“Yea! we be very happy folk, Sir,” replied Robin, laughing.

  The escort soon reached the greensward, where a repast awaited the guests; and this repast, sumptuously furnished with fragrant venison, excited Richard Coeur-de-Lion’s appetite by its mere appearance.

  “By my mother’s conscience!” he cried (let us hasten to say that the Lady Eleanor had so little conscience that it was sheer pleasantry to appeal to it), “here is a truly royal dinner!” Whereupon the King took his place at the board and ate with great enjoyment. Towards the end of the meal, Richard said to his host “Thou hast made me anxious to meet the beautiful women who people thy vast domain. Introduce them to me. I am curious to see if they are worthy, as thy red-headed companion assured me, to ornament the Court of the King of England.”

  Robin sent Will to find the beautiful woodland nymphs, and to tell his men to prepare the sports in which they engaged on days of rest.

  “My men will endeavour to amuse you a little, Sir Abbot,” said Robin, again taking his place beside the King; “and you will see that there is naught really blameworthy in our pleasures and the wild fashion of our lives. And when you find yourself in the presence of good King Richard, I ask it as a favour that you will tell him that the Merrie Men of Sherwood are neither to be feared by brave Saxons, nor unkind to any who have compassion on the inevitable hardships of the rough life they lead.”

  “Rest assured, brave yeoman, His Majesty shall know of all that hath happened here, as surely as though he himself had partaken of thy repast in my stead.”

  “You, Sir, are the most gracious Abbot that I have ever met in all my life, and I am very glad to be able to treat you as a brother. Now be pleased to direct your attention to my archers. There is nothing to equal their skill, and, in order to amuse you, I am sure they will accomplish wonders.”

  Robin’s men then began to draw the bow with such extraordinary steadiness of hand and aim, that the King complimented them with an expression of real surprise.

  The exercise lasted about half an hour, when Will Scarlett reappeared, bringing with him Marian and Maude, arrayed in Amazon costumes of Lincoln green cloth, and each carrying a bow and quiver of arrows.

  The King opened his eyes in astonishment, and gazed speechless at the charming faces that blushed beneath his gaze.

  “Sir Abbot,” said Robin, taking Marian by the hand, “allow me to present to you the Queen of my heart, my dearly loved wife.”

  “Thou mightest well add the Queen of thy Merrie Men, brave Robin,” cried the King; “and you have every reason to be proud of inspiring a tender passion in such a charming creature. Dear Madam,” continued the King, “allow me to salute you as the Queen of Sherwood Forest, and to render you the homage of a faithful subject.”

  So saying, the King knelt upon the ground, and taking Marian’s white hand, touched it respectfully with his lips.

  “Your courtesy is great, Sir Abbot,” said Marian, modestly; “but I pray you remember that it doth but ill become a man of your holy character to bow thus before a woman. You should render to God alone that token of humility and respect.”

  “That is a very moral rebuke for the wife of a simple forester,” murmured the King, again taking up his position under the Trysting Tree.

  “Sir Abbot, here is my wife,” cried Will, leading Maude up to Richard.

  The King looked at Maude, and said laughingly

  “This lovely lady is without doubt the one who would do honour to a King’s palace.”

  “Yea, Sire,” said Will.

  “Well, my friend,” replied Richard, “I share your opinion, and if you will allow me, I will implant a kiss upon the beautiful cheek of her you love.”

  William smiled, and the King, who took this smile for a reply in the affirmative, embraced the young woman gallantly.

  “A word in your ear, Sir Abbot,” said Will, approaching the King, who listened with complacency to the young man. “You are a man of taste,” continued Will, “and you will never have anything to fear in Sherwood Forest. From this day forth I promise you a cordial reception every time a happy chance brings you amongst us.”

  “I thank you for your courtesy, good yeoman,” said the King, gaily. “Oh! oh! but what more do I see?” cried Richard, with his eyes upon Will’s sisters, who, accompanied by Lilas, appeared before him. “Truly, my lads, your dryads are real fairies.” The King took Lilas’s hand. “By our Lady!” he murmured, “I did not believe that so beautiful a woman as my sweet Berengaria existed; but, upon my soul, I am forced to confess that this child equals her in purity and beauty. My pretty one,” said the King, pressing the little hand he held in his own, “thou hast chosen a very hard life, deprived of all the pleasures of thine age. Dost not fear, poor child, that the stormy-winds of this Forest will destroy thy frail life, as they destroy young flowers?”

