Page 388 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

the open glade and raised a great shout of joy at the sight
of Robin; and at their head was Will Stutely. Then, after a
while, came four more, panting with their running, and
two of these four were Will Scathelock and Midge, the Mill-
er; for all of these had heard the sound of Robin Hood’s
horn. All these ran to Robin and kissed his hands and his
clothing, with great sound of weeping.
After a while Robin looked around him with tear-
dimmed eyes and said, in a husky voice, ‘Now, I swear that
never again will I leave these dear woodlands. I have been
away from them and from you too long. Now do I lay by
the name of Robert, Earl of Huntingdon, and take upon me
once again that nobler title, Robin Hood, the Yeoman.’ At
this a great shout went up, and all the yeomen shook one
another’s hands for joy.
The news that Robin Hood had come back again to dwell
in Sherwood as of old spread like wildfire all over the coun-
tryside, so that ere a se’ennight had passed nearly all of his
old yeomen had gathered about him again. But when the
news of all this reached the ears of King John, he swore both
loud and deep, and took a solemn vow that he would not
rest until he had Robin Hood in his power, dead or alive.
Now there was present at court a certain knight, Sir Wil-
liam Dale, as gallant a soldier as ever donned harness. Sir
William Dale was well acquainted with Sherwood Forest,
for he was head keeper over that part of it that lay nigh to
good Mansfield Town; so to him the King turned, and bade
him take an army of men and go straightway to seek Robin
Hood. Likewise the King gave Sir William his signet ring to