![]() ![]() Then Robin Hood's heart was proud when he looked around on his stout, brave fellows, and he said, "Brave and true are ye all, my merry men, and a right stout band of good fellows are ye, but ye cannot all go, so I will choose one from among you, and it shall be good Will Stutely, for he is as sly as e'er an old dog fox in Sherwood Forest." Thus they hid in the depths of Sherwood Forest for seven days and seven nights and never showed their faces abroad in all that time but early in the morning of the eighth day Robin Hood called the band together and said, "Now who will go and find what the Sheriff's men are at by this time? For I know right well they will not bide forever within Sherwood shades."Īt this a great shout arose, and each man waved his bow aloft and cried that he might be the one to go. ![]() So now we will abide silently in Sherwood Forest, so that it may be well for all, but should we be forced to defend ourselves, or any of our band, then let each man draw bow and brand with might and main."Īt this speech many of the band shook their heads, and said to themselves, "Now the Sheriff will think that we are cowards, and folk will scoff throughout the countryside, saying that we fear to meet these men." But they said nothing aloud, swallowing their words and doing as Robin bade them. Once I slew a man, and never do I wish to slay a man again, for it is bitter for the soul to think thereon. But fain would I shun blood and battle, and fain would I not deal sorrow to womenfolk and wives because good stout yeomen lose their lives. When he first heard the news, Robin said, "If the Sheriff dare send force to meet force, woe will it be for him and many a better man besides, for blood will flow and there will be great trouble for all. For seven days and nights they hunted through the forest glades, but never saw so much as a single man in Lincoln green for tidings of all this had been brought to Robin Hood by trusty Eadom o' the Blue Boar. So thus they went in threescore companies of five to Sherwood Forest, to take Robin Hood, each constable wishing that he might be the one to find the bold outlaw, or at least one of his band. Furthermore, to him that first meeteth with Robin Hood shall one hundred pounds of silver money be given, if he be brought to me dead or alive and to him that meeteth with any of his band shall twoscore pounds be given, if such be brought to me dead or alive. Thus, I think, shall we take this green-clad knave. But if any constable finds too many men against him, let him sound a horn, and then let each band within hearing come with all speed and join the party that calls them. "Now take ye each four men, all armed in proof," said he, "and get ye gone to the forest, at different points, and lie in wait for this same Robin Hood. Thus communing within himself, he called his constables together and told them what was in his mind. ![]() I have tried law, and I have tried guile, and I have failed in both so I will try what may be done with might." ![]() NOW WHEN THE SHERIFF found that neither law nor guile could overcome Robin Hood, he was much perplexed, and said to himself, "Fool that I am! Had I not told our King of Robin Hood, I would not have gotten myself into such a coil but now I must either take him captive or have wrath visited upon my head from his most gracious Majesty. Previous Chapter Next Chapter Will Stutely Rescued by His Companions ![]()
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