Page 318 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

‘Why,’ said young Partington, ‘for the matter of that, it
is ill enow. The King hath been bitterly stirred up against
thee by that vile Bishop of Hereford. He sent to arrest thee
at the archery butts at Finsbury Fields, but not finding thee
there, he hath gathered together his armed men, fiftyscore
and more, and is sending them in haste along this very road
to Sherwood, either to take thee on the way or to prevent
thy getting back to the woodlands again. He hath given the
Bishop of Hereford command over all these men, and thou
knowest what thou hast to expect of the Bishop of Here-
ford— short shrift and a long rope. Two bands of horsemen
are already upon the road, not far behind me, so thou hadst
best get thee gone from this place straightway, for, if thou
tarriest longer, thou art like to sleep this night in a cold dun-
geon. This word the Queen hath bidden me bring to thee.’
‘Now, Richard Partington,’ quoth Robin, ‘this is the sec-
ond time that thou hast saved my life, and if the proper time
ever cometh I will show thee that Robin Hood never forgets
these things. As for that Bishop of Hereford, if I ever catch
him nigh to Sherwood again, things will be like to go ill
with him. Thou mayst tell the good Queen that I will leave
this place without delay, and will let the landlord think that
we are going to Saint Albans; but when we are upon the
highroad again, I will go one way through the country and
will send my men the other, so that if one falleth into the
King’s hands the others may haply escape. We will go by
devious ways, and so, I hope, will reach Sherwood in safety.
And now, Sir Page, I wish thee farewell.’
‘Farewell, thou bold yeoman,’ said young Partington,

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