Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-10-19


pcared. The warder was questioned but
avered that the lady had lot passed the
gate. The outer, Ralph &c Gurth, who
had delighted his heart with Burgundy
the night before, declared on his hopes of'
salvation, that he saw his mistress leap
from the eastern turret into the arms Cf
an angel who carried her off IN a flood Of
celestial light. The story despite its i'm.
probability, gained crcdence with he vas
sails, and ttci- faces bstokened terror and
dismay. The wardcr venturcd, in CON
sequence OF the rcd nose Of the relator, q
! his well kGown devotion 10 the bottle, 10
dis5clicve the whole story, but was only
pitied by the rest for his ncrcduli,y.-
AS for The Baron, her father, he was in
consolab!e. The sudden and mysterious
disappearance of his child, affected him
visibIy, and he piued away. gradually, yet
surely, rs does the oak of the forest when
stricken by the red bot Of heaven.
y ~ y ~
Richard the First had returned from
Palestine, bringing back with him howcv-
er, but small portion OF the host he had
led thithcr. The plague had made sad
havoc with the pride OF England Many
Of those whom the plague had spared, fell
from the effects Of tho burning heat, and
thirst; while the major par, Of those who
had escaped these evils, seemed spared
that they might fall before the lances Of
the Saradens.
On their arrival at home, Ceur de Ii
on found the affairs Of the kingdom in al
most inextricablc confusion. Insurrec>
tions were common in every part Of The
realm, laws were evadcd or set at open
defiance, whilst robbery and murder we're
o.. every day occurrence. But this state
OF affairs could not daunt the soul Of
Richard, and he commenced reforming all
abuses, which had crept in the state dur.
ing his absence, making new laws and en-
forcing old ones, suppressing insurrec-
tions, and furnishing murierers and
thieves, in such promp, and vigorous
manner, rs to present qualities TO our ad"
miration, not only as soldier, but as q
civilian.
Amongst other outlaws whom the kings
absence had caused to arise and flourish,
Robin Hood or the "Archer Outlaw" as
he was sometimes called, stood prc.cmi-
nent. SkiIful in the use Of the long and
the cross bows, Of immense strength, and
possessing power to Weld the minds of
the most desperate, these qualities, con-
Joined with his handsome and commanding
figure, procuring him immense popularl.
ty. He adassociated with him the most
skiful archers Of his time, the surcness
Of whose name and whose desperate hab-
its, had not only become bye-word with
all, but had so intimidatcd the hearts Of
liheir enemies, that they reigned monarchs
of the green wood without fear Of moles.
tation. They destroyed deer in tho kings
forest as means Of support, the meat not
only afording them food, but 1hc sale Of
the choicest portions affording them cloth
ing, from the neighboring yeomanry;-
nay, even the barons, whose castles cdg-
ed on the forests, did not scruple to puf-
chase haunch Of venison from the for-
ester without inquiring as to the manner
IN which it was obtained
Richard set about the matter zealous'y,
and after selecting the choicest Of his
kings and bow-men, journcycd down 10
Sherwood forest, to find. and il possible to
drive away these rude and hardy outlaws.
This was more easily conceived, than put
in execution; for some time had past, &
Richard and his band had fingered till
weary in the forest, without encounterIng
aught save green oaks and a few wild
deer.
1t was about noon, on one o. these loi-
tering days. that Richard was roaming a
bout the forest, with no companion save
the good Gothic war sword which was
buckle led to his side. A whizzingnoiso at
tracted his attention, and he raised his
head in time to hehoId an arrow enter the
body of buck, which was bounding light
Iy past him at the distance OF. few pa
ccs. The noble animal gave a leap, one
bound, and as the blood gushed in torrents
from his breast, staggered and fell. Full
of rage at this encroachment OF his pre-
rogativc, for the right oil killing deer in
The royal forests belonged exclusively to
the monarch, he cast his eyes around him
in search of the offender, and beheld a
knave, clad in simple garb Of green,
! advancing with loosened bow Hum, he
doubted not, was the aggressor; and he
was accosted accordingly by the Mon
arch.
elbow now, fellow; durst ye kill the
deer in the royal iorests BY whose au.
-
thority do you act!" 49,