and don't give up one, until you can't hold it any longer; when that is the case, remember what you intended to do in the event of its occurring, and do it quietly, without hurry or skurry; if you do, you will forget something of importance, which will render your plans useless; nothing can be well done which is attempted in a hurry. Contest every inch of ground -remember you are fighting against NORMANS-the dogs! Give them bolts, shafts, stones, and staffs for every inch of ground they take; be cool, strike home; when you strike, make no miss, or your own life will pay the forfeit of your error. Show them that every foot of our land is worth a Norman life. Keep cool and firm, and they will pay dearly for any advantage they may obtain. Hurrah for Gamwell and Saxon hearts!" "Hurrah!" shouted the villagers with one burst, each grasping his weapon more firmly; their gleaming eyes and determined countenances expressing their stern resolution of fighting to the last. The shout had scarcely subsided, when Robin Hood, with { a burst of enthusiasm which he could not control, bounded into the place Little John had a moment previous occupied, and, in a voice teeming with excitement, exclaimed while they rehearsed their plans and means of counteracting those of the Normans. The spies had been withdrawn from the forest, and placed in the direction of Mansfeld. About three hours after sunrise, the blast of a horn announced the approach of the enemy. The scouts retired and entered the barriers, and soon, as when attacked before, no living soul was to be seen. The enemy approached. It was easily seen from the continued line, as they poured round the wind of the road, that the villagers had not exaggerated their number. They continued arriving until about three hundred horsemen were assembled at the foot of the hill which was, from the direction facing Mansfield, necessary to be surmounted ere Gamwell, which lay in a vale, could be entered. After a short consultation, a party of troops commenced galloping up the hill; a second party dismounted, and followed under cover of the horsemen ; a third party made a detour to the right, and a fourth to the left. This manœuvre had been anticipated, and was counteracted accordingly; at the right and left wings, defences had been constructed behind the quantity of trees which grew straggling on the brow of the hill. The interstices had been filled with shrubs and brushwood, with such a natural effect, that the men who were advancing on the left of these points-not expecting they would be anticipated-congratulated themselves upon having so good a cover to form behind as they reached the top, and from which to advance to the attack in regular order. They were rather staggered at receiving, when they approached near enough, a well-directed discharge of bolts, which did not come whistling about their ears for nothing. Several men, as well as horses, fell. The bolts were immediately followed by a flight of arrows, also so well directed as to take considerable effect upon them. Many of the horses, with arrows sticking in them, grew unmanageable, and, in spite of all their riders' efforts, plunged, reared, kicked, and ultimately dashed "Friends, if ye need more than what Little John has said, to keep you in front of the foe while a hope of success remains, remember that ye are fighting for your hearths-for the roof which was built to shelter your wives, children, and all most dear to you; remember that ye are opposed to the Normans, who have bowed ye to the earth and trod upon your necks -who have tyrannised over the weak and defence less-who never extend their hand but to burn, slay, and destroy! You cannot forget that ye are Saxons; you cannot forget what Hereward le Wake did for his Saxon brethren-how he hunted, defeated, and foiled the vile Normans, though opposed by thrice his numbers; you will remember that this is the home of your childhood-the dwelling-place of those who pre-back from whence they came, tending to throw the ceded you-of those whom you love, honour, and respect; and if you lose it through weakness or irresolution, you make yourselves, your relatives, homeless. And who will be the cause? Normans! You will fight to the last ?" "We will!" burst from the surrounding throng, with one accord. "Now then, let them come and do their worst. We are brothers, who will fight for home, for each other, side by side and back to back, nor murmur that, in opposing a Norman foe, our back may find a { resting-place on the green turf, and our death glance may light on the broad blue sky above! Be Saxons, in the remembrance of the wrongs done by these tyrants to our once smiling land; be fathers, when you think of your homes, your beloved wives and children and sons-when you remember those whom age has made sacred, and look to you for the support and love which they gave you in your childhood, and which their age denies them obtaining for themselves. Think of these things. You are fighting for your birth-place; and, as Little John has said, make these Norman curs learn that every foot of our native soil is worth a Norman life. Now, brother Saxons, a prayer for our success, a cheer for our birthplace and for Saxon hearts!" A tremendous cheer followed the conclusion of Robin's speech, and in an instant the men knelt down and repeated a prayer, after Tuck, for their success; then, with one accord, sprung to their feet, and made the air resound with the cheer which they gave for their homes and their nation. Then they separated, and each party took the portion