join the Robin Hood supporters club and meet with the lads once a month at the Green Man? Will you baby sit for Marion and me when the little Robins start to hatch? Will you Robin? Will you? Will you? Huh? Huh? Will you? Will you? Huh?"
"Sorry Robin, I have to find my lost brother Marlon, he disappeared under strange circumstances, I think he may be on an island in Scotland."
"The sheriff has left some horses, take one to speed your journey, we wish you God speed and good luck Robin."
And so, having rid Nottingham of its’ evil Sheriff, freed Robin Hood, and restored peace to the region, Robin bid them farewell, and left for Scotland.
We will never know if Robin found Marlon, but he neither of them were ever seen again at their home in Leicester.
From the original story published on the Internet as Burdett's, the Universe and everything. Copyright © Les Burdett 8 June 1997
This story version Copyright © Les Burdett 9 January 2023
Roger
During the fifteenth century the search for new lands lead to adventure on the high seas. Adventurous sailors would sail unknown seas to bring back rare treasures from the shores of new lands, brave sailors could become rich and famous if they returned to England with a precious cargo.
There was much danger for the sailors returning to England with their ships laden with treasures. Sailors told of sea monsters, dragons, and bad weather, which all took their toll of ships and men alike. Sometimes those returning along the coast of Africa, even though they sailed in convoys, would just disappear, without sound of battle, without wreckage, without survivors.
Some sailors put the disappearances down to pirates, there were not many in those early days, but there were always a few black hearted sailors looking to get rich quick at the expense of others. The most feared of those early pirates were the Beard family.
Grey Beard, the father, was old beyond his fifty years. He looked well beyond sixty, well it's very stressful running a pirate fleet and that salt water is not good for the complexion. He was feared for his cunning, once he sighted a ship there was no escape, Grey Beard could out sail anyone.
Black Beard, the eldest son was feared because he had a black heart. He always sank the victim’s ship with all hands, sometimes he kept a few feet, but Black Beard always sank the hands.
Red Beard, the middle son, would slit the throats of the poor wretches he captured, then he would drink their blood, so staining his beard red.
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