Part 50 (1/2)
”I crave a boon,” the knight then said, turning to Robin ”This is a little h I see to take the blow instead”
”If you would care to have a buffet froh my arm is sore still from our play of this th left in it;” and he rolled up his sleeve
”Take, then, the first blow,” said the knight, ”and I promise you I will return it you with interest”
A smile lit up the face of the jolly friar He turned up the sleeve of his cassock still further, and smote the false abbot such a bloould have felled an ox
”Thou hittest well, brother,” the knight remarked, coolly
The friar was amazed to see him withstand such a blow, and so was Robin
”Now, 'tishis arm, he dealt Tuck such a blow as to send hih at this; but the exertion had caused the abbot's cowl to slip away froht showed plainly to them all ”Alas, yourup; ”you have betrayed yourself”
”It is the King!” cried Scarlett, in sheer surprise; and reverently he knelt before the Black Knight Robin glanced questioningly towards the greenwood men; then knelt himself beside Scarlett At once the whole co,” said Robin, in hushed voice, ”I crave mercy for my men and for myself We have not chosen this life from any wickedness, but rather have cost them ”Swear,” cried he, in clear, loud voice
”Swear that you will forsake your ays, Robin Fitzooth, and will coood and faithful subjects froive you all the pardon that you crave”
”We will come into your Court and into your service, sire,” answered Robin, gratefully, ”nor ask anything better in this world than that”
The King bade theht is coave me of his hospitality yester e'en,” he said, cogard in love are you to be here without her?”
”Nay, sire,” said the little page, coard, nor am I far to seek He is a very valiant, honorable ht of this realm, if all men had their deserts”
Richard shty head to kiss the little hand she had extended to him ”Thou speakest truth, lady,” he answered ”And I had not forgotten how the fair lands of Broadweald once were in Hugh Fitzooth's honest keeping It may be that they will return to his son one day, for folks tell me that Guy of Gisborne is no more”
He turned to Scarlett ”And you are Master Geoffrey of Montfichet,” said he, fixing his keen eyes on the other's face, ”son of e Montfichet of Gamewell? And prithee, Master Geoffrey, what have you done with on?”
Scarlett confusedly explained that she was safe in his father's hall at Gamewell ”It seemeth, then, that you also have stolen froha hiainst Monceux!”
”Even as all ainst veno his head He had recovered from the buffet which Richard's hand had dealt, and had seated himself conveniently to watch the scene He was truly the one least put about by it
The King eyed him, and smiled to note his quiet self-possession ”What can I find for you, brother?” he asked, indulgently ”So, where there are no wicked to chastise, and where the work is easy and well endowed?”
”I only wish for peace in this life,” replied the friar ”Mine is a siaws and shaht brew, health, and enough for the day, and I ask no hed ”You ask the greatest thing in the world, brother--contentive or to deny Yet if I can help you to find that wondrous jewel, I will do it right heartily” He glanced curiously froreenwood men ”Which of you is called Allan-a-Dale?” he asked; and when Allan had come forward, ”So,” said Richard, half sternly, ”you are the man who stole a bride from her man at my church doors of Plympton What have you to say in excuse of this wickedness?”
”Only that I loved her, sire, and that she loved me,” said Allan ”Your Nor her lands”