ntry and tried to open the door but found it locked where at the Stuart laughed and rattled his keys then the wrath of little John boiled over and lifting his clenched fist he smote the pantry door bursting out three panels and making so large an opening that he could easily stoop and walk through it when the Stuart saw what was done he waxed mad with rage and as little John stooped to look within the pantry he seized him from behind by the nape of the neck pinching him sorely and smiting him over the head with his keys till the yeoman's ears rang again at this little John turned upon the Stuart and smote him such a buffet that the fat man felt to the floor and lay there as though he would never move again there think well of that stroke and never keep a good breakfast from a hungry man again so saying he crept into the pantry and looked about him to see if he could find something to appease his hunger he saw a great venison pasty and two roasted capons beside which was a platter of plumber's eggs moreover there was a flask of sack and one of canary a sweet sight to a hungry man these he took down from the shelves and placed upon a sideboard and prepared to make himself merry now the cook in the kitchen across the courtyard heard the loud talking between little John and the Stuart and also the blow that little John struck the other so he came running across the court and up the stairway to where the Stuart's pantry was bearing in his hands the spit with the roast still upon it meanwhile the Stuart had gathered his wits about him and risen to his feet so that when the cook came to the Stuart's pantry he saw him glowering through the broken door of little John who was making ready for a good repast as one dog glowers at another that has a bone when the Stuart saw the cook he came to him and putting one arm over his shoulder a last sweet friend both he but the cook was a tall stout man see as thou what thou vile name reynold greenleaf hath done he hath broken in upon our masters good and hath spit in me a buffet upon the ear so that I thought I was dead good cook I love thee well and thou shalt have a good potl of our masters best wine every day for thou art an old and faithful servant alas good cook I have ten shillings that I mean to give as a gift to thee but hate as thou not to see a vile upstart like this reynold greenleaf taking it upon him so bravely I marry that I do quote the cook boldly for he liked the Stuart because of his talk of the wine and the ten shillings get thee gone straight away to thy room and I will bring out this nave by his ears so saying he laid aside his spit drew the sword that hung by his side whereupon the Stuart left as quickly as he could for he hated the sight of naked steel then the cook walked straight away to the broken pantry door through which he saw little John taking a napkin beside his chin and preparing to make himself marry why how now reynold greenleaf said the cook thou art no better than a thief I want come thou straight forth man and I will carve thee as I would to carve a sucking pig nay good cook bear thou thyself more seemingly or else I will come forth to thy dole at most times I am a yearling lamb but when one cometh between me and my meat I am a raging lion as it were lion or no lion quote the valorous cook come thou straight forth else thou art a coward heart as well as a navish thief ha cried little John coward's name have I never had so look to thyself good cook for I come forth straight the roaring lion I did speak of but now then he too drew his sword and came out of the pantry then putting himself into position they came slowly together with grim and angry looks but suddenly his point hold good cook said he now I bethink me it were ill of us to fight with good victual standing so nigh and such a feast I would befit two stout fellows such as we are merry good friend I think we should enjoy this fair feast here we fight let's say us thou jolly cook at this speech the cook looked up and down scratching his head in doubt for he loved good feasting at last he drew a long breath well good friend I like thy plan right well so pretty boy say I let us feast with all my heart for one of us may sup in paradise before nightfall so each thrust his sword back into the scabbard and entered the pantry then after they had seated themselves little John drew his dagger and thrust it into the pie a hungry man must be fed both he so sweet chuck I helped myself without leave but the cook did not lag far behind for straight away his hands also were deeply thrust within the good pastry after this neither of them spoke further but used their teeth to better purpose but though neither spoke they looked but one another each thinking within himself that he had never seen a more lusty fellow than the one across the board at last after a long time and past the cook drew a full deep breath as though of much regret and wiped his hands upon the napkin for he could eat no more little John also had enough for he pushed the pastry aside as though he would say I want thee by me no more good friend then he took the puddle of sack and said he no good fellow I swear by all that is bright that thou art the stoutest companion at eating that I ever had lo I drink thy health so saying he clapped the flask to his lips and cast his eyes aloft while the good wine flooded his throat then he passed the puddle to the cook who also said lo I drink thy health sweet fellow nor was he behind little John in drinking any more than in eating now quote little John thy voice is right round and sweet jolly lad I doubt not thou can't sing a ballad most blankly can't thou not oh truly I have trolled one now and then yet I would not sing alone nay truly said little John but ill courtesy strike up thy diddy and I will afterwards sing one catch it if I can so be it pretty boy quote the cook and has thou heard the song of the deserted shepherdess truly I know not answered little John but sing thou and let me hear then the cook took another draft from the puddle clearing his throat sang right sweetly the song of the deserted shepherdess in lantern time when leaves wax green and pretty birds begin to mate when lock cloth sing and thrush I wean and stock dove go with soon and late fair Phyllis sat beside a stone and thus I heard her make her moan oh willow willow willow willow I'll take me out thy branches fell and twine a wreath to deck my hair the thrush hath taken him as she the robin to and heek the dove and hath deserted me and left me for another love so here by brookside all alone I sit me down and make my moan oh willow willow willow willow I'll take me out thy branches fell and twine a wreath to deck my hair but near came herring from the sea but good as he were in the tide young carried on come for the and sat him Phyllis down beside so presently she changed her tone and came to see her from her moan oh willow willow willow willow thou mayst and keep thy garlands fair and want them not to deck my hair now by my faith cried little John that scene is a right good song and hath truth in it also glad am I thou likeest it sweet lad said the cook now sing thou one also for ne'er should a man be merry alone or sing it list not then I will sing thee a song of a right good night of Arthur's court and how he cured his heart's wound without running upon the dart again as did thy Phyllis for I watch she did but curve one smart by giving herself another so list thou while I sing the good night and his love when Arthur king did rule this land a goodly king was he and had he stout knights a band of merry company among them all both great and small a good stout knight was there a lusty child and icka tall that loved the lady fair but not would she to do with he but turned her face away so got he gone to far country and left that lady gay there all alone he made his moan and did sob and sigh and weep till it would move a stone and he was like to die but still his heart did feel the smart and ick the dire distress and rather grew his pain more sharp as grew his body less then got he back where was good snack and merry company and soon did cease to cry a lack when Blythe and gay was he from which I hold and feel full bold to say and ick believe that gin the belly go not cold the heart will cease to grieve now by my faith cried the cook as he rattled the pottle against the sideboard I like that same song hugely and ick the motive of it which lieth like a sweet colonel in a hazelnut now that art a man of shrewd opinions little john and I love thee truly as thou werent my brother and I love thee too but the day draweth on and I have my cooking to do ere on our master cometh home so let us and go and settle this brave fight we have in hand ah merry quote little john and that right speedily never have I been more laggard in fighting than in eating and drinking so come now straight forth into the passageway where there is a good room to swing a sword and I will try to serve thee then they both stepped forth into the broad passage that led to the steward's pantry where each man drew his sword again and without more ado fell upon the other as though he would hew his fellow limb from limb then their swords clashed upon one another with great din and sparks flew from each other blow in showers so they fought up and down the hall for an hour and more neither striking the other a blow though they strove their best to do so for both were skillful at the fence so nothing came at all their labor ever an anon they rested panting then after getting their wind at it they would go again more fiercely than ever at last little john cried out hold good cook where upon each rested upon his sword panting now will I make my vow quote little john thou art the very best swordsman that ever mine eyes beheld truly I had thought to carve the air now and I had thought to do the same by thee quote the cook but I have missed the mark somehow now I have been thinking within myself quote little john what we are fighting for but shall be it I do not rightly know why no more do I said the cook I bear no love for that Percy Stuart but I thought that we had engaged to fight with one another and that it must be done now quote little john it doth seem to me that instead of striving to cut one another's throats it were better for us to be boom companions what sayest thou jolly cook wilt thou go with me to Sherwood forest and join with Robin Hood's band thou shalt live a merry life within the woodlands and seven score good companions thou shalt have one of whom is mine own self thou shalt have three suits of Lincoln Green each year and forty marks in pay now thou art a man after mine own heart as thou speakest of it that is the very service for me I will go with thee and that rightly gladly give me thy palm sweet fellow and I will be thine own companion from henceforth what may be thy name lad men do call me little john good fellow how and art thou indeed little john and Robin Hood's own right hand man many a time and oft I heard of thee but never did I hope to set eyes upon thee and thou art indeed the famous little john and the cook seemed lost in amazement and looked upon his companion with open eyes I am little john indeed and I will bring to Robin Hood this day a right stout fellow to join his merry band but here we go good friend it seemeth to me that to be a vast pity had so much of the sheriffs food we should not also carry off some of his silver plate to Robin Hood as a present from his worship and merry it is said the cook and so they began hunting about and took as much silver as they could lay hands upon clapping it into a bag and when they had filled the sack they set forth to Sherwood forest plunging into the woods they came at last to the greenwood tree where they found Robin Hood and three score of his merry men lying upon the fresh green grass when Robin and his men saw who it was after their feet now welcome cried Robin Hood now welcome little john for long hath it been since we have heard from thee thou we all knew that thou has joined the sheriffs service and how hath thou faired all these long days right merrily have I lived at the lord sheriffs answered little john and I have come straight hence see good master I have brought thee his cook and even his silver plate thereupon he told Robin Hood and his merry men that were there all that had befallen him since he had left them to go to the fair nodding him town then all shouted with laughter except Robin Hood but he looked grave nay little john said he thou art a brave blade and a trusty fellow I am glad thou has brought thyself back to us and with such good companion as the cook whom we all welcome to Sherwood but I like not so well that thou has stolen the sheriffs plate like some paltry thief the sheriff hath been punished by us and hath lost 300 pounds even as he sought to despoil another should steal his household plate from him though little john was vexed with this he strove to pass it off with a jest nay good master if thou thinkest the sheriff gave us not the plate I will fetch him that he may tell us with his own lips he giveth it all to us so saying he lept to his feet and was gone before Robin could call him back little john ran for full five miles till he came to where the sheriff of noddingham a gay company were hunting near the forest when little john came to the sheriff he dopped his cap and bent his knee and said to the good master why rentled green leaf cried the sheriff once cometh thou and where hath thou been I have been in the forest answered little john speaking amazingly and there I saw a sight such as near before man's eyes behold yonder I saw a young heart all in green from top to toe and about him was a herd of three scored deer and they too were all of green from head to toe yet I dare not shoot good master for fear lest they should slay me then old green leaf cried the sheriff ought thou dreaming or ought thou mad that thou dost bring me such a tale nay I am not dreaming nor am I mad said little john and if thou will come with me I will show thee this fair sight for I have seen it with mine own eyes but thou must come alone good master lest the others frighten them and they get away so the party all rode forward and little john led them downward into the forest now good master both thee at last we are nigh where I saw this herd the sheriff descended from his horse and bait them wait for him until he should return and little john led him forward through a closed cops until suddenly they came to a great open glade at the end of which robin hood sat beneath the shade of the great oak tree with his merry man all about him see good master sheriff yonder is the heart of which I speak to thee at this the sheriff turned to little john and said bitterly long ago I thought I remembered thy face but now I know thee woe betide thee little john for thou betrayed me to this day in the meantime robin hood had come to them now welcome master sheriff said he has thou come today to take another feast with me nigh heaven forbid said the sheriff in tones of deep hermest I care for no feast and have no hunger today ah nevertheless quote robin if thou has no hunger maybe thou has thirst and well I know thou will take a cup of sack with me but I am grieved that thou will not feast with me for thou couldst have victuals to be liking my cook then they led the sheriff willy-nilly to the seat he knew so well beneath the greenwood tree ho lads! cried robin fill our good friend the sheriff a right brimming cup of sack and fetch it hither for he is faint and weary then one of the band brought the sheriff a cup of sack bowing low as he handed it to him but the sheriff could not touch the wine for he saw it served in his own silver flagons on one of his own silver plates how now! called robin thus thou not like our new silver service we think of it this day so saying he held up