Forest Days: A Romance of Old Times
somewhat heated and travel-stained, rode into the little open space,
and suddenly halted, as if in wonder at the scene which met their
sight.
CHAPTER X.
NOT a little was the surprise of uncle and nephew at thus meeting in
the midst of Sherwood, but it was greater on the part of the old Earl
than of Hugh. The scene, indeed, in which he found his venerable
relative, might astonish the young gentleman a little; for the free
rangers of the forest, the profusely covered table, the wine barrel,
and the drinking cups, were certainly accessories which he had not
expected to see around his noble kinsman. With the deference, however,
which, at that period, existed for age and renown, he expressed no
astonishment, and asked no questions, but dismounting from his horse,
proceeded, in answer to his uncle, to inform him why and how he had
returned, instead of accompanying the Earl of Ashby on his way either
to Lindwell or to London.
But as the reader is well aware of the circumstances connected with the
sudden disappearance of Lucy de Ashby, and of the part in seeking her
which Hugh de Monthermer had taken upon himself, we shall not
recapitulate this part of the young knight's account, but content
ourselves with stating what success he had met with in the pursuit.
"Last night I swept the whole roads through the forest," he said, "in a
breadth of about two miles, without discovering the slightest trace of
any one who could have had a share in this outrageous act. I met a
swineherd at one time, and then a ploughman with two potters bringing
along clay in a cart, but no other persons whatsoever.--Why do you
smile, good forester?" he continued, turning to Robin Hood.
"Because, noble sir," replied the outlaw, "men in the forest of
Sherwood are not always exactly what they look. It is difficult there
to know a carrion crow from an ousel."
"I may have been deceived, indeed," said Hugh de Monthermer; "but in
one thing I must be right; whether they be ousels or carrion crows,
they had no lady with them. However, I arrived at Oxton, in the wood,
an hour after sunset, and as there was no possibility of pursuing my
search, any farther then, I remained at the house of the reve, making
inquiries amongst the people of the village, several of whom were
coming in from their work in the forest. Last night I discovered
nothing, but this morning at dawn a man was brought to me who reported
that, in crossing from Southwell about noon yesterday, he had seen two
ladies on horseback, accompanied by a number of men on foot. The lady,
he said, was gaily dressed, and very beautiful"--the Earl smiled,--"and
certainly a lady of high degree. They were bringing her down towards
Mansfield, the fellow thought, so I set off at once, beating up every
road in the neighbourhood, and often losing my way. From time to time,
however, the sound of a horn led me on, though I never could discover
who it was that winded it."
"Did the man imply," asked the Earl, "that the people who accompanied
this lady were using force?"
"No," replied Hugh de Monthermer; "he vowed that she appeared to go
very willingly; but still I thought it could not but be the lady I was
seeking, from her great beauty and her dress."
"As if there were no beautiful woman in the world but Lucy de Ashby?"
cried the Earl. "What say you to this story, Robin? You should know if
she have passed this way."
"No lady higher than a franklin's daughter has gone on the road to
Mansfield," replied Robin Hood, "except the Prioress of Wakefield, who
came by yesterday with about a dozen men on foot, and a nun with her.
She is a goodly dame to look upon, too, with lips like a pair of
cherries, and as to her dress, she had a pulled liripipy might have
suited a court harlot, a dagger at her girdle with a silver chain, a
peaked hat, and a gold medal round her neck. Yes, she was a goodly dame
to look upon, and weighed some fourteen stone or more. I have seen
fatter women, but not many."
"Psha!" said Hugh de Monthermer; "you are jesting."
"Not I, in faith and truth," cried Robin Hood; "she is the only woman
of rank who has passed this way for a week, and assuredly I ought to
know. Here is a bevy of as pretty country maidens as ever came out to
see foresters shoot at the butts; but I will answer for it that no
lady of higher degree than themselves has gone along the road to
Mansfield--except, indeed, the Prioress of Wakefield, and the nun who
went with her. But did the good man tell you no more?--His information
must have been somewhat scanty."
"He told me," replied Hugh de Monthermer, with a momentary smile
crossing the anxiety which his countenance displayed--"he told me to
take care how I went, for I might meet with Robin Hood and his merry
men, and come home with a loss."
"Ay!" said Robin; "Ay! and, doubtless, you answered, my young lord,
that you were not afraid, but would bring Robin Hood to Nottingham if
you met him."
"No," answered Hugh de Monthermer, "No, I said no such thing. I told
him, on the contrary, that I should be very glad to see bold Robin
Hood; and that I was sure, if I did, we should meet and part good
friends, as he and my uncle had fought side by side in the good cause
of Old England."
