Robin Hood

hand," the str

ou with all m

Little, a man

me for I'll

e altered," quoth

ll his go

feast, and no

l be merry

excursions failed to catch the outlaws. The poor people began by fearing them, but when they found that the men in Lincoln green who answered Robin Hood's horn meant them no harm, but despoiled the

to Robin's adventurous spirit. Up rose he, one

ng what the gay world looks like in the direction of Nottingham town. But ta

oment, his agile form erect, his brown locks flowing and his brown eyes watching th

which made the way nearer and less open, into which he turned. As he approached the stream he saw that it had become swollen by recent rains into quite a pretty t

the end of the broad log. But he was no sooner started across than he saw a tall stranger coming from the other side. Thereupon Rob

ose leadership of a band, I am afrai

He was almost a head

nd softly! I give way only

d Robin, "or I shall have

aturedly, "I would not move after hearing that speech, even if minded to it before; for

your fingers." So saying he sought his own bank again with a leap, laid aside his long bow and arrows, and cut him a stout staff of oak

ut there are other tunes in England besides that the arrow sings." Here he whirred the staff about his head b

he giant smiting

hair's breadth from his shoulder would have felled an ox. Nevertheless while swerving

arried t

ack! whac

irmly in his place not moving backward or forward a foot for a good half hour, nor thinking of crying "Enough!" though some chance blow seemed likely to knock one or the other off the narrow foot-bridge. The giant's face was getting red, and his breath came snorting forth like a bul

thin an ace of falling, but reg

gasped forth, giving back a blow

e the giant topple into the water, when down came the other upon his head, whack! Robin saw more stars in tha

ng reeds to pull himself up on the bank. His assailant could not forbear laughing heartily at his plight, but was also quick t

hat the fish would never have come forth so wet and dripping. He lay upon the warm

hit full stoutly. My head hums like

d, and then was heard the rustling of leaves and crackling of twigs like the coming of many men; and forth from the glade burst a sco

y, "how is this? In sooth there

ss the footbridge, and when I tickled him in the ribs, he mus

of his own porridge," quot

one and I abide by it. I surmise you also are quits?" he

now have the best end of the cudgel. Wherefore,

ven the Sheriff of Nottingham kn

as on my way to seek you and to try to join your merry company. But

am glad I fell in with you; though,

lasped hands, and in that clasp the st

ld us your name," said R

e, men call m

come. The rites are few, the fee is large. We ask y

upon my life," s

fair little stranger is so small of bone and sinew, that his old name is not to the purpose." Here he paused long enough to fill a horn in the str

he men roared

for Little John," said Robin joyfully. "Can you

twig at forty yards

mighty oak they found the rest of the band, some of whom had come in with a brace of fat does. And here they built a ruddy fire and sat down to the meat and ale, Robin Hood in the center with Will Stutely on the one hand and Little John on