r of the Queen's
choosing--men who had not yet shot upon that day.

A thrill of astonishment and excitement swept around the arena. "Who
were these men of the Queen's choosing?" was upon every lip. The hubbub
of eager voices grew intense; and in the midst of it all, the gate at
the far end of the field opened and five men entered and escorted a lady
upon horseback across the arena to the royal box. The lady was instantly
recognized as Mistress Marian of the Queen's household, but no one
seemed to know the faces of her escort. Four were clad in Lincoln green,
while the fifth, who seemed to be the leader, was dressed in a brave
suit of scarlet red. Each man wore a close fitting cap of black, decked
with a curling white feather. For arms, they carried simply a stout bow,
a sheaf of new arrows, and a short hunting-knife.

When the little party came before the dais on which the King and Queen
sat, the yeomen doffed their caps humbly, while Maid Marian was assisted
to dismount.

"Your Gracious Majesty," she said, addressing the Queen, "these be the
men for whom you sent me, and who are now come to wear your colors and
service you in the tourney."

The Queen leaned forward and handed them each a scarf of green and gold.

"Lockesley," she said in a clear voice, "I thank thee and thy men for
this service. Know that I have laid a wager with the King that ye can
outshoot the best five whom he has found in all his bowmen." The five
men pressed the scarfs to their lips in token of fealty.

The King turned to the Queen inquiringly.

"Who are these men you have brought before us?" asked he.

Up came the worthy Bishop of Hereford, growing red and pale by turns.

"Your pardon, my liege lord!" cried he; "But I must denounce these
fellows as outlaws. Yon man in scarlet is none other than Robin Hood
himself. The others are Little John and Will Stutely and Will Scarlet
and Allan-a-Dale--all famous in the North Countree for their deeds of
violence."

"As my lord Bishop personally knows!" added the Queen significantly.

The King's brows grew dark. The name of Robin Hood was well known to
him, as to every man there present.

"Is this true?" he demanded sternly.

"Aye, my lord," responded the Queen demurely. "But, bethink you--I have
your royal promise of grace and amnesty."

"That will I keep," said the King, holding in check his ire by a mighty
effort. "But, look you! Only forty days do I grant of respite. When this
time has