Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/15

Rh Robin, and he, that dare to oppose, or take her away from her spouse, shall buy her dearly.' Thus ended this merry wedding, and the new married pair returned with Robin Hood to Sherwood bower.

As Robin walked about the forest one day, he met with a comely young man, dressed in a doublet of silk, with scarlet hose, travelling boldly along with a stout bow in his hand. A herd of fat deer happened to be feeding not far distant, which, when the stranger saw, he bent his bow, and shot the best of them through the heart. 'Well shot, well shot,' said Robin Hood, 'thy aim was good and sure; I like a bold archer well; and if thou wilt be one of my comrades, and live in my bower, I will treat thee with noble entertainment and pay thee well besides.' 'Go talk with thy gran-dame,' said the stranger, 'and make no such offers to me, or else I shall use thee somewhat rudely.' 'Thou hadst bettor be quiet,' said Robin, 'for if thou shouldest offer to make an assault, thou wilt dearly repent of the deed; my arm is not weak, and thou mayest see that I carry a bow; besides, though I am now alone, should I blow an alarm with my loud bugle-horn, I should quickly have at my command an hundred brave men.' 'I defy all thy power,'