
‘

. .
,
.

have said it and I swear to keep my
”
word by the help o f Almighty God
Long live Richard C oeur de L i o n l
, dregs and said with an expression o f
,
. f r i en d l y p u r i o s i ty
- -
“
And now friend Robin tell me I , .
, ,
‘

cried the Outlaws with o n e voice . prithee who is that giant over yonder ;
,

May the Blessed V irgin protect your for it is di fficult otherwise to descri be the
”
Majes for ever said Robin Hood in a , , huge lad whom Heaven ha th likewise
tone 0 emotion and kneeling upon o ne , blessed with such an honest face Upon .

knee o n the ground he respectfull y kissed , my soul I thought until to d ay t hat I was
,

the generous Monarch s hand ’

. more than o r di na r y ta ll but I see now that ‘

After this token o f gratitude Robin , if I stood beside that j olly dog I should ,

rose sounded his horn and the Merrie

, , look but a n innocent chicken . W hat .

Men who had all been variously occupied , breadth of limb what vigou r ! The man
some in d r a w i n the bo w others in Wiel di ng
, ,

, is magnificently made !
the qu a r t e r s ta at once abandoned their He is likewise as good Sire replied , ,

respective occupations to group themselves Robin a s his strength is enormous he

“
, ,

in a circle around their young Chief c o u l d s ta t h ma ch f n r m y with his

”
.
y e r o a a . .

Brave comrades said Robin kneel “

, , , single arm and yet he will l i sten to a ,

all o f you upon the ground and bare , , touching story with the simple innocence
your heads ; ye are in the presence o f of a chi ld The man who hath the
. .

your legitim ate s overeign of the well , honour to attract your Majesty s attention ’

beloved Monarch o f Merry England of , is my brother my companion my dearest , ,

Richard C oeur de Lion Do homage to - -

. friend He hath a h ea r t o f gold 3 heart as
.
, .

”
o u r noble Master and Lord The Out . . true as the steel of his invincible sword .

laws obeyed Robin s command and while ’

, He w i e l d e th the st aff with such won derful

the troop remained hu mbly bowed before Skill that he ha th never once been .

Richard Robin made known to t hem

, ,
beaten ; moreover he is the best archer in ,
”
their sovereign s clemency And now ’
.
, the county and the finest lad in all the ,

added the young man “

make the o l d ,

Forest ring with your j oyous hurrahs A Tr u l

these be praises right pleasant
to hea r R
.

”
great day hath dawned for u s my lads ; .
, obin returned the King fo r
,
“
, .
,
“

ye are free men by the grace o f God and he who inspires them is worthy to be thy
’

”
o f noble Richard . friend I should li ke to speak with t his
.

The Merrie Men did n o t need fresh . honest yo e ma n W hat is his name .

e n co u r a g e m e n h t o express their inward ohn N aylor Sire ; but we ca l l h i m , .

j oy ; they gave vent to such a formidable '

Litt e J ohn o n account 1 o f his small
,
,

hurrah 1t were easy to believe that the

,
stature .

echo o f it was heard two miles o ff from By the M ass cried the King lau g h , ,

the Trysting Tree . ing a band o f such Little Johns would

,

This noisy clamour stilled Richard o f , greatly te r r i f y th o s e dogs o f 1n fi de l s H 0 ‘

.

England took up the thread o f the , there fine tre s o f the forest tower of
,
l i

,
'

conversation and invited Robin and all ,

Babylon Little J ohn my lad come to , , ,

his troop to accompany him to N otti ng . me ; I would fain look at thee

ham Castle J ohn approached with bared head and
'
‘

. ,

replied Robin “
the flattering ,
awaited with an air of qu iet assurance for
notice that yo u r M a j e s t y deigns to show Richard s commands 1 ’
H
'

1 , 1 at f .
'

me fills my heart with unutterable j oy

, . The King asked the young rn an several
I belong body and soul to my Sovereign ,
ques t ions relati ng to the extraordinary
 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U T LA W I OQ

str ength o f his muscles tried to W restle of entering upon a contest without know
,
-

with him and was respectfully vanquished ing the cause o f it put a c h e ck u po n
, ,
‘

by his gigantic adversary After this their bellicose ardour . .

‘

trial the King took part i n the games a nd

, Behold o u r warriors said Richard , ,
’

exercises o f the Merrie Men as naturally with a sly look at the c o wardly defenders
as though he had been one o f their of the town “
Meseemeth the ci tizens .
,
‘
companions and finally declared that it as well as the sol d iers cling to life The
, , .

was long since he had spent such an Reeve i s absent the leaders tremble ; ,

enj oyable da y . good Heavens but these cowards deserve ,

That night the King o f E hg l a n d slept exemplary punishment ”

.

under the protection o f the Outla ws of The King had scarce arrived at this by
She r wood Forest and th e next day after no means fl attering conclusion concerning
, ,

doing j ustice to an excellent breakfast h e the citizens of N ottingham when his o w n ,

.

prepared to ta k e th e road once more to personal body guard led by a Captain

. .
-
, ,

No t tingham . left the Castle in all haste in line o f '

,
“
My brave Robin said the Monarch battle and with spears at rest
By St Denis my fine fellows j oke
, , .

“
could you place at my dispo sal some .
,

clo thes like those worn by your m e n ? not cried the King putting to his lips , ,
“
Yea Sire , .
’
the horn that had been given him by
“
W ell then give me and my Knights Robin Twice he sounded a call be to ke n
, , .
a

costumes like thine o w n and we will ing the advance to the Captain of his ,

have a diverting scene upon o u r entry Guards and the latter recognising the , ,

into N ottin gham Our men o f office are signal agreed upon by the Monarch
.
,

alway extraordinarily active whenever the lowered his arms and respectfully awaited
presence of a superior puts the mon th e ir the approa ch of his Sovereign
, ,

The news o f the return of Richard o f

.

goo d be h aviour and I feel certai n the ,

good Reeve and his valiant soldiers will England triumphantly accompanied by the
. ,

g ive us pr oofs of their invincible courage Prince f Outl ws read as quickly as the ’’

The King and his Knights donned the news of the approacho f the Outlaws with
o a 8 .
,

co s tumes chosen by Robin and after a murderous intent The citizens who had , .
,

gallant kiss be stowed upon Marian in prudently retired into the recesses of their ,

honour o f all the ladies Richard a cco m houses sallied o u t ag ain with pale faces
, , , ,

p a n i ed . by Robin Little Jo h h W ill but with smiles upo n their lips ; and as
, ,

Scarlett Much and a hundred and forty soon a s they learnt that Robin Hood and
, ,

archers gaily took the road to his lordly his band had won the King s favour they
,
’

dwelling . pressed round the Merr i e Men co m pl 1 ,

-c

At the gates o f N ottingham Richard m e n ti n g this o ne shaking the hand o f , ,

commanded his suite to give vent to a that vying wi th one another 1n proclaim ,

shout o f v i ctOr y ing themselves the friends and protectors

.

This form i dable hurrah brought the o f them all From the midst o f the .

citizens to the thresholds o f their t e multitude cries o f felicitation and joy '

p e c t i v e houses and at sight of a body

, o f arose and one heard these words repea t ed ,

G lo r y to noble Robin
,

Merrie Men armed to the teeth they on e very side

, ,

imagined that the King had been killed Hood glo ry to Robin Hood the tender , ,

by the Outlaws a nd that the robbers and true 1 , ,

whett ed by their bloody victory ’ were The voices growing more an d more ,

go i ng to descend upon the town and emboldened proclaimed the presence of ,

massa cre all its inhabit ants Distracted the Outlaw Chief so lou dl y and e n t hu s i .

with fear the pOo r creatures rus hed about a s ti ca ll y that Richard tired o f the ,

in diso rder som e into the most obscure i ncreas i ng clamo ur cried at last
, ,
.

