this, and a thought suddenly striking him of a means, he said to Robin "Can you depend on your aim in such a light as this?" "If I can see my object." "That's enough. Do you see that Norman to the left of those four who are hauling that beam along." "I do; it is their leader. "Send an arrow through his Norman trunk." "He is encased in mail; I tried him several times to-day; he is armed to the chin. If I can see his face long enough to take an ain, I'll bring him down." "See--there is a chance now-the torch is flashing in his face." "Let me stand where you are, I am afraid the edge of the loophole will catch the end of my arrow and alter my aim. Ha! he has turned his head away." "'Sdeath! do not let him escape our safety mainly depends on his death. He is too shrewd for our welfare.” "Stay, he is walking to a point more opposite me -BO, 'tis well; now, Norman, whisper your prayers." Robin raised his bow, extended it-Little John watched him with nervous excitement; he saw the hand holding the bow move backwards and forwards slowly, as if following some object, presently it became stationary, he held his breath; twang went the bowstring, the arrow was gone; he gazed on Robin's face as he followed the course of the arrow with his eager eyes, a smile broke over his features, and Little John knew he had hit his mark. "The Norman is down," said Robin. He sprung to the loophole, and saw that it was as Robin had said. The Norman was down-a body of troopers were surrounding him-the engine was abandoned and all seemed confusion among them. "Now, my Saxon hearts!" roared Little John, in a voice which was heard in every chamber in the house; "now, give them a shower of bolts and shafts. Down with the Norman dogs!" The Saxons, who had looked with eyes of anxious, eager interest, upon the proceedings of the Normans, and were prepared for the word of command to counteract their effects, raised a shout as the deep tones of Little John's voice fell upon their ears, and each singling out a Norman for an aim, they discharged together the missives with which their separate weapons were provided. The effect was terrible curses and shrieks mingled in the air, and in another minute the unscathed and slightly wounded Normans retreated behind the trees and various coverts which the locality afforded, leaving the dying and the dead upon the spot where they had fallen. Disastrous as had been the late discharge upon them, they still determined to leave no means untried of ousting the Saxons from their stronghold. A council was held among the trees, and various methods proposed to obtain their objects; many of them adopted were put into exccution, only to prove entire failures, accompanied by a sacrifice of life. At length a plan was proposed, and the Normans set about in good earnest to put it into execution. The Hall had been surrounded by bands of troops, stationed in every spot likely to afford them a safe shelter from the arrows of their foes, and in the choice of these covers they had been compelled to be scrupulously cautious; for did a Norman show a portion of his garment, a feather even, to the besieged, his life was sure to pay the forfeit of his temerity; they therefore paid sufficient deference to the powers of the Saxons as archers, to keep closely hidden, only watching every inlet and outlet with the strictest scrutiny, in order, if possible, to repay the favours they were continually receiving. One of these bands was stationed in a thicket of trees behind the Hall; they were principally pine trees. It was proposed to fire them, and-as they grew sufficiently near-to sever the trunks, so that the burning mass might fall upon the building: the idea was eagerly caught at as soon as communicated, and the men being prepared with means to kindle the trees, bills and axes to sever them, proceeded amidst acclamations of delight and anticipations of revenge to carry out the proposal. This was a manoeuvre entirely unexpected by Little John and the Saxons. Their foes had been seen to guide to the back of the Hall, and their movements were followed with celerity, in order to counteract whatever stratagems might be exercised by them; Little John and his friends were not long left in the dark respecting their intention, for several torches were kindled, and the bearers of them proceeded to climb the trees, with the purpose of lighting the branches, while those below commenced hacking and hewing the stems, even while their companions were upon them, in order that not an instant's time should be wasted in putting their manœuvre into execution. No sooner was their intention detected, when Little John cried "By the Mass, we shall be unkennelled! The hellhounds have found a way to draw us out; the trees will fall upon the roof, and in a few minutes the whole building will be in flames. Robin Hood, bring down some of those fellows with their torches! At' em, friends! Cross-bowmen, clear those dogs from the root of the trees! Spare nor bolt nor shaft! Our safety depends on clearing them away! Down with Norman wolves!" Little John set the example by keeping up an incessant discharge of bolts from a cross-bow, not always with the effect intended; while Robin Hood's shafts never left the bow without carrying death with them. Every loophole, window, or opening, available for the discharge of their weapons, was manned by the Saxons, and the slaughter of their