Page 153 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Fosse Way or thereabouts, and see that thou bringest some-
one to eat with us this evening. Meantime we will prepare
a grand feast to do whosoever may come the greater honor.
And stay, good Stutely. I would have thee take Will Scar-
let with thee, for it is meet that he should become acquaint
with the ways of the forest.’
‘Now do I thank thee, good master,’ quoth Stutely, spring-
ing to his feet, ‘that thou hast chosen me for this adventure.
Truly, my limbs do grow slack through abiding idly here. As
for two of my six, I will choose Midge the Miller and Arthur
a Bland, for, as well thou knowest, good master, they are
stout fists at the quarterstaff. Is it not so, Little John?’
At this all laughed but Little John and Robin, who twist-
ed up his face. ‘I can speak for Midge,’ said he, ‘and likewise
for my cousin Scarlet. This very blessed morn I looked at my
ribs and found them as many colors as a beggar’s cloak.’
So, having chosen four more stout fellows, Will Stutely
and his band set forth to Fosse Way, to find whether they
might not come across some rich guest to feast that day in
Sherwood with Robin and his band.
For all the livelong day they abided near this highway.
Each man had brought with him a good store of cold meat
and a bottle of stout March beer to stay his stomach till the
homecoming. So when high noontide had come they sat
them down upon the soft grass, beneath a green and wide-
spreading hawthorn bush, and held a hearty and jovial
feast. After this, one kept watch while the others napped,
for it was a still and sultry day.
Thus they passed the time pleasantly enow, but no guest

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood