Great changes had fallen in this time; for King Henry had died and King Richard had come to the crown that fitted him so well through many hard trials, and through adventures as stirring as any that ever befell Robin Hood2. But though great changes came, they did not reach to Sherwood’s shades, for there Robin Hood and his men dwelled as merrily as they had ever done, with hunting and feasting and singing and blithe3 woodland sports; for it was little the outside striving of the world troubled them.
The dawning of a summer’s day was fresh and bright, and the birds sang sweetly in a great tumult4 of sound. So loud was their singing that it awakened5 Robin Hood where he lay sleeping, so that he stirred, and turned, and arose. Up rose Little John also, and all the merry men; then, after they had broken their fast, they set forth6 hither and thither7 upon the doings of the day.
Robin Hood and Little John walked down a forest path where all around the leaves danced and twinkled as the breeze trembled through them and the sunlight came flickering9 down. Quoth Robin Hood, “I make my vow10, Little John, my blood tickles11 my veins12 as it flows through them this gay morn. What sayst thou to our seeking adventures, each one upon his own account?”
“With all my heart,” said Little John. “We have had more than one pleasant doing in that way, good master. Here are two paths; take thou the one to the right hand, and I will take the one to the left, and then let us each walk straight ahead till he tumble into some merry doing or other.”
“I like thy plan,” quoth Robin, “therefore we will part here. But look thee, Little John, keep thyself out of mischief13, for I would not have ill befall thee for all the world.”
“Marry, come up,” quoth Little John, “how thou talkest! Methinks thou art wont14 to get thyself into tighter coils than I am like to do.”
At this Robin Hood laughed. “Why, in sooth, Little John,” said he, “thou hast a blundering hard-headed way that seemeth to bring thee right side uppermost in all thy troubles; but let us see who cometh out best this day.” So saying, he clapped his palm to Little John’s and each departed upon his way, the trees quickly shutting the one from the other’s sight.
Robin Hood strolled onward15 till he came to where a broad woodland road stretched before him. Overhead the branches of the trees laced together in flickering foliage16, all golden where it grew thin to the sunlight; beneath his feet the ground was soft and moist from the sheltering shade. Here in this pleasant spot the sharpest adventure that ever befell Robin Hood came upon him; for, as he walked down the woodland path thinking of nought17 but the songs of the birds, he came of a sudden to where a man was seated upon the mossy roots beneath the shade of a broad-spreading oak tree. Robin Hood saw that the stranger had not caught sight of him, so he stopped and stood quite still, looking at the other a long time before he came forward. And the stranger, I wot, was well worth looking at, for never had Robin seen a figure like that sitting beneath the tree. From his head to his feet he was clad in a horse’s hide, dressed with the hair upon it. Upon his head was a cowl that hid his face from sight, and which was made of the horse’s skin, the ears whereof stuck up like those of a rabbit. His body was clad in a jacket made of the hide, and his legs were covered with the hairy skin likewise. By his side was a heavy broadsword and a sharp, double-edged dagger18. A quiver of smooth round arrows hung across his shoulders, and his stout19 bow of yew20 leaned against the tree beside him.
“Halloa, friend,” cried Robin, coming forward at last, “who art thou that sittest there? And what is that that thou hast upon thy body? I make my vow I ha’ never seen such a sight in all my life before. Had I done an evil thing, or did my conscience trouble me, I would be afraid of thee, thinking that thou wast someone from down below bringing a message bidding me come straightway to King Nicholas.”
To this speech the other answered not a word, but he pushed the cowl back from his head and showed a knit brow, a hooked nose, and a pair of fierce, restless black eyes, which altogether made Robin think of a hawk21 as he looked on his face. But beside this there was something about the lines on the stranger’s face, and his thin cruel mouth, and the hard glare of his eyes, that made one’s flesh creep to look upon.
“Who art thou, rascal23?” said he at last, in a loud, harsh voice.
“Tut, tut,” quoth merry Robin, “speak not so sourly, brother. Hast thou fed upon vinegar and nettles24 this morning that thy speech is so stinging?”
“An thou likest not my words,” said the other fiercely, “thou hadst best be jogging, for I tell thee plainly, my deeds match them.”
“Nay, but I do like thy words, thou sweet, pretty thing,” quoth Robin, squatting25 down upon the grass in front of the other. “Moreover, I tell thee thy speech is witty26 and gamesome as any I ever heard in all my life.”
