wwwwwww as 'twould the hair upon a deer's hide. Ho! come out, lad-what ho! Robin! The lad's in one of his freakish fits; ah! these humours will some day lead him into wild scrapes. Here he comes, a merry rogue, singing the song, too, which I made for Mary Gray to sing to my poor brother Robin." "What ho! goodman Hood, blithe father of mine," shouted the voice, the person still in concealment, "hath my whistling bolt made an ache or a tickle in thine ear? "There's no cloud o'er the moon, there's no sound in the dell; There's no voice in the air from the convent's soft bell; "Wilt thou wander with me in the merrie Shire Wood, To the green trysting tree, 'neath whose deep shade we stood; Nay," returned Robin, a shade passing over his brow at the continued gravity of his foster-father, "never heed it; I will not offend thee again by such a trick. But thou said'st this morning, at breakfast, that I was not archer good enough yet to rustle the hair on a deer's ear, by way of startling him, without hitting him. I saw thee jogging quietly along on old Gip, and I had a mind to show thee that I could." "A pleasant way of satisfying me, truly! but let it pass, Robin, I am not angry with thee; not I," said Gilbert, patting him on the shoulder. "I have but to say, try not thy skill again in the same way." "Thou need'st not fear; for careless, thoughtless fellow though I be, I would not hurt a hair of thy head, father, or give thee an instant's pain for this green wood and all its joy," said Robin, with warmth, stretching out his hand, which Gilbert took, grasped warmly, and said earnestly "I know thou would'st not, my boy. Bless thee! I know thou would'st not! It is now fifteen years, Robin, since thou wert brought, an infant, to my humble home; from that time until now I have felt for thee an affection, which, wert thou my own offspring, could not be warmer, truer, or more sincere. Thou hast always been an honest, open-hearted lad, wearing thy heart outside thy doublet, that those who knew thee once, might know thee always; thou hast never given me one moment's pain; for an' thou wert a little wayward and wilful, thou wert never wicked. Marry! 'tis what I would see in a boy. I would not have the young hardy tree grow up clogged and fettered by your trailing, creeping things, handsome though they be to gaze upon! And while thou art with me, and act as thou hast done, I will be unto As the burden of this little ditty was yet being echoed by the hollow places in the greenwood, there emerged from the thicket into which Gilbert had fired, a youth. He approached the keeper, and, when within a few feet, he stopped, and, leaning upon his bow, looked him hard in the face, indulging in another long, clear-toned laugh. He was barely sixteen years old, yet looked eighteen, for he was tall for his age, and exposure to the weather had deeply browned a skin once exquisitely fair; his frame was slight, but well formed; his limbs, though slender, had that easy set-that freedom of action, which, in youth, indicates coming strength; his chest was open even to an unusual breadth, his uprightness of bearing giving it an expanse in appearance which it perhaps did not really possess; his head and face were round, and well set upon his shoulders; his eyes were a deep hazel, large, full, and bright to a degree; there was a clearness and an expression in them which would tell the beholder the tenor of the thought passing in their possessor's mind ere his lip could give it utterancethey laughed at the witty thought, looked tristful and full of sympathy at aught sad, and round and flashing if his ire was raised; his nose was straight, his lips handsomely shaped, and his teeth looked as he laughed like a row of pearls; his hair was a deep brown, and hung, as was the custom of the period, in rich luxuriance around his shoulders; upon his head was a small cap of bright green cloth, decorated with a heron's feather; a doublet of green-the far-famed Lincoln green-adorned his body; his legs were encased in long hose of fine buckskin reaching to the waist, called "Chaussés ;" his feet were encased in a sort of slipper, something between the buskin "I have never seen him since," replied Gilbert, and shoe, bearing the Saxon name of "unhege "and only heard once; and that was by a scroll desceo," it came tight round the foot, reaching up be-livered to me about a year after I had received you. hind, so as to cover the ancle, but open on the instep, it was secured by a thong passing over the instep from one side to the other; this article was also made of buckskin, but of much stouter material than the hose; a baldrick, studded with bright steel points, crossed his shoulder, and passed beneath his arm; his sheaf was buckled to it behind, and at his belt hung a small horn. Thus equipped, a laughing, merry, careless youth of sixteen, stood he who was in future years to make such a figure in the history of his times. "Made an ache or a tickle in mine ear?" cried Gilbert, reiterating his words, and affecting a sternness which he felt not. "By'r Lady, but that sort of tickling had like to take away all aching." "Nay," said Robin, "I did not hit you; I did not intend." "In good sooth," answered Gilbert, "I am much bound to thee. I am happy to say thou didst not hit me; and give thee