Page:Life and adventures of Robin Hood.pdf/4

 been brought up as a gentleman without learning any business, and was unable to gain a livelihood. On turning from the Hall, he found Little John waiting for him, and determined to unite their fortunes, they resolved to go to Sherwood Forest, and support themselves by their bows.

Although the forest abounded with deer, Robin found that other comforts were necessary, which could not be procured without money; and thinking that the monks who had deprived him of his estate, ought to supply this, he laid every priest under contribution.

The fame of Robin Hood and the merry life he led, soon drew a number of young men to join his band, and increased it to above one hundred of the bravest fellows in the kingdom, whom he clothed in green. When the monks, from being so often plundered, come less in the way, Robin's men were obliged to extend their depredations to other parts of the country. It was only to priests, and the niggardly rich, that Robin Hood was an enemy; for he held the person and property of every woman sacred, and always took the part of the weak and injured. By the poor people he was adored, for he generously supplied their wants from his own private purse.

The first adventure of our hero, who now assumed the name of Robin Hood, was performed by him and fifteen more on the Bishop of Carlisle, with a guard of fifteen men, whom they met on the south side of Ferrybridge, in Yorkshire. Having dispersed his retinue, they took from the Bishop eight hundred marks; and then placing him on his horse with his face to the tail, obliged him in that condition to ride to London.

One day, Robin Hood, meeting with a butcher going to market to sell his meat, bought his whole cargo, and his mare