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Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden, CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW

CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW

List and hearken, gentlemen,

That be of free-born blood,

I shall you tell of a good yeoman,

His name was Robin Hood.

Robin was a proud outlaw,

While as he walked on the ground.

So courteous an outlaw as he was one

Was never none else found.

In the days of good King Harry the Second of England—he of the warring sons—there were certain forests in the north country set aside for the King's hunting, and no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death.

These forests were guarded by the King's Foresters, the chief of whom, in each wood, was no mean man but equal in authority to the Sheriff in his walled town, or even to my lord Bishop in his abbey. One of the greatest of royal preserves was Sherwood and Barnesdale forests near the two towns of Nottingham and Barnesdale.

Here for some years dwelt one Hugh Fitzooth as Head Forester, with his good wife and son Robert. The boy had been born in Lockesley town—in the year 1160, stern records say—and was often called Lockesley, or Rob of Lockesley. He was a comely, well-knit stripling, and as soon as he was strong enough to walk his chief delight was to go with his father into the forest. As soon as his right arm received thew and sinew he learned to draw the long bow and speed a true arrow. While on winter evenings his greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold Will o' the Green, the outlaw, who for many summers defied the King's Foresters and feasted with his men upon King's deer. And on other stormy days the boy learned to whittle out a straight shaft for the long bow, and tip it with gray goose feathers. The fond mother sighed when she saw the boy's face light up at these woodland tales.

She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son famous at court or abbey. She taught him to read and to write, to doff his cap without awkwardness and to answer directly and truthfully both lord and peasant. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. Two playmates had Rob in these gladsome early days.

One was Will Gamewell, his father's brother's son, who lived at Gamewell Lodge, hard by Nottingham town. The other was Marian Fitzwalter, only child of the Earl of Huntingdon. The castle of Huntingdon could be seen from the top of one of the tall trees in Sherwood; and on more than one bright day Rob's white signal from this tree told Marian that he awaited her there: for you must know that Rob did not visit her at the castle. His father and her father were enemies. Some people whispered that Hugh Fitzooth was the rightful Earl of Huntingdon, but that he had been defrauded out of his lands by Fitzwalter, who had won the King's favor by a crusade to the Holy Land. But little cared Rob or Marian for this enmity, however it had arisen. They knew that the great green—wood was open to them, and that the wide, wide world was full of the scent of flowers and the song of birds. Days of youth speed all too swiftly, and troubled skies come all too soon.

Rob's father had two other enemies besides Fitzwalter, in the persons of the lean Sheriff of Nottingham and the fat Bishop of Hereford. These three enemies one day got possession of the King's ear and whispered therein to such good—or evil—purpose that Hugh Fitzooth was removed from his post of King's Forester. He and his wife and Rob, then a youth of nineteen, were descended upon, during a cold winter's evening, and dispossessed without warning. The Sheriff arrested the Forester for treason—of which, poor man, he was as guiltless as you or I—and carried him to Nottingham jail. Rob and his mother were sheltered over night in the jail, also, but next morning were roughly bade to go about their business. Thereupon they turned for succor to their only kinsman, Squire George of Gamewell, who sheltered them in all kindness. But the shock, and the winter night's journey, proved too much for Dame Fitzooth.

She had not been strong for some time before leaving the forest. In less than two months she was no more. Rob felt as though his heart was broken at this loss. But scarcely had the first spring flowers begun to blossom upon her grave, when he met another crushing blow in the loss of his father. That stern man had died in prison before his accusers could agree upon the charges by which he was to be brought to trial. Two years passed by.

Rob's cousin Will was away at school; and Marian's father, who had learned of her friendship with Rob, had sent his daughter to the court of Queen Eleanor. So these years were lonely ones to the orphaned lad. The bluff old Squire was kind to him, but secretly could make nothing of one who went about brooding and as though seeking for something he had lost. The truth is that Rob missed his old life in the forest no less than his mother's gentleness, and his father's companionship. Every time he twanged the string of the long bow against his shoulder and heard the gray goose shaft sing, it told him of happy days that he could not recall. One morning as Rob came in to breakfast, his uncle greeted him with, "I have news for you, Rob, my lad!

and the hearty old Squire finished his draught of ale and set his pewter tankard down with a crash. "What may that be, Uncle Gamewell?

asked the young man. "Here is a chance to exercise your good long bow and win a pretty prize.

The Fair is on at Nottingham, and the Sheriff proclaims an archer's tournament. The best fellows are to have places with the King's Foresters, and the one who shoots straightest of all will win for prize a golden arrow—a useless bauble enough, but just the thing for your lady love, eh, Rob my boy?" Here the Squire laughed and whacked the table again with his tankard. Rob's eyes sparkled.

"'Twere indeed worth shooting for, uncle mine," he said. "I should dearly love to let arrow fly alongside another man. And a place among the Foresters is what I have long desired. Will you let me try? "To be sure," rejoined his uncle.

"Well I know that your good mother would have had me make a clerk of you; but well I see that the greenwood is where you will pass your days. So, here's luck to you in the bout!" And the huge tankard came a third time into play. The young man thanked his uncle for his good wishes, and set about making preparations for the journey.

He traveled lightly; but his yew bow must needs have a new string, and his cloth-yard arrows must be of the straightest and soundest. One fine morning, a few days after, Rob might have been seen passing by way of Lockesley through Sherwood Forest to Nottingham town.

Briskly walked he and gaily, for his hopes were high and never an enemy had he in the wide world. But 'twas the very last morning in all his life when he was to lack an enemy! For, as he went his way through Sherwood, whistling a blithe tune, he came suddenly upon a group of Foresters, making merry beneath the spreading branches of an oak-tree. They had a huge meat pie before them and were washing down prodigious slices of it with nut brown ale. One glance at the leader and Rob knew at once that he had found an enemy.

'Twas the man who had usurped his father's place as Head Forester, and who had roughly turned his mother out in the snow. But never a word said he for good or bad, and would have passed on his way, had not this man, clearing his throat with a huge gulp, bellowed out: "By my troth, here is a pretty little archer! Where go you, my lad, with that tupenny bow and toy arrows? Belike he would shoot at Nottingham Fair! Ho! Ho! A roar of laughter greeted this sally.

Rob flushed, for he was mightily proud of his shooting. "My bow is as good as yours," he retorted, "and my shafts will carry as straight and as far.

So I'll not take lessons of any of ye. They laughed again loudly at this, and the leader said with frown:

"Show us some of your skill, and if you can hit the mark here's twenty silver pennies for you.

But if you hit it not you are in for a sound drubbing for your pertness. "Pick your own target," quoth Rob in a fine rage.

"I'll lay my head against that purse that I can hit it. "It shall be as you say," retorted the Forester angrily, "your head for your sauciness that you hit not my target.

Now at a little rise in the wood a herd of deer came grazing by, distant full fivescore yards.

They were King's deer, but at that distance seemed safe from any harm. The Head Forester pointed to them. "If your young arm could speed a shaft for half that distance, I'd shoot with you.

