Robin Hood

name?" then s

me, without

my body," then sa

it is All

ooked for no less person than the High Sheriff himself. While Much marveled at the friar's knowledge of herbs and simples and woodland things which savored a stew greatly. So they gabbled together like two old gossips and, between them, made

ot stop the first passer-by, as his manner often was, and desire a fight. Instead, he stepped behind a tree, when he heard a man's voice in song, and

he was a sturdy yeoman of honest face and a voice far sweeter than Will's. He seemed to be a strolling

and a down,

sie back i

e night, Come

d me, back

inger pass, car

muttered, a memory of Marian coming back to him. "Pray heaven she

o his camp, where he

" quoth he in ending, "bring him to

ey espied the same young man; at least, they thought it must be he, for he was clad in scarlet and carried a harp in his hand. But

Little John and Muc

our weeping," said Little John,

sight of them than he bent his bow

f!" he said; "what i

not harm you. But you must come before our

bow and suffered himself

e, "are you not he whom I heard no longer ago than yesterni

eplied the other sadly; "but my

id Robin courteously. "

pledged to a maid, and thought soon to wed her. But she has been taken from me and is to become an old kni

obin; "how got the old k

. This old returned Crusader coveted the land whereon my lady dwells. The estate is not large, but all in her own

surely-" b

the old knight, look you, is not come-at-able. I threw one of his varlets into a thorn hedge, and anothe

g cross-legged listening to this tale of woe. "What think yo

mes recommended of the

love you?" as

the minstrel. "I have a little ring of hers

name?" then sa

" replied the young man,

Hood, "in ready gold or fee, to help you to your

ive shillings," quoth Allan;

n no

agerly. "And if you give me back my love, I swear upon

ng to take place, an

five miles from here; and

lympton Church 'gainst three o' the afternoon. Much, good fellow, do you cook up some porridge for this youth, for he must have a good round stomach-aye, and a better gear! Will Sc

returned Crusader-and a landed young woman; and all the gentry thereabout were to grace the occasion with their presence. The church itsel

estry, saw a minstrel clad in green walk up boldly to the door and peer withi

ishop, "and what do you here at the ch

but a strolling harper, yet likened the best in the whole North Countre

you harp?" dema

other tune that will make a bride forsake her lord at the altar. I can harp another tune that will bri

me right well, and if you can play up to your prattle, 'twill i

il the bride and groom have come. Such a

said the Bishop, "but h

s liveried in scarlet and gold. A brave sight the archers made, but their

er cheeks like that tinting of a sea-shell, and her face was flushed as though she had been weeping. But now she walked with a proud air, as though she defied the world to crush her spirit. She had but

rung!" quoth Robin boldly, "this is the wor

ant!" said a man

his gown and now stood ready t

is ten archers pass by, then he strode up to the bride

re is another minstrel near, who ma

ut read such honesty and kindness in his glance

ol!" cried the b

the bride by accompanying her through

lk by her side unmolested, up

r music, fellow!"

e my instrument. For sometimes I like the harp, and other tim

his green cloak and blew three winding not

"there's mischief afoot! These

t their rush was blocked by the onlookers who now rose from their pews in alarm and crowded the aisles

the death. And all ye who have come to witness a wedding stay in your seats. We shall e'e

marching in with Will Stutely at their head. And they seized the ten liveried archers

Will Scarlet for best man. And they walked gravely

ng Harry be just ones," said Robin. "Now, maiden, before

with a glad light in her eyes, and walked ove

outy knight. And the true lovers shall be married at this time bef

hop; "the banns must be cried three times i

atiently; and plucked off the Bishop's fro

wn hung loosely over Little John's shoulders and came only to his waist. He

loth makes you a man. You're the finest Bishop

t gown fluttering gaily; and he called the banns for the ma

obin; "your gown is so shor

em in the church four, fi

o can say a better service than ever my lord Bishop of Hereford. My lord Bishop shall be

; and Allan and his maid kneeled before him, while the old knight, held an unwilling

is woman?" Robin stepped up a

Sherwood! And he who takes her from A

duly blessed; and the bride was kissed by

of the ballad which came out of the happening and which

ng end of this

lookt li

turned to the

he leaves