The Adventures of Robin Hood 14: More Guests
That evening Robin and his men returned to Sherwood Forest with Sir Richard. Little John had also found some guests.
Robin grinned when he recognized the men. "Why, it's the Bishop of Hereford and three friars!" he said. "Welcome, Bishop! I haven't seen you since Alan of Dale's wedding."
The bishop paced nervously beneath a tree. He scowled but didn't say anything. He didn't want to join Robin's men for a feast.
"Look at the bishop's horses, Robin," said Little John.
Robin looked over. Six horses were tied to nearby trees. Five of them were loaded down with boxes and packs.
Robin's eyes lit up eagerly. "We'll examine your treasures later, Bishop. But first I'd like you to meet another guest. This is Sir Richard."
The bishop scowled again. "Sir Richard," he snapped. "I fear that we are companions in this den of . . ."His words trailed off as he shot an uneasy look at Robin.
"Ha-ha!" Robin roared with laughter. "Go ahead, Bishop. We won't be insulted. You were about to say 'den of thieves.'"
Sir Richard laughed, but the bishop did not.
Some of Robin's men went to make fires for roasting meat.
"We should entertain our guests while we wait for dinner," said Robin. "Let's have an archery contest and some music."
Targets were set up and several men began to shoot. After the archery contest, a minstrel sang and played the harp. Meanwhile Robin talked and joked so pleasantly that Sir Richard forgot his troubles. And the bishop almost forgot his anger.
At last two men came to say that the meal was ready. There was plenty of good food, and the feast lasted for hours. When everyone had finished eating, Robin told Sir Richard's sad story to the bishop.
"You're the richest bishop in England," Robin said. "What can you do to help him?"
The bishop said nothing. Instead he stared at the ground with a dark expression.
"Little John!" called Robin. "It's time to see what the bishop's horses are carrying."
Some men began opening the packs. The bishop's first horse was carrying silk for a merchant named Quentin.
"I know Quentin," said Robin. "He's an honest man, so we won't touch his fabric."
The horse's packs also held candles and velvet for a chapel.
"We won't touch the candles either," said Robin. "They belong in the chapel. But priests don't need so much velvet. Divide it into three parts: one to be sold for charity, one for us, and one for the chapel."
Robin examined every item the horses were carrying. Robin's men repacked some things. But they divided others into three parts.
The last horse was led before Robin. "Now what is this one carrying?" he asked.
"This horse has a box owned by the bishop," said Little John.
"Bishop, do you have the key?" Robin asked.
The bishop trembled as if he had the chills and shook his head. "No."
"Will Scarlet, break open this box!" said Robin.
Will struck the box several times with a huge sword and it finally sprang open. Robin's men gasped as a large heap of gold rolled out.
Robin ordered Will Scarlet and Little John to count it.
Much later Will called out the total. "Fifteen hundred pounds in gold coins!"
Robin turned to the bishop. "Where did all this money come from?" he asked.
"From collecting rents and fines," said a friar. The bishop glared at him for answering.
"I'll let you keep five hundred pounds, which I hope you'll give to charity," said Robin to the bishop. "We'll keep five hundred pounds as payment for our feast. And Sir Richard will get the rest."
Sir Richard looked astonished. "That's more than I need!" he said. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I'll repay you one day."
"That's not necessary," said Robin.
The bishop was grateful that Robin didn't take everything.
Sir Richard mounted his horse. "I must go for my wife will be anxious about my whereabouts."
The bishop tried to leave too. "It's getting late. I must go as well."
"Oh, no," said Robin. "You're our guest until Sir Richard pays his debt. I don't want you interfering with that. But don't worry. We'll treat you well."
So Robin fed and entertained the bishop for three days. The bishop had such fun that sometimes he forgot he was a prisoner. But when he finally left, he said to the friars, "Robin will regret the way he treated us. I'll make sure of that."
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