allotted to them, party into confusion, which was added to by a third discharge of missives, before they were able to return it. The disorder from the restiveness of the horses became so great, that they retreated down the hill amid a flight of arrows and a shout of derision. It was When they arrived from whence they had been dispatched, they found the men who had advanced on the right had met with similar ill success. then determined that these points must be carried on foot, as indeed every part, for the centre was so ably defended, that the double party attacking it could not gain an inch of ground, while the same means were resorted to of wounding the horses and rendering them unmanageable; in their riders' efforts to prevent their turning and riding down those who were following, they were utterly unable to return the heavy fire to which they were exposed; they grew confused, and shafts were still pouring on the horses; the creatures, smarting with pain and fright, resisting all efforts to control them, turned, plunged among those who were unwounded, producing disorder, and goaded by the arrows, plunged madly among those on foot, carrying confusion among them, and eventually compelling a retreat of the whole party to the foot of the hill. It was now seen the horses were at present useless, and the men, dismounted, were divided into three parties, and, shielded by their bucklers, advanced steadily again on the three points, while a party remained at the foot, ready to advance when the barrier was carried. Although exposed to a tremendous shower of missiles, the Normans kept on, undaunted, their bucklers protecting them considerably from the www They fell back on their second barrier, those on the right and left wings doing the same by a preconcerted signal. The Normans pushed on, but many of them fell into deep pits, dug for their reception by the villagers, who, when they had gained their second barrier, observed the remainder of the Normans scaling their first barrier, and pushing on vigorously for the second. Here the Saxons made a more determined stand; but the Normans, accustomed to hard fighting, dashed on, regardless of the weapons of death flying round them, and, attacking the barrier with desperate fury, scaled it, and were soon hand-to-hand with the Saxons. The conflict was fierce and deadly while it lasted; but soon the signal was again heard, and again the Saxons retreated in regular order, keeping their foes at bay by the terrible execution their arrows and bolts committed. The point on which they were falling was the last barrier-it was the most extensive --it was almost a natural one-it was formed by a sinking, or deep slope in the hill before it. Where this slope rose again, there was a long ridge, or natural mound, behind which the hill descended suddenly and precipitously; this point had been assisted by all the artificial auxiliaries which invention could furnish, and it was resolved to make here a determined stand, ere they fell back on Gamwell Hall, which was the "dernier ressort." The Saxons came in full retreat to this barrierthey gained it without losing a man-and the Normans followed at the top of their speed, shouting their war-cry. Occasionally, as a shower of bolts came to intercept them, they threw themselves on their faces, were up again, continuing the next instant with the same speed. But they had now a greater difficulty to encounter than they had hitherto experienced. The barrier was only practicable from the two ends, as a deep trench had been cut beneath it, completely preventing them, without ladders, scaling it; at each of the ends a slight barrier of wood-work had been run up, and behind these were stationed a strong body of the best archers. To have run rashly and attacked this would have been the height of madness, as it must have involved a great many lives, without any positive good being gained. They stopped, therefore, and the whole party of the Normans assembled to learn what plan of attack would be the most feasible. The captain of the troops took a survey. There lay Gamwell beneath him-for he stood high on the hill, and each side of this hill was thickly studded with trees, presenting an impassable barrier { for horses, and by no means a safe pathway for the men. Calling one of the men, he enquired if any of them knew the locality, and was answered by the presence of one, who said he had a relative in Gamwell, whom he constantly visited, and therefore he was well acquainted with every part of it. "Art thou a Saxon, knave ?" "demanded the leader with knitted brows. "No," returned the man, "I am a Norman." "I do, every part." "Can you guide my men to yon village by any other path than this ?" "Yes, there is one at the foot of the hill; it winds into part of the forest, and branches out suddenly near Gamwell Hall." "Which is Gamwell Hall ?" "That building to the left, on the rising ground, nearly surrounded by trees; that is where old Sir Guy Gamwell lives." "The old rebellious Saxon churl! I'faith, Henry Truly thou didst; but why not show us this same path you speak of at first ?" "Because the Saxons would have seen the movement and prevented it accordingly. A handful of men can command that pass against a thousand.” "Is it at the foot of the hill ?" Yes, to the left." The man described its situation and bearing accurately. The captain of the troop appeared satisfied, and gave orders to a party of men to hold themselves in readiness to take the path, under the guidance of this man, while he held the Saxons in play in