  “My father,” replied Lilas, gently, “the wind is tempered to the strength of the plants; it spareth the feeble ones. I am happy here; one who is dear to me lives in the old wood, and I know no sorrow by his side.”

  “Thou art right to acknowledge thy love if the man whom thou lovest is worthy of thee, my sweet child,” returned Richard.

  “He is worthy of even greater love than I give him, my father,” replied Lilas. “Albeit, I love him as tenderly as can be.”

  Saying these words the girl blushed. Richard’s big blue eyes were fixed upon her with such a burning look that, seized with an undefinable fear, she gently drew her hand away from the King’s clasp, and sat down by Marian.

  “I own to you, Master Robin,” said the King, “that there is not a single Court in Europe that can boast of gathering around the throne so many young and beautiful women as we see around us. I have seen the women of many countries, and I have never met anything to compare with the sweet and tranquil beauty of Saxon women. Curse me, if any one of the fresh faces that meet my gaze be not worth an hundred women of the East or of any foreign race.”

  “I am pleased to hear you speak thus, Sir Abbot,” said Robin. “You prove to me once more that pure English blood flows in your veins. I cannot presume to judge of so delicate a point, for I have never travelled, and know no lands beyond Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Natheless, I am strongly disposed to say with you that Saxon women are the most beautiful in all the world.”

  “They are certainly the most beautiful,” cried Will, decidedly. “I have travelled over a great part of the Kingdom of France, and I can certify that I have not met with a single matron or maid who can compare with Maude. Maude is the pick of English beauty, that is my opinion.”

  “You have served as a soldier?” asked the King, looking at the young man attentively.

  “Yea, Sir,” replied Will, “I have served King Henry in Aquitaine and Poitou, at Harfleur, Evreux, Rouen, and in many other places.”

  “Ah, ah!” exclaimed the King, turning his head for fear that Will would end by recognising him. “Robin Hood,” he continued, “your men are preparing to continue the games. I shall be very pleased to witness some fresh exercise of skill.”

  “It shall be as you wish, Sir. I will show you how I set about forming my archers’ hands. Much,” cried Robin, “place garlands of roses upon the wands.”

  Much executed the order given him, and soon the top of the wand was seen above a circle formed by the flowers.

  “Now, my lads,” cried Robin, “take aim at the wand; he who misses his stroke will have to give me a good arrow with which he shall receive a blow. Attend, for, by Our Lady, I shall not spare the maladroit. It is well understood that I take part with you, and, in case of unskilfulness, I submit to a like punishment.”

  Many Foresters missed their aim and received with good grace a sturdy blow. Robin Hood broke the wand in pieces; another was put up in its stead. Will and Little John missed their aim, and amid shouts of laughter from all the onlookers they received the reward of their awkwardness.

  Robin had the last shot; but wishing to show the supposed Abbot that in such a case there was no distinction made between himself and his men, he purposely missed the wand.

  “Oh, oh, Master!” cried an astonished yeoman, “you have missed the mark.”

  “‘Tis true, i’ faith, and I deserve the punishment. Little John, thou art the strongest of us all, and thou wilt know how to strike hard.”

  “I do not hold with it in the least,” replied John; “the mission is a disagreeable one, for ‘twould set me at variance with my right hand for ever.”

  “Very well, then, Will, I ask you.”

  “Thank you, Robin; I refuse entirely to do thee this kindness.”

  “I refuse too,” said Much.

  “I too,” cried another man.

  “And so do we all!” exclaimed the Foresters with one accord.

  “All this is ridiculous childishness,” said Robin, severely. “I did not hesitate to punish those who did wrong, you must do the like to me, and as severely as not one of my men will lay his hand upon me, it is for thee, Sir Abbot, to settle the dispute. Here is my best arrow, and I pray you, Sir, to serve me as I served my unskilful archers.”

