Robin Hood

he answered

r where I

r am I, and

, my flesh

e Of Will Stutely's fellows, and he and others had stepped forth from the covert to seize it, when twenty bowmen from Nottingham appeared at the end of the glade. Down dropped Will's men on all fours, barely in time to hear a shower of arrows whis

to town the Sheriff

n Hood, face to face? Would that I could get him with

e. But he was to have his wish granted in short sp

aw him talking with a beggar, but did not know whither they had gone. Two more days passed. Robin grew uneasy.

et. Up sprang he, with bow and arr

Sheriff has long desired to see me; and mayhap he can tell me ti

ght him to let them go w

doubt upon our meeting. But tarry ye in the edge of the wood opposite t

way was clear. Back at a bend in the road he heard a rumbling and a lumbering, when up drove a stout butcher, whist

iled Robin. "Whence come you and w

t a simple butcher, and to Nottingham am I going, my flesh to sell. 'Tis Fair week, and my beef

Lockesley town. Men

eard of you, and how you lighten the purses of the fat priests and knights. But I am naught b

er penny would I take from you, for I love an honest Saxon face and

be a butcher, this day, and sell meat at Nottingham town. Could you sell me you

fully, "that can I!" And he leaped down forthwith from the

ts for the nonce. Take mine and scurry home quickly lest the

and apron, and, climbing into the cart,

blithely and proceeded to the market-place. Boldly he led his s

or his meat, but put on a foolish and

sses and dam

come buy

rths go for

s is good

did sell three times as much for one penny as was sold by the other butchers. And one or two servi

y found how he was taking their trade; and

s sold his father's land, and this

who has murdered a butcher, a

louder. His good-humor made the people laugh also and crowd round his cart

said to him, "Come, brother butcher, if you would sell meat with us

on to-day," said another, "and

is heart," sa

butcher

h you, my b

ast as I

orse and cart in charge of a friendly hostler and

he right to trade in the market-place. The Sheriff was already come with great pomp into the banqueting room, when Robin Hood and three or four butchers entered

right mad blade, who yet made us much sport to-day. He sold more meat for one penny than we could sell for three; and he gave extra weight to whats

So, as I have told you, he placed Robin by his side, and he made much of him and laughed boisterously at his jests; though sooth to sa

ous grace and take his seat on the other side of the Sheriff-the prel

servants clattered in with the mea

drink deep; for the shot I'll pay ere I go my way, though it cost me five pounds

!" shouted

t is mine own. Howbeit you must have many a head of horned beasts,

I and my brothers, and none of them have we been able to sell. That is why I have turned butc

. Since this fool would be plucked, thoug

sts, say you?" he

r a just figure. Aye, to him who will pay me in right money, would I s

ht the Sheriff; and he so far forgot his di

to help any in my shire. An you cannot find a buyer for y

to praising the Sheriff to the skies, and telling hi

t a trade. Drive in your herd tomorrow to the

ng in scattered fashion. But they are over near Gamewell, not more than a mi

casting his caution to the winds. "Tarry with me

ce for the other, but now saw that this might excite doubt. He looked around at the company. By this time, you must know, the feast had pro

ed bearing tray of mulled wine. At sight of the fellow's face, Robin gave an involuntary start of surprise which was insta

Littl

r for none of them. What was Little John doing in the Sheriff's house?

rom Robin's open mind as soon as they had entere

in of foolish banter, for the amusement of the She

cry was taken up round the table. Rob

a butcher

ixt them f

give ye the m

l give me

chorus amid a pounding

a hey

hey no

r of Not

vants, and refilled the cups. He came up to Robin and, as if asking him

nt, and presently the company broke up with many hiccupy b

bade a servant show Robin to his room, and p

sheriff next day; but Little John has been doing so much i

of, in the ballads of olden time, and find out