RAPHAEL

brutes loved him. The other is, "He is the only very distinguished man of whom we have read who lived and died without an enemy.

His paintings are among the most beautiful in the world.

What do you think of his face in the picture?

Find out all that you can about Raphael and write the story of his life, using the following outline.

Robin Hood was a boy of fifteen in Old England in the days of King Henry the Third. He was a stout and valiant lad, and stronger than most men.

One day there was a shooting match with bows and arrows in the town of Nottingham, and Robin took his great bow which few men could string, and went to try his skill with the famous archers.

On the way he met some of the King's foresters, who laughed to see so young a stripling with a bow so huge, and made merry over him until Robin cried out, in anger "I lay you a wager that I can kill a deer at a hundred rods." "Done,” shouted the foresters. Then Robin drew his mighty bow as easily as if it had been a withe and shot one of the deer of the King's herd through the heart.

The foresters were astonished, but one of them, a surly churl, was jealous and exclaimed, "You have shot one of the King's deer; you are a felon and my prisoner." He started to take the boy. Robin warned him off with, "Come nearer and I shoot." But the forester kept on, swinging his quarterstaff. Robin, fearing him, stung and angry at the man's treachery, drew his bow and shot

him through the heart. The others, like cowards as they were, ran to the town as fast as they could go, where the Sheriff set a price upon Robin's head. Robin, however, did not propose to be captured, but fled to the forest, where he made his home. Soon he was joined by many others whom the cruel tyranny of the odious Sheriff of Nottingham had driven away. They made Robin their chief, and were known as his "Merry Men." They lived in the forest and took toll of all who passed, except the poor and the courteous and the women and the children. These they never harmed, because Robin Hood was courteous himself as a Knight, and would have been a good subject of the King had he been allowed.

He was most anxious to meet the King; and, indeed, the King on his part was most desirous of meeting this famous and courteous outlaw.

At length the two met, and it happened in this wise. This was after Robin Hood had been living his free life in the forest for many years, and he was now no longer a youth, but a man of years and wisdom.

Sir Richard of Lea had befriended Robin and his band. Whereat the Sheriff in a rage had seized Sir Richard and would have killed him. Then Sir Richard's Lady had made an appeal to Robin Hood to save her Lord, and Robin with his band had attacked the Sheriff of Nottingham and killed him, rescuing Sir Richard. When the King heard of this, he resolved to see the daring outlaw for himself. He came to Nottingham and waited long, but no Robin could he see, although the King's deer disappeared daily.

At length a forester spoke up. "My liege lord," said he, "if you will follow my counsel, you shall soon see Robin Hood. Take five of your best knights and go to yonder abbey and get you monks' garments." So the King borrowed the clothes of an abbot and rode through the forest. Robin, thinking him a fair prey, stopped the

King's horse and demanded his money. The King gave him all the money he had. Robin handed one half of it to his men and returned the remainder to the supposed friar, whom he asked to dinner.

After feasting, they all engaged in sports of archery and boxing, whereat the King displayed such skill and strength that Robin knew him for his King.

Then Robin Hood and all his band fell upon their knees before the King. The King pardoned them and invited them to live with him at the royal court.

After reading this story, reproduce it orally.

Then make a careful outline, dividing it into two main parts, and each of these into sections.

Then write the story in your own language, following the outline.

Study the picture, and write a description of what you see in it.

Find and tell other stories of Robin Hood.

You will find it interesting to organize an archery club and practice the art. First write rules for the game.

XXVII

ADVERTISEMENTS

Copy and bring to class advertisements of wants or lost articles from newspapers. Discuss them in class and select those that are correctly expressed. Then each choose one and write an imaginary answer to it. Read your answers in class and discuss them.

To the Teacher. An outline for the study of archery is given on page 145. This makes an excellent and interesting series of lessons

in this connection if the material for study is available.