foes was comparatively terrific. But the Normans, urged on by rage and the hope of revenge, unheeded the deadly discharges, the loss of their companions, or the almost certain destruction which exposure entailed upon them, persevered in their efforts; the place of the killed and wounded were supplied as fast as they fell, and as all the unfortunate wretches who had clambered with the torches amid the branches of the trees were killed, they abandoned that method of accomplishing their object, and threw lighted brands up in the branches; from much dry weather they quickly kindled, and vast volumes of smoke rolled over the ill-fated building. Immediately the Normans ascertained their success thus far, they redoubled their efforts to completo their purpose, and very soon a tree fell with a tremendous crash across the roof of the Hall, accompanied by a shout of triumph from the Normans; a second followed its predecessor, and speedily a third. As yet, huge volumes of smoke only had proceeded from the ignited trees, but directly they burst into flames, the Normans divided, and returning to their former hiding places, with bent bows, awaited the coming forth of the Saxons. The shock of the falling trees upon the roof was excessively great, but the old Hall stood it bravely, and with the exception of a few displaced timbers, gave no further evidence of the sudden and enormously extra weight imposed upon it. There was but one line of conduct for the Saxons to pursue, and that 66 was to make a sortie upon the foe, whose num-stoutly' declared he would not quit the burning bers did not greatly exceed their own, and in the mansion. event of that proving unsuccessful, to retreat to the forest. Little John gathered the whole of his friends together in the hall of the building, and thus addressed them Beneath its roof I was born," reiterated the old man, in reply to all the arguments used to induce him to quit it; "here I will die. I received my breath here-here will I render it up." Away, away, quick! save yourselves! in another minute the roof will fall!" "Friends-We are brought to our last resort by Everything was done to conquer his obstinate dethe Normans. In a short time the old house above termination, but without avail; time was pressing, us will be reduced to ashes; and we, to find a home the flames were roaring, and the burning wood crackamong the caves and fastnesses of the forest; ye haveling; smoke began to roll down to the hall in sheets, not to learn whom ye have to thank for being rendered and Robin Hood, who had ascended to ascertain what houseless, and will not forget when ye meet them in ravages the fire was making, descended with great a few minutes, hand to hand, how much ye owe them. speed. As he reached the hall, he cried— If ye are men who will revenge the deep wrongs ye have endured; if ye are Saxons who will remember that ye are opposed to foreign oppressors, who have made your brethren slaves, who have torn your birthright from you, made themselves masters of your country, and of everything which could make a man happy in his own land;-if ye have the hearts of true Saxons beating in your breasts, you will not forget to repay the obligation these mercenary, blood-thirsty fiends have laid you under; the remembrance of its nature will nerve your arms, make you strike strongly and surely, and while one hope remains, turn not a back upon your foes." "Let it come!" roared the old man, waving his sword above his head, "I am prepared." Little John shouted in a stentorian voice for the men to advance to the charge; the doors were thrown open, and out they sallied. He waited to see them all quit, and then snatching up Sir Guy in his arms, in spite of all opposition, he carried him out Directly the draft from the opened doors ran up the house, the flames roared louder than ever. A report was heard like thunder-there was a sudden sheet of flame, accompanied by myriads of sparks-a complete coruscation of light-shot up and they knew the roof of the Hall had fallen in. The delay of a minute would have caused them to have been buried in the ruins. A moment only they paused to gaze on the burning mansion, and then, with desperate determination, they attacked the Normans, who had greeted them on their appearance with a shower of bolts, which, being badly directed, had no effect. Little John placed Sir Guy in the care of the villagers, with orders to retreat with him into the forest; then "Never, never!" burst forth from many earnest voices. "We have yet some time to arrange what little plans we may find necessary to make ere we quit this building; for the fire will take some time to burn downwards; and when these arrangements are made, let each man strive to fulfil them to the letter. I have great hopes we shall yet drive these hounds before us like fleeting deer; they must be weak and fagged by their long-continued exertions, as well as dispirited by their losses and ill-success; they have no leader, and each man will act for himself, flying, when hard-drawing his terrible two-handed sword, he flourished pressed, without any one to rally them; their numbers may exceed ours, but we have the advantage of them in being comparatively rested-that we are fighting for life and liberty, and ye have at least a leader to direct your movements in my unworthy self. Of this be assured, whether ye stand by me or no, either the Normans