'
’

, ,

recesses o f their dwellings others straight “

By my crown and sceptre meseemeth
, ,
”
befo r e them Others pealed the bells that thou art King here Robin
.
, ,
.

”
besought the aid o f the town guard and Ah Sire replied the young man with , , , ,

went to find t he Reeve who by a n a bitter smile do not attach any i m

, ,

extraordi nary mi racle had completely portan ce o r value to th ese tokens of

disappeared . apparent friendship ; they are but the
Th e Ki n g s troop s were abo u
r
’
t to make vagu e result o f the g r a cr o u s favour wi th
a dangerous attack upon th e supposed which your Majesty doth overload the
«

O utlaws when their

, Chiefs little desirous Outlaw One 1 word from King Richard
. .
LI D RO B I N H O O D 1 TH E O U TLA W
could change the admiring shouts W hi ch heart : beating high wi th r h o pe pre s en t ed ,

m y presence h e r e r exci tes into howls o f , himself respe ctfully before t h e i Mo n a r c h .

”
hat red and these very men w o ul d p a s s at
, t h e t P l ai n , t sa i d the
once from praise to blame f r o m a d m i r a Ki n g gra cious ly thy valiant s fri e nd
“
, t , , ,

tion to ( i i Robin Ho od hath just told me of a ll the

Thou s peakest true my dear Robin
,
”
“
, , misfort u nes that h a v e occurred to thy
. 1

la ughed the King rogues are the same

f‘
family and the d ang er s to which t hou
,

everywhere ; and I ha ve already proved has t been exposed I n doing t h ee j u s t ice

’

.
,

the heart l essne ss o f the citizens o f N o t I am happy to testify t o the sincere

ti n g h m
a W hen
. I came here with the admirati on and profound est eem W hic h .

intent i on o f punishing Prince J ohn they

.

, his conduct inspires in me ” I restore

r eeted my return to England with a pro t o thee possession i of thy g oods a n d for
g a n d reserve F o r them m ight i s right
.
,

o n e year tho u shalt be freed o f a ll impo sts

’ '

.
, , .

and they did no t know that wi th thy help and tax e s Besi des th is 1 I annul the
-
s i
, .

it would he eas y for me t o cap ture th e

t
. decree o f banishment proclaimed against
Castle and expel my brother { N o w they th ee 1n or d e r that the remembrance o f
'
’
.
,

S how us the fair side o f their u gly faces , this act o f i in j u s ti ce s ha l l be e ntire l y
.

and plaster us with their vile fla tter y . e ff ac ed both from th y memory and from
that o f thy fellow c i tizens
.

L et us l eave the wretches and t h ink on l y , Return to .

I have promised the e thy Castle 1 le t ters o f full and en ti r e pa r

'

of ourselves .
, ,

Robin a noble reward for t he servi ces d on shall be d el i v e r ed nt o thee byr o ur

'

which thou hast rendered me Put thy . command As f o r e th e e Robin H ood ask
.
, ,

req u est ; King Richard hath but o n e w ord
to Which he ever holds and he aye fulfi l s
the promises he doth ma ke
, s om e th ing more from him who feels that
, he can never repay h i s debt o f gra titude
. ,
,
”
. e ve n n f t e r having granted all thy w i she s .

d S ir e
‘ ”
replied Robin zyou r gracious
,
“
,

M aj esty hath : made me hap py be yond “

express i on in renewing your generous

offer of support I a ccept i t for myself
. . ,

f o r my men and for a Knight who dis

, , ,

graced b ya Ki n g Henry hath : be en obliged ,

to s eek a r e f u g e i n Sherw ood F or est Thi s . of Holy Church i u (16 st

.
”

Knig h t Sire i s a warm heart e d man th e

, , , Sir Richard ki ssed the hand o f the
wort h y father of a family a brave Saxon , , gener ous Monarc h a n d di scr e etly neti r e d ,

and if your Maj esty wil l do me the honou r among the groups st a n d in g a short dis tance
t o hearken t o the h istory o f Sir Richard from the King .

f W ell brave
‘
.

, co n ti n u ed t h e i

Monarch t u r n in g t o w a r d Robin Hood

, i ,

what dost des i re o f me

N aught at p r e s e n t Si re ; later on if 1 , c
,

your M aj e sty will permit me I shall a sk ,

on e l ast L s
I t shall be gra n te d r the e N ow let
.

“
.
,

u s r eturn t o the Castl e 1 W e h a v e received .

generous ho s p i ta li t y in S h erw o od Forest .

a ni
,

a n d i t i s t o be hoped t ha t N o t t ing h
’

Castle can furnish resourc es for a right t

royal feast Thy men have an exce ll ent

.

mode o f prepari ng veni s on and the fresh ,

air a n d fa ti g ue of the march had singul arly

s h a r p e ne d our appetites s o th at w e a t e
’

l
.
,.

Robin H ood , th at in
h ast surpa ssed the u
large hea r t edn e s s i an
-

pro tect thy frie nd in

”
to presence
our .

Robin called the

 ROB I N H O O D TH E O UTLA W
-
'

the Kingdom Robin Hood s request . The Abbot o f Ramsey addressed him ’
.

reached its de stination The Archbishop self to the Ki ng and j ohn w h o at that
.
, ,

was aware o f it But if this very j u st time greatly needed the support o f the
.

demand was not openly repulsed it nobles lent an ear to the Abbo t 3 com ’
‘

,
, , ,

remained unanswered and w a s treated plaint and forthwith sent a hundred men
, ,

as though it had never been made under Sir W illia m de Grey the eldest .
,

The 111 will o f those Wh o had to do brother o f j ohn de Grey the Kin g s ,
’

with restoring Robin Hood s pos sess i ons favourite i n pursuit of Ro bin Hood w i th
’
, , ,

manifested itself in this inactivity and it orders to cut the whole band to pieces , .

was not di ffi cult for the young man to Sir W illiam de Grey y who was a ,

guess that an underhand struggle w a s N orman hated the Saxons and moved , ,

going o r i against him U nluckily the b y this feeling o f hatred he swore ere
.
,

Abbot o f Ramsey w h o had becom e B aron long to lay the head o f his insolent
,

o f Broughton was t o o strong an adversary

, adversary at the feet o f the Abbot o f
to make it possible f o r Robin to revenge Ramsey .

himself upon him in Richard s absence The unexpected arrival o f a company ’

.

H e therefore de cided to shut his eyes to o f soldiers o f warlike appearance and clad

the i n j usticeo f which he was a victim andi n coats o f mail caused a panic in the , ,

prudently t o await King Richard s return little town o f N ottingham ; but when it ’
.

Acting o n this decision Robin H ood was u nderstood that their destination was
,

se nt a second message to the Lord Chief the Forest o f Sherwood and their pur ,

ustice H e confessed to great d i s s a ti spose the extermination o f Robin s band

j
’
.
,

action a t the evident protection accorded terror gave pla ce to discontent and some ,

to the Abbot o f Ramsey and declared of the Outlaws friends hastened to warn,
’

that ho ping for prompt j ustice on Richard s

,
them o f the fate in store f o r them Robin ’
.

return to E ngl and he would again place receiv ed the news as a man on his guard
, ,

himself at th e h e a d o f his men and who awaits the reprisa ls o f a deeply

‘

continue to live in Sherwood For est as inj ured enemy and he did not doubt for ,

he had done before an instant that the Abbot o f Ramsey had

.

