CHAPTER X.
NOT a little was the surprise of uncle and nephew at thus meeting inthe midst of Sherwood, but it was greater on the part of the old Earlthan of Hugh. The scene, indeed, in which he found his venerablerelative, might astonish the young gentleman a little; for the freerangers of the forest, the profusely covered table, the wine barrel,and the drinking cups, were certainly accessories which he had notexpected to see around his noble kinsman. With the deference, however,which, at that period, existed for age and renown, he expressed noastonishment, and asked no questions, but dismounting from his horse,proceeded, in answer to his uncle, to inform him why and how he hadreturned, instead of accompanying the Earl of Ashby on his way eitherto Lindwell or to London.
But as the reader is well aware of the circumstances connected with thesudden disappearance of Lucy de Ashby, and of the part in seeking herwhich Hugh de Monthermer had taken upon himself, we shall notrecapitulate this part of the young knight's account, but contentourselves with stating what success he had met with in the pursuit.
"Last night I swept the whole roads through the forest," he said, "in abreadth of about two miles, without discovering the slightest trace ofany one who could have had a share in this outrageous act. I met aswineherd at one time, and then a ploughman with two potters bringingalong clay in a cart, but no other persons whatsoever.--Why do yousmile, good forester?" he continued, turning to Robin Hood.
"Because, noble sir," replied the outlaw, "men in the forest ofSherwood are not always exactly what they look. It is difficult thereto know a carrion crow from an ousel."
"I may have been deceived, indeed," said Hugh de Monthermer; "but inone 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 mysearch, any farther then, I remained at the house of the reve, makinginquiries amongst the people of the village, several of whom werecoming in from their work in the forest. Last night I discoverednothing, but this morning at dawn a man was brought to me who reportedthat, in crossing from Southwell about noon yesterday, he had seen twoladies on horseback, accompanied by a number of men on foot. The lady,he said, was gaily dressed, and very beautiful"--the Earl smiled,--"andcertainly a lady of high degree. They were bringing her down towardsMansfield, the fellow thought, so I set off at once, beating up everyroad 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 discoverwho it was that winded it."
"Did the man imply," asked the Earl, "that the people who accompaniedthis lady were using force?"
"No," replied Hugh de Monthermer; "he vowed that she appeared to govery willingly; but still I thought it could not but be the lady I wasseeking, 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 ifshe have passed this way."
"No lady higher than a franklin's daughter has gone on the road toMansfield," replied Robin Hood, "except the Prioress of Wakefield, whocame 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 ofcherries, and as to her dress, she had a pulled liripipy might havesuited a court harlot, a dagger at her girdle with a silver chain, apeaked hat, and a gold medal round her neck. Yes, she was a goodly dameto look upon, and weighed some fourteen stone or more. I have seenfatter 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 womanof rank who has passed this way for a week, and assuredly I ought toknow. Here is a bevy of as pretty country maidens as ever came out tosee foresters shoot at the butts; but I will answer for it that nolady of higher degree than themselves has gone along the road toMansfield--except, indeed, the Prioress of Wakefield, and the nun whowent with her. But did the good man tell you no more?--His informationmust have been somewhat scanty."
"He told me," replied Hugh de Monthermer, with a momentary smilecrossing the anxiety which his countenance displayed--"he told me totake care how I went, for I might meet with Robin Hood and his merrymen, 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 ifyou met him."
"No," answered Hugh de Monthermer, "No, I said no such thing. I toldhim, on the contrary, that I should be very glad to see bold RobinHood; and that I was sure, if I did, we should meet and part goodfriends, as he and my uncle had fought side by side in the good causeof Old England."
Robin Hood held out his hand to him, replying--"You said right, younglord: though, let me tell you, it is not every gay gallant who may comethrough the forest that would go out of it again, without having hissmart skin taken off his back as if he were a brown hare or a spotteddeer. 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 hishead, for winking at Richard de Ashby's carrying off the child of ashonest a man as himself, and making a leman of her.--It would be nomarvel to hear that she has gone away with some wild young Frenchman ofKing 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 knowaught about her or her character? But if I had her in my hands, sheshould never return to her own home till the old Earl had pledgedhimself to send back idle Kate Greenly. However, it's no affair ofmine, you'll say; and we have weightier matters to think of. Both youruncle and myself were mightily puzzled just now, as he must go on atall speed, and yet it is needful that I should have some one here, toconsult 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 mayseem expedient according to the tidings that I receive."
Hugh de Monthermer looked doubtfully from the face of the Outlaw tothat of his uncle, and then demanded, "Have I your word that she hasnot 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 aninstant or two, a suspicion having taken possession of his mind, heknew not well why, that Robin was better informed of Lucy de Ashby'sfate than he chose to avow.
