and horses moved quickly to
one side to avoid a devastating collision.

After they had passed, Carfax began again. "Form a ring, friends," cried
he, coaxingly. "Let neither of these fellows escape. They shall yield us
some sport, in any event, whether Ford be right or I."

A solitary stag at this instant appeared before them. He stood, as if
carved from stone, in the center of the road, at three hundred paces'
distance. He was clearly uncertain whether to dash through these his
usual enemies, in an attempt to rejoin the herd, or fly backward to that
unknown danger which had first startled them all.

"'Tis a fine beast," hiccoughed Much. "Now had I a steady hand!"

Simeon Carfax interrupted him. "By the Lord Harry, here is the very
thing," he said, in whispered excitement. "Now, fellow, you shall prove
me right and this forester wrong. I say you are Robin of Locksley, who
did split the Norman's arrow at the tourney. Fly a shaft now at yon
mark; surely none but such a bowman as yourself might dare hope to reach
it."

Robin fell into the very palpable trap set for him. Without answering
Carfax, he fitted an arrow to his bow, and sent speeding death to the
trembling stag. It fell, pierced cleanly to the heart. Robin eyed Ford
triumphantly.

But Master Carfax now held up his hands in horror. "See what you have
done, wicked youth," ejaculated he, as if quite overcome with dismay. "I
bade you shoot at yon birch-tree shimmering there to the left of the
deer. Did I not say: 'Fly at yon mark'? And now you have killed one of
the King's deer."

"I do hear that this fellow has slain others about Locksley," said Ford,
meanly. "You are right, Master Simeon; he is, in sooth, Robin of
Locksley; your eyes are wiser than mine. Seize him, my men."

At once the foresters sprang upon Robin and Stuteley, and a fierce
battle was commenced. Despite a valiant resistance, Robin and Will
Stuteley were soon overcome and bound hard and fast.

"You villains," panted Stuteley. "And you, most treacherous," he called
to Carfax, "I wish you joy of so contemptible a trick."

"All's fair in war, friend," answered Carfax. "Now, Master Ford, fulfil
your duty. You know the law; that if one be found killing the King's
deer in the Royal Forest of Sherwood, he or she may be summarily hanged
when caught upon the nearest tree."

"It must be _in flagrante delicto_, Master Simeon," said Ford, uneasy
again.

"Could there be a plainer case?" cried Carfa