Page 155 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

their ears being duller than Stutely’s. At length they heard a
faint and melancholy sound, like someone in lamentation.
‘Ha!’ quoth Will Scarlet, ‘this must be looked into. There
is someone in distress nigh to us here.’
‘I know not,’ quoth Will Stutely, shaking his head doubt-
fully, ‘our master is ever rash about thrusting his finger
into a boiling pot; but, for my part, I see no use in getting
ourselves into mischievous coils. Yon is a man’s voice, if I
mistake not, and a man should be always ready to get him-
self out from his own pothers.’
Then out spake Will Scarlet boldly. ‘Now out upon thee,
to talk in that manner, Stutely! Stay, if thou dost list. I go to
see what may be the trouble of this poor creature.’
‘Nay,’ quoth Stutely, ‘thou dost leap so quickly, thou’lt
tumble into the ditch. Who said I would not go? Come along,
say I.’ Thus saying, he led the way, the others following, till,
after they had gone a short distance, they came to a little
opening in the woodland, whence a brook, after gurgling
out from under the tangle of overhanging bushes, spread
out into a broad and glassy-pebbled pool. By the side of this
pool, and beneath the branches of a willow, lay a youth upon
his face, weeping aloud, the sound of which had first caught
the quick ears of Stutely. His golden locks were tangled, his
clothes were all awry, and everything about him betokened
sorrow and woe. Over his head, from the branches of the
osier, hung a beautiful harp of polished wood inlaid with
gold and silver in fantastic devices. Beside him lay a stout
ashen bow and half a score of fair, smooth arrows.
‘Halloa!’ shouted Will Stutely, when they had come out

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood