Hitched to the branches of the trees close at hand were six horses, one
of them a barb with gay trappings upon which the Bishop was wont to
ride, and the others laden with packs of divers shapes and kinds, one of
which made Robin's eyes glisten, for it was a box not overlarge, but
heavily bound with bands and ribs of iron.
When the Bishop saw Robin and those with him come into the open he made
as though he would have run toward the yeoman, but the fellow that
guarded the Bishop and the three friars thrust his quarterstaff in
front, so that his lordship was fain to stand back, though with frowning
brow and angry speech.
"Stay, my Lord Bishop," cried jolly Robin in a loud voice, when he saw
what had passed, "I will come to thee with all speed, for I would rather
see thee than any man in merry England." So saying, he quickened his
steps and soon came to where the Bishop stood fuming.
"How now," quoth the Bishop in a loud and angry voice, when Robin had so
come to him, "is this the way that thou and thy band treat one so high
in the church as I am? I and these brethren were passing peacefully
along the highroad with our pack horses, and a half score of men to
guard them, when up comes a great strapping fellow full seven feet high,
with fourscore or more men back of him, and calls upon me to stop--me,
the Lord Bishop of Hereford, mark thou! Whereupon my armed guards--
beshrew them for cowards!--straight ran away.
Pages:
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279