Mistress Fitzooth never saw Gamewell or her brother again. Her disorder
took a sudden and fatal turn; and within a week Robin found himself
doubly an orphan--without home, money, or hope. Only two good friends
had he--little Stuteley and staunch Warrenton.
The Squire had refused to see the latter and had sent him the reply to
Robin's note by one of the servants. Montfichet was angered with
Warrenton because he had been deceived by him.
Robin laid his mother to rest beside his father. That was as long as he
might dare stay in Locksley. Every day he feared to be seized by Master
Monceux's myrmidons. Stuteley kept watch on the road through Sherwood by
day and Warrenton by night.
The morning of the interment brought news of danger. One of the few
faithful foresters of Locksley was at his post--the rest, having no
master, had disported themselves upon their own various errands--and he
heard from a shepherd that a body of soldiers were journeying to
Locksley. Full two score and ten of them there were; one, the leader,
carrying a warrant for Robin's arrest. The forester hastened to save his
young master.
The time was short. Robin had scarcely pause to perform the last sad
offices above his mother's grave ere he must be flying for his life.
His only chance was to take to the woods and hide in them.
Warrenton urged him to seek shelter in the thicker forest about
Barnesdale, at the north-western end of Sherwood. Whispers gave a story
that the higher parts were honeycombed with strange caves; and all the
countryside knew that away in Barnesdale were the headquarters and camps
of Will o' th' Green. It was the place of all others for shelter; and
Stuteley became joyful in the thought of the adventures that must chance
to them therein.
Warrenton was sober, however, over it. He had a presentiment that the
days would be hard and the food scanty and plain. Still 'twas a man's
life, after all.
They nearly plunged themselves into the hands of the enemy by mistaking
their road.
So it chanced that Robin spied his old enemy Simeon Carfax and narrowly
missed being seen also by him. The three fugitives hid themselves high
up in the branches of a tree; and watched with beating hearts their
enemies hurrying onward to Locksley. With the band of soldiers, pikemen,
and foresters were two whom Robin observed narrowly. Sounds of their
talk reached his ears; and, since these two fellows rode somewhat apart
from the rest, Robin was able to distinguish their chattering.
He had unfailing ear for a voice. These were those traitors in Will's
band, the two outlaws whom he had encountered on the day of the
joustings at Nottingham Fair. "Roger and Micah," murmured Robin to
himself, after listening a while. "Yes, those were the names they used
_then_. So, friends, I am forearmed against you, for I will step with
heavy foot in your concerns by-and-by--when I do find Master Will o' th'
Green! Roger--and Micah--I'll not forget."
Soon as they had passed, the three slid quietly to the ground and
thereafter betook themselves very cautiously through the wood. Robin
determined to find Will soon as he might and lay his case before him.
The outlaw would give him refuge, no doubt.
The noise of the soldiers passed away in a murmuring discordance, and
the three fugitives walked now more boldly towards Barnesdale. Ere
sundown they were very heartily tired. They lay themselves down in the
long grasses and while two slumbered the third watched.
Such foods as dry bread and berries were all that they could command;
but there was water in plenty. The evening came, and after it night--and
so to break of the next day.
Robin would have recommenced the flight soon as they had bathed
themselves in a little shallow stream. Ere an hour of daylight was
theirs, sounds of hurried approach warned them to be alert. Someone was
crashing recklessly through the wood, following their trail clearly.
Robin bade Warrenton and little Stuteley hide on either hand whilst he
put himself directly in the path of this pursuer.
It proved to be none other than that one faithful forester of Locksley
who had warned him of the soldiery. Robin welcomed him all the more
gladly when he heard that this good fellow meant to throw in his own
fortunes with those of his unjustly treated young master.
He had news for them, too. It transpired that Master Carfax had several
duties in hand--as was his wont. First, he had to seize Robin and bring
him, alive or dead, to the Sheriff. Next he was to declare all the
Fitzooth property to be confiscated; and, having put seal upon any of it
that might be left from the fire, he had to instal as temporary Ranger
one of the Sherwood men whom he might think fit and trustworthy. Then a
messenger was to be despatched with another parchment to the Abbot of
York: writ this time in true Norman tongue.
After these things were executed Master Simeon was to turn his men
about, and march them determinedly upon the outlaws' stronghold, which
was now known to be at Barnesdale, and exterminate the band.
A task none so easy, after all!
For the satisfactory doing of these small commissions Carfax was to
receive one hundred and fifty pieces of gold; and also would be accepted
by the Sheriff as a fitting husband for the pale, hard-eyed demoiselle,
Marie of Monceux. 'Twas this reward that made Master Simeon desperate
and dangerous.
The forester, John Berry by name, told Robin further that Carfax had
clothed his body in chain-mail, and was carrying a dreadful axe in his
belt--with which to avenge the insult put upon him in the matter of the
stag's horns.