The other said not a word, but he glared upon Robin with a wicked and baleful look, such as a fierce dog bestows27 upon a man ere it springs at his throat. Robin returned the gaze with one of wide-eyed innocence28, not a shadow of a smile twinkling in his eyes or twitching29 at the corners of his mouth. So they sat staring at one another for a long time, until the stranger broke the silence suddenly. “What is thy name, fellow?” said he.
“Now,” quoth Robin, “I am right glad to hear thee speak, for I began to fear the sight of me had stricken thee dumb. As for my name, it may be this or it may be that; but methinks it is more meet for thee to tell me thine, seeing that thou art the greater stranger in these parts. Prythee, tell me, sweet chuck, why wearest thou that dainty garb30 upon thy pretty body?” At these words the other broke into a short, harsh roar of laughter. “By the bones of the Daemon Odin,” said he, “thou art the boldest-spoken man that ever I have seen in all my life. I know not why I do not smite32 thee down where thou sittest, for only two days ago I skewered33 a man over back of Nottingham Town for saying not half so much to me as thou hast done. I wear this garb, thou fool, to keep my body warm; likewise it is near as good as a coat of steel against a common sword-thrust. As for my name, I care not who knoweth it. It is Guy of Gisbourne, and thou mayst have heard it before. I come from the woodlands over in Herefordshire, upon the lands of the Bishop34 of that ilk. I am an outlaw35, and get my living by hook and by crook36 in a manner it boots not now to tell of. Not long since the Bishop sent for me, and said that if I would do a certain thing that the Sheriff of Nottingham would ask of me, he would get me a free pardon, and give me tenscore pounds to boot. So straightway I came to Nottingham Town and found my sweet Sheriff; and what thinkest thou he wanted of me? Why, forsooth, to come here to Sherwood to hunt up one Robin Hood, also an outlaw, and to take him alive or dead. It seemeth that they have no one here to face that bold fellow, and so sent all the way to Herefordshire, and to me, for thou knowest the old saying, ‘Set a thief to catch a thief.’ As for the slaying37 of this fellow, it galleth me not a whit39, for I would shed the blood of my own brother for the half of two hundred pounds.”
To all this Robin listened, and as he listened his gorge40 rose. Well he knew of this Guy of Gisbourne, and of all the bloody41 and murderous deeds that he had done in Herefordshire, for his doings were famous throughout all the land. Yet, although he loathed42 the very presence of the man, he held his peace, for he had an end to serve. “Truly,” quoth he, “I have heard of thy gentle doings. Methinks there is no one in all the world that Robin Hood would rather meet than thee.”
At this Guy of Gisbourne gave another harsh laugh. “Why,” quoth he, “it is a merry thing to think of one stout outlaw like Robin Hood meeting another stout outlaw like Guy of Gisbourne. Only in this case it will be an ill happening for Robin Hood, for the day he meets Guy of Gisbourne he shall die.”
“But thou gentle, merry spirit,” quoth Robin, “dost thou not think that mayhap this same Robin Hood may be the better man of the two? I know him right well, and many think that he is one of the stoutest43 men hereabouts.”
“He may be the stoutest of men hereabouts,” quoth Guy of Gisbourne, “yet, I tell thee, fellow, this sty of yours is not the wide world. I lay my life upon it I am the better man of the two. He an outlaw, forsooth! Why, I hear that he hath never let blood in all his life, saving when he first came to the forest. Some call him a great archer44; marry, I would not be afraid to stand against him all the days of the year with a bow in my hand.”
“Why, truly, some folk do call him a great archer,” said Robin Hood, “but we of Nottinghamshire are famous hands with the longbow. Even I, though but a simple hand at the craft, would not fear to try a bout22 with thee.”
At these words Guy of Gisbourne looked upon Robin with wondering eyes, and then gave another roar of laughter till the woods rang. “Now,” quoth he, “thou art a bold fellow to talk to me in this way. I like thy spirit in so speaking up to me, for few men have dared to do so. Put up a garland, lad, and I will try a bout with thee.”
“Tut, tut,” quoth Robin, “only babes shoot at garlands hereabouts. I will put up a good Nottingham mark for thee.” So saying, he arose, and going to a hazel thicket45 not far off, he cut a wand about twice the thickness of a man’s thumb. From this he peeled the bark, and, sharpening the point, stuck it up in the ground in front of a great oak tree. Thence he measured off fourscore paces, which brought him beside the tree where the other sat. “There,” quoth he, “is the kind of mark that Nottingham yeomen shoot at. Now let me see thee split that wand if thou art an archer.”
Then Guy of Gisbourne arose. “Now out upon it!” cried he. “The Devil himself could not hit such a mark as that.”
“Mayhap he could and mayhap he could not,” quoth merry Robin, “but that we shall never know till thou hast shot thereat.”
At these words Guy of Gisbourne looked upon Robin with knit brows, but, as the yeoman still looked innocent of any ill meaning, he bottled his words and strung his bow in silence. Twice he shot, but neither time did he hit the wand, missing it the first time by a span and the second time by a good palm’s-breadth. Robin laughed and laughed. “I see now,” quoth he, “that the Devil himself could not hit that mark. Good fellow, if thou art no better with the broadsword than thou art with the bow and arrow, thou wilt46 never overcome Robin Hood.”
At these words Guy of Gisbourne glared savagely47 upon Robin. Quoth he, “Thou hast a merry tongue, thou villain48; but take care that thou makest not too free with it, or I may cut it out from thy throat for thee.”
Robin Hood strung his bow and took his place with never a word, albeit49 his heartstrings quivered with anger and loathing50. Twice he shot, the first time hitting within an inch of the wand, the second time splitting it fairly in the middle. Then, without giving the other a chance for speech, he flung his bow upon the ground. “There, thou bloody villain!” cried he fiercely, “let that show thee how little thou knowest of manly51 sports. And now look thy last upon the daylight, for the good earth hath been befouled long enough by thee, thou vile53 beast! This day, Our Lady willing, thou diest — I am Robin Hood.” So saying, he flashed forth his bright sword in the sunlight.
For a time Guy of Gisbourne stared upon Robin as though bereft54 of wits; but his wonder quickly passed to a wild rage. “Art thou indeed Robin Hood?” cried he. “Now I am glad to meet thee, thou poor wretch55! Shrive thyself, for thou wilt have no time for shriving when I am done with thee.” So saying, he also drew his sword.
And now came the fiercest fight that ever Sherwood saw; for each man knew that either he or the other must die, and that no mercy was to be had in this battle. Up and down they fought, till all the sweet green grass was crushed and ground beneath the trampling56 of their heels. More than once the point of Robin Hood’s sword felt the softness of flesh, and presently the ground began to be sprinkled with bright red drops, albeit not one of them came from Robin’s veins. At last Guy of Gisbourne made a fierce and deadly thrust at Robin Hood, from which he leaped back lightly, but in so leaping he caught his heel in a root and fell heavily upon his back. “Now, Holy Mary aid me!” muttered he, as the other leaped at him, with a grin of rage upon his face. Fiercely Guy of Gisbourne stabbed at the other with his great sword, but Robin caught the blade in his naked hand, and, though it cut his palm, he turned the point away so that it plunged57 deep into the ground close beside him; then, ere a blow could be struck again, he leaped to his feet, with his good sword in his hand. And now despair fell upon Guy of Gisbourne’s heart in a black cloud, and he looked around him wildly, like a wounded hawk. Seeing that his strength was going from him, Robin leaped forward, and, quick as a flash, struck a back-handed blow beneath the sword arm. Down fell the sword from Guy of Gisbourne’s grasp, and back he staggered at the stroke, and, ere he could regain58 himself, Robin’s sword passed through and through his body. Round he spun59 upon his heel, and, flinging his hands aloft with a shrill60, wild cry, fell prone61 upon his face upon the green sod.
Then Robin Hood wiped his sword and thrust it back into the scabbard, and, coming to where Guy of Gisbourne lay, he stood over him with folded arms, talking to himself the while. “This is the first man I have slain62 since I shot the Kings forester in the hot days of my youth. I ofttimes think bitterly, even yet, of that first life I took, but of this I am as glad as though I had slain a wild boar that laid waste a fair country. Since the Sheriff of Nottingham hath sent such a one as this against me, I will put on the fellow’s garb and go forth to see whether I may not find his worship, and perchance pay him back some of the debt I owe him upon this score.”
So saying, Robin Hood stripped the hairy garments from off the dead man, and put them on himself, all bloody as they were. Then, strapping63 the other’s sword and dagger around his body and carrying his own in his hand, together with the two bows of yew, he drew the cowl of horse’s hide over his face, so that none could tell who he was, and set forth from the forest, turning his steps toward the eastward64 and Nottingham Town. As he strode along the country roads, men, women, and children hid away from him, for the terror of Guy of Gisbourne’s name and of his doings had spread far and near.
And now let us see what befell Little John while these things were happening.
Little John walked on his way through the forest paths until he had come to the outskirts65 of the woodlands, where, here and there, fields of barley66, corn, or green meadow lands lay smiling in the sun. So he came to the highroad and to where a little thatched cottage stood back of a cluster of twisted crab67 trees, with flowers in front of it. Here he stopped of a sudden, for he thought that he heard the sound of someone in sorrow. He listened, and found that it came from the cottage; so, turning his footsteps thither, he pushed open the wicket and entered the place. There he saw a gray-haired dame68 sitting beside a cold hearthstone, rocking herself to and fro and weeping bitterly.
Now Little John had a tender heart for the sorrows of other folk, so, coming to the old woman and patting her kindly69 upon the shoulder, he spoke31 comforting words to her, bidding her cheer up and tell him her troubles, for that mayhap he might do something to ease them. At all this the good dame shook her head; but all the same his kind words did soothe70 her somewhat, so after a while she told him all that bore upon her mind. That that morning she had three as fair, tall sons beside her as one could find in all Nottinghamshire, but that they were now taken from her, and were like to be hanged straightway; that, want having come upon them, her eldest71 boy had gone out, the night before, into the forest, and had slain a hind72 in the moonlight; that the King’s rangers73 had followed the blood upon the grass until they had come to her cottage, and had there found the deer’s meat in the cupboard; that, as neither of the younger sons would betray their brother, the foresters had taken all three away, in spite of the oldest saying that he alone had slain the deer; that, as they went, she had heard the rangers talking among themselves, saying that the Sheriff had sworn that he would put a check upon the great slaughter74 of deer that had been going on of late by hanging the very first rogue75 caught thereat upon the nearest tree, and that they would take the three youths to the King’s Head Inn, near Nottingham Town, where the Sheriff was abiding76 that day, there to await the return of a certain fellow he had sent into Sherwood to seek for Robin Hood.
To all this Little John listened, shaking his head sadly now and then. “Alas77,” quoth he, when the good dame had finished her speech, “this is indeed an ill case. But who is this that goeth into Sherwood after Robin Hood, and why doth he go to seek him? But no matter for that now; only that I would that Robin Hood were here to advise us. Nevertheless, no time may be lost in sending for him at this hour, if we would save the lives of thy three sons. Tell me, hast thou any clothes hereabouts that I may put on in place of these of Lincoln green? Marry, if our stout Sheriff catcheth me without disguise, I am like to be run up more quickly than thy sons, let me tell thee, dame.”
Then the old woman told him that she had in the house some of the clothes of her good husband, who had died only two years before. These she brought to Little John, who, doffing78 his garb of Lincoln green, put them on in its stead. Then, making a wig79 and false beard of uncarded wool, he covered his own brown hair and beard, and, putting on a great, tall hat that had belonged to the old peasant, he took his staff in one hand and his bow in the other, and set forth with all speed to where the Sheriff had taken up his inn.
A mile or more from Nottingham Town, and not far from the southern borders of Sherwood Forest, stood the cosy80 inn bearing the sign of the King’s Head. Here was a great bustle81 and stir on this bright morning, for the Sheriff and a score of his men had come to stop there and await Guy of Gisbourne’s return from the forest. Great hiss82 and fuss of cooking was going on in the kitchen, and great rapping and tapping of wine kegs and beer barrels was going on in the cellar. The Sheriff sat within, feasting merrily of the best the place afforded, and the Sheriff’s men sat upon the bench before the door, quaffing83 ale, or lay beneath the shade of the broad-spreading oak trees, talking and jesting and laughing. All around stood the horses of the band, with a great noise of stamping feet and a great switching of tails. To this inn came the King’s rangers, driving the widow’s three sons before them. The hands of the three youths were tied tightly behind their backs, and a cord from neck to neck fastened them all together. So they were marched to the room where the Sheriff sat at meat, and stood trembling before him as he scowled84 sternly upon them.
“So,” quoth he, in a great, loud, angry voice, “ye have been poaching upon the King’s deer, have you? Now I will make short work of you this day, for I will hang up all three of you as a farmer would hang up three crows to scare others of the kind from the field. Our fair county of Nottingham hath been too long a breeding place for such naughty knaves85 as ye are. I have put up with these things for many years, but now I will stamp them out once for all, and with you I will begin.”
Then one of the poor fellows opened his mouth to speak, but the Sheriff roared at him in a loud voice to be silent, and bade the rangers to take them away till he had done his eating and could attend to the matters concerning them. So the three poor youths were marched outside, where they stood with bowed heads and despairing hearts, till after a while the Sheriff came forth. Then he called his men about him, and quoth he, “These three villains87 shall be hanged straightway, but not here, lest they breed ill luck to this goodly inn. We will take them over yonder to that belt of woodlands, for I would fain hang them upon the very trees of Sherwood itself, to show those vile outlaws88 therein what they may expect of me if I ever have the good luck to lay hands upon them.” So saying, he mounted his horse, as did his men-at-arms likewise, and all together they set forth for the belt of woodlands he had spoken of, the poor youths walking in their midst guarded by the rangers. So they came at last to the spot, and here nooses89 were fastened around the necks of the three, and the ends of the cords flung over the branch of a great oak tree that stood there. Then the three youths fell upon their knees and loudly besought91 mercy of the Sheriff; but the Sheriff of Nottingham laughed scornfully. “Now,” quoth he, “I would that I had a priest here to shrive you; but, as none is nigh, you must e’en travel your road with all your sins packed upon your backs, and trust to Saint Peter to let you in through the gates of Paradise like three peddlers into the town.”
In the meantime, while all this had been going forward, an old man had drawn92 near and stood leaning on his staff, looking on. His hair and beard were all curly and white, and across his back was a bow of yew that looked much too strong for him to draw. As the Sheriff looked around ere he ordered his men to string the three youths up to the oak tree, his eyes fell upon this strange old man. Then his worship beckoned93 to him, saying, “Come hither, father, I have a few words to say to thee.” So Little John, for it was none other than he, came forward, and the Sheriff looked upon him, thinking that there was something strangely familiar in the face before him. “How, now,” said he, “methinks I have seen thee before. What may thy name be, father?”
“Please Your Worship,” said Little John, in a cracked voice like that of an old man, “my name is Giles Hobble, at Your Worship’s service.”
“Giles Hobble, Giles Hobble,” muttered the Sheriff to himself, turning over the names that he had in his mind to try to find one to fit to this. “I remember not thy name,” said he at last, “but it matters not. Hast thou a mind to earn sixpence this bright morn?”
“Ay, marry,” quoth Little John, “for money is not so plenty with me that I should cast sixpence away an I could earn it by an honest turn. What is it Your Worship would have me do?”
“Why, this,” said the Sheriff. “Here are three men that need hanging as badly as any e’er I saw. If thou wilt string them up I will pay thee twopence apiece for them. I like not that my men-at-arms should turn hangmen. Wilt thou try thy hand?”
“In sooth,” said Little John, still in the old man’s voice, “I ha’ never done such a thing before; but an a sixpence is to be earned so easily I might as well ha’ it as anybody. But, Your Worship, are these naughty fellows shrived?”
“Nay,” said the Sheriff, laughing, “never a whit; but thou mayst turn thy hand to that also if thou art so minded. But hasten, I prythee, for I would get back to mine inn betimes.”
So Little John came to where the three youths stood trembling, and, putting his face to the first fellow’s cheek as though he were listening to him, he whispered softly into his ear, “Stand still, brother, when thou feelest thy bonds cut, but when thou seest me throw my woolen94 wig and beard from my head and face, cast the noose90 from thy neck and run for the woodlands.” Then he slyly cut the cord that bound the youth’s hands; who, upon his part, stood still as though he were yet bound. Then he went to the second fellow, and spoke to him in the same way, and also cut his bonds. This he did to the third likewise, but all so slyly that the Sheriff, who sat upon his horse laughing, wotted not what was being done, nor his men either.
Then Little John turned to the Sheriff. “Please Your Worship,” said he, “will you give me leave to string my bow? For I would fain help these fellows along the way, when they are swinging, with an arrow beneath the ribs95.”
“With all my heart,” said the Sheriff, “only, as I said before, make thou haste in thy doings.”