Before he had brought his meditations to an end, however, the old Earlinterrupted them, saying, "It is very needful, Hugh, that, if possible,you should remain here, as he asks you. From your account, you havesought this fair lady much farther than you undertook to do. You havelikewise been misled a little from the track, I fancy; and it seems tome more than probable that some emissary of the king's, or of the Earlof Gloucester's--who has been lately proclaimed by De Montfort, atraitor,--may have got possession of the fair Lucy, as a hostage forher father's neutrality."
"Gloucester proclaimed a traitor!" said Hugh de Monthermer. "Then areactive times coming, my dear uncle!--I will not refuse to stay if it beneedful, 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 mustbe far away ere now.--I look upon it as a duty, Hugh, that one of usshould remain here this night; and assuredly I ought to go on."
"Enough, enough!" replied Hugh de Monthermer. "Your wish, my lord, issufficient for me. But what can I do with the men? Two of them belongto my Lord of Ashby,--and where can I stable my horses?"
"Send them all away but your own charger," said the Outlaw. "You arenot afraid to stay alone with Robin Hood--or Robert of the Lees, if youlike the name better?"
"Not in the least," answered the young gentleman. "I know I am as safewith 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 ofAshby's servants, "bear witness to your lord that I ha
ve sought thisyoung lady far and near, with all zeal and due devotion. Tell him,moreover, that I have ascertained beyond all doubt--as you yourselfhave heard--that she has not passed in this direction. Should hehimself find her, I trust he will send me a messenger to ease mymind--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 gettingfar down already. I sleep to-night at Stapleford, and to-morrow go onfor Derby. Follow me quickly, Hugh. So long as you are in Sherwood withour good friends here, you are safe, but I will leave you half a scoreof archers at Stapleford, and, should I find the roads dangerous, willsend you some spears from Derby. If you learn by to-night's tidingsthat war has already begun, arrange with bold Robin for a levy of asmany yeomen as possible, and let them march to join me wherever I ammaking head."
Thus saying, the Earl, putting his foot in the stirrup, flung himselflightly into the saddle, gave a brief order for the attendants who hadfollowed his nephew to fall in with the rest of his train; and, oncemore grasping the hand of the Outlaw, without forgetting his companion,Little John, he rode away, taking, as his parting benison, a loud cheerfrom the band of yeomen.
"Now, my young lord," said Robin, when he had gazed for a moment or twoafter the gallant old Earl, "you seem fatigued and exhausted after yourday's ride. I will warrant you, you have not broken bread since----"
"Since five o'clock this morning," replied Hugh de Monthermer; "butthat matters not, I am more anxious than tired, and care little forfood."
"Nonsense, nonsense, young gentleman," cried Robin, taking him by thearm, and drawing him towards the table. "Here, some one hold the horse.A slice of yon baron, though it be, like a timid counsellor, neitherhot 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 wineyou speak of. That is all I want. Where do we rest to-night?"
"Some three miles hence, on the way to Nottingham," answered theforester, "and if you will not sup now, you must have a rere supperthere."
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 littlesouls."
"Nay, but I will have it so," answered his leader, aloud. "Now, mymerry 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 homeat sunset, I will reckon with the man that keeps her. They are allunder the safeguard of our honour; and we shall lose their sweet facesat our feasts if any evil happens to them.--Those who have sturdyshoulders, clear away all that is left, and let it be given to the poorin the villages round. So do the monks at their gates, and Robin Hoodwill be as good as a monk, though his gates be the meres of Sherwood.Here, cooks, here is your reward, and let the tapster take the tuns forhis pains."
Very rapidly after these words were spoken the numbers on the greenbegan to disperse. Some sauntered down the road, some disappearedamongst the trees, and those that remained made themselves busy incarrying off the platters and trenchers from the table, and piling thewhole of the simple dinner-service, stools and all, into some largecountry carts which stood near. No horses, indeed, were upon theground, but that of Hugh de Monthermer, and the white charger which hadborne the bold forester, and which was still seen under a tree,finishing slowly a trough of oats that had been put down for itsconsumption.
The boy who had held the beast while Robin was waiting for the Earl ofMonthermer, now stood close to his master's side looking up in hisface; and, at a sign of the finger, he darted away and led up the steedat a quick pace.
Robin laid his hand upon the urchin's head, saying, "Good boy!" andthat word, if one might judge by the smile of the young countenance,was reward enough.
"Now I am ready," said Hugh de Monthermer; and, mounting their horses,they rode away into the wood.
"You will sup better to-night," said Robin, as they went.
