按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
conveyed him to his tent； stunned and stupified。
When he recovered； he found Harpiton diligently assisting in his
recovery； more in the fear of losing his place than in that of losing his
master： the prince's first inquiry was for the prisoner he had been on the
point of taking at the moment when his habeas corpus was so
unseasonably suspended。 He was told that his people had been on the
point of securing the said prisoner； when the devil suddenly appeared
among them in the likeness of a tall friar； having his grey frock cinctured
with a sword…belt； and his crown； which whether it were shaven or no they
could not see； surmounted with a helmet； and flourishing an eight…foot
staff； with which he laid about him to the right and to the left； knocking
down the prince and his men as if they had been so many nine…pins： in fine；
he had rescued the prisoner； and made a clear passage through friend and
foe； and in conjunction with a chosen party of archers； had covered the
retreat of the baron's men and the foresters； who had all gone off in a body
towards Sherwood forest。
Harpiton suggested that it would be desirable to sack the castle； and
volunteered to lead the van on the occasion； as the defenders were
withdrawn； and the exploit seemed to promise much profit and little
56
… Page 57…
Maid Marian
danger： John considered that the castle would in itself be a great
acquisition to him； as a stronghold in furtherance of his design on his
brother's throne； and was determining to take possession with the first
light of morning； when he had the mortification to see the castle burst into
flames in several places at once。 A piteous cry was heard from within；
and while the prince was proclaiming a reward to any one who would
enter into the burning pile； and elucidate the mystery of the doleful voice；
forth waddled the little fat friar in an agony of fear； out of the fire into the
frying…pan； for he was instantly taken into custody and carried before
Prince John； wringing his hands and tearing his hair。
〃Are you the friar；〃 said Prince John； in a terrible voice； 〃that laid me
prostrate in battle； mowed down my men like grass； rescued my captive；
and covered the retreat of my enemies？ And； not content with this； have
you now set fire to the castle in which I intended to take up my royal
quarters？〃
The little friar quaked like a jelly： he fell on his knees； and attempted
to speak； but in his eagerness to vindicate himself from this accumulation
of alarming charges； he knew not where to begin； his ideas rolled round
upon each other like the radii of a wheel； the words he desired to utter；
instead of issuing； as it were； in a right line from his lips； seemed to
conglobate themselves into a sphere turning on its own axis in his throat：
after several ineffectual efforts； his utterance totally failed him； and he
remained gasping； with his mouth open； his lips quivering； his hands
clasped together； and the whites of his eyes turned up towards the prince
with an expression most ruefully imploring。
〃Are you that friar？〃 repeated the prince。
Several of the by…standers declared that he was not that friar。 The
little friar； encouraged by this patronage； found his voice； and pleaded for
mercy。 The prince questioned him closely concerning the burning of the
castle。 The little friar declared； that he had been in too great fear during the
siege to know much of what was going forward； except that he had been
conscious during the last few days of a lamentable deficiency of
provisions； and had been present that very morning at the broaching of the
57
… Page 58…
Maid Marian
last butt of sack。 Harpiton groaned in sympathy。 The little friar added；
that he knew nothing of what had passed since till he heard the flames
roaring at his elbow。
〃Take him away； Harpiton；〃 said the prince； 〃fill him with sack； and
turn him out。〃
〃Never mind the sack；〃 said the little friar； 〃turn me out at once。〃
〃A sad chance；〃 said Harpiton； 〃to be turned out without sack。〃
But what Harpiton thought a sad chance the little friar thought a merry
one； and went bounding like a fat buck towards the abbey of Rubygill。
An arrow； with a letter attached to it； was shot into the camp； and
carried to the prince。 The contents were these：
〃Prince John；I do not consider myself to have resisted lawful
authority in defending my castle against you； seeing that you are at present
in a state of active rebellion against your liege sovereign Richard： and if
my provisions had not failed me； I would have maintained it till doomsday。
As it is； I have so well disposed my combustibles that it shall not serve
you as a strong hold in your rebellion。 If you hunt in the chases of
Nottinghamshire； you may catch other game than my daughter。 Both she
and I are content to be houseless for a time； in the reflection that we have
deserved your enmity； and the friendship of Coeur…de…Lion。
〃FITZWATER。〃
58
… Page 59…
Maid Marian
CHAPTER XI
Tuck； the merry friar； who many a sermon made In praise of
Robin Hood； his outlaws； and their trade。 DRAYTON。
The baron； with some of his retainers and all the foresters； halted at
daybreak in Sherwood forest。 The foresters quickly erected tents； and
prepared an abundant breakfast of venison and ale。
〃Now； Lord Fitzwater；〃 said the chief forester； 〃recognise your son…in…
law that was to have been； in the outlaw Robin Hood。〃
〃Ay； ay；〃 said the baron； 〃I have recognised you long ago。〃
〃And recognise your young friend Gamwell；〃 said the second； 〃in the
outlaw Scarlet。〃
〃And Little John； the page；〃 said the third； 〃in Little John the outlaw。〃
〃And Father Michael； of Rubygill Abbey；〃 said the friar； 〃in Fria