Chapter 19. Robin Hood and the King

The King of England had been told all about Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. He knew that the outlaw was a brave fighter and a fine archer. One glorious summer’s day the King paid a visit to Nottingham.

“Why are all these notices promising rewards for Robin Hood’s capture posted all around the town?” he asked the Sheriff of Nottingham.

“Robin Hood has defied me for many a long day, your Majesty”, replied the Sheriff, “but have no fear: I shall catch him yet and bring him to justice”.

“He is a great fighter and a brave man”, said the King, “and he must have a warm heart. I have heard that he spends his time helping the poor”.

“Yes, with money he has stolen from the rich!” pointed out the Sheriff.

The King smiled. Looking at the makeshift dishes that the Sheriff’s wife had set out on the tables, the King guessed that the outlaws had not been slow in helping the poor with some of the Sheriff’s property.

“I must visit Robin Hood personally”, he said. “Then I can see for myself the sort of man he is”.

News was quick to circulate that the King of England was planning to visit Robin Hood in the forest. He was going to take with him a hundred men.

As he was sitting dining with the Sheriff on the day before his visit, a note was brought in to him. It was from Robin Hood. It stated that if the King came to visit him with a hundred men he would never find Robin Hood. But if he chose to come alone, the outlaw would be only too pleased to make him welcome.

The King folded up the note and said nothing to the Sheriff. Later that night, however, he cancelled the order for the hundred men to accompany him the next day. He disguised himself as a monk, and set out for Sherwood Forest alone.

In the forest he saw the tall figure of a man bending over a fallen stag.

“Ho, there!” cried the King.

The man turned quickly, knife in hand.

“Is that the King’s deer you have there?” asked the King.

“What if it is?” asked the tall man, who was Little John.

“Oh, nothing”, replied the King.

Little John saw only a monk, who had seated himself on a log a few paces away.

“I think my master would like to see you”, he said with a grin.

He led the disguised King through the forest until they reached the outlaws’ camp. Robin Hood came forward and greeted the monk.

“Welcome, Sir Monk”, he said. “My men and I are having a little target practice, but we can always spare time to attend to business”.

“Let me join you”, suggested the monk. “I am a fair shot myself. Indeed, my friends say I am good”.

“By all means join as”, laughed Robin, who thought it would be a novelty to see a monk joining in the target practice.

“I see you have a noble knight amongst your band”, said the monk, pointing to where a knight was preparing to aim an arrow at the target.

“He is not one of our band”, Robin told him. “He is Sir Richard of Lea. I asked him to visit us today, for, to tell you the truth, we are expecting a visit from the King of England, and there is no more noble servant of the King than Sir Richard of Lea”.

“Ah! Then you must be Robin Hood”, said the monk. “I have heard of the King’s proposed visit to you”.

He was given a bow and a number of arrows, and invited to try his hand at the target. He was, to Robin’s surprise, a first-class marksman.

“I’ll tell you what, O monk”, began Robin. “Let any who cannot hit the target receive a punch from his neighbour”.

All the marksmen lined up side by side, and any who did not strike the target dead in the centre received a blow from his neighbour. When it came to the monk’s turn his arrow went straight to the mark. Robin’s aim was slightly off, and, since he was next to the monk, he received a hard knock from him.

“You have a strong arm”, said Robin in admiration, when the shooting had ended. “Take off your cowl, good monk, and let us see you clearly”.

The monk refused.

“Take it off!” Robin insisted.

Again the monk refused. Robin considered this an affront, and he smote the monk with both fists. The monk fell to the ground. Up he sprang again, however, and, striding to Robin’s side, he gave the outlaw such a punching that Robin fell to the ground himself.

“You are certainly a man after my own heart”, laughed Robin from the ground. “You would do well to join my band of Merrie Men”.

Sir Richard of Lea came towards Robin to help him up. He turned to the monk, and then a surprising thing happened. Robin was amazed to see Sir Richard suddenly sink down upon one knee before the erect figure of the monk.

“Your Majesty!” said Sir Richard.

All the others started in awed silence. They knew that they were standing in the presence of the King of England. Robin was quick to kneel beside Sir Richard. All the outlaws followed suit.

“Stand, men!” ordered the King. “I have seen what manner of men you are. The stories of your bravery are true, of that I am sure. I could wish that you were in my service”.

The men rose. It was an awkward moment for Robin Hood. He did not like the idea of going into the service of the King. His love was for the forest. The King was quick to realize the reason for Robin Hood’s silence.

“Well”, said he, “at least I insist on you and your men escorting me along the road to Nottingham”.

Two hours later the streets of Nottingham were lined with people. They had gathered there in amazement as the news spread that the King was riding towards the town at the head of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. It was a sight they were never to forget.

When the market-place was reached, the King halted.

“Robin Hood”, he announced, “I offer you a free pardon, and a free pardon for all your men, on condition that you join my service as my valiant fighting men”.

This was a great offer. Robin thought that, after all, it would be better for Maid Marian if he could settle down in the King’s service. So he accepted the offer. Then he turned to his men and invited them to follow his example. Many did. Some said they would prefer to return to their homes and carry on a trade. The King agreed to allow them to do this.

When, a few days later, the King set out on his return journey to London, he was accompanied by Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and a great host of his Merrie Men.

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Chapter 18. The Black Monks	\|	Chapter 20. Robin Hood at Court

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