Saturday morning visitor., 1848-10-28

eagle plume himself appeared the moment
after. In this way he raised the old SEN
eschal who had been only stunned, and
was now coming 10 himself.
Maud, as well as Grace, was not with
out resolution; and instead Of swooning,
as many a modern damsel would have
done, collected her spirits and turned 10
thank her deliverers. The young forester
had now removed his cap, and as she gaz-
ed on his features, Maud exclaimed,
What Harry Neville here? Or am
/ dreamipg?'
Not dreaming, lady fair he exclaimed
on Bonded knee. III is, indeed, your I'M
fortunate lover, happy for once, however,
since he has rendered you some slight SER
vice.
And this she said, turning 70 the cap
tain of the foresters -'this isl
robin Hood 7 exclaimed that enown-
ed champion, lifting his cap. The friend
Of all honest mobiles like the good Lord
Spencer, and especially Of beauty in dis
tress.'
This happy denouement was rendered
even more felicitorss by the information
now impaired 10 Maud that her faithful
band had suffered comparatively little,
though several were bruised and wound
ed, the short period during which the con-
flct lasted having prevented more serious
hurts. The principal execution had been
done on the enemy, and by Robin Hoods
archers. In few minutes the villagers
returned 10 the green.
But how came the lover of Maud in the
disguise of a forester, we hear the reader
ask. Young Neville had been a page for
inerly in Lord Spencer's household, and
while there lad imhihed a secret affection
for Maud. But as lie was only of a sim
pie knights degree, he dared not aspire
TO her hand. He had not left the castle in
despair two summers since, r~esolute 10
make his fortune by his sword before he
openly solicited Maih's love. But though
a brave aud gallant knight, he had been
unfortunate, for adhering 10 the cause of
the absent monarch, he bad been stripped
Of his little estate by the minions of Prince
John, and fually forced by an unjust out
h"ry TO take 10 the greenwood, like ma
ny other loyal gentlemen. His old love
Tor Maud led him 10 linger in the vicinity
OF her fathers castle, and fortune had
CHANGED 10 bring thilher with him, on this
occasion, his leader and friend, the BAN
ished Earl of Huntington, or as he called
himself in the forest, Robin Hood. Most
OF his fellow archers had mingled in the
sports unarmed, but their weapons were
only a short distance of, so that our hero,
on seeing the intentions of the robber no.
BILE, had sent his companions TO procure
their arms and summon their leader, who, |
with a small band, remained in the wood
TO guard them-Neville reserving his ow
interference, in The meantime, for a critic
al moment. if such should happen before
Robin Hood arrived. We have seen how
boldly and how efTecinally he ~interposed
al the right instant.
Great was the rejoicing at Spencer cas-
tie, two days afterwards, when lis lord
arrived bringing the intelligence that King
Richard was free and in England but e.
ven more hoisterous was the mirth and
iestivity when, a few months later, Maud
and Neville were united, the monarch him
self giving away the bride.
Robin Hood was at the wedding, iiav-
ing in the meantime been restored 10 his
earldoIn. Grace moi long after married a
in King Richards train.