  “Nay! I dare not take it upon me to satisfy thee, my dear Robin Hood,” cried the King, laughing, “for I have a heavy hand, and I hit hard.”

  “I am neither tender nor delicate, Sir Abbot; so be easy.”

  “Thou dost really wish it?” asked the King, baring his muscular arm. “Well, thou shalt have thy wish.”

  The blow was so vigorously applied that Robin fell to the ground, but he soon rose again.

  “I confess before Heaven,” said he, with smiling lips and a red face, “that you are the most powerful monk in all merry England. You have too much strength in your arm for a man who doth exercise a holy profession, and I would wager mine head (it is valued at four hundred gold crowns) that you know more about stretching a bow and wielding a cudgel than carrying a crozier.”

  “It may be so,” cried the King, laughing; “and let us add likewise, an thou wilt handling a sword, a spear, or a shield.”

  “Your conversation and manner reveal rather a man accustomed to the adventurous life of a soldier than a pious servant of Holy Church,” returned Robin, examining the King attentively. “I should much like to know who you are, for strange thoughts have come into my head.”

  “Dismiss those thoughts, Robin Hood; and do not seek to discover whether or no I am the man I represent myself to be,” replied the King, quickly.

  The Knight, Sir Richard of the Plain, who had been absent since the morning, appeared at this moment in the midst of the group and approached Robin. Sir Richard trembled when he perceived the King, for Richard’s face was well known to him. He looked at Robin, but the young man seemed completely ignorant of his guest’s high rank.

  “Do you know the name of him who wears the garb of an Abbot?” Sir Richard asked in a low voice.

  “Nay,” replied Robin; “but I think I discovered a few minutes agone that those russet locks and those large blue eyes could only belong to one man in England, to...”

  “Richard Coeur-de-Lion, King of England,” cried the Knight, involuntarily.

  Robin Hood and Sir Richard fell upon their knees.

  “I now recognise the noble countenance of my Sovereign,” said the Outlaw Chief; “‘tis our good King Richard of England. May God protect your gracious Majesty!” A benevolent smile played upon the King’s lips. “Sire,” continued Robin, without changing his humble attitude, “your Majesty knoweth who we be Outlaws driven from the homes of our fathers by unjust and cruel oppression. Poor and without shelter, we have found a refuge in the solitude of the woods. We have lived by the chase, on alms exacted by force, no doubt, but without violence, and with the most engaging courtesy. These alms were given with good or bad grace; but we never received them before we were quite certain that he who refused to come to the help of our distress carried a Knight’s ransom at the least in his wallet. Sire, I implore your Majesty’s pardon for my companions and their Chief.”

  “Rise, Robin Hood,” replied the King, kindly, “and tell me the reason why thou didst lend me the help of thy brave archers in the assault on the Castle of Nottingham.”

  “Sire,” returned Robin Hood, who, while obeying the King’s command, still held himself respectfully inclined before him, “your Majesty is the idol of all true English hearts. Your actions, so worthy of general respect, have won for you the gracious title of ‘bravest of the brave,’ ‘the man of the lion’s heart,’ who, like a loyal Knight, triumphs personally over his enemies and extends his generous protection to the unfortunate. Prince John earned your Majesty’s displeasure, and when I heard of my King’s appearance before the walls of Nottingham Castle, I secretly placed myself under his orders. Your Majesty took the Castle which sheltered the rebel Prince, my task was accomplished, and I retired without saying anything, because the knowledge of having loyally served my King satisfied my inmost wishes.”

  “I thank thee cordially for thy frankness, Robin Hood,” Richard replied; “and thine affection for me is very gratifying. Thou dost act and speak like an honest man. I am pleased, and bestow full and entire pardon on the Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest. Thou hast had it in thy power to do wrong, but thou hast not taken advantage of this dangerous power. Thou hast only levied courteous contributions upon rich Normans, and then only in order to supply the needs of thy band. I excuse thy faults they were only natural in such an exceptional position; but, as the Forest laws have been broken, as Princes of the Church and noble Lords have been obliged to leave bribes out of their immense treasures in thine hands, thy pardon needs be set down in writing so that thou mayest live henceforth in safety, free from all reproach and all pursuit. To-morrow, in the presence of my Knights, I will proclaim aloud that the ban of proscription, which hath placed thee below the meanest serf of my kingdom, is entirely removed. I restore to thee and to all those who have participated in thine adventurous career the rights and privileges of free men. I have said it, and I swear to keep my word by the help of Almighty God.”

