Part 3.
The Woeful Story of Alan Adale Chapter 8.
Robin Hood Befriends Alan Adale.
Two days after Will Scarlet and Arthur Oblin donned the Lincoln Green, Robin took Will Stootley aside.
Will, lead these new lads to the highway.
Teach them how Robin Hood and his men find paying guests for their merry feast.
Will stutely grinned.
I will be happy to take these fellows out on such a hunt.
The party gathered and set forth.
Finding a comfortable grassy place by the highway, the men sat down and waited.
Fair damsels and stout shepherds strolled past.
A tinker clattered down the road with his wares.
Women taking eggs to market bustled along, but the men saw no one worth robbing.
As the sun began to set, the shadows grew long.
What bad luck, grumbled Will Stutely.
If I had gone on an innocent errand, I would have seen fat rich men and spoiled priests by the dozen.
Now we are here to take such a guest back to the greenwood tree, and we see no one.
Come, good fellows, let us return to the forest.
They had walked for a while when Will Stootley put up his hand.
Hold, lads.
I hear something.
They all stopped.
We must look into this, said Will Scarlet.
Someone's in trouble.
I'm not so sure about that, said Will Stootley.
That is a man's voice.
I say a man should take care of his own troubles.
That's a terrible way to think, said Will Scarlet.
Stay here if you like, but I'm going to see what's wrong.
I did not say that I wouldn't go.
I merely recommended caution, Will stutely retorted.
He began to walk toward the sound and the others followed.
The woods opened onto a pool of water fed by a chattering brook.
A young man sat at the edge of the pool, crying softly.
On the tree above him hung a fine harp of polished wood.
By his side lay a bow and a quiver of arrows.
"'Hello!' shouted Will Stootley.
Who weeps there, killing the green grass with his flow of salt tears?
The young stranger sprang to his feet, grabbed his bow, and fitted an arrow against the string.
Hold, fellow, Will Stootley warned.
We are not going to harm you.
Put down that bow and wipe your eyes.
I hate to see a big strong fellow sniveling like a little girl over a dead kitten.
I know that young man, Arthur Abland said.
He is a famous menstrual in these parts.
I saw him but a week ago.
He sang like a bird and skipped like a yearling doe.
Pay no attention to these fellows, urged Will Scarlet.
They are rough, but they mean well.
Come with us.
Perhaps we can help solve your problems, whatever they are.
The young stranger took his harp down from the tree and walked sadly alongside the men.
He kept his head low and said nothing.
As the moon rose above the treetops, they came to the glade where the greenwood tree stood.
A great feast was being readied for some lucky guest.
Thick stakes of venison sizzled over the fire and a mouth-watering smell drifted through the forest.
Robin greeted the young stranger.
"'Good evening, fair friend.
Have you come to feast with me today?'
The young man looked around with wide eyes.
"'I think I know where I am.
Are you the great Robin Hood?'
Robin laughed.
"'Bullseye, because you know me, you also know that you must pay for this evening's feast.'
I trust you have a full purse, fair stranger.
I have nothing but sixpence, broken in half, the young stranger confessed.
My one true love has the other half of the coin.
She wears it on a silken thread around her neck.
Robin Hood spoke sharply to Will Stootley.
Is this the kind of guest you think will fill our purse?
No, good master, Will answered.
Will Scarlet brought him along.
Nevertheless, I think this boy may offer us an opportunity to do some good.
Will Scarlet told Robin how they had found the lad crying by the side of the pool.
They believed he was in some trouble.
Robin put his hands on the boy's shoulders and looked him in the eye.
You have got a good face, an honest and kind face.
The young man's eyes filled with tears.
Don't cry, lad.
I'm sure your troubles can be fixed.
What is your name?
Alan Adelser, the boy murmured.
Are you not the young minstrel I have been hearing about? asked Robin.
Yes, sir, that is me, replied Alan Adale.
Come eat with me and tell me your problems, Robin said.
You will feel better if you talk.