H ubert W alter apparently paid no lent his assistan ce to this sudden expedi
attention to Robin 5 second message ; but tion Robin assembled his men there
’ '

,
.
‘

'
,

while taking strong measures to restore fore and prepared to offer a stout resist ,

peace and order throughout En land ance to the N orman atta ck H e at once
while destroying numerous bands 0 ? men
.
,

sent o u t a skilful archer disguised as a ,

who had gathered together in di ff erent peasant who was to meet the enemy ,

parts o f the kingdom the Archbishop and o ff er to conduct them to the tree
,

left Richard s friend and his Merrie Men

’
known thro u ghout the county as the
rallying point o f the band o f Merrie Men -
.

This simple trick which had already ,

rendered Robin such good service aga i n ,

succeeded completely and Sir W illiam ,

de Grey accepted the o ffi ces o f Robin s '

i
’

spy with out hesitation .

The genial F orester then

at the head o f the troop and took them
throu h bushes thorns and thi ckets for
three i o u r s without noticing apparently
, ,

, , ,

that their coats o f mail rendered the

progress o f the unhappy soldiers very '

During this disastrous period; the A bbot di ffi cult Then when they were over .
,
'

o f Ramsey accompanied by at numerous come by the crushing weigh t o f their

,

sui te passed th rough Sherwood Forest armour and spent with fati g ue the guide
ed the m n o t to the Trysti ng Tree but
, ,

y
'
o n his way to York a n d was waylaid b l , , ,

Robin The Abb o t a n d his escort were t o the mi ddle of a vast clearing s urrounded
'
. c

taken prisoners and could only obtain by elms beeches and century o l d oaks
, ,
’

,
-
.

their freedom at the cost of a considerabl e O n this spot where the turf was as fresh ,

and as green a s the lawn before a country

h du s e was gathered some sitting some
‘

, , ,

standi ng the e ntire band o f M e rrie Men ,

.
 ROB I N H OO D TH E OU TLA W
'

1 13

4
The sight o f th e enemy to all app ear light garb of ar chers and armed with bows
, ,
'
au ces disarmed revived the soldiers spirits and arrows small swords and bucklers
,
’
.
, , .

'

W ithout giving a thought to their guide Robin Hoo d and his men had been at ,

who had slipped into the ranks o f the their posts for about an hour and the ,

Outlaws they uttered a shout o f triu mph soldiers had not yet appeared The young
, .

and threw themselves upo nthe For esters man began to think his ”enemies had .

To the great surpri s e of the N orm ans the changed their minds when an archer who , ,
i M e r r i e Men har dly quitted the listless had been posted as sentinel ran up i n ,

attitude they had taken up and almost all haste to announce t hat the Normans
,

without a change o f posit i on they raised (who had lost their way ) were now ,

their i mme nse cudgels above t he ir h eads marching directly upon the Trystin g ,

whirling them round and round with Tree where by Robin s orders the
’
‘
, , ,

shouts o f l aughte r
'
. women had assembled .

Exasperated by this derisive reception This news struck Robi n with a fatal ,
’

the soldiers rushed co nfusedl y sw ord in presentiment He turned pale and said , .
,

hand u pon the Foresters who without to his men

, , ,

manifesting the slig htest emot i on knocked Let us intercept the Norman dogs ; ,

down the thre a tening weapons with lusty th ey must be stopped o n their way .

blows o f their cudgels ; then with dazzling W o e to them a nd to us if t h ey get near

,

rapidity they dealt a shower o f deadly o u r Women ! '

The Foresters ru
, .

blows upo n the h eads and shoulders o f the shed as one man to
N ormans The clatter o f the coats o f the road taken by the soldiers in order
.

mail and helmets mingled wit h the c r ies o f to bar their way o r to reach the Trysting
the terrified soldiers and the shouts of t h e Tree before them But the soldiers had
'

Foresters who did not appear to be de advanced too far for the Merrie Men
,
’
’

fending their lives bu t merely exercising either to stop them o r even to b e in

,

the i r skill upo n i nanimate bodies time to preve nt a t errible disaster The . .

Sir W illiam de Gre y who was in com manners o r rather the want of manne r s
, , ,

m and o f the soldiers saw with rage i n o f this lawless period made Robin and
, ,

his h ea rt the best of his troop falling his companions fear cruel retaliation upon
,

around him and he cursed the folly that the group o f completely isolated women
,
.

had made him load his men with such The N ormans soon reached the Tryst
h eavy accoutrements I n a combat with ing Tree At sight of th em the women
. .

m e n o f such superior stren th and where rose in terror uttering cries o f anguish
g , , ,

the victory was so uncerta i n bodily skill and fled distractedly in every direction
,

and a gility were the first elements o f open to them I n the weak and forlorn .

success and t he N ormans could hardly position o f their terrified wives Sir
, ,

move without an e ff ort W illiam saw at a gla nce a means of

.

Terrified at the probable result o f a satisfying his hat red against the Saxons
total defeat the Knight called a truce he resolved to sei z e t hem and by their
, , ,

and thanks to Rob i n s generosity he was deaths to avenge the ill success o f his
’

able to take back the remnants o f his fi rst attack u 11 Robin Hood .

troop to N ottingham . At their C ef s command the soldiers ’

I t i s ne e dless to add that the grateful halted and fo r a second Sir W illiam
Knigh t promised hi mself secre tly to r e followed with his eyes the tumultuous
,

commence the attack o n the following day move m ents o f the poor distracted women .

with men more li g htly equipped th an the On e of them ran for ward and her co m ,

N ormans he ha d brought fr om Lond on panions endeavoured to j o i n her and to

'

.
,

Robin Hood who had g uessed Sir protect her flight This evident solicitude
, .

William s hostile intentions arranged his conveyed to the Norman the superior
’ ‘

men in order of battle o n the same spo t position o f her who headed the retreat
o n which the c om
,

bat of the prev i ous day he also considered that it would be '

had taken place an d awaited calmly the accordin g to the rules o f war to strike
,

appearance o f the soldiers who had been her first and seizing his bow he fixed
met some two miles fro m the Trysting an arrow to it and coolly too k aim
, , ,

.
,

Tree by o n e o f the Foresters sent as The Knight was a goo d marksm a n ; the
Scouts to di ff erent parts o f the Forest in unhappy woman struck between the
shoulders fell bleeding in t he midst o f
,

the ne i ghbourhood of Nottingham .

,

I This time the Normans were clad i n the her companions w h o without a thought , ,
1 14 R O B I N H OO D T H E O U TLA W
of their o w n safety kne lt a round ; her , ,

uttering pi e r cm g (cr i es 4 01 mg
A man had seen the miserable N orman s ’

murderous action and hOpi n g to arrest ,

the fatal strok e he took ai m at th e

'

Knight Hi s arrow reached its mark As s he spo ke M arian tried to dr a w ‘

but t oo late for Sir W illiam had sh ot Robin3 head towards her but h er last
, ,
'
’
'

, ,

Marian before he met his o w n death at strength w a s spent in the e ffort a nd ,

the hand o f Robi n H oo d when the young man rai s ed his wee pi n
Lady Marian is wounded— or ial l y eyes to he r s h e h a d fainted g m
.

