"
"Why, then, what may I give thee in way o' love and friendship?"
"Thy hand."
"Behold it, brother! And what beside? Here is purse o' good pieces--ha?"
"Nay, Robin, prithee keep them for those whose need is greater."
"Can I nought bestow--dost lack for nothing, brother?"
"What thou, methinks, may not supply--"
"And that?"
"Horse and armour!" Now at this, Robin laughed and clapped hand to thigh;
quoth he:
"Come with Robin, brother!" So he brought Jocelyn into a cave beneath the
steep and, lighting a torch from fire that burned there, led him on through
other caves and winding passages rough-hewn in the rock, and so at last to
a vasty cavern.
And here was great store of merchandise of every sort,--velvets, silks,
and rich carpets from the Orient; vases of gold and silver, and coffers
strong-clamped with many iron bands. And here also, hanging against the
rocky walls, were many and divers suits of armour with helms and shields
set up in gallant array; beholding all of which Jocelyn paused to eye merry
Robin askance; quoth he soberly:
"Sir Rogue, how came ye by all this goodly furniture?"
"By purest chance, brolher," laughed Robin, "for hark 'ee--
"Chance is a wind to outlaws kind,
And many fair things blows us,
It--merchants, priors, lords, knights and squires,
And like good things bestows us--"
"Aye," said Jocelyn, "but what of all those knights and squires whose
armour hangeth here?"
"Here or there, brother, they come and they go.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190