Part 38 (1/2)

That night Monceux kept open house and grew noisy in his cups He swore that Robin Hood was both coward and villain not to have co the horse and purse

Even as he spoke an arrow cah one of the narros of the Sheriff's hall, and, curving, fell with a rattle upon the table in front of the startled Monceux Attached to it was an empty purse, Monceux's own--that one indeed which had that morn held the hundred pieces so coar?” cried the Sheriff, suddenly having his doubts

”Where isin upon her father

”I did not send for her,” shouted Monceux, seeing it all ”Haste thee, Simeon, pursue them They cannot be far away”

”Excellence, the Arab steed hath been stolen, and by thy beggar guest,”

cried one of the servants, running in at the other door ”Even now he has gained the bridge, carrying your new maid a-pillion, mistress None may hope to catch theates After theain if you do not capture Robin Hood and this girl”

Mistress Monceux was quite beside herself with fury

”Alas, ham stand wide; did not my master order it so but this very morn?”

”Silence!” roared Monceux; and, unable to control his rage, he struck the fellow to the ground ”After them, Simeon, and take what men you will”

Master Carfax had other duty before hi hysteria They slapped her hands and poured wine between her lips, and finally her maids had to cut her laces and put her to bed

CHAPTER XXV

Days passed into weeks and weeks into ed an inter a few minor successes; then Robin haht with Robin and his band

Arthur-a-Bland, the tanner, who had so nearly won the Sheriff's prize, had often in these days envious thoughts for the outlaws in their free life Anything was better, to his mind, than oak-bark and ditch-water and the smell of half-tanned hides Also he was aah to e that masterly feat of archery by which Robin had wrested the purse of gold and the Arab horse from him Vastly elated at this pro down his trade and hadpike-staff He strode across the close turf, browning now under an August sun, and was soon far away frohroad and the small protection it afforded He espied a herd of deer, and prepared himself to shoot one of them Just as his boas bent Robin ca the tanner, the young outlaw began to move stealthily round to the ard side of the beasts in order that they ht make a fairer mark for his arrows

”What ossip?” enquired Arthur-a-Bland, arrogantly ”I am a keeper in this forest, and it is my duty to stay you”

”Have you any assistants, friend?” Robin asked, scarcely glancing towards him ”For it is not one ossip,” cried Arthur, ”I have no better assistant than this good oak-graff; but he will do all that I want For your sword and your arrows I care not one straw--if I can get but a knock at your poll you will ask me no further question”

Robin unbuckled his belt at this; and, flinging his bow upon the ground, tore down a young sapling that was growing near by With his dagger he quickly lopped it into shape; and then strode up to the tanner

”Eight foot and a half, and 'twill knock down a calf,” sang Arthur, flourishi+ng his staff still more, ”and I hope it will knock down you”

Robin sparred with hi a sudden feint, bestowed such a blow on Master Bland that the blood ran down his cheek from his broken pate

But the tanner did not accept this favor without ave The wood rang with the noise of their blows, and the tanner laid on his strokes as if he were beating hides

”Hold your hand,” cried Robin, at last ”You have done enough, and I will make you free of these woods”

”Why, God-a-ood fellow; not you”