the credit of fully believing thou did'st not intend to do so; but thou might'st, thee a father and a friend." "As you have ever been, dear Gilbert!" exclaimed Robin, with fervour. "And may my right arm lose its strength, and every shaft I loose miss its aim, if ever I forget it. But tell me, father, have you not heard from the friend who brought me to ?" you As I It was deciphered to me by my confessor, and ran contains, to make up for the loss of those who once sat round the hearth, and they will, perhaps, serve to keep those who have gone in thy memory. The tear glistened in Robin's eye as Gilbert gave utterance to his kindly feelings, and hastily dashing his glove across his eyelid to brush away the large drop which stood there, he said "Let's talk no more of it; it's a dull subject, and when you say such monstrous kind things you always give me a watery eyelid and an aching throat, and that's not manly, but weak and girlish; such must not be the character of Robin Hood. I shall know, I dare say, some day, who I am and what I am, and if I don't, well, what listeth. I have not a doubt that I shall sleep just as light and wake as merrily as I do now. I know not who I am, but I will tell you what I mean to be-that is, the bonniest archer that ever drew bow in Sherwood Forest; I can bring down a flying bird or a fleeing buck now; but that's not half enough,—tell me something to hit, Gilbert; you are a good shot; show me something you deem too hard even for you to accomplish, and I will succeed in it, or you shall say I am no marksman." "You're the best for your age in this country, and no lie told," said Gilbert proudly, "and I taught you. I used to do a thing, Robin, when many years younger that I deemed the topping of all archery, for I knew none but myself that could do it." "And what was that ?" impatiently asked Robin. "You see yonder leaf hanging by its thin stalk to that bough?" he answered, pointing to the straggling branch of an oak which stood opposite to them. "I do," was the reply. "Well, I could cut that leaf from the branch with one shaft, place a second in the branch on the same spot from which I had cut the leaf, and split that arrow with a third ere the first had reached the ground!" concluded Gilbert, with a satisfied nod of the head. "That's worth trying for; I'll see what I can do," cried Robin, his eyes sparkling with the idea of accomplishing that which appeared almost an impossibility. He drew three arrows from his sheaf, and put two of them loosely in his belt, so as to draw them quickly from it; he then stood to take his aim, and a more graceful figure or attitude could not well be imagined; his legs were but a short distance apart, the left a little in advance of the right; his body inclining a little to the out-stretched left arm which held the bow, as it was a peculiar art to throw the weight of the body to the horns of the bow, thus saving a necessity for great muscular power in drawing the string, enabling the archer to take a steadier and surer aim. As he stood motionless, Gilbert eyed him with a proud satisfaction—in his eyes, a youth of nobler bearing never stood in the green wood. "Keep your eye on the leaf, boy," he cried; wag not an eyelid-budge not the millionth part of an inch until the first shaft has left your bow." ear, Robin followed his advice, and when the twang of the bow discharging the first arrow caught Gilbert's he held his breath as if it would influence Robin's success; the first arrow tore the leaf away, the second stood quivering in the branch almost as soon as the first had left the bow, but the barb of the third shaft, as he drew it quickly from his belt, caught, and thus prevented him being successful. An exclamation of impatience burst from him, but Gilbert checked him, and putting his hand upon his shoulder, exclaimed— "Twas well tried for a good shot, Robin; why your best foresters, in their prime of shooting, could not have done more; 'twas well done." "No, it was not done, father; but it shall be ere I stir out of the wood," was Robin's rejoinder, as he ww took three more shafts from his sheath to make a second essay. Gilbert was about to give him minute directions for the furtherance of his object, when a loud neigh rung in the air. "Gip, as I live," he cried laughingly; "the old dame is tired of her own company. By the rood! I must away to Mansfeldwoodhaus, or Margaret will be giving me the length of her tongue-and where's the shaft that will measure with it? On with thy trial, boy; when I return I shall perhaps find that thy skill in the use of the long bow equals Gilbert Hood's in his best days." So saying, hallooing to his nag, he disappeared among the vast trees, leaving Robin to his task, alone. For some time Robin continued his efforts, and his perseverance met with a tolerable return. He found the greatest difficulty in displacing his second shaft with the third, but his determined and continuous efforts were at length crowned with complete success; the leaf was borne away by his first shaft, his second entered the branch from which the leaf had been displaced, and the third clove in twain the second arrow ere the first had reached the ground. He felt an inward pride heave his chest as he gazed upon the evidence of his success, and he thought how gratified