How Robin Hood Came to Be an Outlaw

           InmerryEnglandinthetimeofold,whengoodKingHenrytheSecondruledtheland,therelivedwithinthegreengladesofSherwoodForest,nearNottinghamTown,afamousoutlawwhosenamewasRobinHood.Noarchereverlivedthatcouldspeedagraygooseshaftwithsuchskillandcunningashis,norwerethereeversuchyeomenasthesevenscoremerrymenthatroamedwithhimthroughthegreenwoodshades.RightmerrilytheydwelledwithinthedepthsofSherwoodForest,sufferingneithercarenorwant,butpassingthetimeinmerrygamesofarcheryorboutsofcudgelplay,livingupontheKing’svenison,washeddownwithdraughtsofaleofOctoberbrewing.

           NotonlyRobinhimselfbutallthebandwereoutlawsanddwelledapartfromothermen,yettheywerebelovedbythecountrypeopleroundabout,fornooneevercametojollyRobinforhelpintimeofneedandwentawayagainwithanemptyfist.

           AndnowIwilltellhowitcameaboutthatRobinHoodfellafoulofthelaw.

           WhenRobinwasayouthofeighteen,stoutofsinewandboldofheart,theSheriffofNottinghamproclaimedashootingmatchandofferedaprizeofabuttofaletowhosoevershouldshootthebestshaftinNottinghamshire."Now,"quothRobin,"willIgotoo,forfainwouldIdrawastringforthebrighteyesofmylassandabuttofgoodOctoberbrewing."Souphegotandtookhisgoodstoutyewbowandascoreormoreofbroadclothyardarrows,andstartedofffromLocksleyTownthroughSherwoodForesttoNottingham.

           ItwasatthedawnofdayinthemerryMaytime,whenhedgerowsaregreenandflowersbedeckthemeadows;daisiespiedandyellowcuckoobudsandfairprimrosesallalongthebrieryhedges;