And
now all the ground in the torchlight was covered over with silks and
velvets and cloths of gold and cases of rich wines, and so they came to
the last line upon the tablet--"A box belonging to the Lord Bishop of
Hereford."
At these words the Bishop shook as with a chill, and the box was set
upon the ground.
"My Lord Bishop, hast thou the key of this box?" asked Robin.
The Bishop shook his head.
"Go, Will Scarlet," said Robin, "thou art the strongest man here--bring
a sword straightway, and cut this box open, if thou canst." Then up rose
Will Scarlet and left them, coming back in a short time, bearing a great
two-handed sword. Thrice he smote that strong, ironbound box, and at
the third blow it burst open and a great heap of gold came rolling
forth, gleaming red in the light of the torches. At this sight a murmur
went all around among the band, like the sound of the wind in distant
trees; but no man came forward nor touched the money.
Quoth Robin, "Thou, Will Scarlet, thou, Allan a Dale, and thou, Little
John, count it over."
A long time it took to count all the money, and when it had been duly
scored up, Will Scarlet called out that there were fifteen hundred
golden pounds in all.
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