Part 13 (1/2)
He took Robin's letter to Monceux, and added his own request to it, never doubting that so ordinary a ershi+p of Locksley Woods was Robin's by every right: for the house and garden had been given to Hugh Fitzooth in perpetuity by the King So at least they all had understood
Master Monceux, lord Sheriff of Nottingham, took the letters and read thehter's cha are not lacking in audacity,” sneered Master Monceux, when Mistress Monceux had mastered the scrolls
”What will you do?” asked she, curiously
”This is the young archer on my arrow,” remarked the Sheriff
”Robin Fitzooth of Locksley Observe that his father has been killed by one of the King's deer; like as not whilst he was atte to snare it His son asks now for the post: this son who shoots with a peacocked arroin my prize”
”Say you so? Then this boy is of the outlaws of Sherwood?” Her thin lips parted over her white teeth in an evil doubt, as she asked her father: ”How do you know that the arroinged with a peacock's feather? Did you see it yourself?”
”John Ford brought it to me”
”Ford is a very untrustworthy knave I would that some other of the foresters had told you”
The Sheriff was vexed at this ”I have no hesitation in the ree to this recommendation of my lord Montfichet, or refuse it because I have already appointed soest a man to me?”
”Let it be one distasteful both to Montfichet and to this boastful youth,” said the deerly ”Send Ford, or one of the scullions from our kitchen, that theyarcher to us here; he should be whipped and put in the stocks,” she added, vindictively
”Will you reply to those scrolls then, child?” said the Sheriff, glad to be relieved of a task which he did not relish ”Let it be Ford; he is captain of the foresters hereabouts, and has been staying at Ga Locksley is not over-fond of hi, and say only that which is necessary, child”
”I will bring the letters when they are penned, and will read thehter
In due course, then, came the Sheriff's reply to Robin's request It was couched in arrogant terms, and bade the youth report hiham Castle in order that the question of his appointhed and considered As for the Rangershi+p of Locksley, that had already been given to one Master John Ford, ould take up the duties so soon as Robin and Mistress Fitzooth could arrange to render him the house at Locksley and all it contained To this end the Sheriff's er was empowered to take stock and inventory of all furniture and belongings and to s broken or in disrepair, since those would have to be counted against the the worse indignities that were to befall did he coer's face
”Go, take back this answer to your master,” flamed the lad ”Locksley is ham's Further, tell him that I will administer Locksley Woods, and the men shall obey me even as they did my father: and this is all that I say in answer to your insolent lord”
”Take this also, fellow,” cried Stuteley, heroically: ”that my master's squire will very instantly do battle on his behalf with all ene with the hands”
”Be sure that you will need practice in all your tricks, friend,”
snarled the h of pupils and to spare! And I will be glad to have a bout with you”
”Now, if you sicken for't,” said Will, valiantly; but Robin bade hihaer
On the fifth day after the man's visit, however, one of the Locksley foresters refused to obey young Fitzooth, saying that he had no right to coht, that you shall obey me!” cried Robin, and he bade Warrenton and Stuteley to seize the bow and quiver Nor would he suffer the forester to become repossessed of the that this youth had a man's determination, the men remained loyal to him
Within ten days came Master Ford himself, at the head of ten fellows, arrant
Robin received the forester civilly, but told him plainly that Locksley was his and that he would keep it to his death
Master Ford smiled very superior to these brave words ”Death, Master Robin, is a thing a long way off from us both, I do conceive,” said he