Little John put the tip of his bow to his instep, and strung the weapon so deftly96 that all wondered to see an old man so strong. Next he drew a good smooth arrow from his quiver and fitted it to the string; then, looking all around to see that the way was clear behind him, he suddenly cast away the wool from his head and face, shouting in a mighty97 voice, “Run!” Quick as a flash the three youths flung the nooses from their necks and sped across the open to the woodlands as the arrow speeds from the bow. Little John also flew toward the covert98 like a greyhound, while the Sheriff and his men gazed after him all bewildered with the sudden doing. But ere the yeoman had gone far the Sheriff roused himself. “After him!” he roared in a mighty voice; for he knew now who it was with whom he had been talking, and wondered that he had not known him before.
Little John heard the Sheriff’s words, and seeing that he could not hope to reach the woodlands before they would be upon him, he stopped and turned suddenly, holding his bow as though he were about to shoot. “Stand back!” cried he fiercely. “The first man that cometh a foot forward, or toucheth finger to bowstring, dieth!”
At these words the Sheriff’s men stood as still as stocks, for they knew right well that Little John would be as good as his word, and that to disobey him meant death. In vain the Sheriff roared at them, calling them cowards, and urging them forward in a body; they would not budge99 an inch, but stood and watched Little John as he moved slowly away toward the forest, keeping his gaze fixed100 upon them. But when the Sheriff saw his enemy thus slipping betwixt his fingers he grew mad with his rage, so that his head swam and he knew not what he did. Then of a sudden he turned his horse’s head, and plunging101 his spurs into its sides he gave a great shout, and, rising in his stirrups, came down upon Little John like the wind. Then Little John raised his deadly bow and drew the gray goose feather to his cheek. But alas for him! For, ere he could loose the shaft102, the good bow that had served him so long, split in his hands, and the arrow fell harmless at his feet. Seeing what had happened, the Sheriff’s men raised a shout, and, following their master, came rushing down upon Little John. But the Sheriff was ahead of the others, and so caught up with the yeoman before he reached the shelter of the woodlands, then leaning forward he struck a mighty blow. Little John ducked and the Sheriff’s sword turned in his hand, but the flat of the blade struck the other upon the head and smote103 him down, stunned105 and senseless.
“Now, I am right glad,” said the Sheriff, when the men came up and found that Little John was not dead, “that I have not slain this man in my haste! I would rather lose five hundred pounds than have him die thus instead of hanging, as such a vile thief should do. Go, get some water from yonder fountain, William, and pour it over his head.”
The man did as he was bidden, and presently Little John opened his eyes and looked around him, all dazed and bewildered with the stun104 of the blow. Then they tied his hands behind him, and lifting him up set him upon the back of one of the horses, with his face to its tail and his feet strapped106 beneath its belly107. So they took him back to the King’s Head Inn, laughing and rejoicing as they went along. But in the meantime the widow’s three sons had gotten safely away, and were hidden in the woodlands.
Once more the Sheriff of Nottingham sat within the King’s Head Inn. His heart rejoiced within him, for he had at last done that which he had sought to do for years, taken Little John prisoner. Quoth he to himself, “This time tomorrow the rogue shall hang upon the gallows108 tree in front of the great gate of Nottingham Town, and thus shall I make my long score with him even.” So saying, he took a deep draught109 of Canary. But it seemed as if the Sheriff had swallowed a thought with his wine, for he shook his head and put the cup down hastily. “Now,” he muttered to himself, “I would not for a thousand pounds have this fellow slip through my fingers; yet, should his master escape that foul52 Guy of Gisbourne, there is no knowing what he may do, for he is the cunningest knave86 in all the world — this same Robin Hood. Belike I had better not wait until tomorrow to hang the fellow.” So saying, he pushed his chair back hastily, and going forth from the inn called his men together. Quoth he, “I will wait no longer for the hanging of this rogue, but it shall be done forthwith, and that from the very tree whence he saved those three young villains by stepping betwixt them and the law. So get ye ready straightway.”
Then once more they sat Little John upon the horse, with his face to the tail, and so, one leading the horse whereon he sat and the others riding around him, they went forward to that tree from the branches of which they had thought to hang the poachers. On they went, rattling110 and jingling111 along the road till they came to the tree. Here one of the men spake to the Sheriff of a sudden. “Your Worship,” cried he, “is not yon fellow coming along toward us that same Guy of Gisbourne whom thou didst send into the forest to seek Robin Hood?” At these words the Sheriff shaded his eyes and looked eagerly. “Why, certes,” quoth he, “yon fellow is the same. Now, Heaven send that he hath slain the master thief, as we will presently slay38 the man!”
When Little John heard this speech he looked up, and straightway his heart crumbled112 away within him, for not only were the man’s garments all covered with blood, but he wore Robin Hood’s bugle113 horn and carried his bow and broadsword.
“How now!” cried the Sheriff, when Robin Hood, in Guy of Gisbourne’s clothes, had come nigh to them. “What luck hath befallen thee in the forest? Why, man, thy clothes are all over blood!”
“An thou likest not my clothes,” said Robin in a harsh voice like that of Guy of Gisbourne, “thou mayst shut thine eyes. Marry, the blood upon me is that of the vilest114 outlaw that ever trod the woodlands, and one whom I have slain this day, albeit not without wound to myself.”
Then out spake Little John, for the first time since he had fallen into the Sheriff’s hands. “O thou vile, bloody wretch! I know thee, Guy of Gisbourne, for who is there that hath not heard of thee and cursed thee for thy vile deeds of blood and rapine? Is it by such a hand as thine that the gentlest heart that ever beat is stilled in death? Truly, thou art a fit tool for this coward Sheriff of Nottingham. Now I die joyfully115, nor do I care how I die, for life is nought to me!” So spake Little John, the salt tears rolling down his brown cheeks.
But the Sheriff of Nottingham clapped his hands for joy. “Now, Guy of Gisbourne,” cried he, “if what thou tellest me is true, it will be the best day’s doings for thee that ever thou hast done in all thy life.”
“What I have told thee is sooth, and I lie not,” said Robin, still in Guy of Gisbourne’s voice. “Look, is not this Robin Hood’s sword, and is not this his good bow of yew, and is not this his bugle horn? Thinkest thou he would have given them to Guy of Gisbourne of his own free will?”
Then the Sheriff laughed aloud for joy. “This is a good day!” cried he. “The great outlaw dead and his right-hand man in my hands! Ask what thou wilt of me, Guy of Gisbourne, and it is thine!”
“Then this I ask of thee,” said Robin. “As I have slain the master I would now kill the man. Give this fellow’s life into my hands, Sir Sheriff.”
“Now thou art a fool!” cried the Sheriff. “Thou mightst have had money enough for a knight’s ransom116 if thou hadst asked for it. I like ill to let this fellow pass from my hands, but as I have promised, thou shalt have him.”
“I thank thee right heartily117 for thy gift,” cried Robin. “Take the rogue down from the horse, men, and lean him against yonder tree, while I show you how we stick a porker whence I come!”
At these words some of the Sheriff’s men shook their heads; for, though they cared not a whit whether Little John were hanged or not, they hated to see him butchered in cold blood. But the Sheriff called to them in a loud voice, ordering them to take the yeoman down from the horse and lean him against the tree, as the other bade.
While they were doing this Robin Hood strung both his bow and that of Guy of Gisbourne, albeit none of them took notice of his doing so. Then, when Little John stood against the tree, he drew Guy of Gisbourne’s sharp, double-edged dagger. “Fall back! fall back!” cried he. “Would ye crowd so on my pleasure, ye unmannerly knaves? Back, I say! Farther yet!” So they crowded back, as he ordered, many of them turning their faces away, that they might not see what was about to happen.
“Come!” cried Little John. “Here is my breast. It is meet that the same hand that slew118 my dear master should butcher me also! I know thee, Guy of Gisbourne!”
“Peace, Little John!” said Robin in a low voice. “Twice thou hast said thou knowest me, and yet thou knowest me not at all. Couldst thou not tell me beneath this wild beast’s hide? Yonder, just in front of thee, lie my bow and arrows, likewise my broadsword. Take them when I cut thy bonds. Now! Get them quickly!” So saying, he cut the bonds, and Little John, quick as a wink8, leaped forward and caught up the bow and arrows and the broadsword. At the same time Robin Hood threw back the cowl of horse’s hide from his face and bent119 Guy of Gisbourne’s bow, with a keen, barbed arrow fitted to the string. “Stand back!” cried he sternly. “The first man that toucheth finger to bowstring dieth! I have slain thy man, Sheriff; take heed120 that it is not thy turn next.” Then, seeing that Little John had armed himself, he clapped his bugle horn to his lips and blew three blasts both loud and shrill.