the position they still held, in order that they might not fathom the manoeuvre he intended to make. But in this hope he was mistaken, for the guide's relative happened to perceive his brother-in-law among the Normans, and afterwards in close converse with the Norman chief. He communicated to Little John his suspicions of foul play, and the path was immediately thought of. It had been left unguarded, and thirty of the men, under the command of two of the Gamwells, departed at once to hold it in possession; while Little John, calling Robin to his side, for they were both in this cover, { said to him "Could you hit any object with certainty on the summit of this hill ?"" "Yes," he replied. "Well, then, you see that Norman just to the left of him with the tall plume-he is a traitorous rascal, who, I fully believe, is about to lead some of those fellows who are going over the brow of the hill by the forest path to Gamwell-bring him down for me.' An arrow was in an instant fitted to his bow, discharged, and they saw the man leap high into the air, fall, and heard his death-shriek. A shout was raised by the Saxons, which so enraged the leader, that, dividing his men into two parties-first recalling those who had been despatched to follow the forest path--he placed one of them under the command of a trooper, and taking the other, determined to carry each end of the barrier by assault. When his directions and arrangements were complete, he gave the word, and they dashed off from the summit of the hill to each end; they battered at it with their bills; some clambered up only to be thrust back dead; but the earth being fresh, the stakes, although driven firmly in, gave way beneath the united attack of the men, and fell with a tremendous crash, burying several of the Saxons beneath it. The Normans came leaping over it shouting, but were met by a forest of spears and a tremendous discharge of bolts from the crossbows; twice they were repulsed with a serious loss, but they renewed the charge, each time with redoubled vigour; and the Saxons, whose numbers were vastly inferior, were compelled to give way. But they did so gradually and in good order; they fought with stern desperation; they knew it was life or death with them, and fully they carried out Little John's command, that they should make a Norman life pay for every foot they gave. Both ends of the barrier were now carried, and the Normans poured into the breach, shouting and fighting madly; while the Saxons uttered no sound, but contracting their line gradually, soon presented a front which the Normans min him, he knew his presence was needed elsewhere as well as here, and the sooner he got rid of his opponent the better. Every advantage that could offer he took as soon as it exhibited itself, and had succeeded in giving Geoffrey two tremendous gashes in the arm, which bled profusely; Geoffrey knew they would render him weak and powerless, therefore he fought harder than ever, grew desperate, then struck wildly. Little John made a feint of giving an opportunity for a slash, and when Geoffrey caught eagerly at it, only to miss it, he whirled his sword round his head, and struck with all his force; the sword descended like lightning upon Geoffrey's shoulder, entered, and clove him to the chine. could not, after repeated efforts, break. The Saxons had hacked and hewed at each other with the greatest still kept falling back upon the village and in perseverance. Little John had no intention of playthe direction of the Hall, whose doors, undering with his foe-no thoughts of lookers-on affected the guardianship of four men, stood ready to receive them, and close as the last Saxon entered. They were now nearly up to the cottages, and they were compelled either to make a last effort there, or near Gamwell Hall. There was little time for decision; the Normans were pressing on, and the trooper, who had the command of half the troop, had, by personal strength, forced his way through a part of the Saxon's front, the gap he had made being closely filled by his men, fighting with desperation in order to secure the advantage they had obtained. The Saxons gave ground, grew disordered-a panic appeared to seize those opposed to this trooper. They retreated rapidly, oppressing the others. The Normans saw their opportunity, followed it, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing many of them in open flight; they gave a shout of triumph, when suddenly a voice exclaimed, in a tone which was clearly heard above the din of war "Hold, Saxons! will you shrink like beaten hounds before these base Norman reptiles? He who is a true Saxon, and a man, follow me!" The voice was Little John's. He strode among his enemies, hewing down all who opposed him, followed by a body of his friends, whom death could not daunt. So resistless was their attack upon the Normans, and so unexpected, that in their turn they gave way. When those who were flying saw this, they returned with shame on their visages, and determined to retrieve their cowardice by advancing or falling where they stood. Little John had only eyes for one man-the trooper who had nearly caused the rout of the Saxons. Little John knew him at a glance; it was the same trooper who had played him the trick at Nottingham-Geoffrey Gurthfeld, or Vanterie, which } was his proper name. Towards him did he strive to get. Short was the conflict with each Norman who stood in his path; he cut them down like reeds. At length they met. Geoffrey's eyes glistened with savage pleasure as they lighted on his former