eep it to his death.

Master Ford smiled very superior to these brave words. "Death, Master
Robin, is a thing a long way off from us both, I do conceive," said he.
"Therefore is there small valiance in your prating so lightly of it.
This matter is one not between ourselves, howbeit, for the Rangership
has come to me through no seeking of mine own. The quarrel, if there be
one, is between yourself and Master Monceux; and, in reason, you should
let me into possession here, and take your anger to Nottingham."

"I speak to the Sheriff in that I speak to you, John Ford," retorted the
lad: "and you have had your answer. Take back your men and yourself; be
content with the captaincy of the foresters of Sherwood. This part of
the forest will be administered, under the King's pleasure, by me."

"What if I could show you the King's dismissal of your father?" snarled
the other.

"If you could show it to me, you would," answered Robin, calmly.

"Nevertheless, I will show it to you, insolent," cried Master Ford,
losing his temper. "In Nottingham we can play at other games than those
you saw at the Fair, Robin o' th' Hood," he went on, furiously, and
giving Robin this name out of desire to prick him.

To young Robin the epithet recalled a sudden vision of the maid
Fitzwalter and her queer little toss of her curls as she had christened
him. Ford must have been near to have overheard it. So was there double
insult in his words.

Robin looked him full in the face, and then turned contemptuously from
him. "Play all the games you know, friend," said he: and walked into the
house.

The forester bit his lip in vexation. He scarce knew how to act. The
Sheriff had told him to take forcible possession of the house, but this
might only be done now after a sanguinary encounter. For Warrenton, the
Squire of Gamewell's man, was there, and had eyed him malevolently, and
talk with the Locksley foresters had shown them to be now ranged on
Robin's side.

After waiting for three hours, Master Ford set about a return into
Nottingham, meaning to ask for permission to bring back the Sherwood
foresters with him to Locksley. In his return he was met by Will o' th'
Green and his men near Copmanhurst, was beaten and robbed of all he had,
and sent back in ignominious fashion into Nottingham town--he and all
the ten men that the Sheriff had sent with him!

Master Ford made a fine story of this for the greedy ears of Mistress
Monceux. She had always