“The excitement caused by the death of the sheriff of Nottingham was
not easily appeased. Intelligence of the outrage was carried to King
Richard, who summoned a council to devise the best means of putting down
the fearless rebels. They declared the knight of Wierysdale an outlaw;
and his lands, which were forfeited to the crown, were offered as a
reward to whomsoever should take the traitor, Robin Hood, dead or alive.
Fifty knights volunteered their services, and Sherwood forest became
too hot for the brave outlaws, who retired by stealth to Plompton park,
in Cumberland, where they concealed themselves for many weeks. At last,
receiving intelligence that the search was abandoned, they ventured to
return to Sherwood; but, to their great surprise, they were one morning
interrupted by the approach of six priests, who advanced towards them,
riding upon steeds richly caparisoned. The foremost was a man of most
commanding presence. He was of noble countenance, tall stature, well
proportioned, and apparently of Herculean strength; and, as he sat
upright upon his saddle and glanced around him, his stately mien but ill
accorded with the peaceful character of the white robe that covered him.
“Robin Hood knew him not, and wondered what bold bishop it could be, who
had ventured to enter upon the proscribed domains.
“‘By thy leave, holy father,’ he cried, as he stepped from a thicket, and
laid his hand upon the horse’s bridle, ‘thou must abide awhile. If thou
hast gold in thy purse, by the laws of Sherwood forest it is forfeited.’
“‘Good sir,’ replied the bishop, ‘I have but forty pounds. King Richard
has been at Nottingham, and the gay follies of the court have swallowed
up the rest;’ and drawing a purse from his girdle, he gave it to the
outlaw, who counted out the bright gold pieces into his hand. ‘Thou wilt
need these, perchance,’ he said, as he gave back half the money. ‘We may
meet again and thou canst then repay me.’
“‘Gramercy, but thou art a gentle thief,’ exclaimed the bishop. ‘If, as
I strongly suspect, thou art bold Robin Hood, Richard, king of England,
sends thee his seal by me, and bids thee attend him in the good town of
Nottingham.’
“The outlaw bent his knee as he beheld the royal signet. ‘I will obey,’
he cried, ‘I can trust to the honour of King Richard, and for love of
him, sir bishop, thou shalt dine with me under our trysting tree.’ He
winded his bugle-horn merrily, and seven-score men obeyed the summons.
“A cloth was spread upon the grass, and plentifully supplied with
venison, fowls, and fish; cans of fine brown ale, and bowls of ruby wine.
The bishop and his companions seated themselves, and a jovial feast
ensued. ‘Let us drink to the health of King Richard,’ cried the outlaw,
filling his goblet to the brim. ‘He who fails me in this pledge is no
friend of Robin Hood’s.’ Loud cries of ‘Long live the King,’ rose from
all sides; and in imitation of their host, each man emptied his cup, and
reversed it upon the cloth before him.
“‘Bend your bows, my gallant followers,’ said the outlaw, ‘and show our
guests the archery of Sherwood.’ A willow wand was fixed in the earth,
at a long distance off, and a garland of wild roses was suspended upon
its top. The laws of the game were, that whoever missed the garland
should lose his bow and arrows, and receive a buffet upon his bare head.
One by one the foresters advanced, and all shot true, until Little John
carelessly missed the wand by three good inches. Robin Hood gave him a
blow upon his ear that made it ring for many an after hour, and then took
his own turn. To his great dismay his shaft flew on the outer side of the
garland.
“His men shouted with laughter. ‘Thou hast lost thy bow, good master!’
they cried in the greatest glee. ‘The bishop shall give thee thy pay.’
The priest laughed too, and turning up the sleeves of his gown stepped
toward the outlaw.
“Robin Hood stood firm, and folded his arms upon his breast, but the
stalwart bishop bestowed such a buffet upon his head that he rolled over
and over upon the grass.
“‘By my troth,’ cried he, when he had recovered his feet, there is pith
in that arm of thine. I’ll warrant me thou canst shoot a bow as well
as us.’ The bishop laughed again, and taking up Robin Hood’s forfeited
weapon, let fly at the garland. The arrow, too strongly shot, flew above
the wand, and struck into a tree on the further side of the lawn.
“‘Now thou must take _thy_ pay,’ exclaimed the outlaw; and striding
towards him, he gave him a vigorous blow, but the priest did not waver
an inch. At that instant a horseman galloped swiftly across the plain,
and leaping from his steed, ran to them: it was the knight of Wierysdale.
‘Away, my brave men,—away,’ he shouted; ‘King Richard is seeking for ye.
The forest is beset with men, and ye will——’ He suddenly paused; his
eye had caught the keen glance with which the bishop was regarding him.
He threw himself at his feet:—‘Pardon, gracious sire,’ he exclaimed,
‘one who has served thee long and faithfully.’ Robin Hood was struck
dumb—the truth flashed across his mind:—it was King Richard whom he had
so unceremoniously buffeted. He fell upon his knees by the knight’s side,
and sued for mercy.
[Illustration: THE OUTLAW’S ALLEGIANCE.