conqueror, and with a huge battle-axe in his hand, he advanced quickly towards him, shouting "Base Saxon churl! I have met thee again, even as I could have wished, as deadly foes; this to thy brain, hind!" But Little John had no intention to stand to be slaughtered by the battle-axe of Geoffrey, and when the latter had flourished it round, and it was in the act of descending, he sprung within its circle, seized it as it fell, and placing his foot with a sudden dash against his opponent's breast, wrenched the weapon from his grasp, and twirling it round, flung it far from him. "Thou'rt a Norman," he cried, "and would be guilty of any base act, but I will not follow your example; to thy blade as I to mine. Now we are evenly matched," he concluded, as Geoffrey drew his sword-a long two-handed weapon, which he carried at his back. Little John was similarly armed, and to their combat they went in terrible earnest; they both played the quarter-staff well, and were consequently the more expert in wielding these huge swords; but the extraordinary superiority which Little John possessed in the use of one weapon befriended him in the use of the other. Both knew the other's life hung on their success, and they fought accordingly; the clashing and din they made caused many to suspend their fighting and look on these two. Dire was the strife. For some time they fought without either appearing to have the advantage, although they He fell dead without a groan, while both Norman and Saxon, who were looking on, stood aghast, lost in wonder at the tremendous blow and its terrible effect. Little John stayed not to look on the evidence of his success, but, waving his bloody sword over his head, he strode through the ranks like the God of War, devastation and death marking his path. He gained a small eminence, and, looking round, perceived that his friends were being encompassed by the Normans, and that a continued opposition would be a fruitless waste of life. There was little time to be lost, but he could not help delaying a minute to look with pride on the gallant manner his little band of Saxons stood in opposition to twice their number. He looked to see if he could distinguish Robin Hood, and soon observed him fighting at the head of the little party which had just returned from the forest path, whither they had been sent by Little John to prevent the Normans entering Gamwell by that route, and he saw him attempt and accomplish a feat necessary to be done—which was, to turn the wing of the Normans, and prevent its getting between them and their path to Gamwell Hall. He had seen enough to tell him how the fight was going, and what must be the result, unless they effected a retreat to the Hall speedily. The Saxons had fought nobly, but it was a hopeless task to resist hand to hand double their number; so Little John blew the blast of his horn, which was to tell them to gather together and retreat to the Hall. He then plunged again into the fight, making terrible havoc in the enemy with his two-handed weapon. His call was obeyed. The Saxons fell back, united; and, before the Normans were prepared for any such act, the whole body of them were retreating on the Hall. The manœuvre was beautifully executed, and the surprise of their foes gained them the advantage of a short distance; however, they were followed very quickly, but not quick enough. The foremost Norman, as the Saxons gained the Hall, was shot down by an arrow, the second stumbled over him, and then the gates were closed and barricaded, enclosing the Saxons safely in the walls of Gamwell Hall. Here the Normans found themselves baffled; but they cut at the doors, which were of stout oak, with their axes and bills, making the place echo with their blows; but this had been expected, and was met accordingly by the rolling of several huge stones from a window above, which crushed several of the Normans beneath them. They then thought fit to depart from the door, and wander round the grounds to endeavour to ascertain a practicable point, but, in doing this, they were exposed to the fire of the Saxons from the loopholes; and, as they already numbered near a hundred killed and wounded, it was thought proper not to expose any more life than was absolutely needful; the men were recalled, and a band of a hundred men were established all round the Hall, and fro doing their evil work, were noted by the Saxons, who gazed on the destruction of their homes, beneath whose roof they were born, with feelings of intense excitement. Had they not been restrained by Little John, they would have sallied forth and attacked them. "Wait until daylight," he said. "If we can only behold this shelter till the morning, I will wager my life we will yet defeat, drive them off, make them return to him who sent them, dishonoured and beaten." and mortification on discovering this may better conceived than described. They had relied upon finding provisions, but not a morsel could they obtain, and a few were sent into the forest to find a buck or two, while the others made arrangements to cook them when they did come. They spent that day in the village, and towards night the band who had surrounded Gamwell Hall were relieved, and took their share of what provision there was for them; the commander, on finding that all the villagers were in Gamwell Hall, determined upon attacking it in the night; some rude engines were constructed to force the doors, and they now only waited for night to set in to commence the attack. Why not attempt it now?" asked one still writhing