Robin Hood Shoots Before Queen Eleanor

           THEHIGHROADstretchedwhiteanddustyinthehotsummerafternoonsun,andthetreesstoodmotionlessalongtheroadside.Allacrossthemeadowlandsthehotairdancedandquivered,andinthelimpidwatersofthelowlandbrook,spannedbyalittlestonebridge,thefishhungmotionlessabovetheyellowgravel,andthedragonflysatquitestill,percheduponthesharptipofaspikeoftherushes,withitswingsglisteninginthesun.

           Alongtheroadayouthcameridinguponafairmilk-whitebarb,andthefolkthathepassedstoppedandturnedandlookedafterhim,forneverhadsolovelyaladoronesogailycladbeenseeninNottinghambefore.Hecouldnothavebeenmorethansixteenyearsofage,andwasasfairasanymaiden.Hislongyellowhairflowedbehindhimasherodealong,allcladinsilkandvelvet,withjewelsflashinganddaggerjinglingagainstthepommelofthesaddle.ThuscametheQueen’sPage,youngRichardPartington,fromfamousLondonTowndownintoNottinghamshire,uponHerMajesty’sbidding,toseekRobinHoodinSherwoodForest.

           Theroadwashotanddustyandhisjourneyhadbeenlong,forthatdayhehadcomeallthewayfromLeicesterTown,agoodtwentymilesandmore;whereforeyoungPartingtonwasrightgladwhenhesawbeforehimasweetlittleinn,allshadyandcoolbeneaththetrees,infrontofthedoorofwhichasignhungpendant,bearingthepictureofablueboar.