fly this village, or I lie with my face to the sky, breathless, lifeless.' "I'll stand by you, and fall with you, if you fall; the whole race of Normans shall not make me quit this place, while there's breath in this old body," said old Lincoln, taking a step towards Little John; "those I loved, and who loved me, lie here; and it isn't in the power of any murderous hounds like the Normans (with their king to boot), to drive me, while life remains, from this spot; therefore, Master John, I stand or fall by you, be the others who they may. "We will all stand or fall by Little John!" cried the Saxons with one voice, making the walls ring with their shout. When the arrangements were completed, they were divided into three parties, Little John taking lead of one, accompanied by Robin Hood, Friar Tuck the second, and old Lincoln the third. They were to quit the Hall by three different places; Little John by the principal entrance, old Lincoln by the entrance at the back, and Friar Tuck by the staircase, which was to be run out from an enlarged window, or rather door, made expressly for it at the end of the building. They were all to depart at once, and cutting their way through the Normans, join near the middle of the village, and then make every effort to drive their foes from their neighbourhood. As they were about to start, there was a sudden and unlookedfor opposition on the part of old Sir Guy, who it over his head, and shouting death or victory, The www brawny limbs, and flourished his weapon to some purpose. Whoever opposed him did not relish fighting a friar, and the result of their hesitation was their being cut down. The Saxons pressed on, pursuing their advantage to the utmost. The voice of Little John was frequently heard cheering them on, while he was doing much for the victory in the havoc he made with his huge weapon. Robin Hood kept by his side, fighting with all the desperation, yet cool determination, of the most stalwart warrior there. Not an advantage did Little John obtain, but what he followed up to the utmost; calling many an admiring remark from his colossal friend. Together they advanced, backed by a staunch body of Saxons, who, taking example and spirit by them, continued their career with a success they wondered at themselves, when they considered they were opposed to men whose trade was fighting, who were accustomed to it in its severest forms, were disciplined to endure unflinchingly the attacks of troops, frequently in greater force than themselves, and equally inured to its toils and severity. Yet this little band of villagers, all unused to a warfare where success depended upon personal courage and ability to stand and surmount, as well as stand the efforts of a body of men in every way equal to its opposer, were on the high road to gain a victory over men accustomed to it, and constituted by habit, when fighting hand to hand with such as them, to overcome them with comparative ease; but in the present instance it was not so ordained; the Normans had been beaten back step by step, nor suffered to regain a foot of ground they had lost. The sun had begun to peep above the horizon, and it was now sufficiently light to enable the Saxons to perceive the advantage they had gained. This was a great boon to them; Little John could see from the haggard countenances of the enemy that they were worn out with fatigue, and by the actual defensive position which they had assumed, that they were being beaten. It was almost a crisis, and he resolved to make it a successful one for his party; so, raising his voice he shouted with all his strength- "Victory! Victory! They retreat! Surrender, doga! beg your lives!" The Saxons shouted, echoing his words. Lincoln gathered his men from their lurking place, and they rushed, uttering their war cry, upon the Normans, who believed them to be a reinforcement of Saxons, fresh and unfatigued. A panic seized them; they retreated rapidly; the Saxons followed impetuously, cutting down those those they overtook. The fugitives, in panic-stricken flight, made for the spot where they had put their horses, mounted, and fled at a desperate pace. A quantity of the villagers mounted { horses which had lost their riders, and followed in hot pursuit, in order to chase them effectually from the village. As there was the hill to climb, and the barriers to pass through, before they could gain the main road, many of those who fled were overtaken and slain. Out of three hundred who came the previous morning to destroy the village and most of its inhabitants, scarce seventy returned to relate their disastrous failure. It was a proud moment for the Saxons when the absence of every Norman, but those who lay dead or badly wounded, clearly established the victory they had obtained over a number double their own, and who should likewise have been, as soldiers of an army { constantly embroiled in war, doubly their superior. But they had no time to waste in idle talking or joy at their success. There were warm and earnest congratulations among them, it is true, that they should have conquered the Normans, even at the expense of the loss of their village, and the forfeiting of their personal security; but they did not consume hours in doing that for which a few minutes sufficed. The first thing to be done was to erect a temporary shelter for the wounded, then to bury the dead. A deep pit was dug, the