Robin Hood Read Online Free Page A

Robin.
“Stay calm,” he told the man. “It's them inside who are having the bad day. Ready lads? Together. Hup!”
The man with the leather sack dashed out from behind the door. At the same time, Robin, Will, and Allan stepped out from the sides, their bows drawn, looking to keep the man covered, and loosing their arrows at the first sign of a threat. Down the line, the same thing happened. Naphtha carriers ran out from behind the other three barn doors as well, all of them covered by archers who fired up at the crossbowmen on the castle ramparts.
Robin's first arrow hit a Frenchman who grunted once, twisted in agony and as he began to fall, discharged his bow into the soldier next to him, who also went down. At the same time, the first of the naphtha runners reached the castle gate and immediately began to scramble up like a monkey, using the metal bracing on the gate for hand- and footholds. In no time he had reached the top, nearly twenty feet off the ground.
As Robin nocked another arrow, two French soldiers with crossbows leaned out over the parapets, trying to get an angle on the naphtha runner. Before they could fire, Will and Allan loosed their arrows, striking both of the enemy.
The naphtha runner pulled an iron hook in the shape of an “S” from his belt, anchored it to the bracingof the gate and hung the naphtha sack on it. Another French bowman leaned out just above him, and the runner dropped to the ground below, landing deftly and charging back toward the English lines and the safety of the barn door. As this first man returned, a second runner, a leather sack slung over his shoulder, stepped out from behind the door.
“Go, lad!” Robin said, slapping this second man on the back. And the man was off.
Robin fired at another crossbowman, his arrow striking true. Will and Allan fired as well.
The second runner reached the gate, climbed to the top and hung his sack, just as the first man had done. As he started back, a third man stepped out from behind the door. He had only gone a few steps, though, when he stumbled and sprawled to the ground, spilling much of the liquid he carried. He tried to stand, but was struck by a bolt from the castle. As he struggled to his feet once again, a flaming arrow arced high from the castle walls and started dropping toward him.
Robin and the others urged him forward, marking the missile's descent. But Robin could tell the man wouldn't make it. An instant later, the flaming arrow hit the sack he carried. A flash of bright orange flame, a concussive whoosh, and the man was incinerated. There wasn't even time for Robin to shield his eyes. He flinched, but then merely stood there and watched the poor soldier burn. A stunned silence settled momentarily over the English lines. Cheers rose from the castle.
But Richard's men rallied quickly. The king waved his sword, crying, “Blood up! Blood up for France! By God, would you ruffians die in your beds!”
Jimoen was the last of the naphtha runners waitingat Robin's barn door. He looked frightened as he adjusted the sack he carried. But he looked up at Robin and returned the archer's nod. Taking a deep breath, he scrambled out from behind the door and started toward the gate, while Robin, Will, and Allan loosed arrow after arrow.
Robin saw another runner go down with a French arrow in his back, but quickly turned his attention back to Jimoen. The young soldier was at the gate already and halfway up to the top. A French bowman leaned out to get a shot at him, and Jimoen flattened himself against the gate. The enemy's bolt appeared to skim Jimoen's back, but it did no serious damage. And in the next instant, the French soldier toppled off the castle wall, Will's arrow in his chest.
Climbing the rest of the way to the top, Jimoen set his hook, hung the naphtha bag, and after pumping his fist in celebration, leaped from the gate.
At least, that was the plan.
Instead of dropping, though, the young fool just hung there. Somehow, he had