under the sight of his cottage in flames. "Because at present their number is too great to cope with; they would triumph in carrying the point we must prevent them obtaining. By the morning I fully hope their number will be considerably lessened; they will be worn out with fatigue, and will offer an easy conquest to us, who will be comparatively fresh, and who have the aid of the excitement which the desire of revenging so many wrongs must create. Reserve your best energies for that effort, and I have little doubt we shall meet with the success we so much covet. Were we to attempt it now, certain failure must be the result; for ere we could be amongst them, we should meet them coming here for the purpose they have just completed there." "You are right," said Robin Hood; "here they come. Shouts were now heard advancing in the direction of the Hall, while a hasty glance from the loopholes showed them the Normans running along bearing lighted brands. The scanty meal which the Normans were compelled to take, was vastly different to the refreshments of which the Saxons partook; they fed heartily, and washed down their food with draughts of good old ale; they threw themselves on the floor to rest after the fatigues of the day, and prepare for the next attack, which Little John had prognosticated would take place in the night, as being the most feasible time for it. After they had taken several hours' rest, and it drew near the time for the exercise of their vigilance, they went over their numbers to ascertain their loss, and found it less than they expected; all their wounded they had brought with them, for as fast as any of their friends fell they were passed to the rear, and carried up to the Hall; it had been arranged that such should be done, and it was put into execution when the time arrived for its applica Robin did as he was requested, and in silence they tion. There were twelve killed, and twenty-three awaited the near approach of the Normans. They wounded. The wounded were placed where they were not so headlong in their speed that they came might be carried off safely in the event of the necessity up close to the gates of the Hall to meet with the of a retreat; arrangements were then made, and everysame reception they had received in the morning, but precaution taken to enable them to hold out this place to the last. As night drew on, they each took themselves to the posts assigned them, and waited in silence and patience the attack. "They have begun their savage work," said Robin Hood to Little John, pointing through a loophole to a red glare illuminating the surrounding objects; "they have kindled the torch, and the cottages blaze readily." "Aye, it is so; they have found a way to level to the earth in a few minutes that which has employed many weary hours to erect. The only fear I have of not keeping this hall against treble the number of yon reptiles is, they will put the torch to it; and there's too much wood about the old house to let them do it quietly, without our having roasted joints." "But you have provided against such an attempt?" "As well as our means will allow; but I fear, if the fiends persist, they will succeed in their attempt. Our only chance is to keep them well employed in warding off our shafts." "Look there! there is another cottage in flames. Ha! another. Dogs! fiends! what devilish spirit incites them to this hellish work?" "It is their nature. When they have burnt and destroyed all they can there, they will be here to slay and slaughter. What a glare! The whole village must be in a blaze!" It was in truth a glare; everything in its vicinity was rendered plainly distinguishable by its light; and the dark shadows of the Normans, as they passed to "To your posts! to your posts!" cried Little John; "let every man single a Norman with his bolt and take a sure aim ere he shoots; throw not a shaft or bolt away. Robin, I know your aim; keep by my side, and fetch me down those I point out." they came sufficiently near to throw their lighted torches against the door; they would have soon kindled it into a flame, but this had been foreseen, and water was poured from buckets through a loophole just over the doorway, and extinguished the torches. Fresh ones were thrown to meet the same reception; still they persisted. One fellow was particularly active and expert at throwing them; Little John raised a cross-bow to his shoulder, and taking a deliberate aim, killed him on the spot. A general discharge followed this from all the available portions of the Hall, and a few of the Normans who had too heedlessly exposed their persons met their death. Strips of pine-wood were then lighted and discharged at every inlet, but a very few of them took effect. Another discharge was made by the Saxons with good effect, and proved a lesson to their foe to keep as much as possible their bodies from being seen. A silence for a short time reigned, then a shout announced the arrival of the Norman chief with the greatest body of men bringing the engine to force the door;—the men who had already attempted to effect an entrance having acted without orders, only under the influence of a feeling created by the pleasure they experienced in having fired the little cottages. The first engine they brought consisted of a long beam of wood, the top end of which was rudely capped with some iron agricultural machine, and made a tolerable substitute for a battering-ram, and they now advanced to put its powers into execution. Little John saw that it was necessary if possible to prevent |