Page 156 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

from the forest into the little open spot. ‘Who art thou,
fellow, that liest there killing all the green grass with salt
water?’
Hearing the voice, the stranger sprang to his feet and;
snatching up his bow and fitting a shaft, held himself in
readiness for whatever ill might befall him.
‘Truly,’ said one of the yeomen, when they had seen the
young stranger’s face, ‘I do know that lad right well. He is
a certain minstrel that I have seen hereabouts more than
once. It was only a week ago I saw him skipping across the
hill like a yearling doe. A fine sight he was then, with a flow-
er at his ear and a cock’s plume stuck in his cap; but now,
methinks, our cockerel is shorn of his gay feathers.’
‘Pah!’ cried Will Stutely, coming up to the stranger, ‘wipe
thine eyes, man! I do hate to see a tall, stout fellow so snivel-
ing like a girl of fourteen over a dead tomtit. Put down thy
bow, man! We mean thee no harm.’
But Will Scarlet, seeing how the stranger, who had a
young and boyish look, was stung by the words that Stutely
had spoken, came to him and put his hand upon the youth’s
shoulder. ‘Nay, thou art in trouble, poor boy!’ said he kind-
ly. ‘Mind not what these fellows have said. They are rough,
but they mean thee well. Mayhap they do not understand
a lad like thee. Thou shalt come with us, and perchance we
may find a certain one that can aid thee in thy perplexities,
whatsoever they may be.’
‘Yea, truly, come along,’ said Will Stutely gruffly. ‘I meant
thee no harm, and may mean thee some good. Take down
thy singing tool from off this fair tree, and away with us.’

1