Mar i a n s oo n Came to herself and afte r

, .

wou d dn e '
1 a
“
t
,
r
’

Th e terrible news flew from mouth to ha ving swe etly consoled her hus band she
, ,

mouth ; it brought tea rs to the eyes o f expressed a wi sh to rest a little a n d M n

'

all th e Saxons who de a rly l oved their fell int o a profou nd slumber
, .

young Q u ee n J As f or R obin he w as As soon as Marian was as le ep upon

, , ,
-

mad with grief ; he did not speak he the mos sy bed i n the shad e o f the trees , ,

did not weep but he fought , Little that ha d been pre pa r ed f o r he r by her
e
.

ohn a nd he leapt li ke ti gers th irstin g compa ni ons Robin went to inquire in to

j or blood upon the N ormans a n d s catt er ed the condition o f his ha nd He foun d
,
,

death through their ranks without utter j ohn W ill Scarlett a nd M u ch occupi ed , , ,
'

ing a cry without even opening their livi d m i te n di ng the wound ed and bu rying t he
,

l i ps Their active arms seemed endowed dead The n umber o f the wounded w as
. .

with superhuman stre ngth ; they aven g ed y e r y i n co n s i d er a bl e for it res olved itself ‘

Marian and they avenged her cruell y

, i n t o half a s core o f men se r i ou s ly h u r t .
,

The bloody bat tl e lasted for t wo hour s a nd there was no t a singl e d ea th to , ,

.

th e N ormans were c u t to pieces and d e pl o re amongs t the Outl aws

, As for th e , .

shown no grace o r mer cy y One soldier N orman s we know that t hey: no longer
‘

t
. , ,

alone esca pe d and went to tell Sir W ill iam exi s te d and several large ditches were d u g
, ,
’

de Grey s brother o f the fatal res ult o f in the glade to serve as their sepulchre
’
“

the expediti on .
’

On awaki n g after three hours deep ’

Marian had been removed to a clearing sleep Ma rian found her husband beside ,

some distance from the scene of the her and the angelic creature still wi sh , ,

combat and R obin found Maude there ing to gi ve some consoling hope to him
, ,
.

weeping a s she vainly tried to staunch the she loved s o dearly began softly to say , ,

blood which gushed from a frightful wound tha t s h e felt no weakness at all and .
,

Robin knelt beside Mar ian his heart woul d s oo n be well , I .

torn with anguish ; he coul d neither Ma r i a n w as su ff ering s h e felt a deathly .

'
f
,

spe ak n o r move and felt a s though depression creeping over her and s he
‘
'

, ,
,

he mu st choke At Robin s approa ch knew there was no hope ; but Robin s

.
’

“
’

Marian ha d ope ned her e yes an d looke d ang uish wrung her heart an d s he sought
’
'
,

tende r ly at him I Thou art n ot wo u n d e d t o soften as much as lay in her power the
.
“
, , ,

my dear ? s h e asked i n a weak vo i ce fata l blow which m us t soon be dealt him

”

after a mo m
.
, ,

Next morning she w as wor se infla m

_

ent s mute contemp lation ’

.
,

Nay nay murmured Robin be tw en ma ti o n ha d se t in in the wound and all

’’

e
, i ,
,

his clenched teeth ; 7 5 . 2

The Holy V i r g in be pr a i s ed lg added

'
o
f ’

M arian smi li ng ”
, I ha ve pra yed to Our
Dear Lady f or thee and she hath h eard ,

my prayer I s this terrible comba t over

.
“
my last hour approach e s ; the ho u r o f
s eparati o n wi ll be cr uel b u t not i n
,

d ear Robin ? ou r ,
“
Yea sweet Mari an o ur enemies have suppor ta b le to such a s ha ve faith in the
, ,
'

disappea red ; they will never come back mercy and g oodness of Almighty G od .

Oh M a ri an my belo ved Marian !

'

again B u t let me speak of thee tltu n k o i

.
, , ,

thee ; thou ar t
_

H ol y Mother of cried R o bin fl br ea kin g into sobs

. .
“
hath ,

G od ! This grief i s more thanyI can bear the Holy V irgin abandon e d us that s h e .
,

C ome come courage my well belove d ca n permit this desol a tion o f our hearts
, , ,

Robin ; lift up thy head look at I w ill die at t hy death Marian fo r i t m i ll

, , ,
”
said Mari a n still tr ying t o gs mil e
, My be impossible to live without th ee a ‘
1 . .
y

e nnd is no t dee p it will s oo n g be c u

’
‘
r ed a Relig ion and du t y will be th e support
, .
1 16 RO B I N H OO D 1 TH E O U T LA W
o f s u pe r na t u r a and with a divine h beauty
smile upon their fresh and shining faces .

Th ey i d id not speak but they looke d at

'

, ,

me and seemed to convey to me h o w

,
'

happy I s hould feel m co ming to augment

their number s : God bles s thee in th e pr e s e n t and in '

“
W hil e I was admiring my future the future May He exten d His Divin e
.

companions my mother leant toward me , , merc over thee and over all W hom thou
and said tenderly Dear child o f my , . dost o v e All grows dark about me and
.
,

heart look look again

,
1 ,
.
’
yet I would fain see thee smile once more .

“
I obeyed my mother s tender inj unc ’
I would fain read 1n thine eyes how dear I
tion All around me was s pread a vast
. am to thee 1 Robin I hear my mother 5 voice
.
,
’
.

garden o f sweet smelling flowers trees , She calls m e! she calls me ! Farewell 1
laden with fruit—c rimson apples a n d “
Marian ! Mari an ! cried Robin fall '

golden tinted pe a rs—bent their branches

,

ing o n his knees beside his y o u n n i f e 8 ’ ’

°

to the thick grass which w a s all enamelled , couch Speak to me ! speak to me !

.

with the blossoms o f the white Easter I cannot let thee die ! N o I cannot !
’

daisies The air was full o f a sweet

. Almighty God come to my aid ! H oly ,

perfu me and a multitude of many colou r ed

,
-
V irgin take pity on us !
,

bird s fluttered and sang in the balmy air .

“
Dear Robin murmured Mari an I “
, ,

I was enchanted My heart which late .

, wish to be b uried neath the Trysting ’

was full o f grief gradually lightened and

W
, , Tree . I want my grave to be covered
.
‘

my mother smiling at my h appiness said wi th fi o e r s

Yea dearest Marian —yea my sweet
, , .

to me again with an express i on of ca r essing , ,

'
tenderness Look dear child look ! ,
‘
, , angel thou shalt sleep beneath a carpet
,
“
I heard the sound o f light footsteps of balmy verdure and when my last hour ,

behind me The sound was scarce is come I swear it by all I hold sacred
I will dem and a place beside thee f r o rr i
.
, ,

audible yet it seemed like music in mine

,

ears and W itho u t understanding the feel him W h o closes m i ne eyes

I thank thee my beloved M t
.
,

ing that redoubled the beating o f my “

y hea r 5 ,
.
’

heart I turned round ,

. last beat i s for thee and I die h appy , ,
“
Oh ! then Robin my j oy was com , , for I die in thine arms
.
Good bye .
-
,
”

p l e t e f o r thou
,
wast runn i ng down the
.

garden path ; thou wast running to me kiss fell from Mari an s ’

with shining eyes and open arms Robin ! . lips ; her han d s feebly clasped Robin s ' ’

Robin ! I cried t rying to run to thee’

,
. neck around which they were en t wined
, ,

My mother held me back H e will ‘

then she grew quite still
H e comes—here he
. .

come she said ,

’
.
‘
Robin re mained bending over her sweet
is And taking both o u r hands she j oined
.
’
face for a lon time For long he hoped .

them together kissed me o n the brow
and said My children yo u are here
whe re j oy is everlastin g where love is
, , to see the c o s e d eyes open again ; for
,
‘
, long he waited f o r a word from the pale
, lips a tremble from that dear form ; but '

never en d ing ; you are i n th e abode o f

,

alas ! he w a 1te d 1n vain Marian was dead !

the elect —b e happy !
.

”
Holy Mother of God ! cried Robin ,
“
The end o f the dr eam escapes my laying the m o ti o n l e s s l b o d y of the poor
memory dear , ,
Marian , girl upo n th e bed she 15 g one ; gone f o r
“
,

after a short silence “

I a w o ke a n d I . ,
-
,
'

ever ! m y beloved my only Jo y my Wife l

, ,

understood that H eaven had sent me a And maddened with grief the unhappy
, ,
‘

warn ing and a hope I must leave thee .

