News Comes to the King
The king smiled at his wife. “Ah, madam! you will have your own way, as all women will. Go, fellows, wash yourselves, and find places at the tables, where you shall dine well enough, even if it be not on venison pasty from the king’s own forests.”
The outlaws did reverence to the king and queen, and found seats with the king’s guard at the lower tables in the hall. They were still satisfying their appetites when a messenger came in haste to the king; and the three North Countrymen looked at one another uneasily, for they knew the man was from Carlisle. The messenger knelt before the king and presented his letters. “Sire, your officers greet you well.”
“How fare they? How does my valiant sheriff? And the prudent justice? Are they well?”
“Alas! my lord, they have been slain, and many another good officer with them.”
“Who hath done this?” questioned the king angrily.
“My lord, three bold outlaws, Adam Bell, Clym of the Cleugh, and William of Cloudeslee.”
“What! these three whom I have just pardoned? Ah, sorely I repent that I forgave them! I would give a thousand pounds if I could have them hanged all three; but I cannot.”