“Many a ballad was then trolled forth by the foresters, and in the
excitement of the scene even the bishop ventured upon a stave; but, at
the moment he had concluded the first verse, his eye caught sight of one
of his mules, from whose back an outlaw was busily removing the trunk
that contained his treasure.
“‘Bring me the reckoning, good host,’ said he meekly, stopping short in
his song; ‘I would fain discharge it, and proceed upon my journey.’
“‘Lend me thy purse, good bishop,’ cried Little John, ‘and I will save
thee the trouble.’
“‘Take it,’ replied the prelate, throwing a very light bag of money to
the forester, ‘and give the surplus to the poor.’
“Little John opened the mouth of the purse, and emptied out ten golden
nobles upon the grass. ‘And dost thou think,’ he exclaimed, laughing
heartily at the owner’s rueful countenance,—‘dost thou think that a
bishop pays no more toll than this? Verily, reverend father, the meanest
farmer in Nottinghamshire readily grants us so poor a trifle. Ho there!’
he cried to the man who was disburthening the mules, ‘bring hither yonder
trunk.’ It was quickly brought, and with the help of a broadsword soon
opened. Little John first pulled out a handsome cloak, which he spread
upon the grass; a gown of the purest white lawn, an ermined robe, and a
golden mitre, were each brought forth in succession, and greatly admired
by the delighted foresters; but presently a clink of metal was heard,
and the bold robber drew forth a beautiful ivory casket. The point of a
dagger was in a moment applied to the fastening, and treasures invaluable
were revealed. The bishop, who had sat shivering with anxiety during the
search, now suddenly sprang to his feet with wonderful alacrity, and
would have seized his precious wealth, had not Robin Hood caught him by
the arm.
“‘Calm thyself, good father,’ said the outlaw; ‘do but fancy that
thou art distributing this gold in alms to the poor, and thou wilt
ne’er repent thee of thy charity.’ The bishop did not reply, but gazed
steadfastly on the glittering coin, the sparkling jewels, and the holy
beads, that Little John was exhibiting to his companions.
“‘Rouse ye, my merry men,’ cried the chief; ‘see ye not how sad ye have
made our reverend guest!’ A young man quickly brought a rude harp, upon
which he struck a lively air, and the gallant outlaw taking the bishop by
the hand, led him forth, followed by the foresters in pairs. The dance
commenced, and the poor prelate, unwilling to provoke his tormentors to
extremities, joined in the nimble step, which was prolonged till his
weary feet could no longer sustain their burden. The reverend father fell
fairly to the earth from sheer exhaustion.
“At Robin Hood’s bidding, the two young men again took the bishop upon
their shoulders, and bore him to the spot where his steed and those of
his retinue were fastened. They placed him upon his saddle, with his
face to the animal’s tail, and giving it him instead of the bridle, they
pricked the creature with their daggers, and started it off at full
gallop, the terrified rider clinging both with hands and knees to its
back. The dean, the armed horsemen, and the servants were allowed to
follow their superior in peace; but the sumpter mules and their burdens
were detained as payment for the feast that had been given to their
owners.”