Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-06
Hov Robin Hood
Shot Before
. the King

at Finsbury Field, TO learn VINO were
the best aEchers in his service. So the
tourney was proclaimed, and all Lon
don was awaiting the holiday.
Queen Elinor thought she would
play a joke on the King. She asked
Maid Marian about Robin Hood and
his comrades. So it was that Maid
Marian dressed herself as a page and
set out for Sherwood Forest to ask
Robin to come to London.
Right glad was Robin to see Maid
Marian. although he did not know her
at first. And right glad was he to 60
to London to shoot against the archers
Of the King.
Robin took with him Little John,
Will Stutely, Will Scarlet, and ALA
Dale; and Mistress Dale went along
as company for Maid Marian. Dressed
in their finest clothes, they we're good
to look upon, as they made their way
to London.
Queen Elinor received them with
all kindness, and was delighted with
ATlan-a-D ale's playing on the harp. She
was 80 pleased with the sweetness OF
Mistress Dale that she wished to keep
her at the Court.
The day after Robin and his band
arrived in London was the day OF the
tourney. Everybody went to Finsbury
Field.
It was fine summer morning, and
everybody was happy. The King, and
the Queen, and the people, all were
full Of Joy.
When the hour for the contest came,
IL all
bugle, All became silent Two hun.
dred of the best archers Of the king
dom were drawn In line. ,-,.s.
King Henry began to boast about
the skill of his men.
What if l can produce better arch
ers than your five best?" said Queen
Elinor.
The prizes shall be theirs, and I will
give you whatever boon you may ask,
answered the King.
,"Find your five best answered the
Queen, "and l will match them"
So the contest began. and there was
much shooting before the King found
the five best. There were many good
shots, and the people cried out for
Joy. ...s.
At last the five best stood before
the King and received his praise They
were Tepus, Gilbert of the White
Hand, Clifton, Roundly, and Harold the
Straight.
Bring forth your archers!" said
Henry to the Queen.
Just then Maid Marian, in her pages
suit, entered Finsbury Field, and with
her were Robin and his companions
All were dressed in their gayest
clothes. The people set up a great
shout as they beheld the goodly COM
pany.
these are my archers," said the
Queen, and your Majesty's men Will
need to shoot their best" .r.
"By my halidom!" said the King,
these must be hardy men to shoot
against my archers!" f.G
At this, moment one of the Kings
men came up and told the King that
the leader Of the band was Robin
Hood.
"Is this true?" asked the King Of
the Queen. .,'.
"How bold the knaves are!" said
Henry. eve will see them shoot; then
they go to prison ,r ..... ...
The queen only smiled.
The king turned to his five archers.
IF We outshoot these knaves," he
said, Il will fill your caps with silver
pennies; and your leader shall be a
knight" - .-. ...
The targets were now set up, and
the men got ready to shoot. The
kings men were to shoot first each
time. Each was to send three arrows.
Clifton of the kings men was to
shoot against Will Scarlet. TWO OF
Clifton's arrows went true and hit the
black center, but the third swerved
aside.
take good aim, my sweet coy"
said Robin to Will Scarlet, as he was
about to shoot. Will was taking too
much care, and his shot was poorer
than the worst of Clifton's. H--
Pardon my advice, coy" said Rob-
in, shoot as you please"
Wills other arrows fell inside the ar
rows of Clifton. Clifton, however,
was judged the better because Wills
arrow had fallen so far from the CEN
ter.
Will bit his lip, but said nothing.
Godfrey and Allan-a-Dale were to
shoot next. Allan was favorite
49, y.lS1, Lona,1oo - Hso oovof1o