_More of Robin Hood, and something of the way in which he chose his
merry men._
Robin Hood lay hidden in Sherwood Forest, and there was a reward
of two hundred pounds for any one who would bring him to justice.
Two hundred good men joined him and chose him to be the leader.
They swore they would rob only those who had oppressed the poor
by unjust taxes, or fines, or heavy rents. To the poor themselves
they gave no harm, nor hurt any woman or child. Their name became a
terror to the oppressor, but to the poor they were often a blessing.
Robin Hood picked his men very carefully. To-day we will learn how
he chose Little John to be one of his company. One bright morning
Robin Hood rose up and said:
“I have had no adventure for two weeks; I go forth to find one
to-day. Follow me at a distance, my merry men.” And so Robin set
out down the path and through the forest, clad in his suit of green
which he and his men always wore.
He came to a stream on the edge of the forest across which was a
bridge made of logs. A man on the other side was about to cross.
Robin quickened his steps. So did the stranger.
“Stand back and let me pass first,” called Robin Hood.
“Nay, stand back yourself and let me over,” said the man. “I am a
better man than thou.” With that he shook a big stick he carried in
his hand and advanced towards the bridge.
“We shall see about that presently,” said Robin Hood sharply, for
he acknowledged no man better than himself. With that he cut a huge
stick from a nearby tree with one stroke of his knife and walked
on to the log. The strange man was already half way over. Then
followed a mighty battle while these two knights belabored each
other with their sticks each trying not to fall off the log. The
stranger was very tall and broad shouldered while Robin Hood was of
average size only. Robin Hood hit the stranger a hard blow on the
shoulder. The stranger returned with a blow on Robin’s head that
tumbled him into the water.
The water was deep and Robin had much trouble in getting to the
bank. Here he sat down and began to laugh.
“Give me thy hand, worthy stranger, for thou hast a mighty arm,”
said he. “This day thou hast worsted Robin Hood in a combat with
staves. What is thy name?”
“My name is John Little,” said the stranger, astonished to hear
that his opponent was Robin Hood.
“Well, I shall call thee Little John in merry jest, tho’ thou art
seven feet tall. Come and be one of my men,” said Robin.
Little John finally agreed to go with Robin Hood, and he became one
of his strongest and trustiest followers.