fluence was exerted in preventing any harsh measures being put in force against the denizens of the forest, for fear that, were they to consent to any attempt at their expulsion, they might have the melancholy satisfaction of seeing a near relative hung before their door some fine morning. Still, to keep up a show of justice, the reward offered for the capture of Robin Hood was doubled. Any one who offered to try and make him prisoner was-upon a proper representation of their intent, and proofs that they possessed a chance of success, and a determination, if possible, to insure it-furnished with a warrant to that effect, and, if they succeeded, it was to be the certificate that they were duly entitled to the reward promised. Several had undertaken to accomplish the task, but had either joined the band, or been so soundly trounced, that they were in no hurry again to enter the green wood.

breath.

One morning, as Robin and Will Scarlet were strolling through the forest, they suddenly encountered Much looking flushed, heated, and out of "How now, Much ?" inquired Robin. "What is the matter with thee? you look plaguily breath-worn. Hast been running hard ?"

heard, and then saluted him with as hearty a thwack between the shoulders as my open hand could give. He started, and, twisting his shoulders about, looked me angrily in the face.

"Why, who art thou that wanders into the forest, as if every foot of it were thine own?' I demanded. 'To be brief with thee, thou lookest marvellously like a thief, here on purpose to rob the forest of the King's deer. Now, I would have you learn that I am a keeper of this forest, whose duty it is not to suffer any marauding varlets, like you, to roam about, singling out the fattest deer of the herd, to bring down when an opportunity serves, unlawfully: therefore, I shall send thee back from whence thou comest.' "Will you?' replied Arthur-a-Bland; I do not think thou canst; wert thou thrice a forest keeper, and had thrice thy number to back thee, thou couldst not make me go, were it my will to stay!'

"I have none to back me,' I returned, 'nor need { I any-I can do it quite easy enough by myself; my sword and bow and arrows are my backers. Troop, man, troop!'

"I care not one straw for thy bow nor thy quiver of arrows,' he cried, if I but give thee a knock with my staff, you will never again use your sword or bow,

66 6

"You can hardly call it play," said Much. though he never loses his temper, he knows very little of the pure science of the art; he conquers by sheer strength."

'What! he made thee cry quarter- eh ?" asked Robin.

"If I had not, he would have knocked all the breath out of me; and I verily believe my staff would have gone into a thousand pieces, he strikes so desperately hard," returned Much. "Little John has got him in hand now; but Arthur stands no chance with him. Directly he begins to batter in that terrific manner, Little John sends his staff flying out of his hands, and gives him some tough knocks for not keeping a better hold."

"What induced you to get playing with Arthur-aBland ?" inquired Robin.

"Why," replied Much, “just to pass away an hour pleasantly, and to try his powers, for he has the reputation among the men of being a sturdy player; besides, it is said he conquered you at the staff, and so I thought I would see if I could stand up to him successfully."

"Beat you at quarter-staff, Robin!" said Will Scarlet, astonished. "No man ever did that, I thought. It is not true that Arthur-a-Bland beat you?"

"I'faith," answered Robin, "something after the fashion he served Much did he serve me. The fellow hits just as though he was striking with a bar of iron, instead of an oaken staff."

'But how was this? when was it ?" interrogated Will, eagerly.

"Scarce three years since," answered Robin. "One morning I was strolling along through the wood, and encountered bluff Arthur, whom I had never seen before, leaning upon a pike-staff, surveying a herd of deer feeding in the bend, with open mouth and eyes, as if he was looking upon something supernatural. His stalwart frame and look of simplicity struck me as something droll, and I resolved to have some sport with him. I stole close up to him, unseen and un

"You have no sword,' I observed. "What want I with a sword? I have this staff; that will serve me and quilt thee,' he answered.

"Very well,' I replied, 'I yield to thy weapon; I have an oaken staff with me, I think about the same length as thine.'

"That is right,' he said, 'come on!' and he brandished his pike-staff over his head.

"Let us measure the staffs,' I said, and stood up mine; he brought his to it, and said hastily

"Never mind measuring the staffs; yours is a little longer than mine; it is no matter.'

