16 - Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden: Chapter 16

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Episode Transcript

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Chapter sixteen of robin Hood by J. Walker mac Spaden. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. OurRobin Hood met Sir Richard of the Lea,
then answered him the gentle Knight,with words both fair and thee.
God save thee, my good Robinand all thy company. Now you must

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know that some months passed by thewinner dragged its weary length through sherwood forest,
and robin Hood and his merry menfound what cheer they could in the
big crackling fires. Before their woodlandcave. Friar Tuck had built him a
little hermitage not far away, wherehe lived comfortably with his numerous dogs.
The winter, I say, reachedan end at last, and the blessed

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spring came and went. Another summerpassed on apace, and still neither king,
nor sheriff nor bishop could catch theoutlaws, who meanwhile thrived and prospered
mightily in their outlawry. The bandhad been increased from time to time by
picked men such as Arthur of Blandand David of Doncaster, he who was
the jolliest cobbler for miles around,until it now numbered a full seventh score

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of men. Seven companies, eachwith its stout lieutenant serving under robin Hood.
And still they relieved the purses ofthe rich, and aided the poor,
and feasted upon king's deer until thelank Sheriff of Nottingham was well nigh
distracted. Indeed, that official wouldprobably have lost his office entirely had it

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not been for the fact of theking's death. Henry passed away as all
King's will in common with ordinary men, and Richard of the Lion Heart was
proclaimed as his successor. Then Robinand his men, after earnest debate,
resolved to throw themselves upon the mercyof the new king, swear allegiance and
asked to be organized into royal foresters. So Will Scarlett and Will Stuteley and

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Little John were sent to London withthis message, which they were first to
entrust privately to Maid Marian. Butthey soon returned with bad tidings. The
new king had formerly set forth upona crusade to the Holy Land, and
Prince John his brother, was impossibleto deal with. Being crafty, cruel
and treacherous, he was laying hishands upon all the property which could easily

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be seized, among other estates,that of the Earl of Huntingdon, Robin's
old enemy and Marian's father, whohad lately died. Marian herself was in
sore straits. Not only had herestates been taken away and the maid been
deprived of the former protection of theQueen, but the evil Prince John had

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persecuted her with his attentions. Hethought that, since the maid was defenseless,
he could carry her away to oneof his castles, and none would
gainsay him. No word of thisperil reached Robin's ears, although his men
brought him word of the seizure ofthe Huntingdon lands nathless. He was greatly
alarmed for the safety of Maid Marian, and his heart cried out for her

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strongly. She had been continually inhis thoughts ever since the memorable shooting at
London Town. One morning in earlyautumn, when the leaves were beginning to
turn gold at the edges, thechestnut pods to swell with promise of fatness,
and the whole wide woodland was redolentwith the ripe fragrance of fruit and
flour, Robin was walking along theedge of a small open glade, busy

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with his thoughts. The piece ofthe woods was upon him, despite his
broodings of Marion, and he paidlittle heed to a group of doughs quietly
feeding among the trees at the faredge of the glade. But presently this
Sylvan picture was rudely disturbed for him. A stag, wild and furious,
dashed suddenly forth from among the trees, scattering the does in swift alarm.

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The vicious beasts eyed the green andgold tunic of Robin, and, lowering
its head, charged at him impetuously. So sudden was its attack that Robin
had no time to bend his bow. He sprang behind a tree while he
ceased his weapon. A moment later, the wild stag crashed blindly into the
tree trunk with a shock, whichsent the beast reeling backward, while the

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dislodging leaves from the shivering tree fellin a small shower over Robin's head.
By my halidom, I am gladit was not me you struck, my
gentle friend, quoth Robin, fixingan arrow upon the string. Sorry,
indeed, would be anyone's plight whoshould encounter you in this black humor.
Scarcely had he spoken when he sawthe stag veer about and fix its glances

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rigidly on the bushes to the leftside of the glade. These were parted
by a delicate hand, and throughthe opening appeared the slight figure of a
page. It was made Marian comeback again to the greenwood. She advanced
unconscious, alike of Robin's horrified gazeand the evil fury of the stag.
She was directly in line with theanimal, so Robin dared not launch an

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arrow. Her own bow was slungacross her shoulder, and her small sword
would be useless against the bees discharge. But now as she caught sight of
the stag, she pursed her lipsas though she would whistle to it.
For the love of God, dearlady, cried Robin, and then the
words died in his throat. Witha savage snort of rage. The beast

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rushed at this new and inviting target, rushed so swiftly and from so short
a distance that she could not defendherself. She sprang to one side as
it charged down upon her, buta side blow from its antlers stretched her
upon the ground. The stag stopped, turned and lowered its head, preparing
to gore her to death already,its cruel horns were coming straight for her.

