the hollow of the tree. The Lincolnshire men halted, and Robin
asked for a lift to the field where already the tourney was being
commenced.

"Are you going to the Sherwood tourney, and with a bow?" asked one of
the archers, loftily. "What will you shoot there, gipsy boy? There are
no targets such as your shafts might reach. But 'tis true that you may
learn something of the game, if you should go."

"I'll lay a crown wager with you, friends," said Stuteley, vexed to hear
Robin called "gipsy," "that my master's shaft will fly more near the
center of the mark than will any one of yours. So now."

"A crown piece, gipsy! Why, that means twenty crowns for you to find,"
laughed another of the men, loudly.

"Twenty crowns; why, he has not twenty pence," said another.

"My man has laid the wager and I will stand to it," said Robin, quietly,
"though I do not like such boasting, I promise you. Twenty crowns to
twenty crowns--who will hold the stakes? Here is my purse in warrant of
my words."

"Why, master, I am surely the very man to hold your purse!" called out
the lately fallen champion, readily. "Ask any of them here and (if they
have love of truth in them) they will say that Much the Miller is a man
of men for honesty, sobriety, and the like! 'Tis known throughout
Lincoln that never have I given short measure in all my life. Hand me
the purse and be easy."

"Show me your crown, friend," said Robin, eyeing him.

"Now, stirrup me but I have given my last piece to a poor beggar whom we
did meet in the wood."

"Then I will hold my purse myself, Master Much," cried Robin, putting it
quickly back into his bosom. "But have no fear; if you can beat me, I'll
add my crown to the Prince's money-bag. We will meet you here, friends,"
he continued, "beside this very tree, at noon to-morrow, if I should
win. If not, I'll yield this purse to the miller ere I leave the
tourney, and he shall share it round. Is it agreed?"

"I do think that you should pay for your travelling, gipsy, since you
are so rich," grunted the first archer. "Here's half my saddle: I'll
only ask a silver penny for a seat on it."

"I'll take you for nought, gipsy," shouted Much, who really was very
tipsy. "You've spoken fair; and I like you! Come, jump up behind me, and
hold tight. This horse is one of most wayward character."

"Hurry, then," said the leader. "Whilst we chatter here the tourney
will be done; and we shall happen on it just as Hubert takes the