Part 2 (1/2)
”We know better than to stay a monk for toll,” said the robber ”Beside, would your excellence have us coe?”
”I would have you leave hold of my bridle,” answered Robin, very wrathfully
”Pay the toll cheerfully, youngling,” cried one of the others, ”and be not so wordy in the business We have other folk to visit; the day is already half gone from Sherwood”
”I will shoot with you for the freedom of the forest,” said Robin, desperately ”An I lose, then shall you take all but my mother's jennet
She shall be allowed to carry e, for her return”
”Let the da back a hundred crowns in each of her hands, then,”
replied the chief of the robbers
”It is agreed,” answered Robin, after one appealing glance towards the dame ”Now help me down from my horse, and let the clerk see fair play
Set us a ly”
The clerk, who had kept hier seems to savor of unholiness, friends,” said he, solemnly ”Yet, in that it also se
You, sir, since you are doubtless well acquainted with the part, can speak for distance Now, I do appoint the trunk of yon birch-tree as first ,” laughed the robber, gaily ”'Tis but forty ells away! I will follow you respectfully, never doubt it”
Robin bent his bow and trained his eyes upon the birch
Then suddenly came back upon him his father's words: ”Remember that I am a proud man, Robin”
”I will,” muttered Robin, betwixt set teeth, and he ai of the bowstring, and the nexttowards itscarelessly towards the arrow, quivering still in the trunk of the birch-tree ”But you have scarce taken the centre of our mark Letthrough the summer air, and took root fairly in the middle of the trunk, side by side with Robin's
”You win first round, friend,” said the clerk, with see reluctance
”Now, listen, both, whilst I make you a better test” He was about to continue, when an interruption occurred one that saved him necessity of further speech
CHAPTER II
Suddenly through the greenwood ca towards the robbers, ready to seize the far afield The Sheriff of Nottinghaered at the impudent robberies of late, and now all of his foresters had spread the such a capture of the outlaws as would please theirsubstantial reward to themselves On the head of Will o' th' Green, the chief of the band, was set the price of ten golden crowns
But alas! these croere still to seek; for Will o' th' Green, at first hint of the danger, had put his horn to his lips and given a long, low call upon it, and next instant not a robber was to be seen
Each man had dropped to his hands and knees as soon as he had reached the bushes; and the foresters ht beat and belabor Mother Sherwood in vain, for she would never betray her children
Fitzooth's ive all inforainst their assailants One of the felloore roundly that the learned clerk had given Will o' th' Green a very plain hint; but this assertion was ave his story of the business, and then, having thanked the captain of the foresters, would have continued the journey The clerk was no longer to be denied, however, from his food: and so it caether under the trees--the captain of the foresters having agreed to join with Robin, the herood wine and pasty which the latter had provided
The foresters returned in twos and threes from their fruitless search, and stood about in little knots discussing the chase All agreed that the outlaws had soround, with many entrances and ways into it; easily to be found by those in the secret, but io to Gamewell, friends?” asked the captain, after the meal had been finished When he had been answered yes, he told Mistress Fitzooth that she ht have an escort for the rest of the way; since he and his men must travel to Gae of Gamewell