"Done!

cried Rob. "My head against twenty pennies I'll cause yon fine fellow in the lead of them to breathe his last. And without more ado he tried the string of his long bow, placed a shaft thereon, and drew it to his ear.

A moment, and the quivering string sang death as the shaft whistled across the glade. Another moment and the leader of the herd leaped high in his tracks and fell prone, dyeing the sward with his heart's blood. A murmur of amazement swept through the Foresters, and then a growl of rage.

He that had wagered was angriest of all. "Know you what you have done, rash youth?

he said.

"You have killed a King's deer, and by the laws of King Harry your head remains forfeit. Talk not to me of pennies but get ye gone straight, and let me not look upon your face again. Rob's blood boiled within him, and he uttered a rash speech.

"I have looked upon your face once too often already, my fine Forester. 'Tis you who wear my father's shoes. And with this he turned upon his heel and strode away.

The Forester heard his parting thrust with an oath.

Red with rage he seized his bow, strung an arrow, and without warning launched it full af' Rob. Well was it for the latter that the Forester's foot turned on a twig at the critical instant, for as it was the arrow whizzed by his ear so close as to take a stray strand of his hair with it. Rob turned upon his assailant, now twoscore yards away. "Ha!

said he. "You shoot not so straight as I, for all your bravado. Take this from the tupenny bow! Straight flew his answering shaft.

The Head Forester gave one cry, then fell face downward and lay still. His life had avenged Rob's father, but the son was outlawed. Forward he ran through the forest, before the band could gather their scattered wits—still forward into the great greenwood. The swaying trees seemed to open their arms to the wanderer, and to welcome him home. Toward the close of the same day, Rob paused hungry and weary at the cottage of a poor widow who dwelt upon the outskirts of the forest.

Now this widow had often greeted him kindly in his boyhood days, giving him to eat and drink. So he boldly entered her door. The old dame was right glad to see him, and baked him cakes in the ashes, and had him rest and tell her his story. Then she shook her head. "'Tis an evil wind that blows through Sherwood," she said.

"The poor are despoiled and the rich ride over their bodies. My three sons have been outlawed for shooting King's deer to keep us from starving, and now hide in the wood. And they tell me that twoscore of as good men as ever drew bow are in hiding with them. "Where are they, good mother?

cried Rob. "By my faith, I will join them. "Nay, nay," replied the old woman at first.

But when she saw that there was no other way, she said: "My sons will visit me to-night. Stay you here and see them if you must. So Rob stayed willingly to see the widow's sons that night, for they were men after his own heart.

And when they found that his mood was with them, they made him swear an oath of fealty, and told him the haunt of the band—a place he knew right well. Finally one of them said: "But the band lacks a leader—one who can use his head as well as his hand.

So we have agreed that he who has skill enough to go to Nottingham, an outlaw, and win the prize at archery, shall be our chief. Rob sprang to his feet.

"Said in good time!" cried he, "for I had started to that self-same Fair, and all the Foresters, and all the Sheriff's men in Christendom shall not stand between me and the center of their target! And though he was but barely grown he stood so straight and his eye flashed with such fire that the three brothers seized his hand and shouted:

"A Lockesley!

a Lockesley! if you win the golden arrow you shall be chief of outlaws in Sherwood Forest! So Rob fell to planning how he could disguise himself to go to Nottingham town; for he knew that the Foresters had even then set a price on his head in the market-place.

It was even as Rob had surmised.

The Sheriff of Nottingham posted a reward of two hundred pounds for the capture, dead or alive, of one Robert Fitzooth, outlaw. And the crowds thronging the streets upon that busy Fair day often paused to read the notice and talk together about the death of the Head Forester. But what with wrestling bouts and bouts with quarter-staves, and wandering minstrels, there came up so many other things to talk about, that the reward was forgotten for the nonce, and only the Foresters and Sheriff's men watched the gates with diligence, the Sheriff indeed spurring them to effort by offers of largess.

His hatred of the father had descended to the son. The great event of the day came in the afternoon.

It was the archer's contest for the golden arrow, and twenty men stepped forth to shoot. Among them was a beggar-man, a sorry looking fellow with leggings of different colors, and brown scratched face and hands. Over a tawny shock of hair he had a hood drawn, much like that of a monk. Slowly he limped to his place in the line, while the mob shouted in derision. But the contest was open to all comers, so no man said him nay. Side by side with Rob—for it was he—stood a muscular fellow of swarthy visage and with one eye hid by a green bandage.

Him also the crowd jeered, but he passed them by with indifference while he tried his bow with practiced hand. A great crowd had assembled in the amphitheater enclosing the lists.

All the gentry and populace of the surrounding country were gathered there in eager expectancy. The central box contained the lean but pompous Sheriff, his bejeweled wife, and their daughter, a supercilious young woman enough, who, it was openly hinted, was hoping to receive the golden arrow from the victor and thus be crowned queen of the day. Next to the Sheriff's box was one occupied by the fat Bishop of Hereford; while in the other side was a box wherein sat a girl whose dark hair, dark eyes, and fair features caused Rob's heart to leap.

'Twas Maid Marian! She had come up for a visit from the Queen's court at London town, and now sat demurely by her father the Earl of Huntingdon. If Rob had been grimly resolved to win the arrow before, the sight of her sweet face multiplied his determination an hundredfold. He felt his muscles tightening into bands of steel, tense and true. Yet withal his heart would throb, making him quake in a most unaccountable way. Then the trumpet sounded, and the crowd became silent while the herald announced the terms of the contest.

The lists were open to all comers. The first target was to be placed at thirty ells distance, and all those who hit its center were allowed to shoot at the second target, placed ten ells farther off. The third target was to be removed yet farther, until the winner was proved. The winner was to receive the golden arrow, and a place with the King's Foresters. He it was also who crowned the queen of the day. The trumpet sounded again, and the archers prepared to shoot.

Rob looked to his string, while the crowd smiled and whispered at the odd figure he cut, with his vari-colored legs and little cape. But as the first man shot, they grew silent. The target was not so far but that twelve out of the twenty contestants reached its inner circle.

Rob shot sixth in the line and landed fairly, being rewarded by an approving grunt from the man with the green blinder, who shot seventh, and with apparent carelessness, yet true to the bull's-eye. The mob cheered and yelled themselves hoarse at this even marksmanship.

The trumpet sounded again, and a new target was set up at forty ells. The first three archers again struck true, amid the loud applause of the onlookers; for they were general favorites and expected to win.

Indeed 'twas whispered that each was backed by one of the three dignitaries of the day. The fourth and fifth archers barely grazed the center. Rob fitted his arrow quietly and with some confidence sped it unerringly toward the shining circle. "The beggar!

the beggar!" yelled the crowd; "another bull for the beggar!" In truth his shaft was nearer the center than any of the others. But it was not so near that "Blinder," as the mob had promptly christened his neighbor, did not place his shaft just within the mark. Again the crowd cheered wildly. Such shooting as this was not seen every day in Nottingham town. The other archers in this round were disconcerted by the preceding shots, or unable to keep the pace.

