Page 157 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

The youth did as he was bidden and, with bowed head
and sorrowful step, accompanied the others, walking be-
side Will Scarlet. So they wended their way through the
forest. The bright light faded from the sky and a glimmer-
ing gray fell over all things. From the deeper recesses of the
forest the strange whispering sounds of night-time came to
the ear; all else was silent, saving only for the rattling of
their footsteps amid the crisp, dry leaves of the last win-
ter. At last a ruddy glow shone before them here and there
through the trees; a little farther and they came to the open
glade, now bathed in the pale moonlight. In the center of
the open crackled a great fire, throwing a red glow on all
around. At the fire were roasting juicy steaks of venison,
pheasants, capons, and fresh fish from the river. All the air
was filled with the sweet smell of good things cooking.
The little band made its way across the glade, many yeo-
men turning with curious looks and gazing after them, but
none speaking or questioning them. So, with Will Scarlet
upon one side and Will Stutely upon the other, the stranger
came to where Robin Hood sat on a seat of moss under the
greenwood tree, with Little John standing beside him.
‘Good even, fair friend,’ said Robin Hood, rising as the
other drew near. ‘And hast thou come to feast with me this
day?’
‘Alas! I know not,’ said the lad, looking around him with
dazed eyes, for he was bewildered with all that he saw. ‘Tru-
ly, I know not whether I be in a dream,’ said he to himself
in a low voice.
‘Nay, marry,’ quoth Robin, laughing, ‘thou art awake, as

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood