Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-10-14

as if aware Of the prodigious strength Of his m
tagonisf, GLIDING the grasp, fitted an arrow 10 hi
bow, and directed his aim at the monarch. Ne
Their the light breast plate of the king, NOR tn
steel linked cont Of mail, which he hatitual
wore, would have saved his life, had not al tina
moment, a tall figure sprang forward, ind dashe
the half Bonded bow from the hands of the al
cher.
The newcomer was also clad 10 sat OF green
but ii wore air Of costiness by means dc
scribablc in that Of the var!et, who ut motion
IN adc by the other, gathered up his bow and az
rows and retired. The hair Of tho intruder wa
jetty black, and fell over his neck and shoulder
in unbOunded ringlets, contrasting strangely
with his fair complexion and eyes Of the most in
tense azure. A silver bugle horn which hung
from his belt, and sword bucklcd to his side, to
ge;hcr with the highly ornamented bow ana
quiver, proclaimed him to be of rank among The
outlaws.
There moments pause, and each gazed
for time, in admiration, ON the vigorous form Of
the other
'.Thou soonest well built for manly sport
friend' said Richard, '':ind by the ornaments law
ished on thy weapons art doubtless skilled in ar
cherry. Canst try bout with me?''
"If it pieasc you,'' replied the other, as he drew
the bow and Guiver from his back and gave them
to the monarch.
The Lion-heart was skilled in all the warlike
sports Of the day but especially in that of archery
Fitting an arrow 10 the bow, he sh at twig of
oak "a great distance Of, which the struck
and nailed the trunk of the tree. EIated at his
feat, he returned the weapon to the archer who
smiled graycIy, and placed an arrow Alright, drew
the string to the length Of the barb. The bow
gave shriIl twang, and the arrow, whistlng as it
flew, stuck in the extremity of the preceding ono,
which il split in fragments. Richard was aston
ished at the skill shown by the archer and re-
quested his name.
The outlaw gave no reply, but lifting his horn
10 his lips, blew j blast that sounded shriily
through the forest. Scarce had the lingering ech-
pcs died upon tho ar, when hundred archers ar
raycd in green with qaivers filled and bows bend
I'd, were seen gathering around.
..Thcsc,' said their commander, care my MGR
v men, the aachcrs Of the forest, and am Robin
Iood. Aud now | prithcc gentle knight, what
,lmc dosi thou bcar,' at the same time he waved
his hand, and the band disappeared behind the
,aks and lindcns Of the wood.
..Richard of England" was the reply.
Al the announcement of that name the outlaw
,cnt his knee to his sovereign and cricd
"a boon, your ma jcs;y.
SHAME il, and lie IL what ii my, the king viii
rant to the man who has surpassed nm IN arch
nv. Arise and name IT,"
..,'Tis mercy for myself and followers"
'sThou hast it; but tell me, truly, art thou not
gentle blood. Rimors rife that once the
u,iar, Robin Hood, had graccd a lordly hail.
hen tell me; are they true or false"
Tho outlaw dashed the false tresscs from his
row and uttered tho name Of Charles Of Hunt
,gton.'' Il
There was feasting and revclry in the lofty
ais of Richard, and many lady bright was
,crc, and many a cnurtly dame; but the fairest
elm in all the gI,tcring array of beauty, and the
rici,tcst star in that galaxy Of loneliness, was
,c, whom an outlaw had won for his bridc-E!-
Itha, Countess Of Huntington. 4
BLocKLEy, July, 1887.