the sack of silver that little John and the cook had brought with him then the sheriff's heart was bitter within him but not daring to say anything he only gazed upon the ground robin looked keenly at him for a time before he spoke again then said he now master sheriff the last time thou came as to Sherwood forest thou didst come seeking to despoil a poor spendthrift and thou were to spoil thine own self but now thou come as seeking to do no harm nor do I know that thou hast to spoil any man take my ties from fat priests and lordly squires to help those that they despoil and to raise up those that they may bow down but I know not that thou hast tenants of thine own whom hath house wronged in any way therefore take thou thine own again nor will I dispossess thee today of so much as one farthing come with me and I will lead thee from the forest to back to thine own party again then slinging the bag upon his shoulder he turned away the sheriff following him all too perplexed in mind to speak so they went forward until they came to within a furlong of the spot where the sheriff's companions were waiting for him then Robin Hood gave the sack of silver back to the sheriff take thou thine own again he said and harken to me good sheriff take thou a piece of advice with it try thy servants well there thou dost engage them again so readily then turning he left the other standing bewildered with the sack in his hands the company that waited for the sheriff were all amazed to see him come out of the forest but thou they questioned him he answered never a word acting like one who walks in a dream without a word he placed the bag across his nags back and then mounting rode away all following him but all the time there was a great turmoil of thoughts within his head tumbling one over the other and thus ends the merry tale of little John and how he entered the sheriff's service the merry adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle Chapter 8 Little John and the Tanner of Blythe one fine day not long after Little John had left a biding with the sheriff and had come back with his worship's cook to the merry Greenwood as has just been told Robin Hood and a few chosen fellows of his band lay upon the soft sward beneath the Greenwood tree where they dwelled the day was warm and sultry and the day was warm and sultry and the day was warm the day was warm and sultry so that while most of the band were scattered through the forest upon this mission and upon that these few stout fellows lay lazily beneath the shade of the tree in the soft afternoon passing jests among themselves and telling merry stories with laughter and mirth all the air was laden with the bitter fragrance of May and all the busky shades of the woodlands beyond rang with the sweet song of birds the throttle crock, the cuckoo and the wood pigeon and with the song the birds mingled the cool sound of the gurgling book that leapt up upon the forest shades and ran fretting amid its rough grey stones across the sunlit open glade before the tristing tree and a fair sight was that half-score of tall stout yeoman aw clad in Lincoln green lying beneath the broad spreading branches of the great oak tree amid the quivering leaves of which the sunlit shivered and fell in dancing patches upon the grass suddenly Robin Hood smote his knee, by St. Dunstan Quothee, I had nigh forgot that quarter day cometh on a pace and yet no cloth of Lincoln green in all our store it must be looked to, and that in quick season, come bust thee, little John, stir those lazy bones of thine, for thou must get thee straight away to our good gossip the draper of Hugh Longshock and of Angerster. Bid him send us straight away twenty score yards of fair cloth of Lincoln green and may have the journey may take some of the fat from off thy bones that thou has gotten from lazy living at our dear sheriffs. Nay, muttered little John, for he had heard so much upon this score that he was score upon the point. Nay, truly may have, I may have more flesh upon my joints than I once had yet flesh or no flesh, I doubt not that I could still hold my place, putting upon a narrow bridge against a heir Yeoman in Sherwood, or Nottingham Shower, for that matter even that, even though he had no more fat upon his bones than thou hasht, good master. At this reply a great shout of laughter went up and all looked at Robin Hood, for each man knew that little John spoke of a certain fight that happened between their master and himself, through which they first became acquainted.  I must need zone that there are those of my ban can handle a seven foot staff more deftly than I, yet no man in all Nottingham Shire can draw grey goose shaft with my fingers. Nevertheless, a journey to Angerster may not be ill for thee, so go thou as I bid, and thou must be this very evening, for since thou hast abided at the sheriffs, many know thy face, and if thou goest in broad daylight, thou mayest get thyself into a coil with some of his worship's men at arms. Bid thou here till I bring thee money to pay our good hue, I warrant he hath no better customers in all Nottingham Shire than we. So saying, Robin left them and entered the forest. Not far from the Tristing Tree was a great rock, in which a chamber had been hewn, the entrance being barred by a massive oakendore, two palms breath in thickness, studded about with spikes and fastened with a great padlock. This was the treasure house of the band, and thither Robinhood went and unlocking the door entered the chamber from which he brought forth a bag of gold, which he gave to Little John to pay Hugh Longshank's with-all for the cloth of Lincoln Green. Then, up got Little John, and taking the bag of gold which he thrust into his bosom, he strapped a girdle upon his loins, took a stout pike staff full seven feet long in his hand, and set forth upon his journey. He strode whistling along the leafy forest path that led to Fosse Way, turning neither to the right hand nor the left until the last he came to where the path branched, leading on the one hand toward Fosse Way, and on the other, as well Little John knew, to the merry blue-bore inn. Here Little John suddenly ceased whistling, and stopped in the middle of the path. First he looked up, and then he looked down, and then tilting his cap over one eye, he slowly scratched the back part of his head, for thus it was. At the sight of these two roads, the two voices began to alarm within him, the one crying. There lies the road to the blue-bore inn, a can of brown october and a merry night with sweet companions such as thou mayest find there. The other. There lies the way to Ancaster, and the duty thou art sent upon. Now, the first of these two voices was far the louder, for Little John had grown passing fond of good living through abiding at the Sheriff's House, so presently looking up into the blue sky across which bright clouds flow, like silver boats and swallows skimming in circling flight, Quothee. I fear it will rain this evening, so I, and stop at the blue-bore till it passes by, for I know my good master would not have me wet to the skin. So without more ado, off he strode down the path that lay the way of his likings. Now, there was no sign of any foul weather, but when one wishes to do a thing as Little John did, one finds no lack of reasons for thy doing. Four merry-wags were at the blue-bore in a butcher, a beggar, and two barefoot friars. Little John heard them singing from afar as he walked through the hush of the mellow twilight that was now falling over hill and dale. Right glad were they to welcome such a merry blade as Little John, fresh cans of ale were brought in with gestant song and merry tales the hour slipped away on fleeting wings. None thought of time or tide till the night was so far gone that Little John put by the thought of setting forth upon his journey again that night, and so bided at the blue-bore tomorrow. Now, it was an ill piece of luck for Little John that he left his duty for his pleasure, and he paid a great score for it, as we are all apt to do in the same case as you shall see. Up he rose at dawn of the next day, and taking his stout pike staff in his hand, he set forth upon his journey once more as though he would make up for lost time. In the good town of Blythe there lived a stout tanner, celebrated far and near for feats of strength and many tough bouts at wrestling and the quarter-staff. For five years he had held the mid-country champion belt for wrestling till the great Adamo Lincoln cast him in the ring and broke one of his ribs. But at the quarter-staff he had never yet met his match in all the country about. Besides all this he dearly loved the longbow and a sly jaunt into the forest when the moon was full and the done deer in season so that the king's ranger kept a shrewd eye upon him in his doings. For Arthur of Bland's house was apt to have a plenty of meat in it that was more like venison than the law allowed. Now Arthur had been to Nottingham town the day before Little John set forth on his errand there to sell a half-score of tanned cowhides. At the dawn of the same day that Little John left the inn he started from Nottingham homeward for Blythe. His way led all in the dewy moor and past the verge of Sherwood Forest where the birds were welcoming the lovely day with the great and merry Jubilee.  Now, both Arthur of Bland to himself, when he had come to that part of the road that cut through a corner of the forest, no doubt at this time of year the done deer are coming from the forest depths nire to the open meadowlands may have I may chance to catch a sight of the dainty brown darlings thus early in the morn. For there was nothing he loved better than to look upon a tripping herd of deer even when they could not tickle their ribs with a clothured shaft. Accordingly, quitting this way and that through the underbrush, spying now here and now there with all the wiles of a master of woodcraft and of one who had more than once donned a doublet of Lincoln Green. Now, as little John stepped blithely along, thinking of nothing but of such things as the sweetness of the Hawthorne buds that bedecked the hedgerows or gazing upward at the lark, that springing from the dewy grass hung aloft on quivering wings in the yellow sunlight pouring forth its song that fell like falling star from the sky, his luck led him away from the highway and the spot where Arthur Ablan was peeping this way and that through the leaves of the thickets. Hearing a rustling of the branches, little John stopped and presently caught sight of the brown cow-eyed cap of the tanner moving among the bushes. I do much wonder, quote little John to himself, what John Nave is after that he should go thus peeping and peering about I verily believe that John's scurvy barlode is no better than a thief and cometh here after our own and the good king's done deer. For, by much roving in the forest, John had come to look upon all the deer and sherweth that belonged to Robin Hood and his band as much as to the good king Harry, nay, quote he again after a time, this matter must then be looked into, so quitting the high road he also entered the thickets and began spying around after stout Arthur Ablan. So for a long time they both of them went hunting about little John after the tanner and the tanner after the deer. At last little John trod upon a stick which snapped under his foot, where hearing the noise the tanner turned quickly and caught sight of the omen. Seeing that the tanner had spied him out, little John put a bold face upon the matter. Hello, quote he, what are thou doing here, thou naughty fellow? Who art thou that cometh ranging sherweth's paths? In very sooth thou hast an evil cast of countenance and I do think, truly, that thou art no better than a thief and cometh after our good king's deer. Nay, quote the tanner boldly, for thou taken by surprise he was not a man to be frightened by big words. Thou liest in thy teeth, I am no thief but an honest craftsman, as for my countenance it is what it is and for the matter of that thine own is none too pretty, thou saucy fellow. Quote little John in a great loud voice, what's thou give me back talk? Now I have a great part of a mind to crack thy peat for thee. I would have thee know, fellow, that I am, as it were, one of the king's foresters, least wise, muttered to himself. I and my friends do take good care of our good sovereign's deer. I care not who thou art, answered the bold tanner, and unless thou hast many more of thy kind by thee thou canst never make Arthur a bland cry, mercy. Is it so? cried little John in a rage. Now, by my faith, thou saucy rogue, thou tying hath led thee into a pit thou with have a sorry time getting out of, for I will give thee such a drubbing as near has thy life before. Take thy staff in thy hand, fellow, for I will not smite an unarmed man. Ha! Mary come up with a moraine! cried the tanner, for he too had talked himself into a fume.  If I do not tend thy hide this day, as near I tend a calf's hide in all my life before, split my staff into scores for lambs flesh, and call me. Now, look to thyself, fellow! Stay, said little John, let us first measure our cudgels. I do reckon my staff longer than thine, and I would not take advantage of by thee for even so much as an inch. Nay, I pass not for length! answered the tenor. My staff is long enough to knock down a calf, so look to thyself, fellow, I say again. So, without more ado, each gripped his staff in the middle, and with fel and angry news had been brought to Robinhood how that little John, instead of doing his bidding, had passed by duty for pleasure, and so had stopped overnight with merry company at the blue boar in, instead of going straight to Ancestor. So, being vexed to his heart by this, he set forth a dawn of day to seek little John at the blue boar, or at least to meet the yeomen on the way and ease his heart of what he thought of the matter. As thus he strode along in anger, putting together the words he would use to chide little John's voices, as of men in a rage passing fel words back and forth from one another. At this, Robinhood stopped and listened. Surely, quote he to himself, that is little John's voice, and he is talking in anger also. Me thinks the other is strange to my ears. Now, heaven for fend that my good trusty little John should have fallen into the hands of the king's rangers. I must see to this matter and that quickly.  So cautiously, he made his way through the thickets whence the voices came, and pushing aside the leaves, peeped into the little open space where the two men staff in hand were coming slowly together. Ha! Quote little Robinhood to himself, here as a merry sport of foot, now I would give three golden angles from my own pocket if John's stout fellow would give little John a right sound-drubbing. It would please me to see him well thump for having failed in my bidding. I fear me, though, there is but poor chance of my seeing such a pleasant sight. So, saying, he stretched himself at length upon the ground, that he might not only see the sport the better, but that he might enjoy the merry sight at his ease. As you may have seen, two dogs that think to fight walking slowly round and round each other, neither occur wishing to begin the comment so that the two stout young men move slowly around, each watching for a chance to take the other and so get in the first blow.  