They missed one after another and dropped moodily back, while the trumpet sounded for the third round, and the target was set up fifty ells distant. "By my halidom you draw a good bow, young master," said Rob's queer comrade to him in the interval allowed for rest.

"Do you wish me to shoot first on this trial? "Nay," said Rob, "but you are a good fellow by this token, and if I win not, I hope you may keep the prize from yon strutters.

And he nodded scornfully to the three other archers who were surrounded by their admirers, and were being made much of by retainers of the Sheriff, the Bishop, and the Earl. From them his eye wandered toward Maid Marian's booth. She had been watching him, it seemed, for their eyes met; then hers were hastily averted. "Blinder's" quick eye followed those of Rob.

"A fair maid, that," he said smilingly, "and one more worthy the golden arrow than the Sheriff's haughty miss. Rob looked at him swiftly, and saw naught but kindliness in his glance.

"You are a shrewd fellow and I like you well," was his only comment.

Now the archers prepared to shoot again, each with some little care.

The target seemed hardly larger than the inner ring had looked, at the first trial. The first three sped their shafts, and while they were fair shots they did not more than graze the inner circle. Rob took his stand with some misgiving.

Some flecking clouds overhead made the light uncertain, and a handful of wind frolicked across the range in a way quite disturbing to a bowman's nerves. His eyes wandered for a brief moment to the box wherein sat the dark-eyed girl. His heart leaped! she met his glance and smiled at him reassuringly. And in that moment he felt that she knew him despite his disguise and looked to him to keep the honor of old Sherwood. He drew his bow firmly and, taking advantage of a momentary lull in the breeze, launched the arrow straight and true-singing across the range to the center of the target. "The beggar!

the beggar! a bull! a bull!" yelled the fickle mob, who from jeering him were now his warm friends. "Can you beat that, Blinder? The last archer smiled scornfully and made ready.

He drew his bow with ease and grace and, without seeming to study the course, released the winged arrow. Forward it leaped toward the target, and all eyes followed its flight. A loud uproar broke forth when it alighted, just without the center and grazing the shaft sent by Rob. The stranger made a gesture of surprise when his own eyes announced the result to him, but saw his error. He had not allowed for the fickle gust of wind which seized the arrow and carried it to one side. But for all that he was the first to congratulate the victor. "I hope we may shoot again," quoth he.

"In truth I care not for the golden bauble and wished to win it in despite of the Sheriff for whom I have no love. Now crown the lady of your choice." And turning suddenly he was lost in the crowd, before Rob could utter what it was upon his lips to say, that he would shoot again with him. And now the herald summoned Rob to the Sheriff's box to receive the prize.

"You are a curious fellow enough," said the Sheriff, biting his lip coldly; "yet you shoot well.

What name go you by? Marian sat near and was listening intently.

"I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff," said the archer.

Marian leaned back and smiled.

"Well, Rob the Stroller, with a little attention to your skin and clothes you would not be so bad a man," said the Sheriff.

"How like you the idea of entering my service. "Rob the Stroller has ever been a free man, my Lord, and desires no service.

The Sheriff's brow darkened, yet for the sake of his daughter and the golden arrow, he dissembled.

"Rob the Stroller," said he, "here is the golden arrow which has been offered to the best of archers this day.

You are awarded the prize. See that you bestow it worthily. At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward the Sheriff's daughter, who sat with a thin smile upon her lips.

But Rob heeded him not. He took the arrow and strode to the next box where sat Maid Marian. "Lady," he said, "pray accept this little pledge from a poor stroller who would devote the best shafts in his quiver to serve you.

"My thanks to you, Rob in the Hood," replied she with a roguish twinkle in her eye; and she placed the gleaming arrow in her hair, while the people shouted, "The Queen!

the Queen! The Sheriff glowered furiously upon this ragged archer who had refused his service, taken his prize without a word of thanks, and snubbed his daughter.

He would have spoken, but his proud daughter restrained him. He called to his guard and bade them watch the beggar. But Rob had already turned swiftly, lost himself in the throng, and headed straight for the town gate. That same evening within a forest glade a group of men—some twoscore clad in Lincoln green—sat round a fire roasting venison and making merry.

Suddenly a twig crackled and they sprang to their feet and seized their weapons. "I look for the widow's sons," a clear voice said, "and I come alone.

Instantly the three men stepped forward.

"Tis Rob!

they cried; "welcome to Sherwood Forest, Rob!" And all the men came and greeted him; for they had heard his story. Then one of the widow's sons, Stout Will, stepped forth and said:

"Comrades all, ye know that our band has sadly lacked a leader—one of birth, breeding, and skill.

Belike we have found that leader in this young man. And I and my brothers have told him that the band would choose that one who should bring the Sheriff to shame this day and capture his golden arrow. Is it not so? The band gave assent.

Will turned to Rob.

"What news bring you from Nottingham town?" asked he. Rob laughed.

"In truth I brought the Sheriff to shame for mine own pleasure, and won his golden arrow to boot. But as to the prize ye must e'en take my word, for I bestowed it upon a maid. And seeing the men stood in doubt at this, he continued: "But I'll gladly join your band, and you take me, as a common archer.

For there are others older and mayhap more skilled than I. Then stepped one forward from the rest, a tall swarthy man.

And Rob recognized him as the man with the green blinder; only this was now removed, and his freed eye gleamed as stoutly as the other one. "Rob in the Hood—for such the lady called you," said he, "I can vouch for your tale.

You shamed the Sheriff e'en as I had hoped to do; and we can forego the golden arrow since it is in such fair hands. As to your shooting and mine, we must let future days decide. But here I, Will Stutely, declare that I will serve none other chief save only you. Then good Will Stutely told the outlaws of Rob's deeds, and gave him his hand of fealty.

And the widow's sons did likewise, and the other members every one, right gladly; because Will Stutely had heretofore been the truest bow in all the company. And they toasted him in nut brown ale, and hailed him as their leader, by the name of Robin Hood. And he accepted that name because Maid Marian had said it. By the light of the camp-fire the band exchanged signs and passwords.

They gave Robin Hood a horn upon which he was to blow to summon them. They swore, also, that while they might take money and goods from the unjust rich, they would aid and befriend the poor and the helpless; and that they would harm no woman, be she maid, wife, or widow. They swore all this with solemn oaths, while they feasted about the ruddy blaze, under the greenwood tree. And that is how Robin Hood became an outlaw.


CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW KAPITEL I. WIE ROBIN HOOD EIN GESETZLOSER WURDE CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW CAPÍTULO I. CÓMO ROBIN HOOD SE CONVIRTIÓ EN UN FORAJIDO CAPÍTULO I. COMO ROBIN HOOD SE TORNOU UM FORA-DA-LEI ГЛАВА I. КАК РОБИН ГУД СТАЛ ПРЕСТУПНИКОМ BÖLÜM I. ROBIN HOOD NASIL KANUN KAÇAĞI OLDU РОЗДІЛ І. ЯК РОБІН ГУД СТАВ ЗЛОЧИНЦЕМ

List and hearken, gentlemen, Liste e ouça, senhores, Dinleyin ve kulak verin, beyler, Слухайте і запам'ятайте, панове,

That be of free-born blood, Qui sont de sang libre, Que seja de sangue nascido livre, Özgür doğmuş kandan olan, Це має бути вільнонароджена кров,

I shall you tell of a good yeoman, Je vous parlerai d'un bon yeoman, Я розповім тобі про хорошого старшину,

His name was Robin Hood.

Robin was a proud outlaw, Робин был гордым преступником, Robin gururlu bir kanun kaçağıydı,

While as he walked on the ground. Пока он ходил по земле. Yerde yürürken.

So courteous an outlaw as he was one Такой вежливый преступник, каким он был

Was never none else found. Так и не был найден.

In the days of good King Harry the Second of England—he of the warring sons—there were certain forests in the north country set aside for the King’s hunting, and no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death. À l'époque du bon roi Harry II d'Angleterre - celui des fils ennemis -, certaines forêts du nord du pays étaient réservées à la chasse du roi, et nul ne pouvait y abattre un cerf sous peine de mort. Во времена доброго короля Англии Гарри Второго, одного из воинствующих сыновей, на севере страны были определенные леса, отведенные для охоты короля, и ни один человек не мог стрелять в них на оленей под страхом смерти. Savaşan oğullardan İngiltere Kralı İkinci Harry'nin zamanında, kuzey ülkesinde Kral'ın avlanması için ayrılmış bazı ormanlar vardı ve hiç kimse ölüm cezası altında orada geyik vuramazdı. За часів доброго короля Англії Гаррі Другого - одного з ворогуючих синів - на півночі країни були ліси, відведені для королівського полювання, і ніхто не міг стріляти в них оленів під страхом смертної кари.

These forests were guarded by the King’s Foresters, the chief of whom, in each wood, was no mean man but equal in authority to the Sheriff in his walled town, or even to my lord Bishop in his abbey. Эти леса охранялись королевскими лесниками, начальником которых в каждом лесу был человек не заурядный, а равный по власти шерифу в его обнесенном стеной городе или даже милорду епископу в его аббатстве. Ці ліси охоронялися королівськими лісниками, начальник яких у кожному лісі був неабиякою людиною, а за владою дорівнював шерифу у своєму обнесеному мурами місті або навіть мілорду єпископу у своєму абатстві. One of the greatest of royal preserves was Sherwood and Barnesdale forests near the two towns of Nottingham and Barnesdale. Одним из величайших королевских заповедников были леса Шервуд и Барнсдейл возле двух городов Ноттингем и Барнсдейл. Одним з найбільших королівських заповідників були ліси Шервуд і Барнсдейл поблизу двох міст Ноттінгем і Барнсдейл.

Here for some years dwelt one Hugh Fitzooth as Head Forester, with his good wife and son Robert. Тут кілька років мешкав головний лісничий Г'ю Фітцут з дружиною і сином Робертом. The boy had been born in Lockesley town—in the year 1160, stern records say—and was often called Lockesley, or Rob of Lockesley. Хлопчик народився в містечку Локслі в 1160 році, як свідчать суворі записи, і його часто називали Локслі, або Роб із Локслі. He was a comely, well-knit stripling, and as soon as he was strong enough to walk his chief delight was to go with his father into the forest. Güzel, iyi örülmüş bir çocuktu ve yürüyecek kadar güçlenir güçlenmez en büyük zevki babasıyla birlikte ormana gitmekti. Він був милим, добре згуртованим хлопчиськом, і як тільки він зміцнів і почав ходити, його найбільшою радістю було йти з батьком до лісу. As soon as his right arm received thew and sinew he learned to draw the long bow and speed a true arrow. Як тільки його права рука прийняла сухожилля, він навчився натягувати довгий лук і пускати справжнісінькі стріли. While on winter evenings his greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold Will o' the Green, the outlaw, who for many summers defied the King’s Foresters and feasted with his men upon King’s deer. А зимовими вечорами найбільшою радістю для нього було слухати розповіді батька про сміливого Вілла Зеленого, розбійника, який багато років поспіль кидав виклик королівським лісівникам і разом зі своїми людьми бенкетував на королівських оленях. And on other stormy days the boy learned to whittle out a straight shaft for the long bow, and tip it with gray goose feathers. А в інші буремні дні хлопчик вчився вистругувати прямий держак для довгого лука і набивати його сірим гусячим пір'ям. The fond mother sighed when she saw the boy’s face light up at these woodland tales. Любляча мати зітхнула, побачивши, як засвітилося обличчя хлопчика від цих лісових казок.

She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son famous at court or abbey. Вона мала лагідне походження і сподівалася побачити свого сина відомим при дворі або в абатстві. She taught him to read and to write, to doff his cap without awkwardness and to answer directly and truthfully both lord and peasant. Вона навчила його читати і писати, знімати шапку без ніяковості і відповідати прямо і правдиво як пану, так і селянину. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. Але хлопчик, хоч і ставився до цих уроків виховання з розумінням, все ж таки був найщасливішим, коли тримав у руках свій улюблений лук і прогулювався за власним бажанням, прислухаючись до шуму дерев. Two playmates had Rob in these gladsome early days. Двоє товаришів по іграх супроводжували Роба в ці радісні ранні дні.

One was Will Gamewell, his father’s brother’s son, who lived at Gamewell Lodge, hard by Nottingham town. Одним з них був Вілл Геймвелл, син брата свого батька, який жив у Геймвелл Лодж, неподалік від міста Ноттінгем. The other was Marian Fitzwalter, only child of the Earl of Huntingdon. Іншою була Маріан Фіцуолтер, єдина дитина графа Гантінгдона. The castle of Huntingdon could be seen from the top of one of the tall trees in Sherwood; and on more than one bright day Rob’s white signal from this tree told Marian that he awaited her there: for you must know that Rob did not visit her at the castle. З верхівки одного з високих дерев у Шервуді було видно замок Гантінгдон; і не одного ясного дня білий сигнал Роба з цього дерева сповіщав Меріен, що він чекає на неї там: адже ви маєте знати, що Роб не відвідував її в замку. His father and her father were enemies. Some people whispered that Hugh Fitzooth was the rightful Earl of Huntingdon, but that he had been defrauded out of his lands by Fitzwalter, who had won the King’s favor by a crusade to the Holy Land. But little cared Rob or Marian for this enmity, however it had arisen. Але Роба і Маріан мало хвилювала ця ворожнеча, як би вона не виникла. They knew that the great green—wood was open to them, and that the wide, wide world was full of the scent of flowers and the song of birds. Days of youth speed all too swiftly, and troubled skies come all too soon. Дні молодості минають надто швидко, а неспокійне небо настає надто рано.