, man rushed from the spot crying wi ldly '

,
~

doubtless for many years but not for ,

“
Marian is dead ! Marian is dead I '
z '
.

ever ; G o d will r e unite us in the blissful f

eternity o f the next world

Dear dear M arian ! ,

My beloved continued the young ,

wife “
I feel that my strength 13 ex
, C HAPTE R X IV
h a u s te d Let me rest my head upon thy
O B I N H O OD religiousl y perform ed
.

h eart entwine thine ar ms around me and ,

like a t ired child that falls asleep upon its his wife s last W ishes A 1 ’
.

”
mo th er s b o s o n1 w i l l I sleep my last sleep
'

,
'

.
 RO B I N H O O D T H E O U TL A W
.
‘
1 17

mortal remains o f the angelic creature fi nished the work commenced by sorrow .

who had been the guide and conso lation Little John who silently watched this ,

o f his life were interred beneath a b ed of

, cruel transformation at last succeeded 1n ,

fl owers The maidens o f the County

.
'

making Robin u n d e r s ta n d t h a t he must '

hastened to attend the funeral ceremony , not , only leave B a r n s da l e but even ,

strewed Marian s tomb with roses and ’

, Yorkshire and seek to assuage his grief

,

mingled their tears wi t h po or Robin s sobs ’

. in the distractions of travel After an .

Allan an d Christabel i nformed by , hour s resistance Robin had taken Little

’

messenger o f the sad occurrence arrived ,

’
J ohn s sage advice and before leaving his ,

early in the day ; they were both in ,

companions he had placed them under ,

de spair and bitterly bewailed; the irre

, the command of his excell ent friend .

parable loss o f a well beloved sister -

. I n orde r to r u n no risks o f being -

g 5 W hen all w a s over and Marian s body

,

,
’
recognised Ro bin dressed himself as a
,

had d isappeared from sight Robin Hood , ; , peasant and in this simple garb he
,

w h o had presided over the heartrending arrived at Scarborough Here he stopped .

details of the burial gave a piercing cr y , , to rest at the door o f a small b u t occupied
trembled from head to foot like a man '

by the widow of a fi sherman a nd claimed ,

w o t md e d full l n the breast b a murderous her hospitality The good da me gave our
y .

arrow a n d Without li s te n l n g to Allan

, , hero a kindly welcome and as she served ,

without an swering Christabel who was , him with foo d she rela ted to hi m all the ,

f rightened by his fierce despair he escaped , little sorrows o f her life a dding that she ,

from their hands and disappear e d into

,
, owned a boat manned by three men
.
, ,

the wood P oo r R o b i n W ished to be

. . .
whos e support pressed h eavily o n her '

alone with his grief al one with God “ , although they were insu fficient in numbers
Time which calms a n d soften s the
,
-
to row the boat to shore when it w a s v
,
.

greatest gr iefs had no such e ff ect upon

, fully l a den wi th a full catch of fish .

the o pe n w ou n d in Robin s He ’
. Eager to kill time i n any way W hatever ,

wept ceaselessly he mourned continu , Robin Hoo d o ff ered for a small wage to , ,

o u s ly , the wife ; whose sweet face had complete the number o f boatmen and the ,

brightened their woodland home who , peasant woman much taken with her ,
’
had found happiness l n his love , wh o had guest s kindl y disposition gladly accepted ,

been the only Jo y o f his life . the o ff er o f h i s se rvices .

Life in the Forest soon became i n W hat are yo u called fair lad P ,

supportable to the young man and he , asked the woman when the arrangements ,

retired to B a r n s d a l e H all But there the .

, for Robin s in s ta ll a ti o n i n the hut were
’
-

distress ing m emory o f the past was live complete .

lier than ever and Robin Hood fell into

,
“
I am called Simon o f Lee good ,
”
a gloomy apathy that numbed all his dame replied Robin H ood
, .

moral faculties H e seemed to be alive .

“
W ell then Simon o f Lee to morrow
, , ,

n e 1t h e r 1n mind spirit n o r memory , , .

y o u will begi n your work ; and if the trade
This splenetic sorrow if i t may be so ,
suits yo u we shall long live together
,
”
.

d escribed thr ew a shadow o f the deepest

, Early ne xt day Robin Hood embarked , .

melancholy over the band o f Merrie Men . wi th his new companions but it must be , .

The grief o f their young leader had o w n e d that despite his will Robin who
, , ,

que nched the light o f their mi rth and ,

was ignorant o f the most elementary de “
1

they wandered through the o l d Forest tails o i the work was o f n o us e whatever ,
s

like lost spirits N o longer ; did Fr i ar . to the experienced fishermen Luckily for .

Tuc k s loud lau gh echo through the

’
. o u r friend he had not to deal with evil com
,

greenwoo d ; n o longer was heard the rades and instead o f grumbling at his
, ,

sound of the nimble quarter staves strik - stupidity they only laughed at the idea of
,

ing against each other with vigour and his bringing with him his bow and arrows .

skill amidst a chor ns of bravos Arrows

, . . I f I had these fellows in Sherwood
‘

remained idle within their quivers a nd ,

Forest thought Robin
, they would ,

the butts were deserted not be so ready to laugh at my expense

but th ere—every one to his o w ntrade I
. .

W ant o f s l eep and a distaste for food .

a visible change in Robin s

.
’
certainly am not their match i n the o n e
they foll ow
‘
’
he grew pale his eyes were ,
.

by da rk r i ngs a dry cough ,

After loading up the boat to the gun
s hoo k hi s fram e whil e a slow fever , wale with fi s h the men unfurled th e sail s ,
1 18 RO B I N! H O O D TH E O U TLAW
“
’

all Oppesi tio n w a s dangero u s s e e i n g z th a t

and useless had la id down their ar ms a nd ,

for cor vette did no t appear t o s ur rendered a t discre ti on The sailor s .

have many men o n ! bo ard ; but none the wer e given their lives ; and a ll o w edr to r e l
less th efishermen s ee in e d terrified at her a p turn to France o n boa rd a fi s hin g smack . .

ch; a n d cried o ut that they w e r e l o st The French corvette was a fine ri ”

ze
p a
r o p .
,

Lost and Whe r efore

,
questi oned for s he w a s ca r r yi n g aa l arg ai s um o f
Robin mo ney t o t he King o f France t elve
w
“ ‘ ‘
? 1
'

,
“
W herefo re ? Simpl e to n that tho u thou s a n d silver pieces 9 r!
“
.
:

art ! retur ned o n e o i the fishermen N eed l e s s t o add th at in taki ng pos ses
' ‘
.
, ,
“
B ecause the corvette is manned by the sion o f t his unlook ed for treasure the "
,

enemies o f o u r n a ti o n ; because we are at gallant sailo r s mad e excuses to him at

’ '

war W ith them ; because an they board whom the had b een poking fun so short ’

a tim e b e fhr e ; th e nf wi th h ea r t fe l t d 1s 1n
,

us they will take us prisoners f 1 1

I trust indeed that the will never I d o te r es te d n e s s th ey declared that the W

.
, ,

ho le
“ y
that r e pl i ed Robi n; We will e en try p ri z e belonged to Robin be ca u se he had
' ’
,

, ,

to defend ours lvese

"
17 won the vict ory by his s kill and bravery
. .

