Part 49 (2/2)
Sir Richard said that there were horses with his ht's use The little cavalcade set out for Barnesdale, the friar joyfully leading the way The servitors affected to return to Sir Richard's castle, but hid the deeper and deeper into the forest they ca Street, and there was Robin Hood with a score of hisa notion that the Sheriff would try now to take the Tuck at once, Robin walked boldly up to the hold of the bridle of the knight's horse and stopping him, ”we are poor yeomen of the forest, and have no means of support, thanks to the tyranny and injustice of the Norman nobles in this land But you abbots and churchold without Wherefore, for charity's sake, give us a little of your spending ood Master Hood,” cried Tuck, in a wheedling tone; ”I pray you do not stay us We are journeying with all speed to a monastery in Fountain's Dale, which we hear hath been deserted by its owners”
”I can tell youthis very place,” said Robin ”Give me alms, and I will open my lips to purpose”
The pretended abbot spoke now ”I have been journeying, good Master Hood, with the King,” said he, in full deep voice, ”and I have spent the greater part of olden pieces is all that I have with me”
”It is the very sum I would ask of thee, Sir Abbot,” said Robin, cheerily
He took the gold which the other freely offered, and divided it into two even su theht ”For thy courtesy, Sir Abbot, keep this gold for thine own spending 'Tis like that you will journey with the King again, and need it”
”I will tell you now,” said the pretended abbot, ”for I see that you are truly Robin Hood, although so sland, and hath bid me seek you out He hath heard hahed heartily ”That is where we may not venture, Sir Abbot, since we value our skins But where is your authority?”
The knight produced the King's seal froown Robin looked at it, and fell at once upon his knees ”I love a trueis such an one Now that he is conty over us we has, Sir Abbot; and for the love I have of valor and all true kingly virtues, I bid you and your fellows to sup freely with us under my trystal tree” He then offered to lead them into Barnesdale; and the pretended reed to accept his offer
They soon were come before the caves of Barnesdale, and were presented to those of the band already there Presently Robin bleo blasts upon his horn, and the rest of the greenwood men made their appearance All were dressed in their new livery, and carried nes in their left hands Each one knelt for ahis place
A handsoht hand, to hold his cup for hiraciously placed the abbot in the place of honor; and under the cool fresh evening, bright still with the afterht was struck with astonishht he, ”this is a wondrous sight There is more obedience shown to this outlaw man than my fellows have shown to nalled to his ht they intended to choose hiet
He was quickly undeceived, however, for two arroere set up as butts for these archers The knightlight A garland of leaves was balanced on the top of each arrow, and Robin laid down the rules Whoever failed to speed his shaft through this garland--and it was to be done without knocking it off the arroas to yield up his own shaft to Robin, and receive also buffet from the hand of Friar Tuck
”Master,” said Stuteley, ”that ood friar is not yet come to confess us this day” He winked his eyes at Robin, well knowing that the friar sat near to the other a ”I prithee co, Stuteley and old Warrenton each flew their arrows truly through the garlands, as did e and Arthur-a-Bland were not so fortunate, for though both caarlands unkindly fell off an instant after their shafts had flown through the to peer into the distance, already blue-grey with twilight ”Surely he is late to-night”
Then Tuck could bear it no longer, but stood up in his place ”Come near to me, thou villainous archers,” he roared, ”and I will buffet you right well”
”Ah, brother, what are you saying?” cried the knight, anxiously ”Surely you forget our vows and our cloth”
”I forget neither the one nor the other,” returned Tuck ”But I would be no trueas these fellows have done Coe”
”You know theht, as if in alarm
”I am very proud to be of it, brother,” said the friar