Rob’s father had two other enemies besides Fitzwalter, in the persons of the lean Sheriff of Nottingham and the fat Bishop of Hereford. These three enemies one day got possession of the King’s ear and whispered therein to such good—or evil—purpose that Hugh Fitzooth was removed from his post of King’s Forester. He and his wife and Rob, then a youth of nineteen, were descended upon, during a cold winter’s evening, and dispossessed without warning. Lui, sa femme et Rob, alors âgé de dix-neuf ans, ont été attaqués par une froide soirée d'hiver et dépossédés sans avertissement. На нього, його дружину і Роба, тоді дев'ятнадцятирічного юнака, напали холодного зимового вечора і без попередження забрали майно. The Sheriff arrested the Forester for treason—of which, poor man, he was as guiltless as you or I—and carried him to Nottingham jail. Rob and his mother were sheltered over night in the jail, also, but next morning were roughly bade to go about their business. Thereupon they turned for succor to their only kinsman, Squire George of Gamewell, who sheltered them in all kindness. Ils se tournèrent alors vers leur seul parent, Squire George of Gamewell, qui les hébergea avec beaucoup de gentillesse. But the shock, and the winter night’s journey, proved too much for Dame Fitzooth.

She had not been strong for some time before leaving the forest. In less than two months she was no more. Менш ніж за два місяці її не стало. Rob felt as though his heart was broken at this loss. But scarcely had the first spring flowers begun to blossom upon her grave, when he met another crushing blow in the loss of his father. Але тільки-но на її могилі почали розпускатися перші весняні квіти, як його спіткав ще один нищівний удар - втрата батька. That stern man had died in prison before his accusers could agree upon the charges by which he was to be brought to trial. Цей суворий чоловік помер у в'язниці ще до того, як його обвинувачі змогли узгодити звинувачення, за якими його мали судити. Two years passed by.

Rob’s cousin Will was away at school; and Marian’s father, who had learned of her friendship with Rob, had sent his daughter to the court of Queen Eleanor. Кузен Роба, Вілл, був у школі, а батько Маріан, дізнавшись про її дружбу з Робом, відправив доньку до двору королеви Елеонори. So these years were lonely ones to the orphaned lad. The bluff old Squire was kind to him, but secretly could make nothing of one who went about brooding and as though seeking for something he had lost. The truth is that Rob missed his old life in the forest no less than his mother’s gentleness, and his father’s companionship. Every time he twanged the string of the long bow against his shoulder and heard the gray goose shaft sing, it told him of happy days that he could not recall. One morning as Rob came in to breakfast, his uncle greeted him with, "I have news for you, Rob, my lad!

and the hearty old Squire finished his draught of ale and set his pewter tankard down with a crash. Le vieil écuyer termina son verre d'ale et posa sa chope d'étain avec fracas. і старий добродушний сквайр допив свій ель і з гуркотом поставив олов'яний барильце на землю. "What may that be, Uncle Gamewell?

asked the young man. "Here is a chance to exercise your good long bow and win a pretty prize. "У вас є шанс потренувати свій гарний довгий лук і виграти гарний приз.

The Fair is on at Nottingham, and the Sheriff proclaims an archer’s tournament. У Ноттінгемі триває ярмарок, і шериф оголошує турнір лучників. The best fellows are to have places with the King’s Foresters, and the one who shoots straightest of all will win for prize a golden arrow—a useless bauble enough, but just the thing for your lady love, eh, Rob my boy?" Найкращі хлопці отримають місця серед королівських лісничих, а той, хто влучно стрілятиме, отримає в нагороду золоту стрілу - марну дрібничку, але саме те, що треба для твоєї коханої, так, Робе, мій хлопчику?" Here the Squire laughed and whacked the table again with his tankard. Тут зброєносець засміявся і знову вдарив барилом по столу. Rob’s eyes sparkled.

"'Twere indeed worth shooting for, uncle mine," he said. "За них справді варто було стріляти, дядьку мій", - сказав він. "I should dearly love to let arrow fly alongside another man. "Я б дуже хотів, щоб стріла летіла пліч-о-пліч з іншою людиною. And a place among the Foresters is what I have long desired. А місце серед Лісовиків - це те, чого я давно хотів. Will you let me try? "To be sure," rejoined his uncle.

"Well I know that your good mother would have had me make a clerk of you; but well I see that the greenwood is where you will pass your days. "Я знаю, що твоя добра мати хотіла б, щоб я зробив з тебе писаря, але я бачу, що ти проведеш свої дні в зеленому лісі. So, here’s luck to you in the bout!" Тож, удачі вам у поєдинку!" And the huge tankard came a third time into play. І величезна цистерна з'явилася в грі втретє. The young man thanked his uncle for his good wishes, and set about making preparations for the journey. Le jeune homme remercie son oncle pour ses bons vœux et se met à préparer le voyage.

He traveled lightly; but his yew bow must needs have a new string, and his cloth-yard arrows must be of the straightest and soundest. Він подорожував легко, але його тисовий лук потребував нової тятиви, а стріли з полотняного сагайдака мали бути найпрямішими та найміцнішими. One fine morning, a few days after, Rob might have been seen passing by way of Lockesley through Sherwood Forest to Nottingham town. Одного чудового ранку, через кілька днів після цього, Роба могли побачити, як він проїжджав через Локслі через Шервудський ліс до міста Ноттінгем.

Briskly walked he and gaily, for his hopes were high and never an enemy had he in the wide world. Він ішов бадьоро і весело, бо надії його були великі, і ніколи не було в нього ворогів у широкому світі. But 'twas the very last morning in all his life when he was to lack an enemy! Але це був останній ранок у його житті, коли йому не вистачало ворога! For, as he went his way through Sherwood, whistling a blithe tune, he came suddenly upon a group of Foresters, making merry beneath the spreading branches of an oak-tree. Бо, йдучи через Шервуд, насвистуючи веселу мелодію, він раптом натрапив на групу лісовиків, що веселилися під розлогим гіллям дуба. They had a huge meat pie before them and were washing down prodigious slices of it with nut brown ale. Перед ними стояв величезний м'ясний пиріг, і вони запивали величезні шматки горіховим коричневим елем. One glance at the leader and Rob knew at once that he had found an enemy. Один погляд на лідера - і Роб одразу зрозумів, що знайшов ворога.

'Twas the man who had usurped his father’s place as Head Forester, and who had roughly turned his mother out in the snow. But never a word said he for good or bad, and would have passed on his way, had not this man, clearing his throat with a huge gulp, bellowed out: "By my troth, here is a pretty little archer! Mais il ne dit pas un mot, ni en bien ni en mal, et il aurait continué son chemin si cet homme, se raclant la gorge d'un grand coup, ne s'était mis à hurler : "Par ma foi, voilà un joli petit archer ! Але він не промовив жодного слова, ні доброго, ні лихого, і пройшов би собі далі, якби цей чоловік, прочистивши горло величезним ковтком, не вигукнув: "Клянуся, я бачу маленького лучника: "Присягаюся, це гарненька маленька лучниця! Where go you, my lad, with that tupenny bow and toy arrows? Belike he would shoot at Nottingham Fair! Ho! Ho! A roar of laughter greeted this sally. Ревіння реготу зустріло цю салі.