  “Long live Richard Coeur-de-Lion!” cried the Outlaws with one voice.

  “May the Blessed Virgin protect your Majesty for ever,” said Robin Hood, in a tone of emotion, and kneeling upon one knee on the ground, he respectfully kissed the generous Monarch’s hand.

  After this token of gratitude, Robin rose, sounded his horn, and the Merrie Men, who had all been variously occupied, some in drawing the bow, others in wielding the quarterstaff, at once abandoned their respective occupations to group themselves in a circle around their young Chief.

  “Brave comrades,” said Robin, “kneel, all of you, upon the ground, and bare your heads; ye are in the presence of your legitimate sovereign, of the well-beloved Monarch of Merry England, of Richard Coeur-de-Lion. Do homage to our noble Master and Lord.” The Outlaws obeyed Robin’s command, and while the troop remained humbly bowed before Richard, Robin made known to them their sovereign’s clemency. “And now,” added the young man, “make the old Forest ring with your joyous hurrahs. A great day hath dawned for us, my lads; ye are free men by the grace of God and of noble Richard.”

  The Merrie Men did not need fresh encouragement to express their inward joy; they gave vent to such a formidable hurrah, it were easy to believe that the echo of it was heard two miles off from the Trysting Tree.

  This noisy clamour stilled, Richard of England took up the thread of the conversation, and invited Robin and all his troop to accompany him to Nottingham Castle.

  “Sire,” replied Robin, “the flattering notice that your Majesty deigns to show me, fills my heart with unutterable joy. I belong body and soul to my Sovereign, and if he will permit me, I will choose from among my men an hundred and forty archers who will humbly serve your most gracious Majesty with absolute devotion.”

  The King, as much flattered as surprised by the heroic Outlaw’s humble demeanour in his presence, thanked Robin Hood cordially, and making him send his men back to their momentarily suspended games, took a cup from the table, filled it to the brim, drank it to the dregs, and said with an expression of friendly curiosity “And now, friend Robin, tell me, I prithee, who is that giant over yonder; for it is difficult otherwise to describe the huge lad whom Heaven hath likewise blessed with such an honest face. Upon my soul, I thought until to-day that I was more than ordinary tall, but I see now that if I stood beside that jolly dog, I should look but an innocent chicken. What breadth of limb, what vigour! The man is magnificently made!”

  “He is likewise as good, Sire,” replied Robin, “as his strength is enormous; he could stay the march of an army with his single arm, and yet he will listen to a touching story with the simple innocence of a child. The man who hath the honour to attract your Majesty’s attention is my brother, my companion, my dearest friend. He hath a heart of gold, a heart as true as the steel of his invincible sword. He wieldeth the staff with such wonderful skill that he hath never once been beaten; moreover, he is the best archer in the county, and the finest lad in all the world.”

  “Truly, these be praises right pleasant to hear, Robin,” returned the King, “for he who inspires them is worthy to be thy friend. I should like to speak with this honest yoeman. What is his name?”

  “John Naylor, Sire; but we call him Little John on account of his small stature.”

  “By the Mass,” cried the King, laughing, “a band of such Little Johns would greatly terrify those dogs of infidels. Ho there, fine tree of the forest, tower of Babylon, Little John, my lad, come to me; I would fain look at thee nearer.”

  John approached with bared head, and awaited with an air of quiet assurance for Richard’s commands.

  The King asked the young man several questions relating to the extraordinary strength of his muscles, tried to wrestle with him, and was respectfully vanquished by his gigantic adversary. After this trial, the King took part in the games and exercises of the Merrie Men as naturally as though he had been one of their companions, and finally declared that it was long since he had spent such an enjoyable day.