Page 319 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

‘and mayst thou reach thy hiding in safety.’ So each shook
the other’s hand, and the lad, turning his horse’s head, rode
back toward London, while Robin entered the inn once
more.
There he found his yeomen sitting in silence, waiting his
coming; likewise the landlord was there, for he was curious
to know what Master Partington had to do with the fellow
in blue. ‘Up, my merry men!’ quoth Robin, ‘this is no place
for us, for those are after us with whom we will stand but an
ill chance an we fall into their hands. So we will go forward
once more, nor will we stop this night till we reach Saint Al-
bans.’ Hereupon, taking out his purse, he paid the landlord
his score, and so they left the inn.
When they had come to the highroad without the town,
Robin stopped and told them all that had passed between
young Partington and himself, and how that the King’s men
were after them with hot heels. Then he told them that here
they should part company; they three going to the eastward
and he to the westward, and so, skirting the main high-
roads, would come by devious paths to Sherwood. ‘So, be ye
wily,’ said Robin Hood, ‘and keep well away from the north-
ward roads till ye have gotten well to the eastward. And
thou, Will Scarlet, take the lead of the others, for thou hast
a cunning turn to thy wits.’ Then Robin kissed the three
upon the cheeks, and they kissed him, and so they parted
company.
Not long after this, a score or more of the King’s men
came clattering up to the door of the inn at Barnet Town.
Here they leaped from their horses and quickly surrounded

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood