Part 26 (1/2)
”This is brother to my Marian!” cried Robin, inwardly ”Ay, for sure, 'tis the lad Fitzwalter, and no Gilbert of Bloist Yet Warrenton did not tell e ”Did not this fellow, this Robin, have other name? Robin o' th' Hood--why, all of them wear their capes and hoods nowadays--how can such a man as I know him whom you seek, to say whether he be dead or alive?”
”Forester, he was much like to you; but had no beard, nor was he quite so uncouth as you I mean no offence I saw him but twice; but he seemed a lovable fellow I remember that soht well,” said Robin, in decided tones ”Come with me, Master Gilbert, and you shall hear of hilistened happily
”Did your--sister send you, Master Gilbert?” asked Robin, with his heart in his ave him a puzzled stare ”My sister--who told you that I had a sister?” Then, changing his policy with swift intuition: ”Ay,me to him”
”Follow me, Master Gilbert of Blois,” cried Robin So Marian had re, indeed!
”This poor stag,” began the page, pointing to it ”I wish now that I had not slain it”
”'Tis one of the King's deer,” observed Robin, grave again, ”and youof it What put so desperate a business into your mind, friend?”
”I--to tell truth, had a notion to be made outlaw, like--like unto Master Robin, in short,” said the page ”But I did not know that they rimace
Robin went up to the beast and drew out the boy's arrow Then he stuck one of his own peacocked shafts into the wound ”Now you are safe, Gilbert,” said he, s ”Take the arrow, and keep it in your quiver until we can dispose of it I leave my mark upon the buck--ether into Barnesdale, and Robin showed the boy their hiding-place and presented hiht becoreed So he took the vow fervently, and was given Little John's place for the nonce
Robin asked the to knowhimself The boy was full of chatter, and had news for theave them the sequel to the Bishop's adventure, and told how ham in parlous state--more dead than alive: how he had lain prostrate upon a sick-bed in the Sheriff's house for the best part of three days: how, having briefly recovered, he had reenwood men with bell, book, and candle: how he had sworn that he they thought to be dead--Robin of Locksley--was very much alive and full of wickedness
”Master Monceux, whom I have no cause to love,” continued Gilbert, in quick speech, ”has bidden his archers and men to assereenwood man, such as I perceive you all to be, and since I am now of your company, friends, I suppose my head is worth as much as Master Robin's or any of yours?
Which of you is Robin o' th' Hood? I fain would look upon a man who can recover froether, preparing to point to Robin, forgetting their pro
”Co ”I a from the Sheriff's men, no doubt Let us fortify ourselves withal”
All that reenwoodhatched against thereith the day Had Little John turned traitor? And was he now preparing their eneether into the biggest of their caves He offered to disguise hiham--there to learn the best or worst
Many of the that one had no reason to take more risk than another in this free co, as he had already done before
Unconsciously they were coh any one of them would have fiercely denied this in open council Robin took a staff, and hurried towards the highroad for the second ti this adventure: the fond hope of seeing Mistress Marian Her brother--for so he felt sure this young Gilbert must be--had stirred afresh in Robin's heart all his warm love for her
He wondered what he could say to her
Why, he could tell her of Gilbert's escapade! Of course shehiers! It was another duty added to that to which Robin bore towards the company of freemen He doubled and trebled his pace
Suddenly, as he ca struck upon his ears Robin beca a bony horse, and the smell of fresh-killed haood day, friend,” called Robin to him ”You have a fair load there--what is your price for it?”
”Why, truly, beggar, a bigger price than you will pay, I fear,” answered the butcher, in the old for it,” said Robin