Part 49 (1/2)
For all his pluaht in a surprising way; and gave him at last such a crack upon his crown as ht struck inthe welkin ring So busy they were as to give no heed of the approach of a goodly company of men
It was Sir Richard of the Lee, with his son and retinue, journeying in a roundabout way in order to throw Monceux off the scent, and so give Robin a chance to reach his stronghold in Barnesdale Both knights paused in amazeht brought down his staff with a noise like felling tiered, and dropped his staff ”Enough, enough,” he cried; then fell in a heap upon the wet grass
The knight flung away his staff and ran to help him He lifted up the priest's head and put it on his knee Glancing up, he espied the me some water”
Sir Richard of the Lee started when he heard that voice He turned to his son, but already the youngit ater froht, and, offering it, kneeled before him in deepest respect and affection
”I thank you, child,” spoke the Black Knight, graciously ”See, this good fellow hath but swooned and already doth revive Are these your ave his all for you?”
Sir Richard drew nearer and kneeled as his son had done, whilst the servitors looked on in strange fear ”Arise, honest , ”I know your story, and have pardoned your son
What can I give to you to show you hoe esteem a man just and faithful, even in adversity?”
”Sire,” faltered Sir Richard, rising and standing with bared head before hiht of you I would crave a hoe have befriended one Robin Hood, an outlaw of these woods Through his generous help I was able to disencu him hard pressed, I opened ht said, briefly, ”and then I will judge” He turned to Tuck, who noas sitting up, and gazing about him in bewildered fashi+on ”Take my hand, brother; let me help you to your feet”
”Tell ht, after he had risen, ”was that a bolt from the sky which just now did strike me down?”
”I do fear it was this staff, brother,” answered the other, suide it 'Twas an ill-requital for your hospitality, and I ask your forgiveness”
”So siveness of man,” spoke Tuck, sententiously, ”I freely accord to you” He peeped at Sir Richard, and recognized hin of this knowledge, however ”Are these your coht?” he asked, indicating the others with a wide gesture
”Why, yes, and no, brother,” replied the knight, whimsically ”They are not my companions in a sense, and yet I do purpose to make the an I would make an end of my quest I will be frank with you, brother I seek Robin Hood, and had hoped that heyou to-day in this very place”
The friar put up his hands with an exclaht, and do not consort with such as these”
”Nay, I think no harht hastened to say, ”but I much yearn to see and speak with him”
”If that be all, and you will coood prey for Robin, ”I will undertake to show you where these villains say their nightly Mass I could not live long in this ithout knowing soion have perforce o with you, brother,” said the Black Knight
The friar led the three to his cell ”Bid all the ht commanded, loudly, ”save four of those most to be trusted” Under his breath he bade Sir Richard tell his fellows to pretend to disperse, and to follow stealthily after their one
Friar Tuck had produced soowns from under a bench He bade the seven of thehts and the four chosen men ”We will attend the Mass as brothers of my order, which is Dominican, as you ht of the iron wrist, shall wear this dress, which was an abbot's once I would we had a horse for you; it would be more seemly, and less like to rouse suspicion”