Robin Hood

cheer," sai

f! for

e love of

is gran

t. This Robin Hood! and und

have heard great tales of your prowess, and the half h

e Little John,

my honor as Much the miller's son; and you too, bold Robin

nd I be forced to run him through. Lucky for you twain that wine flowed so freely in the house to-day; else the noise of your combat would

warden at the west gate and could bring us through safely. To-morrow you will be stayed." "Nay, that will I not," laughed Robin, "for I shall go through with no less escort than the Sheriff himself. Now do you, Little

them as suddenl

. But ere we go, it would seem a true pity to fail to take such of the Sheriff's

id indeed," q

it would not at once be missed, and they swung the sack between them, and away they wen

avy sleep, but his cracked head was still in such a whirl that he could not have sworn whether th

amewell. 'Twas clear that a vision of them, purchased for twenty paltry gold pieces, had been with him all through the night, in his dreams. And Ro

orse. Out of Nottingham town, through gates open wide, they proceeded, and took the hill road leading through Sherwo

Sheriff, for, sooth to say, the silen

keep my courage u

ave the Sheriff of Nottingham besi

ratched

od and his men care little

once lay hands upon them." And he snapped his fingers angrily. "But Robin Hoo

ackling of a twig under his h

see him?"

s mare and cart to drive to Nottingham. He

there before them stood a herd of the King's de

aster Sheriff! How do you like them

ut of this forest, for I care not to see such herds as these, or such faces a

cultivate your company to forego it now so easily. Besides I wish you to meet some o

ing and a rustling, and out from behind covert and tree came full twoscore of men, clad in Lincoln green, and bearing good yew bows in their hands a

of the leaders, bending the knee wi

lared. It was

d Greenleaf," he said,

ster. I was misserved of my dinner, when I was at your house.

. "Take you his bridle and let us do honor

whole company plunged in

e flanked by wide-spreading oaks. Under the largest of these a pleasant fire was crackling, and near it two fine harts lay ready for cooking. Around the blaze were gathered another company

ed in like any culprit, he took his cloak and laid it humbly upon the ground and besought

e our new cook, whom I see with us, is preparing a feast worth

, and brown pasties warmed beside the blaze, and mulled wine sent forth a cordial fragrance, R

hey thrust and parry and beat down guards, that the Sheriff, who loved a good game as well as any man, clapped his hands, fo

o submit to a good sound buffet from Little John. But right cunning was the shooting, for the men had spent a certain time in daily practice, and many were the shafts which sped daintily through the circle. Nathless now and again some luckless fellow w

two more disturbing surprise. The cook came forward to serve the food, when the Sheriff beheld in h

rved the plates, and placed them before the party. Then did the Sheriff gasp and

aud me out of three of my servants, that you must also rob me of my

Hood bade

our worship honor. And as for your life, it is forfeit to your eagerness to buy my herd of cattle so cheaply. Now sit

re disappearing down his gullet as rapidly as the next man's. And they feasted royally and clinked e

you good men who have entertained me in Sherwood so well. Promises I make not as to how I shall requite you when next you come to Nottingham, for I am in

s health, and Robin said: "If you must needs go at once we w

ed the Sheriff, while h

a herd of horned beasts; likewise that he who di

ike a small boy who ha

all sum with me," he

tioned Little John, "for my own

ne!" sa

e!" smil

. "By my troth, are all these

roared heart

ur back wages for those plates. And we will keep the herd of cattle free for our own use-and

enty others," said the Sheriff: and well it was

t, Littl

riff's wallet inside out.

s for your entertainment, excellence," decree

echoed t

that he will not molest us," said Will Stute

approaching the sheriff. "Now swear

s all," said the Sheriff vigorously, "that I will

f you out of Sherwood!"

were paid over, and the Sheri

new moon is beginning to silver the leaves, I shall bear you compan

st your going needles

se your company," replied Robin. "Th

e rein, and led him through the lane and by

a poor prodigal, remember the herd you would have bought over against Gamewell

aunch, and off went the Sherif

the Sheriff's expense, and which are known even to the present day-that,