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While she white a face and bewilderedby the sudden attack, was struggling
to rise and draw her sword.A moment more and the end would come.
But the sharp voice of Robin hadalready spoken down on Marian. He
cried, and the girl instinctively obeyed, just as the shaft from Robin's bowl
went whizzing close above her head andstruck with terrific force full in the center

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of the stag's forehead. The beaststumbled in its charge and fell dead across
the body of the fainting maid.Robin was quickly by her side and dragged
the beast from off the girl.Picking her up in his strong arms,
he bore her swiftly to the sideof one of the many brooks which watered
the veil. He dashed cool waterupon her face, roughly, almost in

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his agony of fear that she wasalready dead, and he could have shed
tears of joy to see those poorclosed eyelids tremble. He redoubled his efforts,
and presently she gave a little gasp, Where where am I? What
is it? You are in sherwood? Dear maid, though I faith we
gave you a rude reception. Sheopened her eyes and sat up. Methinks

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you have rescued me from sudden danger, sir, she said. Then she
recognized Robin for the first time.An radiant smile came over her face,
together with the rare blush of returnedvitality, and her head sank upon his
shoulder with a little tremble and sighof relief. Oh, Robin, it
is you, she murmured, Aye, tis aye, Thank Heaven, I

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was at hand to do you service. Robin's tones were deep and full of
feeling. I swear, dear Marian, that I will not let you from
my care henceforth. Not another wordwas spoken for some moments, while her
head still rested confidingly upon his breast. Then recollecting, he suddenly cried,

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gray mercy, but I make apoor nurse. I have not even asked
if any of your bones were broken. No, not any, she answered,
springing lightly to her feet to showhim that foolish dizziness. O'ercame me
for the nods. But we cannow proceed on our way. Nay I
meant not that, he protested,Why should we haste. First tell me

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of the news in London town,and of yourself. So she told him
how that the Prince had seized uponher father's lands and had promised to restore
them to her if she would listento his suit, and how that she
knew he meant her no good,for he was even then suing for a
princess's hand. That is all,Robin, she ended simply, And that

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is why I don again my page'scostume, and came to you in the
Greenwood. Robin's brow had grown fiercelyblack at the recital of her wrong,
and he had Lain's stern hand uponthe hilt of his sword. By this
sword, which Queen Eleanor gave me, he said impetuously, and which was
devoted to the service of all womankind. I take oath that Prince John and

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all his armies shall not harm you. So that is how Maid Marian came
to take up her abode in theGreenwood, where the whole band of Yeoman
welcomed her gladly and swore fealty,and where the sweet lady of allan a
Dale made her fully at home.But this was a day of deeds in
Sherwood, forest, and we againto tell you another happening which led to
later events. While Robin and Marianwere having their encounter with the stag,

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Little John much the miller's son,and Will Scarlett had sallied forth to watch
the high road leading to Barnesdale ifperchance they might find some haughty knight or
fat priest whose wallet needed lightning.They had scarcely watched the great road known
as Watling Street, which runs fromDover in Kent to Chestertown for many minutes,
when they espied a knight riding byin a very forlorn and careless manner.

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All dreary was his semblance, andlittle was his pride. His one
foot in the stirrup, stood hisother waved beside his vizor hung down o'er
his eyes. He rode in singlearray, a sorrier man than he was
one rode never in summer's day.Little John came up to the knight and
bade him stay, for who canjudge of a man's wealth by his looks?

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The outlaw bent his knee in allcourtesy, and prayed him to accept
the hospitality of the forest. Mymaster expects you to dine with him today,
quoth he, and indeed has beenfasting while awaiting your coming these three
hours. Who is your master,asked the Knight. None other than Robin
Hood, replied Little John, layinghis hand upon the Knight's bridle. Seeing

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the other two outlaws approaching, theKnight shrugged his shoulders and replied indifferently,
tis clear that your invitation is toourgent to admit a refusal, quoth he,
and I go with you right willingly, my friends, My purpose was
to have dined to day at blytheor Doncaster. But nothing matters greatly,
so, in the same lackadaisical fashionwhich had marked all his actions that day,

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the Knight suffered his horse to beled to the rendezvous of the band
in the Greenwood. Marian had notyet had time to change her pages attire.
When the three escorts of the Knighthove in sight. She recognized their
captive as Sir Richard of the Leah, whom she had often seen at court,
and, fearing least he might recognizeher, she would have fled,

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but Robin asked her with a twinkleif she would not like to play page
that day, and she, inroguish mood, consented, to do so.
Welcome, sir Knight, said Robincourteously. You are come in good
time, for we were just preparingto sit down to meet God save him.
Thank you, good master, Robinreturned the Knight and all your company,

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it likes me well to break thefast with you. So, while
his horse was cared for, theKnight laid aside his own heavy gear and
laved his face and hands, andsat down with Robin and all his men
to a most plentiful repast of venison, swans, pheasants, various small birds,
cake, and ale and Marian stoodbehind Robin and filled his cup and

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that of the guest. After eatingright heartily of the good cheer, the
Knight brightened up greatly and vowed thathe had not enjoyed so good a dinner
for nigh three weeks. He alsosaid that if ever Robin and his fellow
should come to his domains, hewould strive to set them down to as
good a dinner on his own behalf. But this was not exactly the sort
of payment which Robin had expected toreceive. He thanked the Knight therefore,

