The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

re gathered home, the young birds were full fledged, the hops were plucked, and apples were ripe. But though time had so smoothed things over that men no longer

land, but this year the Sheriff hesitated a long time before he issued proclamation of the Fair, fearing lest Robin Hood and his band might come to it. At first he had a great part of a mind not to proclaim the Fair, but second thought told him that men would laugh at him and say among themselves that he was afraid o

er such a prize that none but shepherd hinds will care to shoot for it! I would have loved nothing better than to h

Boar, and there we heard all the news of this merry Fair, and also that the Sheriff hath offered this prize, that we of Sherwood might not care to come to

g that good Stutely hath, and I would not have harm befall thee for all Nottinghamshire. Nev

it of scarlet instead of this of Lincoln green. I will draw the cowl of my jacket about my

wish it, get thee gone, but bear thyself seemingly, Little John, for thou

l in scarlet and started off t

he countryside, both gentle and common. In some booths there was dancing to merry music, in others flowed ale and beer, and in others yet again sweet cakes and barley sugar were sold; and sport was going outside the booths also, where some minst

slung a stout bow of yew, and across his back hung a quiver of good round arrows. Many turned to look after such a stout, tall fellow, for his shoulders were broader by a pal

t lads!" cried he "who will drink ale with a stout yeoman? Come, all! Come, all! Let us be merry, for the day is sweet and the ale is tingling. Come hither, good

called Little John a brave fellow, each swearing that he loved him as his own brother; f

ed a bout at quarterstaff as he loved meat and drink; and here befell an ad

fighting, but only bold Eric walking up and down the platform, swinging his staff and shouting lustily, "Now, who will come and strike a stroke for the lass he loves the best, with a good Lincolnshire yeoman? How now, lads? Step up! Step

saying, "Go thou, Ned!" or "Go thou, Thomas!" but

ellow in scarlet! Broad are thy shoulders and thick thy head; is not thy lass fair enough for thee to take cudgel in hand for her sake? In truth, I believ

saucy braggart! I wot it would be well for thee an thy cock's comb were cut!" Thus he spoke, slowly at first, for he was s

airly, man to man," said he. "Saucy art thou thine own self, and if thou puttes

aves, and he took the stoutest and heaviest of them all. Then, looking up and down the cudgel, he said, "Now, I have in my hand but a splint of wood - a barley straw, as

an easy advantage, so he came forth as if he would say, "Watch, good people, how that I carve you this cockerel right speedily"; but he presently found it to be no such speedy matter. Right deftly he struck, and with great skill of fence, but he had found his match in Little John. Once, twice, thrice, he struck, and three times Little John turned

his man was of right good mettle, and also he had no sweet memory of the blow that he had got; so this bout neither Little Jo

ey rattled like hail on penthouse roof; but, in spite of all, he did not reach within Little John's guard. Then at last Little John saw his chance and seized it right cleverly. Once more, with a quick blow, he rapped Eric b

while Little John leaped down from the stand and gave the staff back to him that had lent it

ces, the herald came forward and proclaimed the rules of the game, and how each should shoot three shots, and to him that should shoot the best the prize of two fat steers was to belong. A score of brave shots were gathered there, and among them some of the keenest hands at the longbow in Lincoln and Nottingh

s he struck the clout, and once only the length of a barleycorn from the center. "Hey for the tall archer!" shouted the crowd

d their caps that saw him coming. He looked keenly at Little John but did not know him, though he said,

en Your Worship." And, as he spoke, he looked steadily into th

hear that thou hast well upheld the skill of Nottinghamshire aga

; and the old ballad that tells of this, adds, "So, in truth, was

bin Hood, from whose wiles Heaven forfend me! Wilt thou join my service, good fellow? Thou shalt be paid right well, for three suits of clothes

r thy household," said Little John, for he thought he might

I will add a butt of good March beer, for joy of having gotten such a

l give fat steers and brown ale to all these good folk, to make them merry withal.

hey could, and when the day faded and the great moon arose, all red and round, over the spires and towers of Nottingham Town, they joined hands and danced around the fires, to