Page images
PDF
EPUB

ROBIN HOOD

ROBIN HOOD was an outlaw and robber, who lived more than five hundred years ago in the depths of Sherwood Forest in England. He was chief over a company of similar fellows - some people say as many as a hundred. A great number of the most popular English ballads make Robin Hood their hero, and recount his lawless pranks and daring deeds. Among his constant companions in the life "under the greenwood tree," were Little John, Friar Tuck, and Nick, the miller's son,-not to forget the Maid Marian.

Though a robber and highwayman, Robin Hood had good and generous qualities which made the common people admire him and even love him. He was the best archer in the world, for his arrow never missed its aim. He was entirely without fear, and was believed more than once to have attacked, single-handed, four knights at a time, and to have overcome them; a victory over two knights was a small matter with him.

He had many disguises, but was most often clad in green, with his hunter's horn and his bow and arrows, or else he appeared as a simple yeoman. His heart was not cruel; he never killed people except in self-defence. He was jovial and kindly, and often gave to the poor what he took from the rich,

But if Robin Hood had been nothing more than an outlaw and a robber, it is not likely that he would ever have won that romantic glory which came very early to be associated with his name. It is probable

that he was driven to the free, wild life which he led by some political event which made it natural for him to become the knight of the lower classes.

The following account of Robin Hood's skill with the bow and arrow is from Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe." The scene is laid in England at the time when John had wrongfully taken the throne from his brother, King Richard the Lion-hearted, while the latter was away on a crusade. Richard has returned, and, in disguise, is looking on at the entertainments given by John. Robin Hood makes his appearance at the trial of archers, under the name of Locksley. On the previous day he had given offence to John, who cannot see through Robin's disguise, but thinks him some blunt and ignorant yeoman.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE ARCHERS

SIR WALTER SCOTT

To the best archer a prize was to be awarded, being a bugle horn, mounted with silver, and a silken baldric richly ornamented with a medallion of Saint Hubert, the patron of sylvan sport. More

than thirty yeomen at first presented themselves as competitors.

Prince John stepped from his royal seat to view more nearly the persons of these chosen yeomen, several of whom wore the royal livery. Having satisfied his curiosity, he looked for the object of his resentment, whom he observed standing on the same spot, and with the same composed countenance which he had exhibited upon the preceding day.

"Fellow," said Prince John, "I guessed by thy insolent babble thou wert no true lover of the longbow, and I see thou darest not adventure thy skill among such merrymen as stand yonder."

Under favor, sir," replied the yeoman, "I have another reason for refraining to shoot, besides the fearing defeat and disgrace."

What is thy other reason?" said Prince John. "Because," replied the woodsman, “I know not if these yeomen and I are used to shoot at the same marks; and because, moreover, I know not how your Grace might relish the winning of a third prize by one who has fallen under your displeasure."

Prince John colored as he put the question, "What is thy name, yeoman?"

"Locksley," answered the yeoman.

"Then, Locksley," said Prince John, "thou shalt shoot in thy turn, when these yeomen have displayed their skill. If thou carriest the prize, I will add to it twenty nobles; but if thou losest it, thou shalt be

stripped and scourged out of the lists with bowstrings, for a wordy and insolent braggart."

"And how if I refuse to shoot on such a wager?" "Your Grace's power, supported

said the yeoman.

as it is by so many men at arms, may indeed easily strip and scourge me, but cannot compel me to bend or to draw my bow."

"If thou refusest my fair proffer," said the prince, "the provost of the lists shall cut thy bowstring, break thy bow and arrows, and expel thee from the presence as a faint-hearted craven."

"This is no fair chance you put on me, proud prince," said the yeoman, "to compel me to peril myself against the best archers of Leicester and Staffordshire, under the penalty of infamy if they should overshoot me. Nevertheless, I will obey your pleasure."

A target was placed at the upper end of the southern avenue which led to the lists. The archers, having previously determined by lot their order of precedence, were to shoot each three shafts in succession.

One by one the archers, stepping forward, delivered their shafts yeomanlike and bravely. Of twenty-four arrows, shot in succession, ten were fixed in the target, and the others ranged so near it, that, considering the distance of the mark, it was accounted good archery. Of the ten shafts which hit the target, two within the inner ring were shot by Hu

bert, a forester, who was accordingly pronounced victorious.

"Now, Locksley," said Prince John to the bold yeoman, with a bitter smile, "wilt thou try conclusions with Hubert, or wilt thou yield up bow, baldric, and quiver to the provost of the sports?"

"Sith it be no better," said Locksley, "I am content to try my fortune, on condition that when I have shot two shafts at yonder mark of Hubert's, he shall be bound to shoot one at that which I shall propose."

“That is but fair," answered Prince John, “and it shall not be refused thee. If thou dost beat this braggart, Hubert, I will fill the bugle with silver pennies for thee."

"A man can but do his best," answered Hubert; "but my grandsire drew a good longbow at Hastings, and I trust not to dishonor his memory."

The former target was now removed, and a fresh one of the same size placed in its room. Hubert, who, as victor in the first trial of skill, had the right to shoot first, took his aim with great deliberation, long measuring the distance with his eye, while he held in his hand his bended bow with the arrow placed on the string.

At length he made a step forward, and raising the bow at the full stretch of his left arm, till the centre or grasping place was nigh level with his face, he drew his bowstring to his ear. The arrow

« PreviousContinue »