Robin Hood held out his hand to him, replying--"You said right, young
lord: though, let me tell you, it is not every gay gallant who may come
through the forest that would go out of it again, without having his
smart skin taken off his back as if he were a brown hare or a spotted
deer. But you have come just at the nick of time: Let your uncle go on,
and tell the Earl of Ashby, when he finds him, that Robin Hood says,
the loss of his daughter is the judgment of the Blessed Virgin upon his
head, for winking at Richard de Ashby's carrying off the child of as
honest a man as himself, and making a leman of her.--It would be no
marvel to hear that she has gone away with some wild young Frenchman of
King Henry's bringing over.--Nay, look not so fierce, my noble lord,
nor colour up so red! I mean no insult to the lady.--How should I know
aught about her or her character? But if I had her in my hands, she
should never return to her own home till the old Earl had pledged
himself to send back idle Kate Greenly. However, it's no affair of
mine, you'll say; and we have weightier matters to think of. Both your
uncle and myself were mightily puzzled just now, as he must go on at
all speed, and yet it is needful that I should have some one here, to
consult with in regard to the news I expect to-night. You have come,
then, just in time to remain with me, and to settle whatever plan may
seem expedient according to the tidings that I receive."
Hugh de Monthermer looked doubtfully from the face of the Outlaw to
that of his uncle, and then demanded, "Have I your word that she has
not passed this way?"
"I pawn my soul that she has not," replied the forester.
The young man cast his eyes down towards the ground, and thought for an
instant or two, a suspicion having taken possession of his mind, he
knew not well why, that Robin was better informed of Lucy de Ashby's
fate than he chose to avow.
Before he had brought his meditations to an end, however, the old Earl
interrupted them, saying, "It is very needful, Hugh, that, if possible,
you should remain here, as he asks you. From your account, you have
sought this fair lady much farther than you undertook to do. You have
likewise been misled a little from the track, I fancy; and it seems to
me more than probable that some emissary of the king's, or of the Earl
of Gloucester's--who has been lately proclaimed by De Montfort, a
traitor,--may have got possession of the fair Lucy, as a hostage for
her father's neutrality."
"Gloucester proclaimed a traitor!" said Hugh de Monthermer. "Then are
active times coming, my dear uncle!--I will not refuse to stay if it be
needful, but still----"
"You could do no good bye any farther search," interrupted the Earl;
"she must either have been found by her father or her brother, or must
be far away ere now.--I look upon it as a duty, Hugh, that one of us
should remain here this night; and assuredly I ought to go on."
"Enough, enough!" replied Hugh de Monthermer. "Your wish, my lord, is
sufficient for me. But what can I do with the men? Two of them belong
to my Lord of Ashby,--and where can I stable my horses?"
"Send them all away but your own charger," said the Outlaw. "You are
not afraid to stay alone with Robin Hood--or Robert of the Lees, if you
like the name better?"
"Not in the least," answered the young gentleman. "I know I am as safe
with you, bold Robin, as in my own castle. Take them then with you,
fair uncle; and you, sir," he continued, turning to one of the Earl of
Ashby's servants, "bear witness to your lord that I have sought this
young lady far and near, with all zeal and due devotion. Tell him,
moreover, that I have ascertained beyond all doubt--as you yourself
have heard--that she has not passed in this direction. Should he
himself find her, I trust he will send me a messenger to ease my
mind--that is to say, to save me the trouble of farther pursuit."
"Well, then, I will away," said the old Earl, "for the sun is getting
far down already. I sleep to-night at Stapleford, and to-morrow go on
for Derby. Follow me quickly, Hugh. So long as you are in Sherwood with
our good friends here, you are safe, but I will leave you half a score
of archers at Stapleford, and, should I find the roads dangerous, will
send you some spears from Derby. If you learn by to-night's tidings
that war has already begun, arrange with bold Robin for a levy of as
many yeomen as possible, and let them march to join me wherever I am
making head."
Thus saying, the Earl, putting his foot in the stirrup, flung himself
lightly into the saddle, gave a brief order for the attendants who had
followed his nephew to fall in with the rest of his train; and, once
more grasping the hand of the Outlaw, without forgetting his companion,
Little John, he rode away, taking, as his parting benison, a loud cheer
from the band of yeomen.
"Now, my young lord," said Robin, when he had gazed for a moment or two
after the gallant old Earl, "you seem fatigued and exhausted after your
day's ride. I will warrant you, you have not broken bread since----"
"Since five o'clock this morning," replied Hugh de Monthermer; "but
that matters not, I am more anxious than tired, and care little for
food."
"Nonsense, nonsense, young gentleman," cried Robin, taking him by the
arm, and drawing him towards the table. "Here, some one hold the horse.
A slice of yon baron, though it be, like a timid counsellor, neither
hot nor cold, together with a cup of Bordeaux wine, will do you good,
young sir."
"Nay," replied Hugh, "give me one of those barley cakes and the wine
you speak of. That is all I want. Where do we rest to-night?"
"Some three miles hence, on the way to Nottingham," answered the
forester, "and if you will not sup now, you must have a rere supper
there."
While Hugh de Monthermer broke the barley cake and drank the wine,
Robin spoke a few words, in an undertone, to Little John, who replied,
laughing, "No fear, no fear; there is plenty of light, dear little
souls."
"Nay, but I will have it so," answered his leader, aloud. "Now, my
merry men and pretty maids, disperse, and God's blessing be with you.
But let it be remembered that if there be a damsel away from her home
at sunset, I will reckon with the man that keeps her. They are all
under the safeguard of our honour; and we shall lose their sweet faces
at our feasts if any evil happens to them.--Those who have sturdy
shoulders, clear away all that is left, and let it be given to the poor