Part 5 (2/2)
He held the ape aloft and thrust with it at the press The battle melted away like wax under a hot sun at the touch of those ht seized upon the e of this, the Squire's few ed by Robin's and the little stroller's cries, fought their way to hi to Robin's side and th of arm The tide was turned, the other strollers and the Gah the press and for about the entrance to the wizard's tent
Robin, still brandishi+ng his hideous skeleton, wished to pursue the beaten and flying rabble; but the Squire counselled prudence
”You have done right well, Robin of Locksley, and dearly do I love you for your courage and resource George Montfichet will never forget this day Here let us wait until the Sheriff's men co's done”
”What is your na?” asked the little stroller, presently
”Robin Fitzooth”
”And ht willingly, for between us we have won the battle,” answered Robin He had taken a liking to this ave him his name without fear or doubt ”I like you, Will; you are the second Will that I have n in that?”
”A sign that ill be proper friends,” replied the stroller
Montfichet called out for Robin to give hier was over, felt the reaction; and he had strange pains about his breast
”Friends,” said Montfichet, faintly, to the wrestlers, ”bear us escort so far as the Sheriff's house It will not be safe for you to stay here noould speak with you later, since notice must be taken of this affair Pray follow us, with mine and my lord Sheriff's men”
He spoke with difficulty, and both Robin and Mistress Fitzooth were much perplexed over him The party moved slowly across the scattered Fair; nor heeded the s and sour looks of the feho, froham Castle was reached, and admittance was deates he careet thenificent in his robes of office, which he earing this day in honor of the Fair In the earlyhe had declared it open; and on the last day would bring his daughter to deliver the prizes which would be won at the tourney
Master Monceux, the Sheriff of Nottingha He protested that the rogues who had conspired to bring about this scandal should all be thrust into the stocks for thole days, and should afterwards be scourged out of the city He was profuse in his offers of hospitality to his guests; knowing Montfichet to have a powerful influence with the King And Henry land at any moment
The strollers and the Squire's retainers had been told to find refreshment with the Sheriff's men-at-arms in the buttery Robin pleaded, however, with the Squire for little Will to be left with them
”I like this i to help us but a little while since Let hi tourney”
”Have your will, child, if the boy also wills it,” Montfichet answered, feeling too ill to oppose anything very strongly just then He made an effort to hide his condition frohten upon his arm
”What is it, dear patron?” Robin asked, anxiously
”Beg me a room of the Sheriff, child, quickly I do think that my heart is touched with some distemper”
Robin ran to the Sheriff
”Sir,” said he, ”my patron is overcorant him some private chamber wherein he may rest”
”Surely, surely!” said the Sheriff ”Ay, and I will send hiht skilful fellow Bid your master use this poor house as he would his own” The Sheriff spoke with great affectation ”In the meantime I will see that a proper banquet is served to us within an hour But who is this fellow plucking at your sleeve? He should be in the kitchen with the rest”
”He is nity
Mistress Fitzooth had been carried off by the Sheriff's daughter and her maids as soon as they had entered the house, so that Robin alone had the care of Montfichet With Will Stuteley's assistance they brought the old man safely to the chalad when, at length, they were left to their own devices
”'Tis a goblet of good wine that the lording requires to et it, Robin Fitzooth”
The wine did certainly bring back the color to the Squire's cheeks