Then, up and down and back and forth they trod the blows falling so thick and fast that at a distance one would have thought that a half-score of men were fighting. Thus they fought for nigh a half an hour until the ground was all plowed up with digging of their heels, and breathing grew labored like the ox in the furrow. But little John suffered the most, for he had become unused to such stiff labor, and his joints were not as supple as they had been before he went to dwell with the sheriff. All this time, Robinhood lay beneath the bush rejoicing at such a comely bout of quarter-staff. Why, my faith, quote he to himself, never had I thought to see little John so evenly matched in all my life. Be like, though, he would have overcome Janfella before this had and been in a good state. At last little John saw his chance, and, throwing all the strength he felt going from him into one blow that might have felled an ox, he struck at the Tanner with might and mean. And now did the Tanner's cow hide cap stand him in good stead, and but for it he might never have held staff in hand again. As it was, the blow he caught beside the head was so shrewd that it sent him staggering across the little grade so that if little John had had the strength to follow up his vantage it would have been further.   Hold, roared little John, whilst thou strike a man when he is down. I, Mary, would I, quote the Tanner giving him another thwack with his staff. Stop, roared little John, help, hold, I say, I yield, I yield me, I say, good fellow. As thou had enough, as the Tanner grimly holding his staff aloft, I, Mary, and more than enough, and thou dost own that I am the better man of the two?  Then thou mayst go thy way and thank thy patron saint that I am a merciful man, said the Tanner. Plague, oh, such mercy as thine, said little John, sitting up and feeling his ribs where the Tanner had cuddled him. I make my vow, my ribs feel as though every one of them were broken in twain. I tell thee, good fellow, I did think there was never a man in all Nottinghamshire could do to me what thou has done this day. And so thought I also, cried Robin Hood, bursting out of the thicket and shouting with laughter till the tears ran down his cheeks. Oh, man, oh, man, said he as well as he could for his mirth. Ah, didst go over like a bottle knocked from a wall. I did see the whole merry bout and never did I think to see the yield thyself. So, hand and foot to any man in all merry England, I was seeking thee to chide thee for leaving my bidding undone, but thou has been paid all I owed, the full measure pressed down and overflowing by this good fellow. Merry, I did reach out his arm full length while thou stood gaping at him, and with a pretty wrap tumbled thee over as never had I seen him before. So spoke bold Robin, and all the time little John sat upon the ground looking as though he had sour curds in his mouth. What may be thy name, good fellow? said Robin, next turning to the tenor. Men, do call me Arthur a blend! spoke up the tenor boldly, and now what may be thy name? Ha! Arthur a blend! growth, Robin, I have heard thy name before, good fellow. Thou disbraked the crown of a friend of mine at the fair at Eli last October. Call him Jack O' Nottingham. We call him Will Scoutlock. This poor fellow whom thou has so bill-labored is counted the best hand at the quarter-staff in all Merry England. His name is Little John, and mine Robin Hood. How! cried the tenor, art thou indeed the great Robin Hood, and this is the famous Little John? Merry, had I known who thou art, I would never have been so bold as to lift my hand against thee. Let me help thee to thy feet, good master Little John, and let me brush the dust from off thy coat. Nay, quote Little John, testily, at the same time rising carefully as though his bones had been made of glass. I can help myself, good fellow, without thy deed, and let me tell thee had it not been for the vile Kelskin cap of thine, it would have been ill for thee this day. At this Robin laughed again, and turning to the tenor he said, Willst thou join my band, good Arthur, for I make my vow thou art one of the stoutest men that ever mine eyes beheld? Will I join thy band? cried the tenor politely.  Anyway, with Tanbark and filthy vats and foul cowhides, I will follow thee to the ends of the earth, good master, and not a herd of Dundeeer and all the forest, but shall know the sound of the toying of my boasting. As for thee, Little John, said Robin, turning to him and laughing, thou wilt start once more for Ancaster, and will go partway with thee, and will not have thee turn again to either the right hand or the left till thou hast fairly gotten away from Sherwood. There are other ends that thou knowest yet hereabouts. Thereupon, leaving the thickets, they took once more to the highway and departed upon their business. CHAPTER IX Robin Hood and Will Scarlet Thus they travelled along the sunny road, three stout fellows, such as you could hardly match anywhere else in all merry England. Many stopped to gaze after them as they strode along, so broad were their shoulders and so sturdy their gait. Quote Robin Hood to Little John, Why didst thou not go straight to Ancaster yesterday, as I told thee? Thou hadst not gotten thyself into such a coil, hadst thou done as I ordered. I feared the rain that threatened, said Little John in a sullen tone, for he was vexed at being so chaffed by Robin with what had happened to him. The RAIN, cried Robin, stopping at the door of the road, and looking at Little John in wonder. Why, thou great oaf, not a drop of rain has fallen these three days, neither has any threatened, nor hath there been a sign of foul weather in earth, or sky, or water. Nevertheless growled Little John. The holy saints swithin' holdeth the waters of the heavens in his pewter pot, and he could have poured the water of the earth into the water. The holy saints swithin' holdeth the waters of the heavens in his pewter pot, and he could have poured them out had he chosen, even from a clear sky. And wouldst thou have had me wet to the skin? At this Robin Hood burst into a roar of laughter. Oh, Little John, said he, what butter wits hast thou in that head of thine, who could hold anger against such a one as the saying is. After they had travelled some distance, the day being warm and the road dusty, Robin Hood waxed thirsty, so there being a fountain of water as cold as ice just behind the hedgerow, they crossed the style and came to where the water bubbled up from beneath a mossy stone. Here, kneeling and making cups of the palms of their hands, they drank their fill, and then, the spot being cool and shady, they stretched their limbs, and rested them for a space. In front of them, over beyond the hedge, the dusty roads stretched away across the plain. Behind them the meadowlands and bright green fields of tender young corn lay broadly in the sun, and overhead spread the shade of the cool rustling leaves of the beech and tree. Pleasantly to their nostrils came the tender fragrance of the purple time that grew within the dewy moisture of the edge of the little fountain, and pleasantly came the soft gurgle of the water. All was so pleasant and so full of the gentle joy of the bright maytime that for a long time no one of the three cared to speak, but each lay on his back gazing up through the trembling leaves of the trees to the bright sky overhead. At last Robin, whose thoughts were not quite so busy wool-gathering as those of the others, and who had been gazing around him now and then, broke the silence. Hey, day! Quote he. Yon is a gaily feathered bird. I take my vow. The others looked, and saw a young man walking slowly down the highway. Gay was he, indeed, as Robin had said, and a fine figure he cut, for his doublet was scarlet silk, and his stockings also. A handsome sword hung by his side, the embossed leather and scabbard being picked out with fine threads of gold. His cap was of scarlet velvet, and a broad feather hung down behind and back of one ear. His hair was long and yellow and curled upon his shoulders, and in his hand he bore an early rose, which he smelled at daintily now and then. My life! Quote Robin Hood, laughing. Saw you air such a pretty, mincing fellow. Truly his clothes have over much prettiness for my taste. Quote Arthur a bland. But, nevertheless, his shoulders are broad, and his loins are narrow, and cease thou, good master, how that his arms hang from his body. They dangle not down like spindles, but hang stiff and bend at the elbow. I take my vow. There be no bread and milk-limbs in those fine clothes, but stiff joints and tough thews. Me thinks thou art right, friend Arthur, said little John. I do verily think that John is no such rose-leaf and whipped-cream gallant as he would have one take him to be. Pa! Quote Robin Hood, the sight of such a fellow doth put a nasty taste into my mouth. Look how he doth hold that fair flower betwixt his thumb and finger, as he would say, Good rose, I like thee not so ill, but I can bear thy odor for a little while. I take it ye are both wrong, and verily believe that were a furious mouse to run across his path he would cry, La! Or a lackaday, and fall straightway into a swoon. I wonder who he may be. Some great baron's son, I doubt answered little John, with good and true men's money lining his purse. Ay, Mary, that is true, I make no doubt, quote Robin.  By St. Dunstan, St. Alfred, St. Withold, and all the good men in the Saxon calendar it doth make me mad to see such gay lordlings from over the sea go stepping on the necks of good Saxons, who own this land before ever their great grandsires chewed rind of brawn. By the bright bow of heaven I will have their ill-gotten gains from them, even though I hang for it as high as air a forest tree in Sherwood. Why, how now, master, quote little John, what heat is this? Thou dost set thy pot a-boiling and may have no bacon to cook. Methinks John Fellow's hair is over-light for Norman Locke's. He may be a good man and true, for ought thou knowest. Nay, said Robin. My head against a leaden farthing he is what I say. So, lie ye both here, I say, till I show you how I drub this fellow. So, saying, Robin Hood stepped forth from the shade of the road, crossed the style and stood in the middle of the road with his hands on his hips in the stranger's path. Meantime the stranger, who had been walking so slowly that all this talk was held before he came opposite the place where they were, neither quickened his pace nor seemed to see that such a man as Robin Hood was in the world. So, Robin stood in the middle of the road, waiting while the stranger was walking his rose and looking this way and that and everywhere except at Robin. Hold, cried Robin, when at last the other had come close to him. Hold, stand where thou art. Wherefore should I hold, good fellow? said the stranger in soft and gentle voice. And wherefore should I stand where I am? Nevertheless, as thou dost hire that I should stay, I will abide for a short time that I may hear what thou mayst have to say to me. Then, quote Robin, as thou dost so fairly do as I tell thee and dost give me such soft speech, I will also treat thee with all due courtesy. I would have thee know, fair friend, that I am, as it were, a votary at the shrine of St. Wilfred, who, thou mayst know, took willy-nilly their gold from the heathen and melted it up into candlesticks. Wherefore, upon such as come hereabouts, I levy a certain toll, which I use for better purpose, I hope, than to make candlesticks with all. Therefore, sweet Chuck, I would have thee deliver to me thy purse, that I may look into it and judge, to the best of my poor powers, whether thou hast more wealth about thee than our law allows, for as our good offer swanthold sayeth, he who is fat from overliving must needs lose blood. All this time the youth had been sniffing at the rose that he held betwixt his thumb and finger. Nay, said he, with a gentle smile, when Robin Hood had done, I do love to hear thee talk, thou pretty fellow, and if happily thou art not yet done, finish, I have yet some little time to stay. I have said all, quote Robin, and now if thou wilt give me thy purse, I will let thee go thy way without let-door hindrance, so soon as I shall see what it may hold. I will take none from thee, if thou hast but little. Alas, it doth grieve me much, said the other, that I cannot do as thou dost wish. I have nothing to give thee. Let me go my way, I pretty, I have done thee no harm. Nay, thou goest not, quote Robin, till thou hast shown me thy purse. Good friend, said the other gently, I have business elsewhere, I have given thee much time and have heard thee patiently. Pretty, let me depart in peace. I have spoken to thee, friend, said Robin sternly, and I now tell thee again that thou goest not one step forward till thou hast done as I bid thee. So, saying, he raised his quarter-staff above his head, in a threatening way. Alas, said the stranger, sadly, it doth grieve me that this thing must be. I fear much that I must slay thee, thou poor fellow. So, saying, he drew his sword. Put by thy weapon, quote Robin, I would take no vantage of thee, thy sword cannot stand against an oaken staff such as mine, I could snap it like a barley straw. Yonder is a good oaken thicket by the roadside. Take thee a cudgel fence and defend thyself fairly, if thou hast a taste for a sound drubbing. First the stranger measured Robin with his eye, and then he measured the oaken staff. Thou art right, good fellow, said he presently. Truly my sword is no match for that cudgel of thine. Bid thee a while till I get me a staff. So, saying, he threw aside the rose that he had been holding all this time, thrust his sword back into the scabbard, and, with a more hasty step than he had yet used, stepped to the roadside where grew the little clump of ground oaks Robin had spoken of. Choosing among them he presently found a sapling to his liking. He did not cut it, but, rolling up his sleeves a little way, he laid hold of it, placed his heel against the ground, and, with one mighty pull, plucked the young tree up by the roots from out the very earth. Then he came back, trimming away the roots and tender stems with his sword as quietly as if he had done not to speak of. Little John and the Tanner had been watching all that passed, but when they saw the stranger drag the sapling up from the earth and heard the rending and snapping of its roots, the Tanner pursed his lips together, drawing his breath between them in a long inward whistle. By the breath of my body, said Little John, as soon as he could gather his wits from their wonder, sauced thou that, Arthur, Mary, I think our poor master will stand but an ill chance with young fellow. By our lady he plucked up young green tree as it were a barley straw. Whatever Robin Hood thought, he stood his ground, and now he and the stranger in scarlet stood face to face. Well, did Robin Hood hold his own that day as a mid-country yeoman? This way and that, they fought, and back and forth, Robin's skill against the stranger's strength. The dust of the highway rose up around them like a cloud, so that at times Little John and the Tanner could see nothing, but only hear the rattle of the staves against one another. Thrice Robin Hood struck the stranger, once upon the arm, and twice upon the ribs, and yet he warded all the others' blows, only one of which, had it met its mark, but Robin lower in the dust than he had ever gone before. At last the stranger struck Robin's cudgel so fairly in the middle that he could hardly hold his staff in his hand. Again he struck, and Robin bent beneath the blow. A third time he struck, and now not only fairly beat down Robin's guard, but gave him such a wrap also that down he tumbled into the dusty road. Thrice Robin Hood cried when he saw the stranger raising his staff once more. I yield me. Hold! cried Little John, bursting from his cover with the Tanner at his heels. Hold! Give over, I say. Nay! answered the stranger quietly. If there be two more of you and each as stout is this good fellow, I am like to have my hands full. Nevertheless, come on, and I will strive my best to serve you all. Stop! cried Robin Hood. We will fight no more. I take my vow, this is an ill day for thee and me, Little John. I do verily believe that my wrist and eek my arm are palsied by the jar of the blow that this stranger struck me. Then Little John turned to Robin Hood. Why, how now, good master! said he. How art in an ill plight! Marry, thy jerkin is all befouled with the dust of the road. Let me help thee to arise. A plague on thy aid! cried Robin angrily. I can get to my feet without thy help, good fellow. Nay! but let me at least dust thy coat for thee. I fear thy poor bones are mightily sore. Quote Little John soberly, but with a sly twinkle in his eyes. Give over, I say! Quote Robin, in a fume. My coat hath been dusted enough already without aid of thine. Then, turning to the stranger, he said, What may be thy name, good fellow? My name is Gamwell, answered the other. Ha! cried Robin. Is it even so? I have mere kin of that name. Whence camest thou, fair friend? From Maxfield Town I come, answered the stranger. There I was born and bred, and thence I come to seek my mother's young brother, whom men call Robin Hood. So, if perchance thou mayest direct me, Ha! will Gamwell! cried Robin, placing both hands upon the other's shoulders, and holding him off at arm's length. Surely it can be done. Surely it can be none other. I might have known thee by that pretty maid and heir of thine, that dainty, finicking manner of gait. Thus thou not know me, lad, look upon me well. Now, by the breath of my body, cried the other, I do believe from my heart that thou art mine own Uncle Robin. May certain it is so! And each flung his arms around the other, kissing him upon the cheek. Then once more Robin held his kinsmen off at arm's length, and scanned him keenly from top to toe. Why, how now, quote he, what change is here? Verily some eight or ten years ago I left thee a stripling lad, with great joints and ill-hung limbs, and lo! hear thou art, as tight a fellow as air in eyes upon. Thus thou not remember, lad, how I showed thee the proper way to nip the goose-feather betwixt thy fingers and throw out thy bow-arm steadily. Thou gave great promise of being a keen archer, and thus thou not mine, how I taught thee to fend and parry with the cudgel. Yea, said young Gamwell, and I did so look up to thee, and thought thee so I make my vow, had I known who thou wert I would never have dared to lift hand against thee this day. I trust I did thee no great harm. No, no, quote Robin hastily, and looking sideways at little John, thou didst not harm me, but say no more of that, I privy. Yet I will say, lad, that I hope I may never feel again such a blow as thou didst give me. By our lady, my arm doth tingle yet your nail to elbow. Truly I thought that I was palsied for life. I tell thee, cause, that thou art the strongest man that ever I laid mine eyes upon. I take my vow, I felt my stomach quake when I beheld the pluck-up young green tree as thou didst, but tell me, how camest thou to leave Sir Edward and thy mother? Alas! answered young Gamwell, it is an ill story, uncle, that I have to tell thee. My father Steward, who came to us after all Giles Crookleg died, was ever a saucy varlet, and I know not why my father kept him, saving that he did oversee with great judgment. It used to gall me to hear him speak up so boldly to my father, who thou knowest was ever a patient man to those about him, and slow to anger and harsh words.  I could stand it no longer, good uncle, so, stepping forth I gave him a box of the ear, and, wouldst thou be leave it, the fellow straight away died out. I think they said I broke his neck or something other like, so off they packed me to seek thee and escape the law. I was on my way when thou sauced me, and here I am. Well, by the faith of my heart, quote Robin Hood, for any one escaping the law thou was taking it the most easily that ever I beheld in all my life. Whenever did any one in all the world see one who had slain a man and was escaping because of it, tripping along the highway like a dainty court damsel, sniffing at a rose the while. Nay, uncle, answered Will Gamwell, over haste never churned good butter, as the old saying hath it. Moreover, I do verily believe that this overstrength of my body hath taken the nimbleness out of my heels. Why, thou didst, but just now wrap me thrice, and I thee never a once, save by overbearing thee by my strength. Nay, quote Robin, let us say no more on that score. I am right glad to see thee, Will, and thou wilt add great honour and credit to my band of merry fellows. But thou must change thy name, for warrants will be out presently against thee.  Will Scarlet, quote little John, stepping forward and reaching out his great palm, which the other took. Will Scarlet, the name fiteth thee well, right glad am I to welcome thee among us. I am called little John, and this is a new member who has just joined us, a stout tanner named Arthur Abland. Thou art like to achieve fame, Will, let me tell thee, for there will be many a merry ballad sung about the country, and many a merry story told in Sherwood of how Robin Hood taught little John and Arthur Abland the proper way to use the quarterstaff.  Nay, good little John, quote Robin gently, for he liked ill to have such a jest told of him. Why should we speak of this little matter? Prithee, let us keep this day's doings among ourselves. With all my heart, quote little John, but, good master, I thought that thou didst love a merry story, because thou hast so often guessed about a certain increase of fatness on my joints, of flesh gathered by my abiding with the sheriff of Nay, good little John, said Robin hastily, I do bethink me I have said full enough on that score. It is well, quote little John, for in truth I myself have tired of it somewhat. But now I bethink me, thou didst also seem minded to make a jest of the rain that threatened last night, so Nay, then, said Robin hood testily, I was mistaken, I remember me now it did seem to threaten rain. Truly I did think so myself, quote little John. Therefore, no doubt, though dost think it was wise of me to abide all night at the blue bore inn, instead of venturing forth in such stormy weather, dost thou not? A plague of thee and thy doings, cried Robin hood, if thou wilt have it so, thou wert right to abide wherever thou didst choose. Once more it is well, quote little John. As for myself, I have been blind this day, I did not see the drubbed, I did not see the tumble heels overhead in the dust, and if any man says that thou wert I can with a clear conscience rattle his lying tongue past his teeth. Come, cried Robin, biting his nether lip, while the others could not forbear laughing. We will go no farther today, but will return to Sherwood, and thou shalt go to Ancaster another time, little John. So said Robin, for now that his bones were sore he felt as though a long journey would be an ill thing for him. So, turning their backs, we will go no farther today, but will return to Sherwood, and thou shalt go to Ancaster another time, little John. So said Robin, for now that his bones were sore he felt as though a long journey would be an ill thing for him. So said Robin, for now that his bones were sore he felt as though a long journey would be an ill thing for him. So said Robin, for now that his bones were soreций, the merry adventurers of Robinhood by Howard Pyle. CHAPTER X The Adventure with Midge the Millerson when the four yeomans had traveled for a long time toward Sherwood again, high noontime being passed they began to wax hungry, both Robinhood. I would that I had somewhat to eat, a good loaf of white bread, with a piece of snow-white cheese, washed down with a draught of humming ale, were a feast for a king. "'Since thou speakest of it,' said Will Scarlet, me thinks it would not be amiss myself. There is that within me cryeth out, Victuals, good friend, Victuals! I know a house nearby,' said Arthur Abland, and, had I but the money, I would bring ye that ye speak of, to wit, a sweet loaf of bread, a fair cheese, and a skin of brown ale. "'For the matter of that, thou knowest I have money by me, good master,' hoth little John. "'Why so, thou hast, little John,' said Robin. "'How much money will it take, good Arthur, to buy us meat and drink?' "'I think that six broad pennies will buy food and now for a dozen men,' said the tanner. "'Then give him six pennies, little John,' quote Robin, "'for me thinks food for three men will about fit my need. "'Now get thee gone, Arthur, with the money, and bring the food here, "'for there is a sweet shade in that thicket yonder beside the road, "'and there will we eat our meal.' "'So little John gave Arthur the money, and the others stepped to the thicket, "'there to await the return of the tanner. "'After a time he came back, bearing with him a great brown loaf of bread, "'and a fair round cheese, and a goatskin full of stout March beer slung over his shoulders. "'Then Will Scarlett took his sword and divided the loaf and the cheese "'into four fair portions, and each man helped himself. "'Then Robin Hood took a deep pull at the beer. "'A-ha!' said he, drawing in his breath.  "'So, throwing it from him, he brushed the crumbs from his jerkin. "'I, too, quote Robin, have had enough, I think. "'As for little John and the tanner, they had by this time eaten "'every crumb of their bread and cheese.' "'Now, quote Robin, I do feel myself another man and would fain enjoy "'something pleasant before going further upon our journey. "'I do b'think me, Will, that thou didst use to have a pretty voice "'and one that tuned sweetly upon a song. "'Prithee, give us one air, we journey farther.' "'Truly I do not mind turning a tune,' answered Will Scarlett, "'but I would not sing alone. "'Nay, others will follow, strike a blad, quote Robin.' "'In that case, tis well,' said Will Scarlett. "'I do call to mind a song that a certain minstrel used to sing "'in my father's hall upon occasion. "'I know no name for it and so can give you none, but thus it is.' "'Then, clearing his throat, he sang.' "'In the merry blossom-time, when love longings food the breast, "'when the flower is on the lime, when the small fowl builds her nest, "'sweetly sings the nightingale. "'And the thrussel cock so bold, cuckoo in the dewy dale, "'and the turtle in the word, but the Robin I love dear, "'for he singeth through the year.' "'Robin, Robin, merry Robin, so I'd have my true love be, "'not to fly at the nigh, sign of cold adversity. "'When the spring brings sweet delights, "'when aloft the lark dost rise, "'lovers, wood of mellownights, and youths peep in maiden's eyes, "'that time blooms the eglentine. "'Daisies pied upon the hill, cowslips, fair and columbine, "'dusky violets by the rill, but the ivy green cloth grow, "'when the north wind bringeth snow. "'Ivy, ivy staunch and true, thus I'd have her love to be, "'not to die at the nigh, breath of cold adversity.' "'Tis well sung,' quote Robin, but cousin, I tell thee plain, "'I would rather hear a stout fellow like thee sing some lusty ballad "'than a finicky stong of flowers and birds, and what not. "'Yet thou did sing it fair, and tis none so bad a snatch of a song "'for the matter of that. "'Now, Tanner, it is thy turn.' "'I know not,' quote Arthur, smiling, with his head on one side, "'like a budding lass that is asked to dance. "'I know not that I can match our sweet friend's song. "'Moreover, I do verily think that I have caught a cold "'and have a certain tickling and huskiness in the windpipe. "'Nay, sing up friend, both little John, who sat next to him, "'padding him upon the shoulder. "'Thou hast a fair round mellow voice. "'Let us have a touch of it.' "'Nay, and ye will have a poor thing,' said Arthur. "'I will do my best.' "'Have ye ever heard of the wooing of Sir Keith, "'the stout young Cornish Knight, in good King Arthur's time? "'Me thinks I have heard somewhat of it,' said Robin. "'But, nevertheless, strike up thy diddy and let us hear it, "'for, as I do remember me, it is a gallant song, "'so out with it, good fellow.' "'Thereupon, clearing his throat, "'the Tanner, without more ado, began to sing, "'the wooing of Sir Keith.' "'King Arthur sat in his royal hall, "'and about on either hand was many a noble lordling tall, "'the greatest in the land. "'Sat Lancelot with his raven locks, "'Gowen with golden hair, Sir Tristram Kay, "'who kept the locks and many another there. "'And through the stained windows bright, "'from o'er the red-towed eaves, "'the sunlight blazed with colored light "'on golden helms and greaves. "'But suddenly a silence came about the table-round, "'for up the hall there walked a dame, "'bent nigh upon the ground.  "'Upon her chin there grew a beard, "'she was a gruesome sight.' "'And so with crawling steps she came "'and kneeled at Arthur's feet, "'Quoth Kay, she is the foulest dame "'that ere my sight did greet. "'O mighty king, of thee I crave a boon unbended knee. "'Twas thus she spoke, "'What wouldst thou have, "'Quoth Arthur, king of me?' "'Quoth she, I have a foul disease, "'doth gnaw my very heart, "'and but one thing can bring me ease "'or cure my bitter smart. "'There is no rest, no ease for me, "'north east or west or south, "'till Christian night will willingly thrice kiss me "'on the mouth. "'Nor wedded may this child have been "'that giveth ease to me. "'Nor may he be constrained, I wean, "'but kiss me willingly.   "'Come thou, Sir Tristram,' quoth the king, "'quoth he, it cannot be, "'for near can I my stomach bring "'to do it willingly. "'Will thou, Sir Kay, thou scornful white?  "'Will thou, Gowen? "'I cannot, king,' sir Gerend. "'Nay, not I.  "'Then up and spake the youngest man "'of all about the board. "'Now, such relief as Christian can "'I'll give to her, my lord. "'It was, Sir Keith, a youthful night, "'yet strong of limb and bold, "'with beard upon his chin as light "'as finest threads of gold. "'Quoth Kay, he hath no mistress yet "'that he may call his own. "'But here is one that's quick to get, "'as she herself has shown.' "'He kissed her once, he kissed her twice, "'he kissed her three times, or a wondrous change "'came in a trice, and she was foul no more. "'Her cheeks grew red as any rose, "'her brow as white as lawn, "'her bosom like the winter snows, "'her eyes like those of fawn. "'Her breath grew sweet as summer breeze "'that blows the meadows o'er. "'Her voice grew soft as rustling trees "'and cracked and harsh no more. "'Her hair grew glittering, like the gold, "'her hands as white as milk. "'Her filthy rags, so foul and old, "'were changed to robes of silk. "'In great amaze, the knights did stare, "'quote, Kay, I make my vow, "'if it will please thee, Lady Fair, "'I'll gladly kiss thee now. "'But young Sir Keith kneeled on one knee "'and kissed her robe so fair. "'Oh, let me be thy slave,' said he, "'for none to thee compare. "'She bent her down, she kissed his brow, "'she kissed his lips and eyes. "'Quote, she, thou art my master now, "'my lord, my love, arise. "'And all the wealth that is mine own, "'my lands, I give to thee, "'for never night hath Lady Shown such noble courtesy. "'Bewitched was I in bitter pain, "'but thou hath set me free. "'So now I am myself again. "'I give myself to thee.' "'Yay, truly,' quote Robin Hood, "'when the tanner had made an end of singing, "'it is, as I remember it, a fair diddy, "'and a ballad with a pleasing tune of a song. "'It hath oftentimes seemed to me,' said Will Scarlet, "'that it hath a certain motive in it, "'in such as this, "'that a duty which seemeth to us sometimes ugly and harsh, "'when we do kiss it fairly upon the mouth, so to speak, "'is no such foul thing after all. "'Me thinks thou art right,' quote Robin.   "'Nay, man, never look down in the mouth. "'Clear thy pipes and sing us a diddy.' "'Nay,' said little John, "'I have none as fair as that Mary Arthur has trolled. "'They are all poor things that I know. "'Moreover, my voice is not in tune today, "'and I would not spoil even a tolerable song "'by ill-singing. "'Upon this all pressed little John to sing, "'so that when he had denied them a proper length of time, "'such as is seemly in one that is asked to sing, "'he presently yielded,' quote he. "'Well, and ye'll have it so. "'I will give you what I can. "'Like to farewell, I have no title to my diddy, "'but thus it runs. "'Oh, lady mine, the spring is here with a hey-nani-nani, "'the sweet-love season of the year with a nini-nini-nani. "'Now lad and lass lie in the grass that groweth green "'with flowers between. "'The buck doth rest, the leaves do start, "'the breeze doth blow, and in all things laugh in. "'Who may, young fellow, be coming along the road?' "'said Robin, breaking into the song. "'I know not, both little John and a surly voice. "'But this, I do know, that it is an ill thing "'to do to check the flow of a good song.' "'Nay, little John,' said Robin, "'be not vexed, I pri thy, but I had been watching him "'coming along, bent beneath that great bag over his shoulder. "'Ever since thou didst begin thy song. "'Look, little John, I pray, and see if thou knowest him. "'Little John looked, whither Robin Hood pointed.' "'Truly,' quote he, after a time. "'I think, young fellow, as a certain young miller, "'I have seen now and then around the edge of Sherwood. "'A poor white, me thinks, to spoil a good song about.' "'Now thou speakest of him,' quote Robin Hood, "'me thinks I myself have seen him now and then. "'Hath he not a mill over, beyond, nodding him town? "'Nay, to the Salisbury Road?' "'Thou art right, that is the man,' said little John. "'A good stout fellow,' quote Robin, "'I saw him crack net O' Bradford's crown about a fortnight since, and never saw I hair lifted more neatly in all my life before. By this time the young miller had come so near that they could see him clearly. His clothes were dusted with flour, and over his back he carried a great sack of meal, bending so as to bring the whole weight upon his shoulders, and across the sack was a thick quarter-staff. His limbs were stout and strong, and he strode upon the dusty road right sturdily with the heavy sack across his shoulders. His cheeks were ruddy as a winter hip, his hair was flaxen in color, and on his chin was a downy growth of flaxen beard. "'A good honest fellow,' quote Robin Hood, "'and such a one as is accredited to English Yeomanry. "'Now, let us have a merry just with him. "'We will forth, as though we were common thieves, "'and pretend to rob him of his honest gains. "'Then we will take him to the forest and give him a feast, "'such as his stomach never held in all his life before. "'We will flood his throat with a good canary, "'and send him home with crowns in his purse "'for every penny he hath. "'What say ye, lads?' "'Truly, it is a merry thought,' said Will Scarlet. "'It is well planned,' quote Little John, "'but all the saints preserve us from any more drubbings this day. "'Merry, my poor bones ache so that I—' "'Pry thee peace, Little John,' quote Robin. "'Thy foolish tongue will get us both well laughed at yet.' "'My foolish tongue forsooth,' wrote Little John to Arthur Abland. "'I would it could keep our master from getting us "'into another coil this day.' "'But now the miller, plodding along the road, "'had come opposite to where the yeoman lay hidden, "'whereupon all four of them ran at him and surrounded him. "'Hold, friend,' cried Robin to the miller, "'whereupon he turned slowly with the weight of the bag "'upon his shoulder, and looked at each in turn, "'all bewildered, for though a good stout man "'his wits did not skip like roasting chestnuts. "'Who bids me stay?' said the miller, "'in a voice deep and gruff, like the growl of a great dog. "'Merry, that do I,' quote Robin, "'and let me tell thee, friend, thou hadst best mine my bidding. "'And who art thou, good friend?' said the miller, "'throwing the great sack of meal from his shoulder to the ground. "'And who are those with thee?' "'We before good Christian men,' quote Robin, "'and would fain help thee by carrying part of thy heavy load. "'I give you all thanks,' said the miller, "'but my bag is none that heavy that I cannot carry it even by myself. "'Nay, thou dost mistake,' quote Robin, "'I meant that thou mightest perhaps have some heavy farthings "'or pence about thee, not to speak of silver and gold.  "'So we would even lift some of this load from thee.' "'Alas!' cried the miller, "'what would ye do to me? "'I have not about me so much as clipped groat. "'Do me no harm, I pray you, but let me depart in peace.  "'Thou must this day give up to me every penny "'thou hast about thee. "'Nay, if thou dost budge an inch, "'I will rattle this staff about thine ears.' "'Nay, smite me not,' cried the miller, "'throwing up his elbow, as though he feared the blow. "'Thou may as search me if thou wilt, "'but thou wilt find nothing upon me, pouch pocket or skin.' "'Is it so?' quote Robin Hood, looking keenly upon him. "'Now I believe that what thou tellest is no true tale. "'If I am not much mistook, "'thou hast somewhat in the bottom of that fat sack of meal. "'Good Arthur, empty the bag upon the ground. "'I warrant thou wilt find a shilling or two in the flower.' "'Alas!' cried the miller, falling upon his knees, "'spoil not all my good meal. "'It can better you not, and will ruin me. "'Spirit, and I will give up the money in the bag.' "'Ha!' quote Robin, nudging will scarlet. "'Is it so? and have I found where thy money lies?' "'Mary, I have a wondrous nose for the blessed image of Good King Harry. "'I thought I smelled gold and silver beneath barley-meal. "'Bring it straight forth, miller!' Then slowly the miller arose to his feet, and slowly and unwillingly he untied the mouth of the bag, and slowly thrust his hands into the meal, and began fumbling about with his arms buried to the elbows in the barley-flower. The others gathered round him, their heads together, looking and wondering what he would bring forth. So they stood, all with their heads, close together gazing down into the sack. But while he pretended to be searching for the money, the miller gathered two great handfuls of meal. "'Ha!' quote he. "'Here they are, the beauties.' Then, as the others leaned still more forward to see what he had, he suddenly cast the meal into their faces, filling their eyes and noses and mouths with the flour, blinding and half choking them. Arthur, a bland, was worse off than any, for his mouth was open, a gape with wonder of what was to come, so that a great cloud of flour flew down his throat, setting him a coughing, till he could scarcely stand. Then, while all four stumbled about, roaring with the smart of the meal in their eyeballs, and while they rubbed their eyes till the tears made great channels on their faces through the meal, the miller seized another handful of flour and another and another, throwing it in their faces, so that even had they a glimmering of light before, they were now as blind as ever a beggar and nodding him shire. While their hair and beards and clothes were as white as snow. Then, catching up his great crab staff, the miller began laying about him as though he were clean gone mad. This way, and that skipped the four, like peas on a drum-head, but they could see neither to defend themselves nor to run away. Thwack! Thwack! went the miller's cudgel across their backs, and at every blow great white clouds of flour rose in the air from their jackets and went drifting down the breeze. Stop! roared Robin at last. Give over, good friend, I am Robin Hood. Thou liest, Thou knave, cried the miller, giving him a wrap on the ribs that sent up a great cloud of flour like a puff of smoke. Stout Robin never robbed an honest tradesman. Ha! Thou wouldest have my money wouldest, Thou! And he gave him another blow. Nay, Thou art not getting thy share, Thou long-legged knave, share and share alike.  Nay, fear not, it is thy turn now, Blackbeard, and he gave the tanner a crack that made him roar for all his coughing. How now, Red Coat, let me brush the dust from thee! cried he, smiting Will Scarlet. And so he gave them merry words and blows until they could scarcely stand. And whenever he saw one like to clear his eyes, he threw more flour in his face. At last Robin Hood found his horn, and clapping it to his lips blew three loud blasts upon it. Now it chanced that Will Stoutly and a party of Robin's men were in the glade not far from where this merry sport was going forward. Hearing the hubbub of voices and blows it sounded like the noise of a flail in the barn at wintertime, they stopped, listening and wondering what was toward. Both Will Stoutly. Now, if I mistake not, there is some stout battle with cudgels going forward, not far hence. I would fain see this pretty sight. So saying, he and the whole party turned their steps whence the noise came. When they had come near where all the tumult sounded, they heard the three blasts of Robin's bugle horn. Quick! cried young David of Donkischer. Our master is in sore need. So without stopping a moment, they dashed forward with might and mane and burst forth from the covert into the high road.  The road was all white with meal, and five men stood there also white with meal from top to toe, for much of the barley flower had fallen back upon the miller. What is thy need, master? cried Will Stoutly, and what doth all this mean? Why, quotes Robin in a mighty passion, young Trader felt low hath come, as nigh slaying me, as near a man in all the world. Hats thou not come quickly, good Stoutly? Thy master had been dead. Heropon, while he and the three others rubbed the meal from their eyes, Will Stoutly and his men brushed their clothes clean, he told them all how he had meant to pass a jest upon the miller, which same had turned so grievously upon them. Quick men seized the vile miller, cried Stoutly, who was nigh choking with laughter, as were the rest. Whereupon several ran upon the stout fellow and seizing him, bound his arms behind his back with bow strings. Ha! cried Robin, when they brought the trembling miller to him. Thou wouldst murder me, wouldst thou? By my faith. Here he stopped and stood, glaring upon the miller grimly. But Robin's anger could not hold. So first his eyes twinkled, then, in spite of all, he broke into a laugh. Now when they saw their master laugh, the yeomen who stood around could contain themselves no longer, and a mighty shout of laughter went up from all. Many could not stand, but rolled upon the ground from pure merriment. What is thy name, good fellow? said Robin at last to the miller, who stood gaping, and as though he were an amaze. Alas, sir, I am Midge, the miller's son, said he in a frightened voice. I make my vow, quote Mary Robin, smiting him upon the shoulder. Thou art the mightiest Midge that ere mine eyes beheld. Now wilt thou leave thy dusty mill and come join my band? By my faith, thou art to stout a man to spend thy days betwixt the hopper and the till. Then truly, if thou dost forgive me for the blows I struck, not knowing who thou wasst, I will join with thee right merrily, said the miller. Then I have gained this day, quote Robin, the three stoutest yeomen in all Nottinghamshire. We will get us away to the Greenwood Tree, and there hold a merry feast in honor of our new friends, and may have a cup or two of good sack and canary may mellow the soreness of my poor joints and bones. Though I warrant, it will be many a day before I am again the man I was. So saying, he turned and led the way, the rest following, and so they entered the forest once more and were lost to sight. So that night all was ablaze with crackling fires in the woodlands, for though Robin and those others spoken of, only accepting Midge the miller's son had many a sore bump and bruise here and there on their bodies, they were still not so sore in the joints that they could not enjoy a jolly feast given all in welcome to the new members of the band. Thus with songs ingesting and laughter that echoed through the deeper and more silent nooks of the forest, the night passed quickly along as such merry times are wont to do, until at last each man sought his couch and silence fell upon all things and all things seemed to sleep. But little John's tongue was ever one that was not easy of guidance. So that inch by inch the whole story of his fight with the Tanner and Robin's fight with Will Scarlett leaked out. And so I have told it that you may laugh at the merry tale along with me. End of chapter 10. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Merry Adventures of Robinhood by Howard Pyle. Chapter 11, Robinhood and Alan Adele. It has just been told how three unlikely adventures fell upon Robinhood and little John all in one day, bringing them sore ribs and aching bones. So next we will tell how they made up for those ill happenings by a good action that came about not without some small pain to Robin. Two days had passed by and somewhat of the soreness had passed away from Robinhood's joints. Yet still, when he moved of a sudden and without thinking, pain here and there would, as it were, jog him, crying, thou hast had a drubbing good fellow. The day was bright and jokin'd, and the morning dew still lay upon the grass. Under the greenwood tree sat Robinhood. On one side was Will Scarlet, lying at full length upon his back, gazing up into the clear sky, with hands clasped behind his head. Upon the other side sat little John, fashioning a cudgel out of a stout crab tree limb. Elsewhere upon the grass sat or lay many others of the band. By the faith of my heart, quote Mary Robin, I do bethink me that we have had no one to dine with us for this long time. Our money grows low in the purse, for no one hath come to pay a reckoning for many a day. Now busk thee, good stootly, and choose thee six men, and get thee gone to Fosway or Therabots, and see that thou bringest someone to eat with us this evening. Meanwhile, we will prepare a grand feast to do whatsoever may come the greater honor. And stay, good stootly, I would have thee take Will Scarlet with thee, for it is me that he should become a quaint with the ways of the forest. Now do I thank thee, good master, quote stootly, springing to his feet, that thou has chosen me for this adventure. Truly, my limbs do grow slack through abiding idly here, as for two of my six, I will choose Midge the Miller and Arthur a Bland, for, as well thou knowest, good master, they are stout fists at the quarterstaff. Is it not so, little John?  I can speak for Midge, said he, and likewise for my cousin Scarlet. This very blessed morn I looked upon my ribs, and found them as many colors as a beggar's cloak. So, having chosen four more stout fellows, Will Stootly and his band set forth to Fosway to find whether they might not come across some rich guest to feast that day in Sherwood with Robin and his band. For all the live long day, they abided near this highway. Each man had brought with him a good store of cold meat and a bottle of stout march beer to stay his stomach till the homecoming. So, when high noontime had come, they sat them down upon the soft grass, beneath a green and wide-spreading Hawthorne bush, and held a hearty and jovial feast. After this, one kept watch while the others napped, for it was a still and sultry day. Thus they passed the time pleasantly and now, but no guests such as they desired showed his face in all the time that they lay hidden there. Many passed along the dusty road in the glare of the sun. Now it was a bevy of chattering damsels, merrily tripping along. Now it was a plodding tinker, now a merry shepherd-lad, now a sturdy farmer, all gazing ahead along the road, unconscious of the seven stout fellows that lay hidden so near them. Such were the travelers along the way.  At last the sun began to sink low in the heavens, the light grew red and the shadows long, the air grew full of silence, the birds twitted sleepily, and from afar came, faint and clear, the musical song of the milkmaid, calling the kind home to the milking. Then stutley arose from where he was lying. A plague of such ill luck, quote he, here have we abided all day, and no bird worth the shooting, so to speak, hath come within reach of our bolt. Had I gone forth on an innocent errand, I had met a dozen stout priests, or a score of Percy Muddeny lenders. But it is ever thus. Then done dear are never so scarce, as when one has a grey goose feather nipped betwixt the fingers. Come, lads, let us pack up and home again, say I. Accordingly the others arose, and, coming forth from out of the thicket, they all turned their toes back again to Sherwood. After they had gone some distance, well stutley, who had at the party, suddenly stopped. Hissed, quote he, for his ears were as sharp as those of a five-year-old fox. Hark, lads, me thinks I hear a sound. At this all stopped and listened with bated breath, albeit for a time they could hear nothing, their ears being duller than stutley's. At length they heard a faint and melancholy sound, like someone in lamentation. Ha, quote Will Scarlet, this must be looked into. There is someone in distress nigh to us here. I know not, quote Will Stutley, shaking his head doubtfully. Our master is ever rash about thrusting his fingers into a boiling pot. But, for my part, I see no use in getting ourselves into mischievous coils. Leon is a man's voice, if I mistake not, and a man should be always ready to get himself out from his own fathers. Then out spoke Will Scarlet boldly. Now out upon thee to talk in that manner, stutley. Stay, if thou dost list. I go to see what may be the trouble of this poor creature. Nay, quote Stutley, thou dost leap so quickly, thou wilt tumble into the ditch. Who said I would not go? Come along, say I. Thus saying, he led the way, the others following, till, after they had gone a short distance, they came to a little opening in the woodland, whence a brook, after gurgling out from under at the tangle of overhanging bushes, spread out into a broad and glassy pebbled pool. By the side of this pool, and beneath the branches of a willow, lay a youth upon his face, weeping aloud, the sound of which had first caught the quick ears of Stutley. His golden locks were tangled, his clothes were all awry, and everything about him beckoned sorrow and woe. Over his head, from the branches of the Osir, hung a beautiful harp of polished wood, and then laid with gold and silver in fantastic devices. Beside him lay a stout ashen bow, and half a score of fair, smooth arrows. Hello! shouted Will Stutley, when they had come out from the forest into the little open spot. Who art thou, fellow, that liest there killing all the green grass with salt water? Hearing the voice, the strangers sprang to his feet, and, snatching up his bow and fitting a shaft, held himself in readiness for whatever ill might befall him. Truly, said one of the yeoman, when they had seen the young stranger's face, I do know that lad right well. He is a certain minstrel that I have seen hereabouts more than once. It was only a week ago I saw him skipping across the hill like a yearling doe. A fine sight he was then, with a flower at his ear, and a cock's plume stuck in his cap.  Pa! cried Will Stutley, coming up to the stranger. Wipe thine eyes, man. I do hate to see a tall stout fellow so sniveling like a girl of fourteen over a dead tomk-tit. Put down thy bow, man, we mean thee no harm. But Will Scarlet, seeing how the stranger, who had a young and boyish look, was stung by the words that Stutley had spoken, came to him and put his hand upon the youth's shoulder. Nay, thou art in trouble, poor boy, said he kindly. My not what these fellows have said. They are rough, but they mean thee well. May hap they do not understand a lad like thee. Thou shalt come with us, and, per chance, we may find a certain one that can aid thee in thy perplexities, whatsoever they may be. Ye truly come along, said Will Stutley gruffly. I meant thee no harm, and may mean thee some good. Take down thy singing-tool from off this fair tree, and away with us. The youth did as he was bidden, and with bowed head and sorrowful step accompanied the others, walking beside Will Scarlet. So they wended their way through the forest. The bright light faded from the sky, and a glimmering gray fell over all things. From the deeper recesses of the forest, the strange, whispering sounds of the nighttime came to the ear. All else was silent, saving only for the rattling of their footsteps amidst the crisp, dry leaves of the last winter. At last a ruddy glow shone before them here and there through the trees. A little farther, and they came to the open glade, now bathed in the pale moonlight. In the center of the open crackled a great fire, throwing a red glow on all around. At the fire were roasting juicy steaks of venison, pheasants, capons, and fresh fish from the river. All the air was filled with the sweet smell of good things cooking. The little band made its way across the glade, many yeoman turning with curious looks and gazing after them, but none speaking or questioning them. So with Will Scarlet upon one side and Will Stutley upon the other, the stranger came to where Robin Hood sat on a seat of moss under the greenwood tree, with little John standing beside him. Good even, fair friend, said Robin Hood, rising as the other drew near, and hast thou come to feast with me this day? Alas, I know not, said the lad, looking around him with dazed eyes, for he was bewildered with all that he saw. Truly, I know not whether I be in a dream, he said to himself in a low voice. Nay, Mary, quotes Robin, laughing, thou art awake, as thou wilt presently find, for a fine feast is a cooking for thee. Thou art our honoured guest this day. Still, the young stranger looked about him, as though in a dream. Presently, he turned to Robin. Me thinks, said he, I know now where I am and what hath befallen me, art not thou the great Robin Hood? Thou hast hit the bull's eye, quotes Robin, clapping him upon the shoulder. Men hereabouts do call me by that name. Since thou knowest me, thou knowest also that he who feasteth with me must pay his reckoning. I trust thou hast a full purse with thee, fair stranger. Alas, said the stranger, I have no purse, nor no money, either, saving only the half of a sixpence. The other half of which, my own dear love, doth carry in her bosom, hung about her neck by a strand of silken thread. At this speech, a great shout of laughter went up from those around, where at the poor boy looked as if he would die of shame. But Robin Hood turned sharply to Will Stootley. Why, how now, quote he, is this the guest that thou hast brought us to fill our purse?  Nay, good master, answered Will Stootley grinning, he is no guest of mine, it was Will Scarlet that brought him thither. Then up spoke Will Scarlet, and told how they had found the lad in sorrow, and how he had brought him to Robin, thinking that he might perchance aid him in his trouble. Then Robin Hood turned to the youth, and placing his hand upon the other's shoulder, held him off at arm's length, scanning his face closely. A young face, quote he in a low voice, hath to himself. A kind face, a good face.  But if I may judge fairly by thy looks, grief cometh to young as well as to old. At these words, spoken so kindly, the poor lad's eyes brimmed up with tears. Nay, nay, said Robin hastily, cheer up, lad, I warrant thy case is not so bad that it cannot be mended. What may be thy name? Alan Adale is my name, good master. Alan Adale, repeated Robin, musing. Alan Adale, it doth seem to me that the name is not altogether strange to mine ears. Yay, surely, thou art the minstrel of whom we have been hearing lately, whose voice so charmeth all men. Does thou not come from the dale of Rotherstream over beyond stavely? Yay, truly answered Alan, I do come thence. How old art thou, Alan, said Robin? I am but twenty years of age. Me thinks thou art over-young to be perplexed with trouble, quoth Robin kindly. Then, turning to the others, he cried, Come, lads, bust ye and get our feast ready. Only thou wilt scarlet, and thou little John, stay here with me. Then, when the others had gone, each man about his business, Robin turned once more to the youth. Now, lad, said he, tell us thy troubles and speak freely. A flow of words doth ever ease the heart of sorrows. It is like opening the waste-ware when the mill-dam is over-full. Come, sit thou here beside me and speak at thine ease. Then straight away the youth told the three yeomen, all that was in his heart. At first, in broken words and phrases, then freely and with greater ease when he saw that all listened closely to what he said. So he told them how he had come from York, to the sweet veil of Rother, traveling the country through as a minstrel, stopping now at Castle, now at Hall, now at a farmhouse, how he had spent one sweet evening in a certain broad, low farmhouse, where he sang before a stout Franklin and a maiden as pure and lovely as the first snow drop of spring. How he had played and sung to her, and how sweet Ellen of the Dale had listened to him and had loved him. Then in a low sweet voice, scarcely louder than a whisper, he told them he had watched for her and met her now and then when she went abroad, but was all too afraid in her sweet presence to speak to her. Until at last, beside the banks of Rother, he had spoken of his love and she had whispered that which made his heartstrings quiver for joy. Then they broke a sixpence between them and vowed to be true to one another forever. Next, he told how her father had discovered what was it doing and had taken her away from him so that he never saw her again and his heart was sometimes like to break. How this mourn, only one short month and a half from the time he had seen her last, he had heard and knew it to be so that she was to marry old Sir Stephen of Trent two days hence, for Ellen's father thought it would be a grand thing to have his daughter marry so high, albeit she wished it not. Nor was it wonder that a knight should wish to marry his own sweet love, who is the most beautiful maiden in all the world. To all this, the yeoman listened in silence, the clatter of many voices justing and laughing, sounding around them and the red light of the fire shining on their faces and in their eyes. So simple were the poor boy's words and so deep his sorrow that even little John felt a certain naughty lump rise in his throat. I wonder not, said Robin, after a moment's silence, that thy true love loved thee, for thou hast surely a silver cross beneath thy tongue, even like good St. Francis, that could charm the birds of the air by his speech. By the breath of my body, burst forth little John, seeking to cover his feelings with angry words, I have a great part of a mind to go straightway and cudgel the nasty life out of the body of that some vile Sir Stephen. Mary, come up, say I, what a plague! Does an old weasen think that tender lasses are to be bought like bullets on Market Day? Out upon him, aye, but no matter, only let him look to himself. Then up spoke Will Scarlet. He thinks it seemeth but ill done of the lass that she should so quickly change at other's bidding, more especially when it cometh to the marrying of a man as old as this same Sir Stephen. I like it not in her, Allen. Nay, said Allen hotly, thou dost wrong her. She is as soft and gentle as a stocked of. I know her better than anyone in all the world. She may do her father's bidding, but if she marries Sir Stephen, her heart will break and she will die. My own, sweet dear, aye. He stopped and shook his head, for he could say nothing further. While the others were speaking, Robin Hood had been sunk in thought. Me thinks I have a plan might fit thy case, Allen, said he. But tell me first, think as thou lad that thy true love hath spirit enough to marry thee, were ye together in church, the bands published and the priest found? Even were her father to say her nay? Aye, Mary would she? cried Allen eagerly. Then, if her father be the man that I take him to be, I will undertake that he shall give you both his blessing as wedded man and wife in the place of old Sir Stephen and upon his wedding mourn. But stay. Now, I bethink me, there is one thing reckoned not upon the priest. Truly, those of the cloth do not love me over much, and when it comes to doing as I desire in such a matter, they are as like as not to prove stiff-necked. As to the lesser clergy, they fear to do me a favor because of abbot or bishop. Nay, quoth bull Scarlet laughing, so far as that goeth, I know of a certain friar that, couldst thou but get on the soft side of him, would do thy business, even though Pope Joan herself stood forth to ban him. He is known as the Kurtle friar of Fountain Abbey, and Dwelleth in Fountain Dale. But, quoth Robin, Fountain Abbey is a good hundred miles from here. As we would help this lad, we have no time to go thither and back before his true love will be married, not as to be gained there, cause. Yay, quoth Wolf Scarlet laughing again, but this Fountain Abbey is not so far away as the one of which thou speaketh, uncle.  I know the place well, and can guide thee thither, for, though it is a goodly distance, yet me thinks a stout pair of legs could carry a man there and back in one day. Then give me thy hand, Alan, cried Robin, and let me tell thee, I swear by the bright hair of St. Alfreda that this time, two days hence, Alan O'Dale shall be thy wife. I will seek this same fryer of Fountain Abbey tomorrow day, and I warrant I will get upon the soft side of him, even if I have to drub one soft. At this will Scarlet laugh again. Be not too sure of that, good uncle, quoth he. Nevertheless, from what I know of him, I think this curtled fryer will gladly join two such fair lovers, more especially if there be good eating and drinking a foot thereafter. But now one of the band came to say that the feast was spread upon the grass. So, Robin leading the way, the others followed to where the goodly feast was spread. Mary was the meal, jest and story passed freely, and all laughed till the forest rang again. Alan laughed with the rest, for his cheeks were flushed with the hope that Robin Hood had given him. At last the feast was done, and Robin Hood turned to Alan, who sat beside him. Now, Alan, quoth he, so much has been said of thy singing, that we would feign have a taste of thy skill ourselves. Can't thou not give us something? Surely, answered Alan readily, for he was no third-rate songster that must be asked again and again, but said yes or no at the first bidding. So, taking up his harp, he ran his fingers lightly over the sweet-sounding strings, and all was hushed about the cloth. Then, backing his voice with sweet music on his harp, he sang, May Alan's wedding, giving an account of how she was beloved by a fairy prince who took her to his own home. May Alan sat beneath a thorn, and in a shower around, the blossoms fell at every breeze, like snow upon the ground. And in a lime-tree, near was heard, the sweet song of a strange wild bird. Oh, sweet, sweet, sweet, oh, piercing sweet, o' lingering sweet, the strain, may Alan's heart within her breast stood still with blissful pain. And so, with listening, upturned face, she sat as dead in that fair place. Come down from the blossoms, bird, come down from out the tree, and on my heart I'll let thee lie and love thee tenderly. Thus cried May Alan, soft and low, from whence the hawthorn shed its snow. Down dropped the bird on quivering wing, from out the blossoming tree, and nestled in her snowy breast, my love, my love, cried she. Then straightway home, mid-sun and flower, she bore him to her own sweet bower. The day hath passed to mellow night, the moon floats o'er the lee, and in its solemn pallid light, a youth