Rob flushed, for he was mightily proud of his shooting. "My bow is as good as yours," he retorted, "and my shafts will carry as straight and as far.

So I’ll not take lessons of any of ye. They laughed again loudly at this, and the leader said with frown:

"Show us some of your skill, and if you can hit the mark here’s twenty silver pennies for you.

But if you hit it not you are in for a sound drubbing for your pertness. Mais si vous ne le touchez pas, vous risquez d'être bien malmené pour votre maladresse. Але якщо ви не влучите, то отримаєте звуковий удар за свою сміливість. "Pick your own target," quoth Rob in a fine rage. "Вибирай собі мішень", - вигукнув Роб у прекрасній люті.

"I’ll lay my head against that purse that I can hit it. "Ich lege meinen Kopf gegen den Geldbeutel, damit ich ihn treffen kann. "It shall be as you say," retorted the Forester angrily, "your head for your sauciness that you hit not my target. "Es soll sein, wie du sagst", erwiderte der Förster wütend, "dein Kopf für deine Frechheit, dass du mein Ziel nicht triffst. "Буде так, як ти скажеш, - сердито відповів Лісовик, - твоя голова за те, що ти влучив не в мою ціль.

Now at a little rise in the wood a herd of deer came grazing by, distant full fivescore yards. Тепер на невеликому підвищенні в лісі паслося стадо оленів, за п'ятсот ярдів звідси.

They were King’s deer, but at that distance seemed safe from any harm. The Head Forester pointed to them. "If your young arm could speed a shaft for half that distance, I’d shoot with you. "Якби твоя молода рука могла прискорити вал на половину цієї відстані, я б стріляв разом з тобою.

"Done!

cried Rob. "My head against twenty pennies I’ll cause yon fine fellow in the lead of them to breathe his last. "Моя голова проти двадцяти копійок, і я змушу цього чудового хлопця, що стоїть попереду, дихати востаннє. And without more ado he tried the string of his long bow, placed a shaft thereon, and drew it to his ear. І без зайвих слів натягнув тятиву свого довгого лука, поклав на неї держак і приклав до вуха.

A moment, and the quivering string sang death as the shaft whistled across the glade. Мить - і тремтяча струна заспівала смерть, а вал зі свистом пронісся по галявині. Another moment and the leader of the herd leaped high in his tracks and fell prone, dyeing the sward with his heart’s blood. Ще мить - і ватажок стада підстрибнув високо на своїх слідах і впав навзнак, заливаючи кров'ю своє серце. A murmur of amazement swept through the Foresters, and then a growl of rage. Серед лісовиків прокотився гомін здивування, а потім - гарчання люті.

He that had wagered was angriest of all. "Know you what you have done, rash youth?

he said.

"You have killed a King’s deer, and by the laws of King Harry your head remains forfeit. "Ти вбив королівського оленя, і за законами короля Гаррі твоя голова підлягає конфіскації. Talk not to me of pennies but get ye gone straight, and let me not look upon your face again. Не говори мені про копійки, а йди прямо, і нехай я більше не бачу твого обличчя. Rob’s blood boiled within him, and he uttered a rash speech. Кров Роба закипіла в ньому, і він виголосив необдуману промову.

"I have looked upon your face once too often already, my fine Forester. "Я вже занадто часто дивився на твоє обличчя, мій прекрасний Лісничий. 'Tis you who wear my father’s shoes. Це ти носиш черевики мого батька. And with this he turned upon his heel and strode away. І з цими словами він повернувся на п'яту і пішов геть.

The Forester heard his parting thrust with an oath. Лісник почув його прощальний поштовх з клятвою.

Red with rage he seized his bow, strung an arrow, and without warning launched it full af' Rob. Червоний від люті, він схопив лук, натягнув стрілу і без попередження випустив її в Роба. Well was it for the latter that the Forester’s foot turned on a twig at the critical instant, for as it was the arrow whizzed by his ear so close as to take a stray strand of his hair with it. Добре, що в критичну мить нога лісівника зачепилася за гілку, бо стріла просвистіла біля його вуха так близько, що забрала з собою пасмо його волосся. Rob turned upon his assailant, now twoscore yards away. "Ha!

said he. "You shoot not so straight as I, for all your bravado. Take this from the tupenny bow! Візьміть це з копійчаного бантика! Straight flew his answering shaft. Прямо полетів його вал-відповідь.

The Head Forester gave one cry, then fell face downward and lay still. Головний лісничий вигукнув один раз, потім впав обличчям вниз і лежав нерухомо. His life had avenged Rob’s father, but the son was outlawed. Його життя помстилося за батька Роба, але син опинився поза законом. Forward he ran through the forest, before the band could gather their scattered wits—still forward into the great greenwood. Він побіг уперед через ліс, перш ніж група встигла зібратись з думками - все одно вперед, у велику зелену гущавину. The swaying trees seemed to open their arms to the wanderer, and to welcome him home. Здавалося, дерева, що колихалися, розкривали свої обійми перед мандрівником і вітали його вдома. Toward the close of the same day, Rob paused hungry and weary at the cottage of a poor widow who dwelt upon the outskirts of the forest. Наприкінці того ж дня Роб, голодний і втомлений, зупинився біля хатини бідної вдови, що мешкала на околиці лісу.

Now this widow had often greeted him kindly in his boyhood days, giving him to eat and drink. Ця вдова часто вітала його в дитячі роки, давала йому їсти і пити. So he boldly entered her door. Тож він сміливо увійшов у її двері. The old dame was right glad to see him, and baked him cakes in the ashes, and had him rest and tell her his story. Стара жінка дуже зраділа, коли побачила його, спекла йому пиріжки на попелищі, дала йому відпочити і розповіла свою історію. Then she shook her head. "'Tis an evil wind that blows through Sherwood," she said. "Це злий вітер, який дме через Шервуд", - сказала вона.

"The poor are despoiled and the rich ride over their bodies. "Бідних грабують, а багаті їздять по їхніх тілах. My three sons have been outlawed for shooting King’s deer to keep us from starving, and now hide in the wood. And they tell me that twoscore of as good men as ever drew bow are in hiding with them. Et ils me disent que vingt hommes aussi bons que ceux qui ont jamais tiré à l'arc se cachent avec eux. І мені сказали, що з ними переховуються два десятки найкращих людей, які коли-небудь стріляли з лука. "Where are they, good mother?

cried Rob. "By my faith, I will join them. "Вірою своєю я приєднаюся до них. "Nay, nay," replied the old woman at first. "Ні, ні", - спочатку відповіла старенька.

But when she saw that there was no other way, she said: "My sons will visit me to-night. Stay you here and see them if you must. Залишайся тут і побачишся з ними, якщо потрібно. So Rob stayed willingly to see the widow’s sons that night, for they were men after his own heart.

And when they found that his mood was with them, they made him swear an oath of fealty, and told him the haunt of the band—a place he knew right well. І коли вони побачили, що він налаштований з ними, вони змусили його скласти присягу на вірність і розповіли йому про місце перебування банди - місце, яке він добре знав. Finally one of them said: "But the band lacks a leader—one who can use his head as well as his hand. "Але групі не вистачає лідера - того, хто вміє користуватися не лише руками, а й головою.

So we have agreed that he who has skill enough to go to Nottingham, an outlaw, and win the prize at archery, shall be our chief. Тож ми домовилися, що той, хто буде достатньо вправним, щоб поїхати в Ноттінгем, розбійником, і виграти приз у стрільбі з лука, стане нашим вождем. Rob sprang to his feet.

"Said in good time!" cried he, "for I had started to that self-same Fair, and all the Foresters, and all the Sheriff’s men in Christendom shall not stand between me and the center of their target! вигукнув він, - бо я вирушив на той самий ярмарок, і всі лісники та всі шерифи в християнському світі не стануть між мною та центром їхньої мішені! And though he was but barely grown he stood so straight and his eye flashed with such fire that the three brothers seized his hand and shouted: І хоча він був ледве підріс, він стояв так прямо, а його очі спалахнули таким вогнем, що троє братів схопили його за руку і закричали:

"A Lockesley! "Локслі!

a Lockesley! if you win the golden arrow you shall be chief of outlaws in Sherwood Forest! So Rob fell to planning how he could disguise himself to go to Nottingham town; for he knew that the Foresters had even then set a price on his head in the market-place. Тож Роб почав планувати, як йому замаскуватися, щоб поїхати до Ноттінгема, адже він знав, що Лісники вже тоді призначили ціну за його голову на базарі.

It was even as Rob had surmised. Tout s'est passé comme Rob l'avait supposé. Все було так, як Роб і припускав.

The Sheriff of Nottingham posted a reward of two hundred pounds for the capture, dead or alive, of one Robert Fitzooth, outlaw. Шериф Ноттінгема оголосив нагороду в двісті фунтів за упіймання, живим чи мертвим, Роберта Фітцута, злочинця. And the crowds thronging the streets upon that busy Fair day often paused to read the notice and talk together about the death of the Head Forester. Натовпи людей, що заповнювали вулиці в той напружений ярмарковий день, часто зупинялися, щоб прочитати оголошення і разом обговорити смерть головного лісничого. But what with wrestling bouts and bouts with quarter-staves, and wandering minstrels, there came up so many other things to talk about, that the reward was forgotten for the nonce, and only the Foresters and Sheriff’s men watched the gates with diligence, the Sheriff indeed spurring them to effort by offers of largess. Mais les combats de lutte, les combats de quart de canne et les ménestrels ambulants suscitèrent tant d'autres sujets de conversation que la récompense fut oubliée pour l'instant et que seuls les forestiers et les hommes du shérif surveillèrent les portes avec diligence, le shérif les incitant même à l'effort en leur offrant des largesses.

His hatred of the father had descended to the son. Його ненависть до батька передалася і синові. The great event of the day came in the afternoon.

It was the archer’s contest for the golden arrow, and twenty men stepped forth to shoot. Це були змагання лучників за золоту стрілу, і двадцять чоловіків вийшли стріляти. Among them was a beggar-man, a sorry looking fellow with leggings of different colors, and brown scratched face and hands. Серед них був чоловік-жебрак, жалюгідний на вигляд, у різнокольорових штанцях, з коричневим подряпаним обличчям і руками. Over a tawny shock of hair he had a hood drawn, much like that of a monk. Slowly he limped to his place in the line, while the mob shouted in derision. But the contest was open to all comers, so no man said him nay. Side by side with Rob—for it was he—stood a muscular fellow of swarthy visage and with one eye hid by a green bandage.

Him also the crowd jeered, but he passed them by with indifference while he tried his bow with practiced hand. A great crowd had assembled in the amphitheater enclosing the lists.

All the gentry and populace of the surrounding country were gathered there in eager expectancy. The central box contained the lean but pompous Sheriff, his bejeweled wife, and their daughter, a supercilious young woman enough, who, it was openly hinted, was hoping to receive the golden arrow from the victor and thus be crowned queen of the day. Next to the Sheriff’s box was one occupied by the fat Bishop of Hereford; while in the other side was a box wherein sat a girl whose dark hair, dark eyes, and fair features caused Rob’s heart to leap.

'Twas Maid Marian! She had come up for a visit from the Queen’s court at London town, and now sat demurely by her father the Earl of Huntingdon. If Rob had been grimly resolved to win the arrow before, the sight of her sweet face multiplied his determination an hundredfold. He felt his muscles tightening into bands of steel, tense and true. Yet withal his heart would throb, making him quake in a most unaccountable way. Then the trumpet sounded, and the crowd became silent while the herald announced the terms of the contest.

The lists were open to all comers. The first target was to be placed at thirty ells distance, and all those who hit its center were allowed to shoot at the second target, placed ten ells farther off. The third target was to be removed yet farther, until the winner was proved. The winner was to receive the golden arrow, and a place with the King’s Foresters. He it was also who crowned the queen of the day. The trumpet sounded again, and the archers prepared to shoot.

Rob looked to his string, while the crowd smiled and whispered at the odd figure he cut, with his vari-colored legs and little cape. But as the first man shot, they grew silent. The target was not so far but that twelve out of the twenty contestants reached its inner circle.

Rob shot sixth in the line and landed fairly, being rewarded by an approving grunt from the man with the green blinder, who shot seventh, and with apparent carelessness, yet true to the bull’s-eye. The mob cheered and yelled themselves hoarse at this even marksmanship.

The trumpet sounded again, and a new target was set up at forty ells. The first three archers again struck true, amid the loud applause of the onlookers; for they were general favorites and expected to win.

Indeed 'twas whispered that each was backed by one of the three dignitaries of the day. The fourth and fifth archers barely grazed the center. Rob fitted his arrow quietly and with some confidence sped it unerringly toward the shining circle. Rob a ajusté sa flèche sans bruit et, avec une certaine confiance, l'a fait filer infailliblement vers le cercle brillant. "The beggar!

the beggar!" yelled the crowd; "another bull for the beggar!" In truth his shaft was nearer the center than any of the others. But it was not so near that "Blinder," as the mob had promptly christened his neighbor, did not place his shaft just within the mark. Again the crowd cheered wildly. Such shooting as this was not seen every day in Nottingham town. The other archers in this round were disconcerted by the preceding shots, or unable to keep the pace.

They missed one after another and dropped moodily back, while the trumpet sounded for the third round, and the target was set up fifty ells distant. "By my halidom you draw a good bow, young master," said Rob’s queer comrade to him in the interval allowed for rest.

"Do you wish me to shoot first on this trial? "Nay," said Rob, "but you are a good fellow by this token, and if I win not, I hope you may keep the prize from yon strutters.

And he nodded scornfully to the three other archers who were surrounded by their admirers, and were being made much of by retainers of the Sheriff, the Bishop, and the Earl. From them his eye wandered toward Maid Marian’s booth. She had been watching him, it seemed, for their eyes met; then hers were hastily averted. "Blinder’s" quick eye followed those of Rob.

"A fair maid, that," he said smilingly, "and one more worthy the golden arrow than the Sheriff’s haughty miss. Rob looked at him swiftly, and saw naught but kindliness in his glance.

"You are a shrewd fellow and I like you well," was his only comment.

Now the archers prepared to shoot again, each with some little care.

The target seemed hardly larger than the inner ring had looked, at the first trial. The first three sped their shafts, and while they were fair shots they did not more than graze the inner circle. Rob took his stand with some misgiving.

Some flecking clouds overhead made the light uncertain, and a handful of wind frolicked across the range in a way quite disturbing to a bowman’s nerves. His eyes wandered for a brief moment to the box wherein sat the dark-eyed girl. His heart leaped! she met his glance and smiled at him reassuringly. And in that moment he felt that she knew him despite his disguise and looked to him to keep the honor of old Sherwood. He drew his bow firmly and, taking advantage of a momentary lull in the breeze, launched the arrow straight and true-singing across the range to the center of the target. "The beggar!

the beggar! a bull! a bull!" yelled the fickle mob, who from jeering him were now his warm friends. "Can you beat that, Blinder? The last archer smiled scornfully and made ready.

He drew his bow with ease and grace and, without seeming to study the course, released the winged arrow. Forward it leaped toward the target, and all eyes followed its flight. A loud uproar broke forth when it alighted, just without the center and grazing the shaft sent by Rob. The stranger made a gesture of surprise when his own eyes announced the result to him, but saw his error. He had not allowed for the fickle gust of wind which seized the arrow and carried it to one side. But for all that he was the first to congratulate the victor. "I hope we may shoot again," quoth he.

"In truth I care not for the golden bauble and wished to win it in despite of the Sheriff for whom I have no love. Now crown the lady of your choice." And turning suddenly he was lost in the crowd, before Rob could utter what it was upon his lips to say, that he would shoot again with him. And now the herald summoned Rob to the Sheriff’s box to receive the prize.

"You are a curious fellow enough," said the Sheriff, biting his lip coldly; "yet you shoot well.

What name go you by? Marian sat near and was listening intently.

"I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff," said the archer.

Marian leaned back and smiled.

"Well, Rob the Stroller, with a little attention to your skin and clothes you would not be so bad a man," said the Sheriff.

"How like you the idea of entering my service. "Rob the Stroller has ever been a free man, my Lord, and desires no service.

The Sheriff’s brow darkened, yet for the sake of his daughter and the golden arrow, he dissembled.

"Rob the Stroller," said he, "here is the golden arrow which has been offered to the best of archers this day.

You are awarded the prize. See that you bestow it worthily. Veillez à l'utiliser à bon escient. At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward the Sheriff’s daughter, who sat with a thin smile upon her lips.

But Rob heeded him not. Але Роб не прислухався до нього. He took the arrow and strode to the next box where sat Maid Marian. "Lady," he said, "pray accept this little pledge from a poor stroller who would devote the best shafts in his quiver to serve you.

"My thanks to you, Rob in the Hood," replied she with a roguish twinkle in her eye; and she placed the gleaming arrow in her hair, while the people shouted, "The Queen!

the Queen! The Sheriff glowered furiously upon this ragged archer who had refused his service, taken his prize without a word of thanks, and snubbed his daughter.

He would have spoken, but his proud daughter restrained him. He called to his guard and bade them watch the beggar. But Rob had already turned swiftly, lost himself in the throng, and headed straight for the town gate. That same evening within a forest glade a group of men—some twoscore clad in Lincoln green—sat round a fire roasting venison and making merry.

Suddenly a twig crackled and they sprang to their feet and seized their weapons. "I look for the widow’s sons," a clear voice said, "and I come alone.

Instantly the three men stepped forward.

"Tis Rob!

they cried; "welcome to Sherwood Forest, Rob!" And all the men came and greeted him; for they had heard his story. Then one of the widow’s sons, Stout Will, stepped forth and said:

"Comrades all, ye know that our band has sadly lacked a leader—one of birth, breeding, and skill.

Belike we have found that leader in this young man. And I and my brothers have told him that the band would choose that one who should bring the Sheriff to shame this day and capture his golden arrow. Is it not so? The band gave assent.

Will turned to Rob.

"What news bring you from Nottingham town?" asked he. Rob laughed.

"In truth I brought the Sheriff to shame for mine own pleasure, and won his golden arrow to boot. But as to the prize ye must e’en take my word, for I bestowed it upon a maid. Mais pour ce qui est du prix, vous devez me croire sur parole, car je l'ai attribué à une jeune fille. And seeing the men stood in doubt at this, he continued: "But I’ll gladly join your band, and you take me, as a common archer.

For there are others older and mayhap more skilled than I. Car il y a d'autres personnes plus âgées et peut-être plus compétentes que moi. Then stepped one forward from the rest, a tall swarthy man.

And Rob recognized him as the man with the green blinder; only this was now removed, and his freed eye gleamed as stoutly as the other one. "Rob in the Hood—for such the lady called you," said he, "I can vouch for your tale.

You shamed the Sheriff e’en as I had hoped to do; and we can forego the golden arrow since it is in such fair hands. As to your shooting and mine, we must let future days decide. But here I, Will Stutely, declare that I will serve none other chief save only you. Then good Will Stutely told the outlaws of Rob’s deeds, and gave him his hand of fealty.

And the widow’s sons did likewise, and the other members every one, right gladly; because Will Stutely had heretofore been the truest bow in all the company. And they toasted him in nut brown ale, and hailed him as their leader, by the name of Robin Hood. And he accepted that name because Maid Marian had said it. By the light of the camp-fire the band exchanged signs and passwords.

They gave Robin Hood a horn upon which he was to blow to summon them. They swore, also, that while they might take money and goods from the unjust rich, they would aid and befriend the poor and the helpless; and that they would harm no woman, be she maid, wife, or widow. Sie schworen auch, dass sie zwar Geld und Güter von den ungerechten Reichen nehmen, aber den Armen und Hilflosen helfen und ihnen beistehen würden, und dass sie keiner Frau, sei sie Magd, Frau oder Witwe, etwas zuleide tun würden. They swore all this with solemn oaths, while they feasted about the ruddy blaze, under the greenwood tree. Ils jurèrent tout cela avec solennité, tandis qu'ils festoyaient autour de la flamme rougeoyante, sous l'arbre de bois vert. And that is how Robin Hood became an outlaw.