"Oh yes,' I replied, we will have them the same length, or it will not be fair play;' and I took out my forest knife, and cut them to the same length. While I was doing this he kept calling on me to come

on

"I care not for length of staffs,' he cried. 'Mine is of good oak, eight foot and a half long, it will knock down an ox, and I fancy it will do the same for thee.'

"I had soon completed the operation of shortening my staff; and unbuckling my belt, laying down my bow and quiver, we set to work. I gave him the first blow, and saw the blood come trickling down his forehead-he staggered back almost stunned, and I waited for him to recover a little; when he did, he rattled away with his staff with a power and force I never before had to cope with. I could scarce keep my staff from being beaten, by the sheer weight of his blows, out of my hand. While stepping back to avoid a blow, my foot slipped, I was thrown off my guard; he took advantage of the opportunity, and dealt me the most tremendous blow on the crown I ever received-it knocked me down as if I had been shot by an arrow. I, however, sprung up to my feet again; I was somewhat confused by the blow; I felt the blood from the cut it made seeping through my hair and trickling into my ears. Nevertheless, I fancy I repaid with interest that blow, for I made his

"Deem it what you will," returned Robin," that is the truth of the matter; but I received the soundest { cudgeling from Gaspar-a-Tin."

"You did!" cried Will Scarlet; "when was that? before he joined the band ?"

"Yes," replied Robin, "I always tested the courage and strength of a man before he joined the band; I must have no faint hearts among my merrie men. I was on my way to Nottingham one morning, and I overtook Gaspar-a-Tin, who was also on his way to Nottingham. He looked a sturdy, lusty fellow, and one whom I thought would be of good service if I could persuade him to join us; I therefore accosted him in a bantering tone.

666

Good morrow, yeoman,' I said, 'thou art a traveller, I see. There is bad news abroad, I hear, is it truth ?'

"What is the news?' demanded he; 'I have heard of none of any import. I am a tinker by trade; I live in Banbury, and have but just come from thence; I have seen or heard nothing on my road here in the shape of bad news.'

"The news I have to tell is,' I answered, that two tinkers were set in the stocks for drinking.'

"If that is all your news, it is not worth a groat,' he answered; if every one was placed in the stocks for drinking, you would be sure to have a seat there, for you look not as if you disliked good liquor.'

666

Why, I am no enemy to a cup of good wine, I confess,' I exclaimed, 'neither is any one who has a jovial heart; but what brings thee from Banbury here? surely not to follow thy craft only.'

he flourished as he said this. I longed to have a bout with him then, but fearing I should lose some good sport, I restrained my inclination, and laughing, told him, if he found I had deceived him, I was willing he should, if he could. Well, accordingly, on we went to Nottingham. When we got there we stopped at the hostel called the Flagon, and I ordered some old ale of a peculiar sort, which the host keeps; the tinker was very thirsty, and drank deeply; the ale was soon gone, and we had some wine, after that more ale, and subsequent to that more wine. The tinker, who had drank nearly all that was placed before him-for not being inclined to drink, I scarce wetted my lips-soon became tipsy, and then boasted to such an extent what he would do, that it was the choicest thing to hear him. He arrived, after capturing me, to taking the whole band, like a flock of sheep, up to London, and becoming, ultimately, through rendering important services, to have the highest post in the kingdom. Just as he was about to marry the King's daughter, he fell asleep. Knowing that I should soon receive a visit from him in the wood, I abstracted the bag which he said contained the warrant, for the purpose of enjoying, when he awoke, his confusion at his loss; but some of the sheriff's people coming in, and fearing too early a discovery of my person by the tinker, left; but before I went, I discharged the reckoning, and told the host to tell the tinker, when he awoke, that the bill was unpaid, and that if he asked who I was, he was to tell him I was Robin Hood; and if he wished to find me, I should be in the green wood, along with the king's deer.

'You,' I exclaimed, looking rather surprised at hearing the cool confession of his purpose. How do you propose to take him ?'

"I have a warrant from the king,' replied the tinker, 'granted me, properly filled up, which empowers me to seize him, and have the reward.'