his foster-father would be to find that he had accomplished a feat which rivalled the best efforts of the most famous archers known. He was startled from a reverie into which he had fallen, by a buck suddenly bursting through the thicket from which he had himself made his appearance to Gilbert Hood; it dashed down the broad glade, and disappeared in the intricacies of the forest. He followed it with his eyes until it was lost to his sight, and on turning them again to the spot from whence the buck had broken, he was surprised by the hasty appearance of a man attired in the garb of a forester. The stranger crouched watchingly, as if expecting the coming of some one from whom he wished to keep concealed. His back was turned to Robin. After retiring a few paces, he knelt down on one knee, and putting a shaft to his bow took a steadfast aim, and discharged it. By a sudden exclamation of disappointment, Robin supposed him to have missed his object. He looked in the direction in which the fellow shot, to ascertain at what he was aiming; but a second arrow departed on its errand without his discovering the object at which it was loosed. The stranger watched the tract of his shaft, but again gave utterance to his disappointment in the shape of a round oath, which Robin distinctly heard. He drew a third arrow, and with an expression of the utmost anxiety, aimed, and again missed, as well as Robin could judge from an extravagant utterance of rage falling from his lips. There was a small opening between two bulky beech trees, commanding a view of a small portion of the glade, or, as it might have been termed, the pathway, leading to and past the spot on which Robin stood. As the man's movements had created an interest in him, he kept his eyes fixed in the direction in which he shot, and this opening just described lying a little to his left hand, as he gazed at the other point, enabled him to see who or whatever passed; he was, therefore, much surprised on perceiving a couple of forest nags, bearing a female and one habited in the costume of a knight or cavalier, appear and pass slowly on. The female seemed alarmed, and the cavalier's head was moving and turning in every direction, evidently endeavouring to discover that with which Robin was already acquainted, viz., from whence the arrows, which ever and anon flew around him, were proceeding. Robin presently observed the lady start; he heard a scream, and saw an arrow sticking through the pommel of her saddle. There was no time to lose, and taking advantage of the same means which the fellow who was discharging his shafts at the coming strangers had used, he got behind a tree, and fixing an arrow to his bow, he determined to make the forester remember as long as he lived shooting thus iniquitously at unprotected people. It is needless to say that Robin was in good practice, and when the outstretched left arm of the man told that he was again drawing his bow in base attack upon the strangers, ere his shaft quitted the bow-string, Robin's arrow transfixed his left hand to his bow. With a roar of mingled anguish and rage, he turned his eyes to the place which concealed our hero, but without avail, the small figure of the youth being effectually concealed by the broad trunk of an oak. Robin could not help laughing with the heartiest glee, to see the futile efforts the man made to withdraw the arrow which fastened his hand so firmly to the yew bow. as well as I can, in the order presented me, and briefly too. I stood here-I saw a man break the covert, and send shafts at some object hidden to me by the thick trees. Yon opening showed me yourself and that gentle lady were the butts at which his shafts were levelled; and calling upon our Holy Mother, I put a stop to his devilish purpose by pinning his hand to his long bow. He did not see me, and I fancy he believed the Evil One was at his shoulder, for he called out his name aloud, and dashed through yonder thicket, but not until I put an arrow into his doublet to quicken his speed." Here Robin laughed heartily again. "Where the ruffian has fled I know not, but wherever he may be he can't be very happy; and as to being one of the gang, do I look like one ?" The stranger gazed at him earnestly while he spoke, to see if he could read aught in the shape of falsehood; but the frank manner in which he related his story, his clear and open brow, which seemed the abode of truth itself, and his extreme youth, quite removed him beyond doubt. When Robin concluded, the stranger exclaimed I "Keep your gold, fair sir," returned Robin; "I neither want nor wish it; my name is Robin Hood; dwell with my father and mother a short two miles from hence on the borders of the forest. If you will follow me I will promise you rest and refreshment, in all sincerity and true heartiness of spirit." The shaft which Robin had discharged was, like all he carried, made by himself, with the exception of the barbed heads, and for the construction of those he was indebted to the skill of Gilbert Hood, himself an admirable bowman. They were formed of the best "No, thou dost not look like a rogue! thy youth steel, were long, thin, and tapered to a fine point, and honest bearing remove thee from such thoughts; enabling a good archer to hit the smallest mark with return thine arrow