bodies of the Normans gathered together, and then thrown into it; but each Saxon who had fallen in the conflict had a separate grave dug for him in the burial-place, and prayers were offered up for the repose of their souls. When this task-a most laborious one-was completed, the hurts and wants of the wounded attended to, Little John summoned all his friends to meet him on the following day at the spot where they had obtained the victory, to discuss their future prospects. His summons was obeyed; and, when they had all assembled the ensuing morning, they formed a circle, and stood quietly awaiting what he had to say. He stepped into the centre of the ring, and, looking round with a glance of proud triumph, which quickly faded into a saddened expression, he began in a clear deep voice, Saxons," he said,-" for nobly ye have proved yourselves worthy of the name-ye have gained a victory over a band of tyrants-of-of-Normans-I know no word more loathsome to know them by : ye have driven them from the village in disgrace, in shameful defeat. But though ye have done this though few of the number who came have returned to tell how ye treated them, yet have they left their sting behind them-they have gained their object. They came to make this sweet place a desolate waste: and they have. They came hither to drive ye from your homes, to make ye houseless outcasts: and they have. They have robbed ye of your paternal inheritances; they have taken from ye the roof which sheltered ye, those ye love and would have cherished, but for their ruthless conduct; they have deprived ye of the hearth by whose side your fathers sat in peace and honour. These and more have they destroyed; but will they rest here? No: ye have committed a crime never to be forgiven or forgotten by them: ye, a handful of Saxon villagers, have defeated and driven before yenay, destroyed-a band of Norman warriors, who came to bend ye down as the blast does the yielding reed. Ye have resisted them, have scattered them, and ye still remain. Think ye they will suffer ye to do so in peace and quietness as though ye had bowed your necks tamely to their yoke, and said meekly, We will do even as thou will it we should do?' Think ye they will not seek a deep and bitter revenge for what ye have done? Be assured they will, and that they will do their utmost to sweep away every Saxon who took part in the glorious fray. Your village is already in ruins: were ye to raise another from its ashes, how speedily would they lay it low again, and hunt ye from your homes like they do the wolves they themselves so much resemble, from their lairs. What then have we to do? must we scatter ourselves over the land away from our birthplace from all relatives and friends? Or must we seek in other lands, the home, the happiness denied to us in this? Is not each an evil in itself? Ye cannot remain here; there will be treble the number of Normans here anon, with whom it would be worse than madness to attempt to compete, unless you desire to be cut down like grass before the knife of the mower, without gaining one fraction of revenge. It would be a folly, a reckless waste of the life which we received from Him who created us, to preserve and to make the most of. There then remains but one path, one alternative for us; it is to find a home in the forest, in the old wood which has seen us as boys, as men, and whose green trees may wave over our graves when our spirit leaves this world." "To the forest-to the forest ?" cried many voices interrogatively. "Aye, to the forest! Is there one among ye who has not passed many a night in merrie Sherwood, with the soft turf for his pillow and a roof of green leaves above him ?" "No, no," was replied. "I knew it. Then what should prevent our making it our home? There are caves and hollow places which are large and dry, and what is better, secret; known to but very few, we can sleep lightly beneath their shelter; e'en though it may be somewhat rough, it has the charm of freedom, for we will own the yoke of no king but a Saxon one. We shall find plenty of fat bucks to keep us from starving; and if a Norman keeper should interfere, we must remove him; we shall not fear the interruption of a Saxon. What say ye, hearts, shall the green wood be our home? We shall live right daintily; we shall be upon the ground which we first trod-the scene of our childhood, the same old wood our forefathers made merrie and fought hard in; we shall be near those we love, nor fear a Norman's visit, come he when or how he may. Let me hear your tongues; if my proposition like ye not, fear not to express as much. What say ye ?" "The forest! Old Sherwood! A forest life! Hurrah for Little John!" with many other like expressions, shouted the assembled Saxons with one accord. "That is settled. Now, there is something more important for the good of all: we shall all live, act, and work together for the good of each other; we must do this, or the safety of our forest life is no greater than if we were again to rear dwelling places upon these ruins in Gamwell, and wait the arrival of the Normans to slaughter us; but to live thus with satisfaction and comfort to all, we must have a leader, whom we must obey, who will act for the general good, and whose decision shall be a law which it shall be death to disobey. Do you agree to this?" { "Friends, I thank you for the honour you have conferred on me; but I wish you to elect as leader one I shall point out as the most proper among us to take that post of honour." "Who is it? Who! Name! No! no! Little John for ever!" cried a dozen voices. Little John waved his hand for silence, and when that was obtained, he retreated a few steps, and placing his hand upon the shoulder of Robin Hood, he drew him to the centre of the ring, and said in a loud voice "This is he-Robin Hood!" Many voices were about to make exclamations, but he again waved his hand, and said, "Hear all I have to offer, and then reply. I propose this youth because he is a true Saxon, has a heart as free from fear as the boldest here—but that ye have seen; an archer equal to him never stepped on green turf; the certainty of his aim saved us last night from defeat; it was he who, under disadvantages of which few of you are aware, slew the Norman leader. He can give a fall to the best among ye, and handle a quarter-staff with a dexterity few can excel, and fewer equal. His discretion and judgment are equal to his other qualities, and the last reason is as great as any. In him you behold the Earl of Huntingdon, a descendant of Waltheof, England's darling; but the grasping, thieving Normans, have robbed him of his estate and title, and King Henry has outlawed him for prosecuting his claim by law, and for helping to give the Norman Crusaders a taste of a Saxon's prowess. Some of ye here saw on that night that a man's duty was undertaken and ably supported by him; and I am well satisfied that if we make him our leader, we shall never see in him a lack of spirit and courage in the greatest danger, nor in other times a desire to encroach upon or misuse the power with which you have invested him. Did I think otherwise, I would not wrong you by proposing him, but I have known him from his earliest days-have seen him in all circumstances, and will, with my life, become answerable for his truth and honour, laying it down cheerfully if he evinces a breach There was some hesitation in the general body, of faith, or does aught to destroy the confidence realthough a few gave a ready assent. "You cannot," posed in him. I have, however, but spoken of his continued Little John, growing quite eloquent in the capabilities, to show you I would not propose one earnestness with which he urged the point," do other-who was ignorant of forest ways, or the forest itself, wise, if you consent to have a leader. He is no leader for he is well acquainted with every foot of it fourteen if he is not obeyed, if his command is not law; and miles round-glade, brake, thicket, covert, dell, cave, if there is not some heavy punishment attached to its or any intricacies-aye, one and all-still this is not infringement, the individual and selfish interest of the only reason, nor the principal reason, why I the members of the community will be perpetually particularly wish him to be our leader. I don't prorising up in opposition to his orders, and render his fess to know much of the cunning ways of cunning power equal to nothing. You need not fear giving men; it is not in my nature to study them, him this power, for it will only be exercised in posi- and even if I was to try, I don't think I should do tive cases of disobedience of a command which will much at it; my qualities are those which best be issued for the good of all; as every order issued become a simple and a good forester, whose knowby your leader will be guided by that intent, being the ledge of cunning is confined to the ways of wolves purpose for which he is placed above you. I ask you and the timid deer; but I have been among soldiers, again, do you consent ?" among vassals, and I have always found a leader more The men, who now viewed it in its proper light, respected if he is better born than any of those he and who saw the necessity of a leader, and that of commands-that there is more obedience on their obeying his command, gave at once a ready acquies-side, and less tyranny on his. I have always noticed cence to the proposition, and it now only remained to decide who should be leader. Immediately this was understood, a voice from the throng exclaimed"Little John shall be our leader. Hurrah for Little John!" "Hurrah for Little John!" cried the whole body of villagers, with a shout like a roar of artillery, their caps flying in the air to express the heartiness with which they met the proposition. As soon as silence was obtained, and Little John could make himself heard, he again addressed the Saxons, saying { it-I have reflected on it-and I believe it will always be so, because I think it is in men's nature to pay homage to those of higher birth than themselves! besides, from children they are taught to do it, and they never forget it. I have, therefore, concluded that Robin Hood, who is Sir Guy Gamwell's own nephew, and the rightful heir to the Earldom of Hun. tingdon, which Sir Guy will vouch, is the best one we can choose for our leader; and if you think his youth against him filling the post, I can only say that I will be ever at his side in cases of danger, and have to utter, and those who think with me, up caps they were, they had an earl at their head. Robin and cry, Robin Hood for ever!" "Robin Hood for ever!" cried the men with one Hood's heart beat loud and fast when he found himself placed in this new situation, for Little John had No. 19. AUTHOR'S LARGE EDITION. |