"Indeed! you talk as if it was an easy matter to take him,' I said.

"I think I shall find it so,' he rejoined; 'I have stout limbs, and as stout a heart, so I think I stand as good a chance as any one else.'

"Do you know him when you see him?? I inquired.

"No; I wish I did,' he returned; 'it would make my job all the lighter. Do you know him ?' "I have seen him,' I rejoined.

"Then perhaps you can help me in this matter,' he observed; 'I will give you a share of the money if you can point me out where to find him, and assist me to capture him.'

"Let me see the warrant first, I said, 'in order that I may know that it is a good and proper one.' "No, I am much obliged,' he answered, with a cunning leer, I shall trust it in no one's hands but my own. I know that it is a good and proper one, that is enough for me, and I shall show it no one but Robin Hood, and not to him, until I capture him.'

"Perhaps it is the wisest plan,' I replied, and thinking to make a jest of the fellow, I rejoined, 'He is going to Nottingham, I heard this morning, and if you will come with me there, you shall see him, I pledge you my word.'

666

Agreed,' he responded, 'I take thee at thy word. I have nought else to do but believe thee, and if I find when I am there that thou hast deceived me, why, I will dust thy doublet well for thee.'

"He had a stout crab-tree staff with him, which

{

"I thanked him, and left the house. It appears that Gaspar-a-Tin slept long and soundly; but when he awoke he missed me, and immediately afterwards his money. He shouted out for the host.

666

Host,' he cried-' host, I am robbed, ruined, and undone!'

666

Not here, I hope,' replied the host, 'for you have a long bill to pay.

"Bill to pay!' reiterated Gaspar, with a groan, I have nought to pay it with. I have been robbed. I had a warrant from the King to capture Robin Hood, and the reward would have made a rich man of me. Now I have lost that, and a sum of money beside, out of a bag which hung at my girdle. He who came in with me, too, and promised to point out Robin Hood to me, is gone, and I fear it is he who has taken my money and warrant too.'

666

Why that friend you speak of was Robin Hood,' exclaimed the host, laughing.

'Oh that I

"Robin Hood!' roared the tinker. had but known that when I had him here! I would have made him my prisoner, or it should have cost me very dearly. However, it is of no use to stay here lamenting; I will away, and seek him out, whatever betides me.'

"I should like to have the amount of my bill before you go,' suggested the host.

"How much is it?' demanded Gaspar, with a sigh.

"Ten shillings,' answered the host, rubbing his hands, and enjoying the tinker's discomfiture. "I have no money about me,' he answered, but will leave thee my tools; they are worth more than that sum; and so soon as I have captured Robin Hood, I will return and redeem them.'

I

"Well, then,' replied the host, if you wish to meet with him quickly, and art not afraid of a few

2 ww

hard knocks, if you go you will be sure to find him slaying the king's deer.'

"What knave is this,' I called out as he advanced, 'who dares intrude on me in this ungainly fashion?' "No knave,' cried the tinker, and whether either of us have done the other a wrong, my staff shall quickly show you.'

"At once he commenced an attack upon me with his staff. I had to jump nimbly out of his reach, until I could draw my sword, which, when I did, I found fully occupied in defending me from his heavy blows; and so slight a weapon, being opposed to such a weighty staff as his, I found of no use; for I did not want to maim him. I, therefore, called out"Hold! you have me at unfair odds. Let me, too, have a quarter-staff, and I'll stand up to you as long as I am able, giving you free license to drub me as soundly as you can.'

"He granted me my request, and I hastily cut myself one from an oak. It was not so straight or so smooth as I could wish; but it was better than none. We then set to work, and I soon found I knew more about quarter-staff than he did. As I not only drew blood from his head, but I rattled him so severely about the body and legs, I thought once or twice he would fly; for he looked right and left for a clear space; but a succession of hard knocks so excited his rage that he became almost frantic. He struck regardless of all the hits I gave him, and by great strength and ability to bear punishment he began to tire me out. He held the staff with both hands, near the end, and laid about me as if he was cleaving wood or thrashing corn. My arms and wrists, which had supported my staff, and endured for near three hours the whole weight of his tremendous blows, grew nearly powerless, while he seemed to have new strength. He beat down my guard, and although he entangled his staff frequently, at which times I disciplined him severely, still he kept on, until my head, my shoulders, and legs, bore evidence of his strength and perseverance. As in the case of Arthur-a-Bland, there was no honour to be gained in defeating such a player, and in consequence no desire to bear unmoved the fierce blows he dealt me, I leaped out of his reach and called a boon. "I'll hang thee on a tree first!' he roared, in the height of his passion.

"But I blew three blasts of my horn, and Little John, with the merrie men, were speedily at my side. I had seated myself to recover under a tree, while Gaspar-a-Tin, surprised at the sound of my horn, and the appearance of the merrie men, stood motionless. "What is the matter?' asked Little John. "Here's a tinker who hath drubbed me well,' I answered.

"Drubbed thee!' replied Little John, laughing, 'I should just like to see the blade who could do it, because I would try if he could do the same for me;' and with the readiness he ever evinces when there is a chance of having about of quarter-staff, he advanced to the tinker, who now, rather cooled, displayed no very great willingness to comply with the invitation. But I prevented him displaying his abilities, and made the tinker an offer to join the band, upon the same terms and privileges we all enjoyed. He hesitated a little, and then he said

Well, I am a lone man, without kindred; I will thee, and do as ye do.'

e next morning I saw him, and then had a

"It must have been hard work," said Will; "rather harder than agreeable. Little John may say what he pleases, but I prefer the bow and arrow to all the quarter-staffs in the world; both as a sport and a weapon of defence or offence. It is, in my opinion, better to be shot out of the world at once, than beaten out of it by degrees. One pang is better than all the pains of the blows from a quarter-staff." "In some instances, it is most useful, where the bow is useless; for its use is not affected by an empty quiver," said Robin, "and when you do not absolutely desire to destroy a foe, a sound cudgelling makes him remember you longer than a flesh-wound from an arrow."

"Oh!" said Much, "it is glorious sport when you are opposed to a thorough good player. There's nothing to me equals the quarter-staff."

"It is all very well, by way of varying your sport," contended Will, "but to me there's nothing in the world equals the bow."

"Nor to me!" said Robin, enthusiastically.

Accompanied by Will Scarlet and Much, he strolled on in the direction of Nottingham. They had not proceeded far, when they met a young female weeping bitterly. As soon as Robin saw her, he hastened towards her, and accosted her.

"Why dost thou weep, maiden ?" he asked, tenderly.

"I wish to see Robin Hood," said the girl, sobbing. "Oh! if you have pity, lead me quickly to him."

"I am Robin Hood, maiden," he answered, "teach me how I can serve thee. No one of my company have done thee any wrong ?" he cried, a flush mounting to his brow.

"Oh no! oh no!" she replied quickly. "Then tell me of what consists thy grief?" he exclaimed, pressing her hand encouragingly.

"Three of my brothers, who are of your band, have been seized by the Sheriff of Nottingham," she replied. "Ah!" ejaculated Robin; "their names, maiden?" "Adelbert, Edelbert, and Edwin Joyheart," she sobbed.

"Three of my most gallant and gentle hearts, bold and true yeomen," exclaimed Robin. "How came they in his power? it is a few hours since I saw them." "They entered the town early this morning to see my mother and father; they encountered a party of the sheriff's men dragging a young man to prison for having struck down one of their companions who had grossly insulted his mother; they interfered and rescued him-"

"Or they had been no followers of mine," interrupted Robin.

"And then, after they had driven the sheriff's men away, they came home, but had not been there half an hour when a strong band of the sheriff's men came and took them away; they were recognised as belonging to your band, and they are to be hung immediately; they are now erecting a gallows at the town's foot, upon which my poor brothers are to be hung as soon as it is completed." "Fear

"Cheer thee, maiden," said Robin, kindly. not, they shall be saved; there is 'not a man in the band who would not peril life and limb in defence of, or to rescue from danger, any one of their number ; and I, most of all, would not suffer any of my people to perish without a determined effort to save them, or