Now when the Sheriff of Nottingham saw whose face it was beneath Guy of Gisbourne’s hood, and when he heard those bugle notes ring in his ear, he felt as if his hour had come. “Robin Hood!” roared he, and without another word he wheeled his horse in the road and went off in a cloud of dust. The Sheriff’s men, seeing their master thus fleeing for his life, thought that it was not their business to tarry longer, so, clapping spurs to their horses, they also dashed away after him. But though the Sheriff of Nottingham went fast, he could not outstrip121 a clothyard arrow. Little John twanged his bowstring with a shout, and when the Sheriff dashed in through the gates of Nottingham Town at full speed, a gray goose shaft stuck out behind him like a moulting sparrow with one feather in its tail. For a month afterward122 the poor Sheriff could sit upon nought but the softest cushions that could be gotten for him.
Thus the Sheriff and a score of men ran away from Robin Hood and Little John; so that when Will Stutely and a dozen or more of stout yeomen burst from out the covert, they saw nought of their master’s enemies, for the Sheriff and his men were scurrying123 away in the distance, hidden within a cloud of dust like a little thunderstorm.
Then they all went back into the forest once more, where they found the widow’s three sons, who ran to Little John and kissed his hands. But it would not do for them to roam the forest at large any more; so they promised that, after they had gone and told their mother of their escape, they would come that night to the greenwood tree, and thenceforth become men of the band.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
robin
|
|
| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
hood
|
|
| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
blithe
|
|
| adj.快乐的，无忧无虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
flickering
|
|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
vow
|
|
| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
tickles
|
|
| （使）发痒( tickle的第三人称单数 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
veins
|
|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
nought
|
|
| n.／adj.无，零 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
dagger
|
|
| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
yew
|
|
| n.紫杉属树木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
hawk
|
|
| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
bout
|
|
| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
nettles
|
|
| n.荨麻( nettle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
squatting
|
|
| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
witty
|
|
| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
bestows
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
twitching
|
|
| n.颤搐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
smite
|
|
| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
skewered
|
|
| v.（用串肉扦或类似物）串起，刺穿( skewer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
bishop
|
|
| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
outlaw
|
|
| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
crook
|
|
| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
slaying
|
|
| 杀戮。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
slay
|
|
| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
whit
|
|
| n.一点，丝毫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
gorge
|
|
| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
loathed
|
|
| v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的过去式和过去分词 )；极不喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
stoutest
|
|
| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
archer
|
|
| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
thicket
|
|
| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
wilt
|
|
| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
savagely
|
|
| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
albeit
|
|
| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
loathing
|
|
| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
vile
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
bereft
|
|
| adj.被剥夺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
trampling
|
|
| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
spun
|
|
| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
prone
|
|
| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
slain
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
strapping
|
|
| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
eastward
|
|
| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
outskirts
|
|
| n.郊外，郊区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
barley
|
|
| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
crab
|
|
| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
dame
|
|
| n.女士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
soothe
|
|
| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
eldest
|
|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
rangers
|
|
| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
slaughter
|
|
| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
rogue
|
|
| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
abiding
|
|
| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
doffing
|
|
| n.下筒，落纱v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
wig
|
|
| n.假发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
cosy
|
|
| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
bustle
|
|
| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
hiss
|
|
| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
quaffing
|
|
| v.痛饮( quaff的现在分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
scowled
|
|
| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
knaves
|
|
| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
knave
|
|
| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
villains
|
|
| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
outlaws
|
|
| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
nooses
|
|
| n.绞索，套索( noose的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
noose
|
|
| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
besought
|
|
| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
beckoned
|
|
| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
woolen
|
|
| adj.羊毛(制)的；毛纺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
ribs
|
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
deftly
|
|
| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
covert
|
|
| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
budge
|
|
| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
plunging
|
|
| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
shaft
|
|
| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
smote
|
|
| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
stun
|
|
| vt.打昏，使昏迷，使震惊，使惊叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
stunned
|
|
| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
strapped
|
|
| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
belly
|
|
| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
gallows
|
|
| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
rattling
|
|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
jingling
|
|
| 叮当声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
crumbled
|
|
| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
bugle
|
|
| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
vilest
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
115
joyfully
|
|
| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
ransom
|
|
| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
slew
|
|
| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
outstrip
|
|
| v.超过，跑过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
scurrying
|
|
| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |