Part 14 (1/2)
Having stifled any objections Montfichet er, the Sheriff was quite content to bide his tiham, Robin would be entirely in his power Unforeseen events, however, upset these sche hibow under Warrenton and in the art of wrestling with little lithe Stuteley The lean-faced ha news to the Sheriff that he was to prepare the town at once for a visit froive the lean-faced one his full style, bade thereat tourney to be held in Sherwood itself
”Certes, Prince Johnover us in the end,” ht of Robin and his defiance
The Sheriff had some suspicion that Master Carfax had had more to do with this sudden visit of the erstwhile rebellious Prince than that pinch-nosed gentle that between Carfax and his own daughter there was an understanding, and he decided to speak firmly with her; but, as she was still vexed with hi Fitzooth as proht it wise to wait his opportunity
Meanwhile Robin passed his days equably: and now he could notch Warrenton's shaft at one hundred paces, a feat difficult in the extre the lad ”I do hear of a brave business in archery to be done in Sherwood Forest,” he said, ”and I would have you enter there in the lists, and bear away the Prince's bag of gold, even as you did the Sheriff's arrow”
”Tell me of this, Warrenton,” cried Robin, interested at once ”Where did you learn this iteone by the Friar of Copabbled Warrenton ”It see Prince is already tired of London ways and the Court of his father the King, and has agreed to cohas with him many of the fine ladies of the Court; and full a hundred score of followers And they do tell me that some of the barons are with him, Master Fitzurse to wit Howbeit, 'tis no matter of ours We have but to remember that he has offered a purse of a hundred pieces to the best bow”
Robin smiled at the old man's emphatic speech ”When is this prize to be offered, Warrenton, and what other marvels are there to be?”
The man-at-arms commenced afresh ”There is to be a tourney, held in Sherwood Forest”
”Ay; but the archery?”
”I have told you that the Prince offers a fine prize Know also that he brings with him Hubert, the most renowned of all archers: so that he deeold pieces into the purse, and Hubert pockets it in advance”
”Is he a fair bowman, this Hubert?”
”I know but one archer better than he, lording--yourself; and I have seen the finest archery in the world”
”You talk heedlessly, Warrenton,” said Robin, rebuking him Yet secretly he was flattered by this sincere belief in hihauard,” said Robin
But Stuteley begged o also, so that Robin caether For he would not consent to leave the dame unprotected
In the end Warrenton himself, with fine self-sacrifice, offered to reo unattended, after all, lording,”
concluded Warrenton ”Enter the lists unknown, unannounced, as though you were soood to you, and surely he will be there So be circuht you Beat Hubert if you can, but be not overcome if you should fail He is a very pretty bow by a lesson learned from Will o' th' Green, Robin stained his face and bade Stuteley do the sa was overcast and doubtful when the two lads set forth They had put on foresters' clothes of green cloth, with long tunics and green trunk hose Their hands and faces were brown as walnut juice could bow and a good quiver of arrows, young Will had loaded himself with quarter-staff, axe, and pike, all very difficult to carry
Robin bade him leave one or the other of these weapons, and reluctantly the pike was returned to Warrenton Then h the forest, and calade where Robin had first met Will o' th' Green Even while Robin wondered whether Will or his ain demand toll of him, Master Will himself suddenly appeared, and without a word placed his bow across their path
”Greetings to you, Will,” said Robin, blithely ”Is it toll of us that you desire?”
”Are you dumb, friend?” added Stuteley, impudently, as the outlaw made no immediate reply