to its sheath; come hither, and unerring precision. With one of these had Robinreceive my thanks for thy timely aid ;" and he drew pinned the strange forester's hand to his bow, with a a small bag of gold coin from his belt. "Tell me firmness which would prevent their speedy separation. { who thou art, and, if thou canst, guide me to some The idea of killing the man never entered his imagi- place where I can refresh these exhausted nags, this nation; but he had not done with him yet; and, lady, and myself, for we are right weary." levelling a second shaft, whipped the fellow's cap from his head, to his great alarm. Being at a loss to discover by whom he was attacked, he looked around { him in the greatest trepidation, and ejaculating loudly "The foul fiend!" turned and fled. With a loud laugh Robin discharged an arrow, to assist him on his flight. It overtook him; and, although it did no great damage, still, from its receipt, he would for some time find it more easy than agreeable to take a seat anywhere. As the arrow entered, he gave a leap, and, at the same time, a frantic yell. With a desperate effort he seized and drew the arrow out, redoubling his speed; leaving his blood to track his footsteps, he dashed through the foliage, and was soon out of sight. Robin threw up his head proudly in answer to the Indulging in a laugh that made his sides ache, Robin question, and saying, "Else is there no faith on then prepared to meet the strangers, knowing that a { earth," led the way to the cottage of Gilbert Hood. few moments would bring them to the place where he stood. Leaving the shadow of the tree, he carelessly leaned against the part facing the path-way, and awaited the coming lady and cavalier. Round they came at full trot; and the instant the cavalier observed Robin leaning composedly against the tree, he made a fierce exclamation, drew his sword, and dashed up to him. It did not take a second for Robin to discover that he was mistaken for the assassin who had fled; but there was no time for explanation, and, exerting his agility, he bounded from the tree to a short distance; he drew his bow, and, with an arrow ready to discharge, he called a parley. "Hold thy hand, I prithee, sir knight," he cried. "I am not he whom thou takest me for; he that attacked you has fled." The lady had now arrived, and Robin saw from beneath a black hood a pair of sparkling dark eyes, brilliant and beautiful; making her a courteous bow, he gazed his full at them with rather more of admiration than politeness. "May we put faith in thee?" said the cavalier, interrupting his agreeable gaze. was CHAPTER III. "A sweet disorder in the dress An erring lace, which here and there ROBERT HERRICK, 1623. a mood half mirthful, half thoughtful, Robin Hood preceded the stranger and "Fled!" echoed the stranger. And then hastily the lady. He had mixed with no society interrogating Robin, continued. "How know you above the class in whch Gilbert Hood who attacked me? Where is the ruffian ? Art placed, and therefore knew little of the thou one of the gang? Speak! ere I cut you down." courtesy due to a rank considerably above what "Had I twenty tongues, I might answer your was apparently his own. There was a certain questions at once," coolly retorted Robin. "And as deference which he knew was paid to the lords of the for cutting me down, ere you could raise your weapon soil; but he had yet to learn that the male stranger, to put your threat into execution, this arrow which is { though habited in the garb which betokened gentility now extended towards you, would be quivering of birth, was one of these. He did not choose, through your heart. However, as neither acts would therefore, to humble himself to one to whom he had serve an honest purpose, I will answer your questions just rendered a service, and was now favouring by she was "Very romantic, and very pretty," cried the lady archly. "But, good Allan, would Christabel-always providing the proud baron, her most worshipful sire, gave his willing consent to your union, which, I am sorry to say, I much doubt-consent to give up her present luxuries for the cold comforts of a forest home ?" "Why, Marian," exclaimed Allan, "I have often heard you speak in animated praise of a forest home." ashamed to act before these strangers, as he would not have hesitated a second to have acted before others? He might have spared himself the trouble of asking these questions; he did care, that was the truth. It was beyond his wit to discover why the lady engrossed all his thoughts; so he continued to wonder whether really pretty, for he felt convinced, spite of his endeavours, that such eyes could belong to no face, without features to correspond. "I shall see," muttered he to himself, "when I "Which Imost honestly confess," answered Marian, get home, so I'll think no more about it;" gaily; "but, you know, I have often strange fancies;' but although the cavalier entered into a kind con- and, therefore, good brother, I am allowed to think versation with him, there was an absence of that as I please. Would Christabel think thus, even after ready wit which usually sparkled through his replies. we have taken this long journey upon some such He occasionally addressed the lady, and felt almost { errand as putting the question to her?" as