Page 392 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

and studded with spikes, so they felt safe, and bade Little
John begone.
Then Little John’s heart was mad with grief and fear for
his master’s life. Wildly he looked about him, and his sight
fell upon a heavy stone mortar, such as three men could
not lift nowadays. Little John took three steps forward, and,
bending his back, heaved the stone mortar up from where it
stood deeply rooted. Staggering under its weight, he came
forward and hurled it crashing against the door. In burst
the door, and away fled the frightened nuns, shrieking, at
his coming. Then Little John strode in, and never a word
said he, but up the winding stone steps he ran till he reached
the room wherein his master was. Here he found the door
locked also, but, putting his shoulder against it, he burst the
locks as though they were made of brittle ice.
There he saw his own dear master leaning against the
gray stone wall, his face all white and drawn, and his head
swaying to and fro with weakness. Then, with a great, wild
cry of love and grief and pity, Little John leaped forward
and caught Robin Hood in his arms. Up he lifted him as a
mother lifts her child, and carrying him to the bed, laid him
tenderly thereon.
And now the Prioress came in hastily, for she was fright-
ened at what she had done, and dreaded the vengeance of
Little John and the others of the band; then she stanched
the blood by cunning bandages, so that it flowed no more.
All the while Little John stood grimly by, and after she had
done he sternly bade her to begone, and she obeyed, pale
and trembling. Then, after she had departed, Little John

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