Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne

           ALONGTIMEpassedafterthegreatshootingmatch,andduringthattimeRobinfollowedonepartoftheadviceofSirRobertLee,towit,thatofbeinglessboldinhiscomingsandhisgoings;forthoughmayhaphemaynothavebeenmorehonest(asmostfolksregardhonesty),hetookgoodcarenottotravelsofarfromSherwoodthathecouldnotreachitbotheasilyandquickly.

           Greatchangeshadfalleninthistime;forKingHenryhaddiedandKingRichardhadcometothecrownthatfittedhimsowellthroughmanyhardtrials,andthroughadventuresasstirringasanythateverbefellRobinHood.Butthoughgreatchangescame,theydidnotreachtoSherwood’sshades,forthereRobinHoodandhismendwelledasmerrilyastheyhadeverdone,withhuntingandfeastingandsingingandblithewoodlandsports;foritwaslittletheoutsidestrivingoftheworldtroubledthem.

           Thedawningofasummer’sdaywasfreshandbright,andthebirdssangsweetlyinagreattumultofsound.SoloudwastheirsingingthatitawakenedRobinHoodwherehelaysleeping,sothathestirred,andturned,andarose.UproseLittleJohnalso,andallthemerrymen;then,aftertheyhadbrokentheirfast,theysetforthhitherandthitheruponthedoingsoftheday.

           RobinHoodandLittleJohnwalkeddownaforestpathwhereallaroundtheleavesdancedandtwinkledasthebreezetrembledthroughthemandthesunlightcameflickeringdown.