much admiration for the tone of her voice as he had hitherto for her eyes, which, from the shade of that envious hood, seemed to sparkle brighter than ever; even when bis back was to her, he could tell that they were playing with full force upon his shoulders; making them glow, and him walk uneasily. "You were not wanting in a stout heart, good youth," said the cavalier, "to try thy shafts upon an outlaw. Did you not fear that he would turn upon you, had you failed in your aim ?" "I had no fear of failing in my aim," replied Robin, after eying him a moment to see whether the observation had not been made in jest. "Are you so good a marksman as to be sure of pinning a man's hand to a bow, at fifty yards?" asked the stranger. "Aye! if you call that being a good marksman," cried Robin, a sneer curling his lip. "You will not object to give me a proof of your skill, as we journey to your home," said the cavalier. "No," was the reply. At that moment, a large bird sprung into the air, and a young fawn bounded down the glade. Ere the stranger's request to make either of these objects a test of his skill had left his lips a minute, the bird and the fawn lay on the ground, each transfixed with an arrow from Robin's bow. The cavalier cried "admirable!" the lady uttered an exclamation of surprise; while Robin laughed, and thought them strange judges of the art of shooting with the yew bow. "If she loves me truly, she will share whatever home I have, and in which I endeavour to make her happy, without a thought contrar'. If I can but discover the truth of the information upon which I am acting, I will bring the proud baron upon his knees, and make him consent to my demand, or Nottingham Castle shall become a smoking ruin. Not one stone" "Hush!" hurriedly interrupted the lady; "here is the cottage-there is the youth. I presume that is his mother by his side-a cleanly dame, and welllooking." "And so is the boy," suggested her brother. "He's more man than boy," rose to the lady's lips quickly, but she let the words go quietly down again {without utterance, and wondered why she blushed so very crimson. She drew her hood closely over her head; and when she had dismounted by her brother's assistance, and thrown back the hood, all the crimson had departed, save the delicate tinge which remained upon her cheek. Robin opened his eyes wider than ordinarily as her face was presented to him, and, quite unconsciously, exclaimed aloud-"I knew those eyes could only belong to a beautiful face." Dame Margaret ejaculated "Robin!" the cavalier smiled; while the lady blushed again, almost as deeply as the crimson hue which covered, like a scarlet veil, the face of the youth. Had any pit, however deep, stood near, he would have leaped into it, and blessed its friendly aid. He seemed to feel as though he stood in a very foolish position; but the lady, although blushing, was not displeased, and the kind glance with which she repaid his observation slightly reassured him. Taking the steeds, he gladly seized the "They will serve for supper," he cried, "we are just home; I will run on and prepare my mother for your coming," and bidding them keep the track they were pursuing, he darted down the glade and disap-opportunity of leading them to the shed; while peared. ""Tis a noble youth, Marian," said the cavalier to the lady, gazing after Robin with unqualified approbation; 66 the best and brightest specimen of an English forester I have yet seen." "He is very young," suggested the lady. "True; and younger, perhaps, than his looks give him credit for; but a life in the free air and the green woods impress the strength and manliness upon youth which years alone give in the close atmosphere of a town," replied the cavalier, and sighed. "I fancy, Allan," said the lady, "that the green woods of Sherwood Forest have less to do with that profound sigh, than the fair daughter of Nottingham's proud baron ?" "And you have often strange fancies, Marian," replied Allan; "yet 'tis needless to deny it. I proudly confess I would sooner spend my days with a forest such as this for my ramblings, a yeoman's cot for my home, and Christabel for my wife, than enjoy the wealth and honors which encircle a throne, had I the opportunity of choosing." Margaret ushered, with a kindly welcome, the brother and sister to her humble abode. In a short time afterwards, Gilbert Hood returned from his domestic expedition. He also, as well as his foster-son, had been acting the part of the good Samaritan to a wounded stranger, whom he had met upon his way bleeding and helpless. He led him into the cottage at the same moment that Robin entered, after seeing the horses served, the latter started as he heard Gilbert exclaim hastily, "Margaret, I have brought a wounded man requiring thine aid; some rogue has played him the scurvy trick of pinning his hand to his yew-bow. By my faith but it was neatly done, whoever did it, and no easy matter to extract. If it had not been for my wood-knife, it might still have been sticking there. Quick, dame, the man is faint from loss of blood! How is it with thee? So, man, keep up! Dame, cold water-quick! he has fainted." The man, weakened by an excessive loss of blood, had swooned into Gilbert's arms, and, as his face turned to Robin, he saw the grim and ghastly visage |