stands silently, a youth of beauty strange and rare, within May Alan's bower there. He stood where o'er the pavement cold, the glimmering moonbeams lay. May Alan gazed with wide, scared eyes, nor could she turn away, for, as in mystic dreams we see, a spirit stood he silently. All in a low and breathless voice, whence come as thou, said she, art thou the creature of a dream, or a vision that I see? Then soft spake he, as night winds shiver, through straining reeds beside the river. I came, a bird on feathered wing, from distant fairy-land, where murmuring waters softly sing upon the golden strand, where sweet trees are forever green, and there my mother is the queen. No more may Alan leaves her bower to grace the blossoms fair, but in the hushed and midnight hour, they hear her talking there, or when the moon is shining white, they hear her singing through the night. Oh, down thy silks and jewels fine, may Alan's mother said, for hither comes the Lord of line, and thou this Lord must wed. May Alan said, it may not be, he near shall find his wife in me. Up, spoke her brother, dark and grim, now by the bright blue sky, ere yet a day hath gone for him, thy wicked bird shall die, for he hath wrought thee bitter harm by some strange art or cunning charm. Then, with a sad and mournful song, away the bird did fly, and o'er the castle eaves, and through the gray and windy sky, come forth, then cried the brother grim, why dost thy gaze so after him? It is May Alan's wedding day, the sky is blue and fair, and many a Lord and Lady Gay in church are gathered there. The bridegroom was Sir Hugh the Bold, all clad in silk and cloth of gold. In came the bride in Samite white, with a white wreath on her head, her eyes were fixed with a glassy look, her face was as the dead, and when she stood among the throng, she sang a wild and wondrous song. Then came a strange and rushing sound, like the coming wind doth bring, and in the open windows shot nine swans on whistling wing, and high above the heads they flew, in gleaming fight the darkness threw. Around May Alan's head they flew, in wide and windy fight, and three times round the circle drew, the guests shrank in a fright, and the priest beside the altar there did cross himself with muttered prayer. But the third time they flew around, Fair Alan straight was gone, and in her place upon the ground, there stood a snow-white swan. Then with a wild and lovely song, it joined the swift and winged throng. There's ancient men at Wedding's bin, for sixty years and more, but such a wondrous wedding day they never saw before. But none could check, and none could stay, the swans that bore the bride away. Not a sound broke the stillness when Alan Adale had done, but all sat gazing at the handsome singer, for so sweet was his voice and the music, that each man sat with bated breath, lest one drop more should come, and he should lose it. By my faith and my trove, both Robin at last, drawing a deep breath, lad, thou art, thou must not leave our company, Alan. Will thou not stay with us here in the sweet green forest? Truly I do feel my heart go out toward thee with great love. Then Alan took Robin's hand and kissed it. I will stay with thee always, dear master, said he, for never have I known such kindness as thou has shown me this day. Then Will Scarlett stretched forth his hand and shook Alan's in token of friendship, as did little John likewise, and thus the famous Alan Adale became one of Robin Hood's band. End of Chapter 11. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle Chapter 12 Robin Hood Seeks the Curtle Friar The stout yeoman of Sherwood Forest were ever early risers of a morn, more especially when the summer time had come, for then in the freshness of the dawn the dew was always the brightest, and the song of the small birds the sweetest. Quote Robin, Now will I go to seek the same friar of fountain abbey of whom we spake yesterday night, and will take with me four of my good men, and these four shall be little John, Will Scarlett, David of Doncaster, and Arthur Ablan, buy the rest of you here, and Will Stootley shall be your chief while I am gone. Then straightway Robin Hood donned a fine steel coat of chain mail, over which he put on a light jacket of Lincoln Green.  By his side he hung a good broadsword of tempered steel, the bluish blade marked all over with strange figures of dragons, winged women, and what not. A gallant sight was Robin so arrayed, I watched the glint of steel showing here and there as the sunlight caught brightly the links of polished mail that showed beneath his green coat. So having arrayed himself, he and the four yeoman set forth upon their way, Will Scarlett taking the lead, for he knew better than the others wither to go. Thus mile after mile they strode along, now across a brawling stream, now along a sunlit road, now a down some sweet forest path, over which the trees met in green and rustling canopy, and at the end of which a herd of startled deer dashed away, with rattle of leaves and crackle of branches. Onward they walked with song and jest and laughter, till noontide was passed, when at last they came to the banks of a wide, glassy, and lily-padded stream. Here a broad, beaten path stretched along beside the banks, on which path labored the horses that tugged at the slow-moving barges laden with barley-meal, or what-not, from the countryside to the many-towered town. But now, in the hot silence of the midday, no horse was seen nor any man besides themselves. Behind them and before them stretched the river, its placid bosom ruffled here and there by the purple dusk of a small breeze. Now good uncle, quote Will Scarlett at last, when they had walked for a long time beside this sweet bright river. Just beyond yond bend ahead of us is a shallow ford, which in no place is deeper than night mid-thigh, and upon the other side of the stream is a certain little hermitage, hidden amidst the bosky tangle of the thickets, wherein dwelleth the fryer of Fountaindale. Thither will I lead thee, for I know the way, albeit it is not over-hard to find. Nay, quote Jolly Robin, stopping suddenly, had I thought that I should have had to wade water, even were it so crystal-less stream as this, I had dawned other clothes than I have upon me. But no matter now, for after all a wetting will not wash the skin away, and what must be must. But by jhe here, lads, for I would enjoy this merry adventure alone. Nevertheless, listen well, and if you hear me sound upon my bugle-horn, come quickly. So saying he turned and left them striding onward alone. Robin had walked no farther than where the bend of the road hid his good men from his view, when he stopped suddenly, for he thought that he heard voices. He stood still and listened, and presently heard words passed back and forth betwixt what seemed to be two men, and yet the two voices were wondrously alike. The sound came from over behind the bank, that here was steep and high, dropping from the edge of the road a half a score of feet to the sedgy verge of the river. Tis strange muttered Robin to himself after his face, when the voices had ceased their talking. Surely there be two people that spoke the one to the other, and yet me thinks their voices are mightily alike. I make my vow that never have I heard the like in all my life before. Truly, if this twain are to be judged by their voices, no two peas were ever more alike. I will look into this matter. So saying he came softly to the river bank, and laying him down upon the grass, peered over the edge and down below. All was cool and shady beneath the bank. A stout Ossier grew, not straight upward, but leaning across the water, shadowing the spot with its soft foliage. All around grew a mass of feathery ferns, such as hide and nestle in cool places, and up to Robin's nostrils came the tender odor of the wild time that loves the moist verges of running streams. Here, with his broad back against the rugged trunk of the willow tree, and half hidden by the soft ferns around him, sat a stout, brawny fellow, but no other man was there. His head was as round as a ball, and covered with a mat of close clipped, curly, black hair, that grew low down on his forehead. But his crown was shorn as smooth as the palm of one's hand, which, together with his loose robe, cowl, and string of beads, showed that which his looks never would have done, that he was a friar. His cheeks were as red and shining as a winter crab, albeit they were nearly covered over with a close, curly, black beard, as were his chin and upper lip likewise. His neck was thick like that of a North Country bull, and his round head closely set upon shoulders in a match for those of little John himself.  No man could look into his face and not feel his heartstrings tickled by the merriment of their look. By his side lay a steel cap, which he had laid off for the sake of the coolness to his crown. His legs were stretched wide apart, and betwixt his knees he held a great pasty, compounded of juicy meats of diverse kinds, made savory with tender young onions, both meat and onions being mingled with a good rich gravy. In his right fist he held a great piece of brown crust, at which he munched sturdily, and every now and then he thrust his left hand into the pie and drew it forth full of meat. Anon he would take a mighty pull at a great bottle of Malmsey that lay beside him. By my faith, quote Robin to himself, I do verily believe that this is the merriest feast, the merriest white, the merriest place, and the merriest sight in all merry England. Me thought there was another here, but it must have been this holy man talking to himself. So Robin lay watching the friar, and the friar, all unknowing that he was so overlooked, ate his meal placidly. At last he was done, and having first wiped his greasy hands upon the ferns in wild time, and sweeter napkin and airhead king in all the world, he took up his flask and began talking to himself as though he were another man, and answering himself as though he were somebody else. Dear lad, thou art the sweetest fellow in all the world. I do love thee as a lover loveth his lass. La, thou dost make me shame to speak so to me in the solitary place, no one being by, and yet if thou wilt have me say so, I do love thee as thou lovest me. Nay, then, wilt thou not take a drink of good Malmsey? After thee, lad, after thee. Nay, I beseech thee, sweeten the draught with thy lips. Here he passed the flask from his right hand to his left. And thou wilt force it on me so, I must needs do thy bidding, yet with the more pleasure do I so as I drink thy very great health. Here he took a long, deep draught. And now, sweet lad, tis thy turn next. Here he passed the bottle from his left hand back again to his right. I take it, sweet chuck, and here's wishing thee as much good as thou wishest me. Saying this he took another draught, and truly he drank enough for two. All this time Mary Robin lay upon the bank and listened, while his stomach so quaked with laughter that he was forced to press his palm across his mouth to keep it from bursting forth. For truly he would not have spoiled such a goodly jest for the half of nodding him shyre. Having gotten his breath from his last draught, the friar began talking again in this wise, No, sweet lad, canst thou not sing me a song? La, I know not, but I am in but ill voice this day. Pray thee, ask me not. Does thou not hear how I croak like a frog? Nay, nay, thy voice is as sweet as any bullfinch. Come, sing, I prithee. I would rather hear thee sing than eat a fair feast. Alas! I would feign not sing before one that can pipe so well, and hath heard so many goodly songs and ballads. Nair less, and thou wilt have it so, I will do my best. But now me thinks that thou and I might sing some fair song together. Does thou not know a certain dainty little catch called the Loving Youth and the Scornful Maid? Why, truly me thinks I have heard it air now. Then does thou not think that thou couldst take the lass's part if I take the lads? I know not, but I will try. Begin thou with the lad, and I will follow with the lass. Then singing first with a voice deep in gruff, and a gnawn in one high in squeaking, he blightly trolled the merry catch of the Loving Youth and the Scornful Maid. Ah, it's wilt thou come with me, my love, and it's wilt thou love be mine, for I will give unto thee my love, say not, and ribbon so fine. I'll woo thee, love, on my bended knee, and I'll pipe sweet songs to none but thee. Then it's hark, hark, hark, to the winged lark, and it's hark to the cooing dove, and the bright daffodil groweth down by the rill, so come thou, and be my love. Now get thee away, young man, so fine, now get thee away, I say, for my true love shall never be thine, and so thou hadst better not stay. Thou art not a fine enough lad for me, but wait till a better young man I see, for it's hark, hark, hark, to the winged lark, and it's hark to the cooing dove, and the bright daffodil groweth down by the rill, yet never I'll be thy love. Then straight will I seek for another fair she, for many a maid can be found, and as thou wilt never have ought of me, by thee will I never be bound, for never is a blossom in the field so rare, but others are found that are just as fair. So it's hark, hark, hark, to the joyous lark, and it's hark to the cooing dove, and the bright daffodil groweth down by the rill, and I'll seek me another dear love. Young man, turn not so very quick away, another fair lass to find, me thinks I've spoken in haste to-day, nor have I made up my mind, and if thou wilt only stay with me, I'll love no other sweet lad but thee. Here Robin could contain himself no longer, but burst forth into a mighty roar of laughter. Then the holy friar, keeping on with the song, he joined in the chorus, and together they sang, or as one might say, bellowed, so it's hark, hark, hark, to the joyous lark, and it's hark to the cooing dove, for the bright daffodil groweth down by the rill, and I'll be thine own true love. So they sang together, for the stout friar did not seem to have heard Robin's laughter. Neither did he seem to know that the yeoman had joined in with the song, but with eyes half closed, looking straight before him, and wagging his round head from side to side in time to the music, he kept on bravely to the end, he and Robin finishing up with a mighty roar that might have been heard a mile. But no sooner had the last word been sung than the holy man seized his steel cap, clapped it on his head, and springing to his feet cried in a great voice, What spa have we here? Come forth thou limb of evil, and I will carve thee into his fine pudding meat as ere a wife in Yorkshire cooked of a Sunday. Hereupon he drew from beneath his robes a great broadsword full as stout as was Robin's. In a, putting up thy pinking iron friend, quote Robin, standing up with the tears of laughter still in his cheeks, folk who have sung so sweetly together should not fight thereafter. Hereupon he leaped down the bank to where the other stood. I tell thee, friend, said he, my throat is as parched with that song as ere a barley stubble in October. Has thou happily any mums he left in that stout pottle? Truly, said the friar in a glum voice, thou dost ask thyself freely where thou art not bidden. Yet I trust I am too good a Christian to refuse any man drink that is a thirst. Such as there is ought thou art welcome to a drink of the same. And he held the pottle out to Robin. Robin took it without more ado, and putting it to his lips, tilted his head back, while that which with was in said, glug, lug, glug, for more than three winks I wot. The stout friar watched Robin anxiously the while, and when he was done took the pottle quickly. He shook it, held it betwixt his eyes, and the light looked reproachfully at the yeoman, and straightaway placed it at his own lips. When it came away again, there was not within it. Does thou know the country hereabouts thou good and holy man? asked Robin, laughing. Ye, somewhat, answered the other dryly, and dost thou know of a certain spot called Fountain Abbey? Ye, somewhat. And perchance thou notes also of a certain one who goeth by the name of the curtled friar of Fountain Abbey? Ye, somewhat. Well then, good fellow, holy father, or whatever thou art, quote Robin, I would know whether this same friar is to be found upon this side of the river or the other. That, quote the friar, is a practical question upon which the cunning rules appertaining to logic touch not. I do advise thee to find that out by the aid of thine own five senses, sight, feeling, and what not. I do wish much, quote Robin, looking thoughtfully at the stout priest, to cross yon forward and strive to find the same good friar. Truly, said the other piously, it is a goodly wish on the part of one so young. Carb yet for me to check thee in so holy a quest. Friend, the river is free to all. Ye, good father, said Robin, but thou seeest that my clothes are of the finest, and I feign would not get them wet. Me thinks thy shoulders are stout and broad. Couldst thou not find it in thy heart to carry me across? Now by the white hand of the holy lady of the fountain burst forth the friar in a mighty rage.  Does thou ask me, the holy talk, to carry thee? Now I swear.  But why should I not, quote he piously? Did not the holy Saint Christopher ever carry the stranger across the river, and should I, poor sinner, that I am, be ashamed to do likewise? Come with me, stranger, and I will do thy bidding in a humble frame of mind. So saying, he clamored up the bank, closely followed by Robin, and led the way to the shallow, pebbly Ford, chuckling to himself the while, as though he were enjoying some goodly jest within himself. Having come to the Ford, he girded up his robes about his loins, tucked his good broadsword beneath his arm, and stooped his back to take Robin upon it. Suddenly he straightened up. Me, thanks, quote he, thou to get thy weapon wet, let me tuck it beneath my arm, along with my own. Nay, good father, said Robin, I would not burden thee with odd of mine, but myself. Just thou, thanks, of the fryer, mildly, that the good Saint Christopher would have sought his own ease so, nay, give me thy tool as I bid thee, for I would carry it as a penance to my pride. Upon this, without more ado, Robin hood unbuckled his sword from his side, and handed it to the other, who thrust it with his own beneath his arm. Then once more the fryer bent his back, and, Robin having mounted upon it, he stepped sturdily into the water, and so strode onward, splashing in the shoal, and breaking all the smooth surface into ever-widening rings. At last he reached the other side, and Robin leaped lightly from his back. Me, thanks, good father, quote he, thou art indeed a good and holy man. Prithee, give me my sword, and let me away, for I am in haste.  Nay, good youth, said he gently, I doubt not that thou art in haste with thine affairs, yet thou dost think nothing of mine. Thine are of a carnal nature, mine are of a spiritual nature, a holy work so to speak. Moreover, mine affairs do lie upon the other side of this stream. I see by thy quest of this same holy recluse that thou art a good young man, and most reverent to the cloth. I did get wet, coming hither, and I am sadly afraid that I should wade the water again I might get certain cricks and pains in the joints that would mar my devotions for many a day to come. I know that since I have so humbly done thy bidding, thou wilt carry me back again. Thou seats how St. Godric, that holy hermit whose natal day this is, hath placed in my hands two swords, and in thine never a one. Therefore be persuaded, good youth, and carry me back again. Robin Hood looked up, and he looked down, biting his nether-lip. Quoting he, Thou cunning fryer, thou hast me fair and fast you know. Let me tell thee that not one of thy cloth hath so hoodwinked me in all my life before. I might have known from thy looks that thou art no such holy man as thou didst pretend to be. Nay interrupted the fryer. I bid thee speak not so scurrilously dither, lest thou mates per chance feel the prick of an inch or so of blue steel.  Give me my sword. I do promise to carry thee back straight away. Nay, I will not lift the weapon against thee. Mary come up, quote the fryer. I fear thee not, fellow, here is thy skewer, and get thy self presently ready, for I would hasten back. So Robin took his sword again and buckled it at his side, then he bent his stout back and took the fryer upon it. Now I want Robin Hood had a heavier load to carry in the fryer than the fryer had in him. Moreover, he did not know the ford, so he went stumbling among the stones, now stepping into a deep hole and now nearly tripping over a boulder, while the sweat ran down his face in beads from the hardness of his journey and the heaviness of his load. In the meantime the fryer kept digging his heels into Robin's sides and bidding him hasten, calling him many ill names the while. To all this Robin answered never a word, but, having softly felt around till he found the buckle of the belt that held the fryer's sword, he worked slyly at the fastenings seeking to loosen them. Thus it came about that, by the time he had reached the other bank with his load, the fryer's sword belt was loose, albeit he knew it not. So when Robin stood on dry land and the fryer leaped from his back, the yeoman gripped hold of the sword so that blade, sheath, and strap came away from the holy man, leaving him without a weapon. Now then, quote Mary Robin, panting as he spake in wiping the sweat from his brow, I have thee, fellow, this time that same saint of whom thou did speak, but now hath delivered two swords into my hand, and hath stripped thine away from thee.  The good fryer said not a word for a while, but he looked at Robin with a grim look. Now, said he at last, I did think that thy wits were of the heavy sort, and knew not that thou were so cunning. Truly thou hast me upon the hip. Give me my sword, and I promise not to draw it against the save and self-defense. Also I promise to do thy bidding, and take thee upon my back, and carry thee. So Jolly Robin gave him his sword again, which the fryer buckled to his side, and this time looked to it that it was more secure in its fastenings. Then tucking up his robes once more, he took Robinhood upon his back, and without a word stepped into the water, and so waited on in silence while Robin sat laughing upon his back. At last he reached the middle of the ford, where the water was deepest. Here he stopped for a moment, and then, with a sudden lift of his hand and heave of his shoulders, fairly shot Robin over his head as though he were a sack of grain. Down went Robin into the water with a mighty splash. There, quothed the holy man, calmly turning back again to the shore, let that cool thy hot spirit, if it may. Meantime after much splashing, Robin had gotten to his feet and stood gazing about him all bewildered, the water running from him in pretty little rills.  Then I watt was Robinhood a mad man. Stay, thou villain, roared he, I am after thee straight, and if I do not carve thy brawn for thee this day, may I never lift finger again. So saying he dashed, splashing to the bank. Thou needs not hastened thyself unduly, quoth the stout fryer? Fear not, I will abide here, and if thou dost not cry, a lack a day, ere long time is gone, may I never more peep through the break at a fallow deer. And now Robin, having reached the bank, began, without much ado, to roll up his sleeves above his wrists. The fryer also tucked his robes more about him, showing a great stout arm on which the muscles stood out like humps of an aged tree. Then Robin saw, what he had not watted of before, that the fryer had also a coat of chain mail beneath his gown. "'Look to thyself,' cried Robin, drawing his good sword. "'I, Mary,' quothed the fryer, who held his already in his hand. So without more ado they came together, and thereupon began a fierce and mighty battle, right and left and up and down, and back and forth they fought. The swords flashed in the sun, and then met with a clash that sounded far and near. I want this was no playful bout at quarterstaff, but a grim and serious fight of real earnest. Thus they strove for an hour or more, pausing every now and then to rest, at which times each looked at the other with wonder, and thought that never had he seen so stout a fellow. Then once again they would go at it more fiercely than ever. Yet in all this time neither had harmed the other nor caused his blood to flow. At last Mary Robin cried, Hold thy hand, good friend, whereupon both lowered their swords. Now I crave a boon ere we begin again,' quoth Robin, wiping the sweat from his brow, for they had striven so long that he began to think that it would be an ill-done thing either to be smitten himself or to smite so stout and brave a fellow. "'What would thou have of me?' asked the fryer. "'Only this,' quoth Robin, that thou wilt let me blow thrice upon my bugle-horn.' The fryer bent his brows and looked shrewdly at Robin Hood. "'Now I do verily think that thou hast some cunning trick in this,' quote he. "'Near the less I fear thee not, and will let thee have thy wish, providing thou wilt also let me blow thrice upon this little whistle.' "'With all my heart,' quoth Robin, so here goes for one.' So saying he raised his silver horn to his lips and blew thrice upon it, clear and high. Meantime the fryer stood watching keenly for what might come to pass, holding in his fingers the while a pretty silver whistle, such as knights used for calling their hawks back to their wrists, which whistle always hung at his girdle along with his rosary. Scarcely had the echo of the last note of Robin's bugle come winding back from across the river, when four tall men in Lincoln Green came running around the bend of the road, each with a bow in his hand, and an arrow ready knocked upon the string. "'Ha! is it thus thou traitor knave?' cried the fryer. "'Then, Mary, look to thyself!' So saying he straightway clapped the hawk's whistle to his lips and blew a blast that was both loud and shrill. And now there came a crackling of the bushes that lined the other side of the road, and presently forth from the covert burst four great shaggy hounds. Adam's sweet lips, Adam's bell-throat, Adam's beauty, Adam's fangs,' cried the fryer, pointing at Robin. And now it was well for that yeoman that a tree stood nigh him beside the road, else heady and ill chance of it. ere one could say, gaffer down the dale, the hounds were upon him, and he only had time to drop his sword and leaped lightly into the tree, around which the hounds gathered, looking up at him as though he were a cat on the eaves. But the fryer quickly called off his dogs. "'Adam!' cried he, pointing down the road to where the yeoman were standing, stalked still with wonder of what they saw. As the hawk darted down upon its quarry, so sped the four dogs at the yeoman. But when the four men saw the hounds so coming, all with one accord, saving only Will Scarlett, drew each man his goose feather to his ear and let fly his shaft. And now the old ballad telleth of a wondrous thing that happened, for thus it says, that each dog, so shot at, leaped lightly aside, and as the arrow passed him whistling, caught it in his mouth, and bit it in twain. Now it would have been an ill day for these four good fellows had not Will Scarlett stepped before the others, and met the hounds as they came rushing. "'Why, how now, fangs!' cried he sternly. "'Down, beauty, down, sir, ah! What means this?' At the sound of his voice each dog shrank back quickly, and then straightway came to him and licked his hands and fond upon him, as is the want of dogs that meet one they know. Then the four yeoman came forward, the hounds leaping around Will Scarlett joyously. "'Why, how now!' cried the stout friar. "'What means this? Art thou wizard to turn those wolves into lambs?' "'Ha!' cried he, when they had come still nearer. Can I trust mine eyes? What means it that I see Young Master William Gamwell in such company?' "'Nay, tuck!' said the young man, as the four came forward to a robin was now clamoring down from the tree in which he had been roosting. He having seen that all danger was over for the time. "'Nay, tuck! My good name is no longer Will Gamwell, but Will Scarlett, and this is my good uncle, Robin Hood, with whom I am abiding just now.' "'Truly good Master,' said the friar, looking somewhat abashed, and reaching out his great palm to Robin. I have oft heard thy name, both sung and spoken of, but I never thought to meet thee in battle. I crave thy forgiveness, and do wonder not that I found so stout a man against me.' "'Truly, most holy father,' said little John, I am more thankful than ere I was in all my life before, that our good friend Scarlett knew thee and thy dogs. I tell thee seriously that I felt my heart crumble away from me when I saw my shaft so miss its aim, and those great beasts of thine coming straight at me. Thou maids'dt indeed be thankful, friend,' said the friar gravely. "'But, Master Will, how cometh that thou dost now abide in Sherwood?' "'Why, tuck, dost thou not know of my ill happening with my father's steward?' answered Scarlett. "'Yay, truly, yet I knew not that thou wert in hiding because of it. Mary, the times are all awry when a gentleman must lie hidden for so small a thing. "'But we are losing time,' quoth Robin, and I have yet to find that same curtled friar. "'Why, uncle, thou hast not far to go,' said Will Scarlett, pointing to the friar, for there he stands beside thee.  "'I like the last name best,' quoth Robin, for it doth slip more glibly off the tongue. "'But why didst thou not tell me, thou wert he I sought, instead of sending me searching for black moon-beams? "'Why, truly, thou didst not ask me, good master,' quoth stout, tuck. "'But what didst thou desire of me?' "'Nay,' quoth Robin, the day grows late, and we cannot stand longer talking here. Come back with us to Sherwood, and I will unfold all to thee as we travel along. So without tarrying longer they all departed, with the stout dogs at their heels, and wended their way back to Sherwood again, but it was long past nightfall ere they reached the greenwood tree. "'Now listen, for next I will tell how Robin Hood compass the happiness of two young lovers, aided by the merry friar-tuck of Fountaindale.' CHAPTER XIII. Robin Hood compasses a marriage. And now had come the morning when Fair Ellen was to be married, and on which Mary Robin had sworn that Allen Adale should, as it were, eat out of the platter that had been filled for Sir Stephen of Trent. Up rose Robin Hood blithe and gay, up rose his merry men one and all, and up rose last of all stout friar-tuck, winking the smart of sleep from out his eyes. Then, while the air seemed to brim over with the song of many birds, all blended together and all joying in the misty morn, each man raved face and hands in the leaping brook, and so the day began. Now, quoth Robin, when they had broken their fast, and each man had eaten his fill, it is time for us to set forth upon the undertaking that we have in hand for to-day. I will choose me one score of my good men to go with me, for I may need aid, and thou wilt Scarlet wilt abide here and be the chief while I am gone. Then searching through all the band, each man of whom crowded forward eager to be chosen, Robin called such as he wished by name, until he had a score of stout fellows, the very flower of his yeomanry. His little John and Will Stutley were nigh all those famous lads of whom I have already told you. Then while those so chosen ran leaping full of joy to arm themselves with both shaft and broads