“
W hat defenc e ca n w l e o ff er ? They Good friends ” said Robin ; the r i g ht «
'

a r e fi fteen we are t h r ee
”
o f settling this qu stion i s mine alone
e
Then y o u do n et count me m y and thus will I ar r ange matters—half the
,
.
,
'
“ t
,

mar i asked Robin corvette ari d her cen te nt s is to be th e

.
"

“
N a y my l ad ; th y hands have n eve r property o f the poor W idow to Wh om this
' ‘
r
,

been blistere d by handl ing o ars Thou bo at belongs and t he t rest W ill be di vided .
,

art 11 6 sail or an d shouldst thou ch ance to betwixt t h e th r ee o f yo u

'

.
,
“ ’“
fall int o? the water th ere wo ul d b e o ne N ay nay s aid the men ; w e “
'

, , ,
"
fool the les s u pon t h e e ar th N a y never n o t allow thee t o d eprive thyself of the
“ '
’ r
.

th ou ar t h pretty fellow w
,

take ea l t h t h o u h a é t acquired witho ut o u r

”
’
‘
,

I hea r t hee 110 ill W ill ; b ut thou art no t The vessel doth be long to thee and
'
’
,

W ort h th y ke ep
”
if thou W ilt we will be thy servants ’
' ’ '

. .
,

A h alf smile ho vered o n Robin 5 li ps “'

I thank you ; good lads returned .

,
’

“ l ‘ "
I a ni n o t very s ensitive sa id he Robin ; but I ca nncJt accept this testi
“
’
‘
,
"
“
however I will pro ve to yo u that I am mony o f your devotion The divisi on o f
,

s ome go od in the presence o f dan ger the prize 15 to be according to my W ishes .

,

My bow ari d arrow s will help us out o f a hd I wil l em ploy the twel ve thousand “
'

this diffi cult y Bind me to the mast for pi eces i n building for yo u a nd the poor
.
,

my hand must be sure ; then let the inhabitants o f the village o f Scarborough
corvette come within range healthi er hou ses than you p osse s s a t
‘ ‘
1
.

The fishermen obey ed ; Robin Wa s

firmly lashed to the m ai n ast wh e r e he
waited with be nded b o w .
m ,

As the corvette drew near r ” Robin

took a i m at a man Stan di ng 1n the bowse ,

and s ent him rollin g o n the deck With an the pear and to th e ms el ve s h e would still , ,

arrow through h i s throat A s ec o ii d bé acting very generousl y But Robin . .

“ ~

sail or met a like fate T h e fisher men wou l d not listen t o a word and e nded by
" ( 1

m
.
, ,

ove r wh elme d with W ond er and deli ght i po s ing silence o n his honest co mpanions
'
‘
.
,

uttered a s hout o f trium ph and the fore Ro b in Ho o d sta yed for sever al weeks ’
'

most among them pointed o u t to Robin W

,

ith the good pe o ple who had been made

‘ ’

the comm nder o f the corvette

a Robin so h appy by his gener osi ty Then o ne . .

kill ed him a s quickly as he had killed the morn i n g tired o f the s ea hunge ri ng to
'

, ,

others The two vess els placed themselves see the Ol d w oods and his dear co m
.
’

side by side There were only t en men left panions once

'

upon the corvette and soon Robin had

'

reduced th e n u m be r s o f the u nhappy ‘

‘

Frenchm en to th r ee As soon as the .

fishermen perce ived that only three m en

were left alive o n board the boat they ,

determin ed to sei z e h e r and th is was ,

mad e still easier becau s e the Frenchme n ,

120 ROB I N H O O D tTH E O U TLAW .

Th e ba n d prepared for battle ; Robi n

‘
'
that nothi ng but death woul d have the
power to separate them n i Hood awaited his opportunity
. .

Let us not forget t o l mention good I n appro aching Sherwood Forest the
Tuck th e pious chaplain who had co n N orman chiefs sent a , s mall body o f
,

s e cr a t e d s o m a n y ma r r i a g es Tuck r e scouts in advance and when the greater

~ '
. .
,

mained faithful was still pa rt of t he army penetrated into the

the spiritual adviser o f t h e band and h e wood they saw han g ing motionles s from , , ,

had l ost n o n e o f his remarkable qualities ; the branche s o f trees along the roadside
.
,

he was stil l the dignified drunken mo nk or expiring in the dust the men whose , ,

noisy and boastful . return they had vainly looked for This .

Halbe rt Lindsay “ 1 Maude s foster terrifying spectacle chilled some o f their ’

brother appointed W arden o f N otting warlike ardour ; but as they w ere in large .
,

ham Castle by R i ch a r d C oeu r de Lion nu mbers they continued their ma rch ;

. .
/
- -
, ,

f u l fi ll e d f th e duties o f his post so well Robin c ould not o penly attack a whole :

th at h e succeeded in k e e pi ng i t Hal s army he could only hope to succeed ’

'

f . .

wife pretty Grace M a y £1 r e ta i n e d her b y stratagem ; and he therefore skilfully

, ,
.

char ms in s p i t e i o f passing years and turned to advantage the agility and i n

’

,
.

her little M aud e pro m ised to be the imitable dext erity of his men He .

li vi ng 1mage o f her mother later o n .the SO l d l e r S ki lling them with arrow s that . L
,

Sir Richard o f the Plain lived quietly came they knew not whence he pursued '

and happily with his wife and tw o children them slaught ering th e s t r a g g le r s a n d , , ,
.

Herbert and Lilas The meanest Saxon pitilessly massacring all those w ho had the
.

preserved an a ff ection and g r a ti tu d e f o r ill luck to fall i n to h i s hands A general .

-
'

.
“

Robin H ood which would onl y end with terror paralysed the movements o f th e .

life ; and there was merrymaking in th e army ; it had quite lost its bearings and ,
'

Castle whenever the gallant Outlaw drawn th e superstitious ideas o f the age led the ,

by the magnet o f a ff ection came there with men to believe that they were the victims
,

Little j ohn to rest from his fatigues of some infernal witchcraft One of the . . .
'

Shortly after signing Magna Carta foreign leaders S o tt i m the Cruel e n .

, , , ,

King j ohn after a series o f monstrous d ea v o u r e d to put an end to a massacre

,

actions started pe rsonally in pursuit o f which threatened to cause terror and

,

t h e young King o f Scotland who fled confusion throughout the army He , .

before him and marched towards N ottin g ca lled a halt conj ured his men in the
, ,

ham scattering desolation and terror 1n h 1s interests o f their o w n safety to overcome

,

path j ohn was accompanied by several their fears and at the head of fifty
.
,
.

generals whose exploits had earned for determined N ormans he started to ex

’

them pithy surnames such a s j aleo the pl o r e the underwood But scarcely ha d
, .

Ruthless Ma u l éo n the Bloody Minded the little band plunged into the i n e x
,
-
,
:

W alter Much the Murderer S o tt i m the tr i ca bl e wi ndings o f a by pa th than a , .

