My legends of Robin Hood were well nigh exhausted: the Midsummer holidays
were drawing near, and we should soon be busily engaged in striving for
the prizes that were awarded to the most proficient scholars.
“This is the last time I shall tell you of bold Robin Hood,” said I, when
my school-fellows had gathered round me; “but if, after the holidays are
passed, we all meet again, I will endeavour to find some other by-gone
stories to relate to you, that I hope will be equally interesting.” They
thanked me warmly, and I thus continued:—
“When the monks of St. Mary’s Abbey had escaped from the hands of the
outlaws, they urged on their steeds to the utmost, nor did they draw rein
until they reached the good town of Nottingham. Without delay, they
sought the sheriff of the county, and made known to him the treatment
they had received in the woods of Barnesdale.
“That worthy functionary listened with great attention to their
complaint, and still burning with revenge for the many insults that he
had received from the outlaws, he promised that he would rest neither
night nor day till Robin Hood and his men were taken. Not knowing exactly
how to accomplish this, to him, desirable object, he determined upon
laying the matter before the king, and mounting his fleetest steed, he
rode with great haste to London, where he demanded an audience of the
valiant monarch, who had just returned from his long captivity in Austria.
“‘What!’ cried Richard, when the sheriff had finished his complaint.
‘Canst thou not take a sorry rebel who owns not a single castle? Get thee
gone for a coward. An thou dost not bring me that outlaw’s head within
half-a-year, thy shrievalty shall be given to a better man.’
“The poor sheriff felt his disgrace, and returned slowly home to
Nottingham, pondering on the king’s words, and devising plans by which
he might retrieve his lost character. He thought of a notable scheme.
He caused it to be proclaimed that an archery meeting would be held at
Nottingham, and that a golden arrow would be given to the victor of the
games. The day arrived, but he in vain looked for the coats of Lincoln
green, that he had hoped would be among the crowd, and he rode about
anxiously endeavouring to discover the outlaws of Sherwood. There were
gallant yeomen in mantles of blue, and buff, and scarlet, and some there
were in green, but they were good bowmen of Nottingham, and the sheriff
was almost in despair. He ordered the sports to commence, and never was
better archery shown before. A tall stranger, with a light blue jacket,
excited the admiration of every one, and the arrow would have been his
prize, but a rival yeoman followed and shot with such dexterity that
he fairly eclipsed all those who had preceded him. He was dressed in a
bright scarlet coat, crossed by a silken belt, from which was suspended a
little bugle-horn of silver and gold; his lower limbs were clothed in the
skin of a deer, bleached as white as snow; and upon his head he wore a
long black hood, which fell gracefully down his back.
“When the sports were concluded, this gay forester was unanimously
declared the winner of the day, and amid the shouts of the spectators,
he was led to the tent, beneath which the sheriff of Nottingham stood
to award the golden arrow. The stranger fell upon one knee, and, with
much praise of his gallant archery, the prize was delivered to him. He
rose, placed the arrow in his belt, and a triumphant smile lighted up
his features as, for one moment, he looked at the donor’s face. It was
enough, the sheriff caught the glance, and it acted like magic upon him.
“‘Ho! guards, seize him!’ he shouted with his utmost strength. ‘’Tis
Robin Hood, the outlawed rebel! Five hundred pounds for his head!’ In a
second, the forester had gained the middle of the field, and had blown
a long shrill blast upon his horn. At the signal, yeomen flew from
every part of the field and ranged themselves around him. The sheriff
was astounded, he cried to his men to follow; and, mounting his horse,
galloped towards the daring rebels. A flight of arrows met him half way,
and his steed fell tumbling to the earth; the rider arose unhurt, but his
men had fled on all sides, and he was obliged to follow them.
[Illustration: THE GOLDEN ARROW.