Part 16 (2/2)
There were questions to be asked and answered when they arrived; and Warrenton was very indignant when he heard of the Prince's gross favoritism of his archer Hubert
Robin seeht The man-at-arms was both perplexed and amazed by the semi-indifference displayed by the youth: here had he, by marvellous skill, won a fine prize, and had seen the same snatched ed; but rather ao back with me to-morrow and deuive us the best of Gamewell to enforce respect to you”
”Nay, it matters not so much as that, Warrenton The money I would like to have had, I'll not deny it; for it would have made me more independent of Master Monceux But it has not fallen to me, and there it ends”
”Well, 'tis well that you are so easy, lording,” said Warrenton, scratching his head ”Now tell us whom you saw; and how you contrived to split the Norman's arrow”
He had already heard the story: but was very fain to listen to it again
”It is a trick that I taught him, dame,” he added, off-handedly, to Mistress Fitzooth ”One that did surprise the Norman too, I'll warrant me You see, they are so concerned with their crossbows and other fal-lals in France that when good English yew----”
”I saw Master Will,” said Robin, to check him Once Warrenton was started on a dissertation on the virtues of the English longbow there was usually no staying hione to France”
Warrenton looked wise ”That is not worthy of belief, excellence,” said he, cunningly ”Prince John is near; and one cannot iine that Geoffrey of Montfichet----”
”Geoffrey of Montfichet?” asked the daly: and then Warrenton sa he had blundered ”Why, I did not know that you had met your cousin, Robin When was it, and why do you call hiht?”
”Geoffrey is outlawed, mother mine, andwith her ”And the story of our ued, and I would gladly get me to bed Come, Will, rouse yourself Mother, see that we do not sleep too long I o to Gamewell by the day after to- and now”
He had deterain in the ershi+p for him whilst John was here Even if the Prince had unduly favored Hubert in the archery contest, it did not necessarily follow that he would be unjust in such a plain business as this Robin kissed the daot hiely corief
Within three days Robin started away for Ga only Stuteley, as before He intended to ht
When they were far advanced on their journey they heard sounds of a large company upon the road; and prudently Robin bade Stuteley hide with hiht be
”Maybe 'tis the Sheriff, with Master Ford, co theht
Keep near to me, Will; and scarcely breathe”
It was indeed a body of h the Sheriff was not with thest the company So also was Ford, the forester
In all, there were about two score of men, and most of them were Sherwood foresters Robin espied Much the Miller in the tail of the procession, looking very dejected and ill, and decided to risk exposing hi up in the bracken, he called out boldly: ”Hold there, Master Much Here am I, ready to take yourin his steed sharply
”Why! 'tis the gipsy lad, as I live; with his face nicely washed!”
He had recognized Robin by his clothes ”Money, forsooth! Do you know that I have not so roat in my pouch?”
”Then must one of the others lend it to you,” replied Robin ”PayMy arro nearer the target than did any of yours”