-

Cruel and G o d es ch a l o f the I ron Heart volley o f arrows descended from the tre e
,
t
.
:

These wretches were the chiefs o f a band tops and arose from the depths o f t h e
of foreign mercenaries and their footsteps thickets striking down S o t ti m the Cruel
, ,

were marked by rape fire and death and his fifty compan i ons
The disappearance of these scouts a
. .
, ,

The news o f the approach o f this robb e r nd

band fell like a funeral knell upon the their intrepid leader redo ubled the terror ,

ears o f the terrified populace who fled of the N ormans and lent them wings to , , ,

in dismay leaving their homes at the fly through Sherwood Forest to N otting

, .

mercy o f the N ormans ham Arrived there spent with fatigue

. .
, ,

Robin H ood heard o f the odious con and furious with rage they abandone d ,

duct o f the soldiers and resolved there themselves with fresh zest to the u n qu a li
,

upon to inflict upon them the same fle d excesses which had signalis e d their ,
.
,

tortures to which they forced their nu s oj ourn in the valley of Mansfield .

lucky victims to submit On the morrow of these fatal reprisals

.
,

The Foresters responded to their leader s the army still l e d by King j ohn made i t s ’

,
’

appeal with an enthusiasm which would way i n to Yo r k s h i r e burning and massacrin g r

,

have made King j ohn s men tremble for at will the unoffending inhabitants of t h e
,
’
,
, ,

all the o l d hatred o f the conquer ed for vil l a g e s th r o u which it passed

W hilst the %\l ormans thus ploughed f or
; . ,
. .

their conq uerors o f Saxon fo r N orman , ,

r e m a m ed unappeased themselves a furro w o f tears and blood

.
 RO B I N H O O D TH E O U T LA W 12 1

and fire the Saxons some of whom had

, The sudden suspension o f all physical
,

been despoiled of their wealth others and mental act i vity depressed Robin and ,

violently torn from their w i ves and chil weakened his powers I t 13 true our hero .

dren joined themselves drunk in their was no longer young he had attained his
, ,

turn with murder and carnage t o Robin s fi ft y fifth year while Little j ohn was ,
’

band and o u r hero at the head o f eight gently nearing his sixt sixth As we
y
-
, , .

hundred brave Saxons started 1n pursu i t have already mentioned t ime had brought
, ,

o f the blood stained cohort no solace to Robin 5 grief and the memory ’
.
,

A providential chance protected the o f Marian as livel y and fresh as o n the ,

peaceful dwelling o f Allan Clare and the morrow of their part i ng had sealed Robin 3 ,
’

Castle of Sir R i chard of the Plain N either heart to any other love . . 1

o f these two houses was in the way o f Marian s tomb piously tended by the ’

the pillagers for it goes without s aying Merrie Men was covered every year with
, ,

that ohn did not spare the rich Saxons fresh flowers and many a time after the .
, ,

He c ased them from their dwellings and return o f peace had the Foresters sur , ,

permitted his favourites to instal them prised their Chieftain pale and sad kneel ,

selves as masters i n the homes o f the i ng upon the greensward which extended
,
'

unhappy gentlemen B u t then Robin like a green girdle around th eTr y s ti n g Tree
. .

and his formidabl e companions Would Day by day Robin 5 sorrow grew ‘

,
’

arrive and th e new owner and th e soldiers deeper and more overpowering Day by
, .

whom he had paid to help him to main day his face took a more dejected expres ,

tain by force the rights o f this unj ust sion ; the smile left his lips and j ohn , ,

usurpation fell into the hands o f the Out the patient and devoted j ohn could n o t
, ,
’

always succeed in o b ta 1n i n g from his

'

laws and were mercilessly put t o death .

The King learned from the public o u t friend a reply to his anxious question
cry and t h e complaints o f his men o f
, I t came about however at long last that , , , ,

the Saxons triumphal avenging progress Robin was touch e d by his comrade 3 care
’

,
’

and s e n t a g a i n s t him a small portion o f for him and he consented at his prayer
’

v
, , ,

his army , hoping that it would succeed in to seek the assista nce o f a Lady Abbess
investing Robin H ood s band w hich was whose convent was a short distance from
’

said to be encamped in a little wood I t Sherwoo d Forest The Abbess who had . .
,

is hardly necessary to say that j ohn 8 already seen Robin Hood and knew a l l ’

soldiers had not even the satisfaction of the particulars o f his life welcomed him ,

returning to announce their defeat fo the heartily and o ff ered him every assistance ,

King they were killed without having in her power to bestow .

so muc h as reached the supposed camp in Robin Hood showed himself sensible
which they were to surprise Robin Hood o f the frank welcome of the kindly N un .
,

Our hero s prowess made a great noise and asked her if she would be good
’

throughout England and his name b e enough to bleed him immediately The
,
.

came as formidable to the N ormans as had Abbess consented She led the S l man .

been that o f Hereward the W ake to their to a cell and with wondrous skill she ,

predecessors l n the reign of W illiam I performed the wished for operation ; then .
,

ohn reach e d Edinburgh but not being as skilfully as a clever physician could
j
ab e to capture the King o f Scotland he have done she bandaged up the invalid s
,

, ,
’

returned to Dover l eaving orders to his arm and left him nearly worn o u t stretched
, , ,

scattered troops to rejoin him But the upon a bed . .

greater part o f these troops were captured A stran ely cruel smile played abo ut
by Robin Hood s men some in D erby the N un s ips when coming o u t from the
’

,
’
,

shire and some in Yorkshire I n the cell she locked the door and carried away .
,

mean time King j ohn di e d and his son the key Let us say a few wo r ds about .

Henry succeeded him the N un i n question

. .

I n the re i gn o f this Prince Robin She was related to Sir Guy o f Gisborne , ,

Hood s existence was not so adventurous the No rman Knight who m an expedition
’
, ,

o r active as it had been during the blood attempted with the aid o f Lord Fitz
stained reign of King j ohn for the Earl Al wine against the Merrie Men had had , , ,

o f Pembroke tutor to the young King ,

t h e misfortune t o die the death which he ,

to work seriously to improve the condi had hoped to give Robin Hood H o w .

tion o f the peopl e a n d succeeded in main ever ; i t would not have occurred to this
,

taining pea ce throughout the kingdom woman to avenge her cousin had not the .
,
12 2 ROB I N H OOD I TH E 3 O U TL AW‘ ‘

lat te r 3 b r other t oo c o wardly to expose

’
1
, s ound o f the horn he gai ned the ce ll ,

himself i n a n hono u rable combat per . . , where i n a pool o f blood lay poor Rob in
, ,

sue ded her that she w o u ld j be d o ing both t Ho od At the s i g h t o f Robin dying t h e
.
,
r
,

ah ac t of j us tice ! and a good deed in s tr o n g 1F o r es t e r felt h i s strength fail h i m

'

ridding the ki n g d o m Lo f En g land o f th e tears of grief and indignation rolled down

‘

to o celebr ated O utlaw a The weak minded . hi s bron zed cheek s He f ell o n hi s knees .
,

Abbess submitted to the n Will o f the an d taking his old friend in his a rms he
'

said to h i m amid his sobs

,

miserable N orman S h e c ommit ted th e .

s

murder and cut th e { r ad ial arter of “

Master my well beloved mas ter who
y
, , ,

the un s usp i cious O utlaw hath commi tted the i nfamous crime of
Having left the si ck r ma n fo r a n hour stri ki ng a s ic k man W hose is the sac
, ,

to the overpowering sle ep which was the r il e g i o u s han d , w hi c h hath co m mi t t e d j th i s

‘
,

mur de r i n a Holy House ? Answer me

.

inevi tabl e co n sequence of s o grea t a lo s s ,

of bl o od the tN u n we nt si le n tly to h i m for pity s sake an swer ’

4

Robin s lowly shook his h e ad ” Wha t

1
,

again took o ff the bandage which cover ed

,
‘
“

the vein and When th e blood wha d agai n

,
. . boots it he said now that a ll
, over ,

be g un to flo ws s h e crept away on ti p toe l

-
. for me N ow th a t I have lost to the last
drop all the blood i n my veins
.

