Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-01-18
ROBIN HOODS END.

The new sheriff was younger and
more vigorous man. and Robin Hood
preferred foe Of courage and resource.
To outwit the old dotard who had re-
Gently died had ever been sufficiently
easy. The newcomer was more worthy
of his steel.
Many time and oft Robin and his
men were only saved by their knowl-
edge of the Sherwood caves; none other
held that secret. Indeed the fear Of
these secret caves was widely spread
throughout the neighborhoOd. and many
an old wife's story told Of the sure and
horrible death that awaited any man
that entered them without having a
clew.
Gradually, as time wore on, those Of
the old band who were still left rallied
about their leader. In spite OF the sheriff
their numbers increased, and from their
maraudirg expeditions they seldom
came back empty handed. Children in
Nottingham said that when they grew
up they also would live in the forest
like Robin Hood, and eat Of the kings
venison and be served with cups and
plates of gold and have many 10 follow
them.
But Robin had not forgotten the i'll
omen. OutwaTdly his mirth was as
boisterous as ever He played rough
lests with his own men or with travel
ers who fell into his hands. 1t was not
enough that he should take their treas
ure; he must also send them on their
way in some purely ridiculous and fan
tastic attire or position, even as, many
he ,.l IL, II. -. -
back into Nottingham with his hands
and feet tied and his face to his horses
tail.
His presence of mind in the moment
OF peril was rs great as 1t had ever
been. One never found him at "a loss,
nor did he seem TO be thinking Of any
thing beyond the present moment. Yet
if by chance any spoke TO him of what
he should do in years 10 come his an
swer was always:
There are no years 10 come. This
year ends all"
Almost unconsciously his two most
able and faithful followers-Little John
and the Friar-came 10 have the same
mind on this matter. They had no
doubt that the end would come but
only of the manner Of its coming They
knew now that they went in greater
peril than ever before, and their terror
was lest Robin should be taken by the
sheriff. Had they spoken TO him of it be
might have laughed at their fears. Ev-
cry night and day lac kept his dagger by
his side. and his mind was fixed that he
would never be taken alive. AS it was,
every morning they asked themselves,
- 10 Il.
that they slept in the open, "Shall we
be taken while we seep?"
The autumn came, and already the
trees of the forest were changing color
Now and again party Of young mobiles
would come down to the river with
hawk on fist. Sometimes in the early
morning the horn would sound the
prise, but ere forester OF keeper could
reach the spot the fat buck had been
borne away. The berries were rlpening
on the bIambles and wood was being
gathered against the coming winter.
A rich knight, bearing great treasure
IN his train, passed through the forest
unscathed-aye, even without sight of
Robin and his men. Others followed,
and were also left unmolested. 1t would
indeed have been said that Robin. as
was his wont at times had left Sher-
wood and was hunting elsewhere but
for the shrill call of the horn in the
early morning and for the missing deer.
1t was as though so long as they could
wrest a scant livelihood from the vert
and venison of the forest, they were con
tent to give up their war on men.
And this was because Robin Law sick
in the caves, every day saying. ITO
morrow it will be well with me, and we
will take the road again, and some trav.
cling preiate shall pay for his sins. -
And whJn the morrow came always his
weakness returned. 1t was as if the life
died slowly out of him, as the flame
dies slowly in the lamp when the oil il
nearly finished. The Friar had used
such skill in herbs as he had, but to ne
purpose. One day he said TO Robin:
Have you heard aught of the priores.
Of Kirklees-she that was daughter o.
the old sheriff.
MANY years ago." said Robin hal
dreamily, "she came to the forest by
night. She would have the feather o.
the golden eagle that wore in my cas
doubtless a wager, and one that wal
willing enough that she should win
She was slip of girl then, and e
my thinking. rocked little of the reli
gious life. But with women
He broke off, gasping for breath, ant
then resumed with fury:
"A curse upon me that can neither
live nor die and lie thus betwixt an(
betweeni What Of the prioress? How
should she harm me or help me?"
Her fame is great in these parts, >
said the Friar. land daily grows greater
In surgery and physic she has suct
knowledge as God seldom gives TO man