Chapter 16. The Merry Widow

When Widow Hardlock saw her three sons safe she was grateful indeed to Robin.

Deep in the greenwood, Robin was hunting on his own for the greater part of the day. Suddenly, without any sound, the Bishop of Hereford came upon him.

“Stand still, Robin Hood” the Bishop commanded in a loud voice, dismounting swiftly from his horse. “I have a debt to pay you”.

The Bishop could never forget how Robin Hood had cheated him out of the loan he had sought from the Sheriff of Nottingham. He hoped that now would be his chance to make matters even.

“Good day, god Bishop!” laughed Robin, turning to face the portly gentleman. “I’m always ready to accept a debt; more especially one that will carry with it your blessing”.

“This is no laughing matter”, said the Bishop. “You once robbed me of a sum of money loaned to me by the Sheriff of Nottingham, but now I vow I’ll rob you of your laugh!”

“Oh, come!” returned Robin genially. “I’ve been hunting one of the finest specimens of the King’s deer I’m ever likely to see. Join me, good Bishop, and perhaps your influence will cause the deer to repent of his fast-moving ways and allow me to catch him”.

“You know full well that it is a grave offence to kill the King’s deer”, raged the Bishop. “I’m glad I have caught you in the act of chasing them. You will rue this day”.

“I am sorry”, sighed Robin. “If you are in that mood I cannot put with you. We must go our own ways”.

Robin started to walk away, when, looking back, he saw the Bishop remount his horse to give chase. Robin had no wish to harm the Bishop, and he felt like having fun, so he ran off through the undergrowth as fast as he could. But he had no chance against a swift-footed horse, which quickly overtook him.

Robin then decided to run in amongst the trees, where the horse could not easily follow. As he broke through the undergrowth, he saw a cottage standing amongst the trees. It was Widow Hardlock’s home. Robin knew that he would get a welcome there; so he opened the cottage door.

“Good dame”, he cried to Widow Hardlock, “I must hide at once, for the Bishop of Hereford is hot on my trial”.

It was not long before the Bishop saw the cottage standing in the greenwood. He steered his horse towards it; and knocked loudly on the door.

“Come in”, called a voice.

“Ah”, began the Bishop, eyeing the old widow, who was working peacefully at her loom. “Have you seen anything of an outlaw dressed in Lincoln green, old dame?”

“No, good Bishop”, she answered, “but look around yourself. He may be in hiding”.

The Bishop started a search of her cottage. Suddenly he heard a movement in one of cupboards. He flung open the door, and there, huddling in a corner, was Robin Hood.

“Out with you!” cried the Bishop excitedly.

The trapped man walked out of the cupboard, offering no resistance. He was led away by the Bishop, leaving the old widow working once more at her loom.

Back in the forest, Little John and Will Scarlet were walking together towards the outlaws’ camp when they heard a rustle behind them. Coming towards them was a strange figure in black.

“Why, it’s Widow Hardlock!” exclaimed Little John.

“No, it is not”, said the figure. “Little John, don’t you know your master when you see him?”

Little John burst out laughing. Will Scarlet joined him. To see their master dressed in those odd garments was indeed a funny sight.

Robin quickly explained that he had been chased by the Bishop of Hereford in the forest, and, taking refuge in Widow Hardlock’s cottage, he had quickly changed clothes with her. The widow had hidden in a cupboard, so that when the Bishop searched he thought he had found the outlaw.

“If he had know that it was Robin Hood sitting at the loom he would not have been so courteous”, laughed Robin.

Three blasts on his horn brought Robin’s men around him. He changed clothes with one of the new members of the band, and led his merry men through forest-paths in the direction of Nottingham, where he hoped to cut across the route taken by the Bishop and his captive.

“There he is” cried Robin, as they emerged from the forest on to the Nottingham road.

They soon caught up with the Bishop and brought him to a halt.

“What is this?” began the outraged Bishop, as he looked at Robin and then at the old lady dressed in Lincoln green.

He was so bewildered that Robin Hood could hardly keep from laughter.

“My good Bishop”, said Robin, advancing towards him, “what sort of outrage is it when you grab an innocent old lady and take her by force away from her cottage?”

“But you…” began the Bishop.

“Widow Hardlock”, cut in Robin, “I think the Bishop deserves a box on the ears for his rudeness”.

Widow Hardlock thought so too. With a twinkle in her eyes she smote the Bishop heartily over his ears.

“You have wasted a great deal of this woman’s time”, said Robin to the Bishop. “The money she has lost from her work must be made up”.

He ordered the Bishop to pay the widow the exact amount of money she would have made had she been working all the time. Then he allowed the Bishop to go on his way.

“You must be our guest of honour at a feast in the forest tonight”, said Robin, as he escorted the widow back to the forest encampment.

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Chapter 15. Rescue from the Rope	\|	Chapter 17. Alan-A-Dale’s Wedding

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