“Robin Hood was sorely grieved when he learned that his bold follower had
been carried off. Calling his men together, he made them swear that they
would rescue their brave comrade, or die in the attempt. Will Scarlet was
despatched at once to learn to what place he was taken; and hastening
with all speed to Nottingham, he found that the news of the terrible
affray, and the sheriff’s precipitate flight, had already caused a great
sensation among the gossips of the town. From them he easily ascertained
that the captive outlaw was imprisoned in the castle, and that he was to
be hanged on the following morning at sun-rise. Scarlet flew back with
this intelligence to Robin Hood, who communicated it to his men, and all
again swore to bring Will Stutely safely back to Barnesdale, or fearfully
avenge his death.
“Early on the morning after his capture, the unfortunate prisoner,
tightly bound and guarded on every side, was led from his cell towards
the gallows that had been erected on the plain in front of the castle.
He cast his eyes anxiously around, in the hope that succour might be at
hand, but he could perceive no signs of the presence of his comrades.
Turning to the sheriff, who attended in person at the execution of so
notorious an outlaw,
“‘Grant me one boon, I pray thee,’ cried he; ‘never has one of Robin
Hood’s men died like a thief; let me not be the first. Give me my good
sword in my hand, and do ye all set upon me. I shall then die as a brave
man should.’
“‘I’ve sworn to hang thee on the highest gallows in Nottingham,’ replied
the sheriff; ‘and when I catch that still greater villain, Robin Hood, he
shall dance by thy side.’
“‘Thou’rt a dastard coward!’ cried Stutely in a rage, ‘a faint-hearted
peasant slave! By’r lady, if e’er thou meet’st bold Robin Hood, thou’lt
have payment for the deed thou’rt doing. He scorns and despises thee,
and all thy cowardly crew, who will as soon take King Henry prisoner as
brave Robin Hood;’ and the forester laughed loudly in defiance.
“At the sheriff’s command the executioner seized him by the arms, and
hurried him to the fatal tree; he was just about to affix the rope, when
a tall yeoman leaped out of an adjacent bush, and with a stroke of his
sword felled the officer to the earth.
“‘I’m come to take leave of thee, Will, before thou diest,’ cried the
intruder; ‘and, good master sheriff, thou must spare him to me awhile.’”
“‘As I live,’ cried the sheriff, to his attendants, ‘yon varlet’s a rebel
too, and one of Robin Hood’s men,—seize him—five pounds for his head,
dead or alive.’ But, in a moment, Little John, for he it was, cut the
bonds that secured his comrade, and snatching a sword from one of the
soldiers, gave it him, shouting, ‘Fight, Will, defend thyself, man—Help
is near.—To the rescue—To the rescue.’—And turning back to back, the two
outlaws gallantly parried the attacks of their assailants.
“‘To the rescue! To the rescue!’ echoed a host of voices from a
neighbouring wood; and Robin Hood, with seven-score men, bounded across
the green plain. A flight of arrows from their bows rattled upon the
armour of the soldiers, and more than one stuck into the sheriff’s robe.
“‘Away, my men, away!’ cried he, flying to the castle for shelter. ‘’Tis
Robin Hood himself;’ and the knowledge that the outlaw would especially
choose him for a mark added wings to the speed of the valiant sheriff.
His men—nothing loth to follow such an example, vied with each other in
the race, so greatly to the amusement of the merry outlaws that they
could not for laughter discharge an arrow in pursuit of them.
“‘I little thought, good master, to have seen thy face again,’ said Will
Stutely; ‘and to thee, my bold comrade,’ he added, addressing Little
John, ‘to thee I owe my best thanks. ’Twill be a long day ere Will
Stutely forgets thy kindness.’
“‘May we ever thus support each other in danger,’ said Robin Hood, loud
enough for the whole band to hear him. ‘But, my brave yeomen, we must
away, or we shall have the whole nest of hornets about our ears;’ and,
with many a laugh at the sudden flight of the sheriff, and the glorious
rescue of one of their favourite companions, the bold foresters plunged
again into the woods and returned to Barnesdale, where they celebrated
the joyful occasion with feasting and music, till the stars glittering
through the topmost branches of the trees warned them that the hour of
rest was at hand.