"Let us seek Barnesdale forthwith," said Robin. "I am all agog to warn
Will o' th' Green--for he has been a stout friend to me."
"Hurry then, master," cried Berry, the forester. "You are not far from
the Barnesdale road. In sooth, as I followed your tracks, I wondered
how you had come so far within a very short space. You are now within
touch of Gamewell."
It was true. In the mazy forest they had nearly described a circle, and
were now perilously nigh to Gamewell and the squire.
An idea came to Robin. He turned to Warrenton.
"Could we but find that underground path whereby cousin Geoffrey came
and went from the pleasance, old friend," said he, "why--we might play
the Yellow Lady to purpose!"
"Excellence," replied Warrenton, "I will undertake to bring you to the
forest entrance of Master Will's castle within a score of minutes."
"Lead us, Warrenton--and I prithee be better guide than you have been so
far in this adventure."
After taking many by-paths, and through a big tunnel-shaped cave, the
path became dry again, and lighter: and soon they saw that the end was
near. They emerged presently, tired and dirtied; and found themselves
under the bank of a little jumping woodland river--far down in a gorge
of rock and brake, studded and overhung with thick trees.
It was a wild spot: and only the notes of the birds and the rush of the
falling water disturbed it. But ere they had proceeded a quarter of a
mile up the bank of the stream a sudden bend in it brought them the
harsh noise of desperate and near fighting.
Loud shouts and battle-cries sounded on their left; and, running
speedily in this direction, our four adventurers chanced upon a strange
sight.
It was strange by the manner of their view of it; for, having clambered
up the bank to the top of the gorge, they saw themselves on the highest
edge of a spur of ground--with the low down rocky valley of the river
behind, and before them a little narrow plain--as equally below them as
was the water they had left. On this plain were a number of men engaged
in deadly battle. Round and about were the thick dark woods of
Barnesdale.
A moment's glance showed Robin that they had arrived too late to help
Will o' th' Green by way of warning. The outlaw's foes were upon him,
and seemingly had the robber and his band at a disadvantage.
The ground descended below the four onlookers so abruptly as to cut them
off from the plain. They were near to the battle; and yet altogether
remote from it.
"Our arrows must do duty for us, then," muttered Robin, grimly, soon as
he understood this. "Fit shafts across your bows, friends, and aim with
all your hearts in it. Let not those of either side see us. 'Tis thus
that our services shall be of most value to Master Will."
They dropped to their knees and aimed their arrows carefully. They had
full quivers with them, and Warrenton and Robin felt themselves in a
manner to be pitted one against the other. The battle raged so furiously
below, however, that for a minute these allies were compelled to remain
idle--not daring to loose their shafts for fear of slaying friends as
well as foes.
Sounds of a horn, shrill and impatient, suddenly called the soldiers
back to their ranks beside Master Carfax. Robin spied this worthy now;
and saw that he bestrode a black horse clumsily--as if armored indeed.
Simeon evidently had withdrawn his men from a mêlée for fear that in it
he might not be properly protected. He was seen to be issuing orders
very peremptorily to the men.
Meanwhile the outlaws rallied themselves to their leader's side. They,
were sadly decreased in numbers; and, whilst the living thus formed
about in battle array, there were many poor fellows of both sides left
upon the field who stirred not even to the imperative commands of their
commanders.
Now was Robin's chance.
"Choose your man, each one of you," said he, in a suppressed eagerness;
"and soon as the soldiers issue at the charge shoot down upon your
mark."
Carfax gave an order almost as he spoke. Instantly Robin loosed his bow,
and singing death flew from it. He overturned the soldier nearest to
Master Simeon, even as Warrenton's shaft struck another dead at once.
The forester Berry and little Stuteley added to the confusion--both
wounding the same soldier simultaneously. Then Carfax, believing that
these arrows came from Will's band, sounded a charge and spurred his
horse forward amongst his pikemen.
They rushed forward with swinging axe and clanking sword upon the
outlaws, who now delivered a sudden stream of shafts. These Robin's band
supplemented by shrewder arrows. Seven of the soldiers rolled over as
they ran, killed forthwith; and Robin, having pricked Simeon's horse,
shot him again in the ear whilst meaning to find his master.
The beast plunged wildly into the soldiers, trampling and scattering
them. But many managed yet to meet the robbers, and the desperate
hand-to-hand fighting was recommenced.
Robin bade the others cease. The four of them peered from out of their
cover over the crest, and watched breathlessly. Carfax had fallen from
his horse and lay floundering on the close grass. Stuteley sped a
gooseshaft into his forearm ere Robin could check him.
Warrenton drew his master's attention and anger away from his esquire by
a quick whisper.
"See, lording--quick! Look how some of the enemy do creep about Master
Will; they will strike him and his fellows from the rear!"
"The two who lead them are not uniformed--like as not they are those
treacherous ones whom I have such cause to remember."
So muttered Robin, with parted lips, and gasping his words disjointedly.
"Smite them, Warrenton," cried he, suddenly and excitedly. "Speedily,
instantly--or they will end this fight against us. _Now!_"
Their arrows flew together, marvellous shots, each finding its prey. The
two wretches threw up their arms as they ran; and, uttering dismal
cries, fell upon the earth, and in their death-struggles tore up vain
handfuls of the soil.
"Follow, follow," called Robin, to his three faithful ones. "Locksley! A
Locksley! To the rescue!"
[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD AND HIS COMPANIONS LEND AID TO WILL O' TH'
GREEN FROM AMBUSH
_Their arrows flew together, marvellous shots, each finding its prey._]
They tumbled headlong down the slope, shouting vociferously as they
came. The soldiers, alarmed and already disheartened, imagined that
these eager enemies were but forerunners of a large reinforcement.
Hastily they disengaged themselves from the outlaws, and, gathering up
Master Carfax, rushed pell-mell with him backward to the woods on the
right.
Will o' th' Green's few men hurried them with their arrows; and soon as
Robin had come down to level ground he fell to streaming his shafts into
the rout. He was bruised, begrimed, and cut about his face by the thorns
and rocks; yet was so furious against Master Simeon and his myrmidons
that these things were not even felt by him. Shouting "Locksley!
Locksley!" more and more triumphantly, he ran alone in fierce pursuit.
The soldiers disappeared under the trees, and ran even then. Warrenton
and the outlaws came on in support of young Robin; and the defeat of
Carfax and his men was completed. They were chased through the woods of
Barnesdale, which these wild outlaws knew so well. Some were shot with
arrows mercifully; others fell under the cruel blows of the outlaws'
short axes. A few escaped with Master Carfax back to the Sheriff of
Nottingham--not one-third of those who had set out at his command. It
was the most desperate of affairs yet betwixt the greenwood men and
those representing law and order as conceived by the Sheriff. On either
side many were killed--the outlaw band was reduced in numbers, and its
leader, Will o' th' Green, was amongst those who were to plot and fight
no more in Sherwood.
When Robin and the rest of them returned from their long chase, tired
with an immense fatigue, they found sad work still before them. Robin
tended Will himself, and bound up his many wounds: and sought to
beguile him to live--if but to spite Monceux and his wretches. But Will
o' th' Green had been pierced too dreadfully by his enemies' darts: he
had only strength to drink a little water and say his last words to his
men.
In the dusk of this day he lay in Robin's arms, wizard no more; and
asked that someone should give the call he knew so well--the strange,
short signal upon the horn which ever had rallied these men. Then as
they, with dejected faces, drew nigh to him, he spoke to them
all--bidding them hate the laws and defy them so long as they were
unjust and harsh. He counselled them to choose amongst themselves a new
leader--one who would be impartial and honest; and the one who could
bend the best bow.
"Be not robbers to any who are poor and who are good fellows--having
only their poverty against them. Be kind to those who help you, but
exact toll as heretofore of all who come through the greenwood. The rich
to pay in money, and blood--if it be necessary."
He added these words with an effort; and his mind wandered in the
shadowy fields of death. Robin saw how his fingers twitched, as if they
plucked still the cord of his good yew bow. He smoothed back Will's dark
hair from off his brow, and put water to the outlaw's lips. Will o' th'
Green glanced up at him, and something of his old expression--half-grim,
half-smiling--showed that he struggled still to hold hands with life.
"For you, Locksley," he muttered, puckering his brows, "there are two
roads open. One, to yield thyself to Monceux and the rack--for not even
your uncle at Gamewell should save you, even did he so wish; the
other--to join with these honest fellows and live a free life. What else
is left to you? If you would be as dutiful to the laws as the earth to
summer sun, it should not avail you. Your lord the Sheriff is in the
hands of his girl--and she listens with willing ear to Master Carfax.
Ask not how I know these things. Your cousin is outlawed----"
"I shall live in the greenwood, Will," answered Robin, quietly, "with
your brave men and you--if so be I may. Have I won now the freedom of
the forest?" He showed him the broken peacocked arrow which the Clerk of
Copmanhurst had given him.
The outlaw held up his right hand and laid it on Robin's bowed head:
"Upon you, Robin of Locksley, do I bestow, with this my last breath,
full freedom of the forests of England," he said, very loudly. Then he
relaxed from his frown to a rare smile. "Learn this sign----" he said,
and showed Robin, with feeble fingers, how the greenwood men knew each
other in any disguise. It was a simple signal, very easy to know, yet
very sure. No one might suppose it given by accident--yet of design it
appeared quite innocent. The smile was fading from Will's face as Robin
repeated it carefully after him; and even as he spoke again he died.
"Farewell--friends all--take this brother into your good company, and
make him and those with him right welcome. I pray you to remember and
abide by those kindly rules which have always--always----"
His speech fell away into meaningless words, and the light left his
face. He moved in Robin's arms and sighed. Then, as his body rolled
slowly over, and he lay with his back turned to them, they saw that his
worst wound was in it--a dastard's blow. So ended the life of Will o'
th' Green--or Will of Cloudesley: he of whom many stories have been told
in other books.
They took him up reverently and buried him in a secret place--so that
none to this day can say where he lies. And the outlaws swore an oath of
vengeance against him who had so foully slain their chief.
Robin guessed wisely that the mortal blow had been given by one of those
two traitors in Will's own camp. Had they not been riding with Carfax in
the early morn--not as prisoners-of-war--but as informers and spies?
* * * * *
The next day was passed in burying the dead of both sides. The outlaws
accepted Robin without question as one full welcome amongst them; and
Warrenton, Stuteley, and John Berry were also given the freedom of the
woods and taught the signs and freemasonry of them.
The bodies of the soldiers and mercenaries were stripped and heaped
together into a pit, and roughly covered with earth and leaves. Then the
outlaws betook themselves to their caves to settle who should be chief
of the band in Will's place.
Whilst they were employed in this difficult business, the Sheriff sent
out another and larger body of armed men--obeying the insolent command
of his Prince. Fear sat upon the soul of Monceux then: for he did not
doubt that another such disaster as that which had chanced to his other
men would mean disgrace and the end of his lord-shrievalty.
This second company who were captained by Hubert the Archer, with
bandaged Carfax second in command, had an easy conquest, however, of
Sherwood and Barnesdale--for none challenged them, nor questioned their
proceedings in any respect. Nor was there sign left in the woods of
Robin or the outlaws--they were vanished so utterly that Carfax
conceived them all to have either died of their wounds or fled
disconsolate from the neighborhood.
In either event this was most excellent news; and, having patrolled the
forest and searched it indifferently well, the men-at-arms of Nottingham
agreed that peace-loving folk had no more to fear from the wild spirits
of Sherwood. They were gone, banished--and the King's forest was now
safe of passage to all.
Carfax, poking here and there, found the fresh grave of his own fellows,
and disturbed it mightily. He bade Hubert disinter them all; and
pretended to recognize each one. Here was the arch-rebel Will of
Cloudesley--this one was the second man of his band. Here was young
Robin Fitzooth, as dead as mutton--and here was his fellow Stuteley. So
Master Simeon went on, to his own satisfaction and to Hubert's, who
foresaw large rewards to be paid for these poor dishonored bodies.
They brought three of them back, with every circumstance of importance.
They were shown to the Prince as being the last remains of Will
Cloudesley, Robin Fitzooth, and Hall the Outlaw--a well-known marauder
in Will's company.
Prince John forthwith praised the pikemen and archers, and bade Monceux
give them great rewards--a thing which vexed the mean Sheriff much. Then
they all rode about and through the forest in a great hunt of the Royal
deer, graciously attended by the Prince himself.
Monceux was forgiven; and Simeon, having quite recovered all his old
self-esteem, was duly betrothed to the demoiselle Marie. A new Ranger
was appointed at Locksley; and another house was found for him. No one
said him nay.
A proclamation against all outlaws and freebooters having been issued
and signed with many flourishes by John, he betook his Royal person to
York, carrying lean-faced, smiling Carfax with him. Mistress Monceux hid
her sorrow and devoted her energies forthwith towards the undoing of the
maid Fitzwalter, against whom she yet nursed much spite.
The Prince stayed at Gamewell on his way, and patronized indulgently old
George Montfichet, although the latter's dislike of his Royal guest was
only too thinly veiled. Then John took farewell of Nottingham and
Sherwood, making an easy business of it. Monceux had ridden out on this
morning to make dutiful obeisance and escort the Prince through Locksley
to the borders.
Outside the gates of Gamewell John delivered himself to the men-at-arms,
retainers, burgesses, and citizens of Nottingham, who had inquisitively
followed the Sheriff.
"We will not forget your hospitality, friends all," said he, in his
slightly swaggering and yet withal effeminate way; "and see, in some
measure of return for it, we leave you our Sherwood free from pestilent
robbers and evil defiers of the law. When we came to Nottingham there
were these and others; but now they are all driven out of our Royal
forest--many slain with the arrows of my Hubert, or beaten with the
staves of your own fellows. This surely is some sort of gift--see to it
that you keep well that which we have secured for you."
Then he rode forth amid the cheerings of the crowd, Hubert and his
followers scattering largesses as they rode.