”
wR ob i n Hood sl ept till mornin
g w i th n o 1

Rob in rep l ied j o h n

,

”
feeling o f discomfor t but when h e open ed , ,
“
,
“
tell m e th e ,

hi s ey es and tried to rise » h e f e lt so weak tr uth I oug ht to know I must kn ow

. , .

t hat he thou ght hi s l ast hour w as co me . M us t I acc u se this co war dly assas si n o f
The bloo d wh i ch had flowed cea s el ess ly ,
:
de libe rate t reacher y P ; N ,

from the wound fl o od ed the

’
and Robin nod ded h i s head
Well beloved friend” conti n ued
) - .
,
“
Robin H oo d then grasped the full danger
j olin 5 give me the supreme sati sfacti on
,

o f the si tu ation By an a l mos t su pe r ‘

W
b ,

h um an e ff ort o f il l he manag ed to drag

’ '

r of ave nging thy death Permit me i n my .

himself to the d oor He tr i ed to O pen it

,

.
*
, turn to bring murder a n d sorrow where .

found it was l ocke d a nd s t ill sus tain ed m u r der ,hath been committed where f o r
by the strength of h i s will—
. ,
, ,

7a will so me ha th ari s en the most , cruel sorrow .

powerful that it succeed ed i n revivi ng hi s Say one word make one sign no t o n e
exhaust ed body—he got to t he Wi ndow
, ,
*
, v estige o f this hateful hou s e s ha ll remain .

op ened it and l e a n in g io u t tried to l eap I Will have i t d e s troyed sto ne by stone

I s t i llg —
, , .

from the sill ; then failing in thi s he

'

, , , have t h e s tre ng th 1 o f a giant ,

made on e last appeal to : H eaven a nd as , . and I have fi v e hu ndr ed brave men to ,

though inspi red by his g ood a nge l he t ook c o me to my l as s mta ncei

W
,

h i s hu nting hor n raised it to hi s lips and , , N ay j ohn nay ! I (i s n

, ot ish thee
,

with d i ffi culty m a de some feeble soun ds

,

to lift up t hy clean a nd honest h and s

Little j ohn W h o could not be sepa r a t ed ag ai nst t h ese Wome n w ho a r e v owed to
'
,

fro m his well beloved comra de Without -

G od ; t hat wo uld be sacril ege She w ho .

sorrow had pass ed the night unde r t he

, hath slain me obeyed doubtle ss a will , , ,

Wa lls o f the : Convent H e ha d j ust . stro nger t h an /h e r r eligious feeli ngs j S he .

a wakened and was prepari ng to t ake , will ] suffer th e tortures ,o f remorse in .

me asures to s ee Robin H ood when t he , this life a n s h e re pent ; a nd s h ex w il l be

,
'

punished in the next world an s h e w i n

dying e ch oes of the hunt ng horn so u nd ed
in h i s ea r s t
' i i n u z zs no t fro m H e aven the pard on w h i ch I ,
,

. '

Treachery ! treachery ! cried j ohn , accord her Thou d o s t j kno w j ohn that .
, ,

runn i ng like a madman towards the l i ttle I have never, h a r ni e d a woman n or per
Wood whe re a par ty of t h e M er r ie Men ha d m i tt e d zone to be harmed and for me a ,
.

en cam ped for th e n i ht “

To the Abb ey .
, N un 1s doubly sac r ed and to be respected .

my l a ds ! to the Ab y l Ro bi n Hood 1s ; Let us S peak n o more ef th at my friend , .

calling to us ! Robin H o od 13 i n danger Give me my bo w and arrow Carry me .

I n an insta nt the Foresters were o n the i r

1: t o the Wi n dow I woul d breathe my last .

fee t and hastening i n the Wake o f; L i tt l e

.

where m y last arrow fal leth

n
3

Ro bin Ho od , s u pp o r t ed b Littl e j o
. .

j ohn Wh o w a s h ammering at the g a te a f the

,

, h ,

Abb ey 1 The attenda nt r eq ef l to e pen

. . to ok aim dr ew th e string 0 his bow and
. , ,

oh n l ost not a s e c o n d l i n prayers wh i ch i , the arrow ski mming th e tree top s li ke a

, .

e kn ew would b e o f m m avail He bi rd fe ll s o me d i s tance aw ay j m

'

Far ewe ll good bo w ; {fa eW z

.
,

smashed in th e door with a ; boulde r o f el L trus ty

,

g r a n i te la yi n g at hand and
r
guided hy th e , .
arrows murm ur ed Robin i n a tremblin g
,
-
,
 RO B I N H OO D TH E O UTLA W

W ilt th ou dwell beneath the grand o l d

‘

if o r e s t trees ? ! O h , j o h n l thou wilt b e

'

'
.

.v ery lonely , ve r y desolat e , ve r y miserable ;

f orgiv e me for leaving thee thus - I t h a d .

hoped for a sweeter de ath I -had hoped .

to die with thee beside thee bo w in hand , , ,

defendin g my country God hath willed .

i t otherwise Prai s ed be His N ame ! .

'

My ho ur ap proaches j ohn Mine eye s

'

.
, ,

are failing Give me thy hand ; I would .

“

“
Y ea,
yea !
eyes brimming ’

thank t hee
I
'

I go to be with Marian for ever F a r e .

w ell j ohn ,

dying voice bec

brea th touched Little o h n s face and ’

the s o u l o f the friend e had s o dearly

l oved took its flight from earth .

To your knees my childr en ! said the ,

o l d man crossin g himself ;

'

,
“
the noble and
generous Robin Hood hath ceased t o live !
'

All heads were bowed as W i l liam

. i

uttered a short but fervent praye r over curious eye two 1n 1t1a l s j N , .

Robin ; then ! with the help of Little , en gr aven in the heart o f the
ohn he ca r ried the body t o its l ast A legend recounts that a
j
'
“

r e s t i r i g place f
'

Two F o r e s te r s dug the a great lover the

’ '

q u a r y o
-
.
,

grave beside Marian and there Robin , t he gigantic tomb opened ,

was laid upon a bed o f flowers and foliage . bones and bore them away as worthy
,
'

Little j ohn plac ed Robin s bo ws and

'
’
o f a place in his cabinet o f anatomical
arrows b esid e him ; and the de ad man s ’
curiosities U nhappily for the w orthy
.

favourite d o g which mi ht never serve man o f learning from the moment that
'

, ,

anothe r master was kille upon the grave , these human remains entered his house ,

a n d int erred with him he knew n o repose ; he was visited by ‘

r . .

Th u s e n d e d the career o f o n e o f the sickness ruin and death And the grave
'
-
.
, ,

digger who had helped to profane t he

tomb w a s equal ly a fflicted 1n his tenderes t
feelings Then the two men understood
.

some p eace ful r etreat The O utl aws .

‘

separated some going t o l iv e in N otting

,
‘

ham ; others set tling down here a n d there grave digger lived quietly a nd happily - .

in the neighbourin g counties but none God w h o grants remission to all repented
'

, ,

had the heart to r e ma in in the o l d green sins had pardoned their s acrilege ,
.

g )
5
TH E E N D

P r i n ted by G I LB E M v w a r o x . Li mi ted . S t Jo h n
.
’
s Ho u s e, Cl er k enw el l , E 0 .
 Onta r io
LEGIS LATI VE LI BRARY
Reg ula tions

’
1 . B ooks ( h e r t h a n 7 d a y b oo k s )
ot -

a r e l e n t f o r a p e r i o d n o t e x ce e d i n g

tw o w eek s , w i th th e op t i on of

r e n e w a l f o r a n a dd i t i o n a l t w o w e e k s

i f n o o t h e r a p p li ca ti on i s fi l e d Al l .

b o o k s a r e l e n t a t t h e d i s cr e t i o n o f '

t h e L i b r a r i a n a n d a r e s u bj e c t t o
r e ca l l a t a n y t i m e .

2 Th e b o r r o w e r a s s u m e s f u ll r e
.

s p on s i b i l i t y f o r t h e v a l u e o f t h e b o o k

in ca s e o f los s or i nj u r y .

3 . N o t m or e th a n t w o bo ok s may
be b or r o w e d at on e ti m e .

ma n
'

z sss ue o r S P EC I ALTY