The Project Gutenberg EBook of Robin Hood, by Paul Creswick This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
Title: Robin Hood
Author: Paul Creswick
Illustrator: N.C. Wyeth
Release Date: May 6, 2009 [EBook #28700]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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ROBIN HOOD
ILLUSTRATED BY N. A. WYETH
[Illustration]
DAVID MCKAY, PUBLISHER
PHILADELPHIA MCMXVII
ILLUSTRATIONS
Facing Page
ROBIN AND HIS MOTHER GO TO NOTTINGHAM FAIR 18 The road wound in and about the forest, and at noon they came to a part where the trees nigh shut out the sky
ROBIN WRESTLES WILL STUTELEY AT GAMEWELL 53 "Catch him by the middle," he shouted. "Now you have him, lording, fairly. Throw him prettily!" And sure enough Stuteley came down
ROBIN MEETS MAID MARIAN 116 But Robin, venturing all, drew nigh. He came to the edge of her box, and began to speak
ROBIN HOOD AND HIS COMPANIONS LEND AID TO WILL O' TH' GREEN FROM AMBUSH 156 Their arrows flew together, marvellous shots, each finding its prey
LITTLE JOHN FIGHTS WITH THE COOK IN THE SHERIFF'S HOUSE 197 At last he made a dart upon Roger and the chase grew furious. Dishes, plates, covers, pots and pans--all that came in the way of them went flying
ROBIN HOOD DEFEATS NAT OF NOTTINGHAM AT QUARTER-STAFF 257 The beggar dealt his foe a back-thrust so neatly, so heartily, and so swiftly that Nat was swept off the stage into the crowd as a fly off a table
LITTLE JOHN SINGS A SONG AT THE BANQUET 327 That evening, whilst Monceux raged and stormed without, they all sat to a great feast
THE PASSING OF ROBIN HOOD 361 Leaning heavily against Little John's sobbing breast, Robin Hood flew his last arrow out through the window, far away into the deep green of trees
"Well, Robin, on what folly do you employ yourself? Do you cut sticks for our fire o' mornings?" Thus spoke Master Hugh Fitzooth, King's Ranger of the Forest at Locksley, as he entered his house.
Robin flushed a little. "These are arrows, sir," he announced, holding one up for inspection.
Dame Fitzooth smiled upon the boy as she rose to meet her lord. "What fortune do you bring us to-day, father?" asked she, cheerily.
Fitzooth's face was a mask of discontent. "I bring myself, dame," answered he, "neither more nor less."
"Surely that is enough for Robin and me!" laughed his wife. "Come, cast off your shoes, and give me your bow and quiver. I have news for you, Hugh, even if you have none for us. George of Gamewell has sent his messenger to-day, and bids me bring Robin to him for the Fair." She hesitated to give the whole truth.
"That cannot be," began the Ranger, hastily; then checked himself. "What wind is it that blows our Squire's friendship toward me, I wonder?" he went on. "Do we owe him toll?"
"You are not fair to George Montfichet, Hugh--he is an open, honest man, and he is my brother." The dame spoke with spirit, being vexed that her husband should thus slight her item of news. "That Montfichet is of Norman blood is sufficient to turn your thoughts of him as sour as old milk----"
"I am as good as all the Montfichets and De Veres hereabout, dame, for all I am but plain Saxon," returned Fitzooth, crossly, "and the day may come when they shall know it. Athelstane the Saxon might make full as good a King, when Henry dies, as Richard of Acquitaine, with his harebrained notions and runagate religion. There would be bobbing of heads and curtseying to us then, if you like. Squire George of Gamewell would be sending messengers for me cap in hand--doubt it not."