"I do not know," replied the young lord; "I am anxious about this younglady, Robin, that is the truth; and anxiety makes but bad sauce to themost savoury food."
"Nay--nay, take heart of grace," said Robin; "I doubt not she is wellenough wherever she may be, and it becomes not a gay gentleman to pinefor any lady till he knows that she fares hardly."
"Nay, I do not pine," replied Hugh, not liking the term; "methinks I donot look much like a sick crow or a magpie in the moulting season; butstill I must feel somewhat anxious, as you would if you had ever seenher."
"Is she so very beautiful, then?" said Robin Hood, with an arch smile.
"Faith is she!" answered Hugh de Monthermer, "and more than beautiful,though you may think my description savours of extravagance. But it isnot so. I have seen others perhaps as beautiful--perhaps more so--butthere is that sort of charm about her--that sort of sparkling grace,which is like nothing but the bright morning sunshine, giving freshloveliness to everything it lights upon."
"Are you sure that the charm is not love?" asked Robin Hood. "But letus talk of other matters. Here we must turn off from the road, and Itake you through paths in Sherwood unknown to any justice, either northor south of Trent. Although I could well trust to your knightly honour,and to your regard for the laws of hospitality, yet I must here exactfrom you a promise, which every one makes who is led where I lead you.It is, that, upon your honour as true man and good knight, everythingyou see or hear from this spot till I lead you back to the high roadagain, shall be forgotten as soon as you quit me, and revealed to noone--no, not to your confessor."
The notions which then existed of knightly honour caused Hugh deMonthermer to give the promise exacted from him without the slightesthesitation; and, that having been done, the bold forester led him onthrough one of those narrow lanes which we have before mentioned, whereonly one horse could advance at a time. This path continued for abouthalf a mile, and opened out into one of the wildest parts of theforest, through which there seemed to be no track of any kind.
It was not one of those spots properly called coverts--which name wasonly applied to woods so thick that the branches of the trees touchedeach other,--but, on the contrary, it was a sort of wild chase,scattered with fine old oaks, and encumbered with an immense quantityof brushwood. There were patches of green grass to be seen here andthere, indeed, and once or twice a sandy bank peeped out amongst thebushes, while two or three large ponds, and a small silver streamappeared glistening at about half a mile's distance from the spot wherethe horsemen issued forth from the lane.
It was as lovely a forest scene as ever the eye rested upon, for theground was broken, and a thousand beautiful accidents diversified thelandscape. Every here and there a tall mound of earth, sometimescovered with turf, sometimes rounded with brushwood, would rise up,bearing aloft a graceful clump of trees, while the setting sun, pouringits long horizontal rays across the wild track, cast lengthened shadowsover the ground below, and brightened all the higher points with gleamsof purple light.
Beyond, again, at the distance of not less than two miles and a half,and considerably lower than the spot where the two journeyers stood,reappeared the thicker coverts of the forest, rolling like the waves ofa deep green sea in the calm and mellow rays of the departing day,while a slight mist here and there marked out its separate lines,growing fainter and more faint, till some distant objects, like towersand pinnacles--they might be clouds--they might be parts of a farcity--closed the scene, and united the earth with the sky.
Here all trace of a road ended, but without the slightest hesitation,bold Robin Hood led the way onward, threading with unerring steps thedifferent green lines which separated one mass of brushwood fromanother, guiding his companion under one tall bank, and round anotherhigh mound, between the bolls of old oaks and across the dancingstream, without even once meeting a check, or having to pause in hiswhole course through the woody labyrinth.
At length, however, the sun went down, and the twilight
just sufficedto show Hugh de Monthermer his way, as they had reached the lowest spotof the chase, and approached a clump of several acres of thick covert.There was a path at one angle by which Robin and his companion entered,and winding on in darkness for some way--for the trees excluded thewhole of the remaining rays--they at length emerged into an open spacein the centre, where they could again see, though faintly, the objectsaround them.
Opposite to the mouth of the road by which they came, was the firstbuilding that they had seen upon their ride. It was of a very peculiararchitecture, consisting of round stones piled upon one another, andcemented together, being what, I believe, is called rubble, while thewindows and doors alone, presented hewn stone lintels and transoms,with short small columns supporting each. A quantity of ivy had grownover the greater part of the building; but there were lights within,and for a moment Robin Hood drew up his horse as if to listen.
"Here," he said, at length, "lived and reigned a Saxon Thane when thetrees of Sherwood were yet young. His bones lie in the little chapelbehind. The memory of the place has passed away as well as the peoplethat inhabited it, and it has come to be the abode of a child of thesame race, when outlawed for the love of his country."