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and set phrase, but reminded himthat a yeoman like himself might hardly offer
such a dinner to a knight asa gift of charity. I have no
money, master, Robin, answeredthe knight, frankly, I have so
little of the world's goods in sooththat I should be ashamed to offer you
the whole of it. Money.However, little always jingles merrily in our

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pockets, said Robin, smiling.Pray you tell me what you deem a
little sum I have of my own. Ten silver pennies, said the Knight.
Here they are, and I wishthey were ten times as many.
He handed Little John his pouch,and Robin nodded carelessly. What say you
to the total? Little John,he asked, as though in jest,

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tis true enough, as the worthyKnight hath said, responded the big fellow,
gravely, emptying the contents on hiscloak. Robin signed to Marian,
who filled a bumper of wine forhimself and his guest. Pledge me,
Sir Knight, cried the merry outlaw, and pledge me heartily for these sorry
times. I see that your armoris bent, and that your clothes are

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torn. Yet methinks I saw youat court once upon a day, and
in more prosperous guise. Tell menow, were you a yeoman and made
a knight by force? Or haveyou been a bad steward to yourself and
wasted your property in lawsuits and thelike. Be not bashful with us,
We shall not betray your secrets.I am a Saxon knight in my own

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right, and I have always liveda sober and quiet life. The sorrowful
guest replied, tis true, youhave seen me at court, mayhap,
for I was an excited witness ofyour shooting before King Harry, God rest
his bones. My name is SirRichard of the Lea, and I dwell
in a castle not a league fromone of the gates of Nottingham, which

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has belonged to my father and hisfather, and his father's father before him.
Within two or three years ago,my neighbors might have told you that
a matter of four hundred pounds oneway or the other was as naught to
me. But now I have onlythese tenpennies of silver, and my wife
and son. In what manner haveyou lost your riches? Asked Robin.

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Through folly and kindness, said theknight, sighing, I went with King
Richard upon a crusade from which Iam, but lately returned in time to
find my son, a goodly youthgrown up. He was but twenty.
Yet he had achieved a squire's training, and could play prettily in jousts and
tournaments and other knightly games. Butabout this time he had the ill luck

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to push his sport too far anddid accidentally kill a knight in the open
lists. To save the boy,I had to sell my lands and mortgage
my ancestral castle, and this notbeing enough in the end, I have
had to borrow money at a ruinousinterest from my Lord of Hereford, a
most worthy bishop, said Robin ironically. What is the sum of your debt?

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Four hundred pounds, said Sir Richard, and the bishop swears he will
foreclose the mortgage if they are notpaid promptly. Have you any friends who
would become surety for you? Notone? If good King Richard were here,
the tale might be otherwise. Fillyour goblet again, Sir Knight,
said Robin, and he turned towhisper a word in Marian's ear. She

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nodded and drew Little John and willScarlet aside, and talked earnestly with them
in a low tone. Here ishealth and prosperity to you, gallant Robin,
said Sir Richard, tilting his goblet. I hope I may pay your
cheer more worthily the next time Iride by. Will Scarlet and Little John
had meanwhile fallen in with Marian's idea, for they consulted the other outlaws,

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who nodded their heads. Thereupon,Little John and will Scarlet went into the
cave near by, and presently returnedbearing a bag of gold. This they
counted out before the astonished Knight,and there were four times one hundred gold
pieces in it. Take this loanfrom us, sir Knight, and pay
your debt to the bishop, thensaid Robin. Nay, no thanks,

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you are but exchanging creditors. Mayhapwe shall not be so hard upon you
as the Christian bishop. Yet againwe may be harder. Who can tell.
There were actual tears in Sir Richard'seyes as he essayed to thank the
foresters. But at this juncture muchthe miller's son came from the cave dragging
a bale of cloth. The Knightshould have a suit worthy of his rank.

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Master, think you not so measurehim? Twenty ells of it?
Ordered Robin give him a good horse, also, whispered Marian,'tis a
gift which will come back fourfold.For this is a worthy man. I
know him well. So the horsewas given also, and Robin bade Arthur
a bland ride with the Knight asfar as his castle as esquire. The

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Knight was sorrowful no longer yet hecould hardly voice his thanks through his broken
utterance. And having spent the nightand rest and listening to Alan Adale singing,
he mounted his new steed the followingmorning, and altogether different man.
God save you, comrades, andkeep you all, said he, with
deep feeling in his tone. AndGod give me a grateful heart. We

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shall wait for you twelve months fromto day here in this place, said
Robin, shaking him by the hand. And then you will repay us the
loan. If you have been prospered, I shall return it to you within
the year upon my honor as sirRichard of the Les And for all time
pray count on me as a steadfastfriend. So saying the Knight in his
esquire rode down the forest glade tillthey were lost to view. So ends

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Chapter sixteen.