re; and Carfax kept himself as
far out of it as possible. Presently three of the foresters overpowered
the good-natured, still half-tipsy miller, and held him down.

Then Master Carfax sprang from his horse and rushed in upon the
prostrate miller. Seizing one of the foresters' pikes the lean-faced man
foully swung it down upon Much's pate with a sounding thwack. The miller
gave a groan and became limp in the hands of his assailants.

"Now, surely, that is the meanest of all the mean deeds which you have
done!" cried Robin. He tore at his bonds fiercely and vainly--biting at
the cord about his wrists with his teeth. Carfax ran to his horse. In an
instant he had returned with a cord taken from under his saddle. "I had
a notion that this might be useful to me when I set out this morn," he
said. "Put it about his neck soon as a noose is fashioned. Now fling the
end of it over this branch. Now draw it tight. Steadily, I pray you; be
not over-quick. The prisoner has the right to speak a prayer ere he be
hanged. Say it then, Robin of Locksley."

Robin caught sight at this instant of poor Stuteley's face. He had been
knocked down in the fight, and, being bound, had lain where he had
fallen. His eyes met Robin's in an anguished glance, and his lips
trembled in attempt at speech.

Robin strove to smile at him; but his own soul was sick within his body.
He felt the cord tighten again about his throat, but even as the world
reeled black, Robin heard dully the sound of a horn. In familiar tones
it came in upon his fainting brain. Next instant came a jerk at the
rope, futile, if infuriated; then, suddenly, contact with a body falling
heavily against his own.

As he fell he knew that something warm and horrid trickled upon his
hands. Then followed a vast confusion of noise: and, in the midst of it,
sweet peace.

CHAPTER XIII

When Robin came to his senses he found himself surrounded by the outlaw
band. On this occasion they appeared as friends, however--and welcome
ones to boot; for it had been a near matter that Robin's history had
been ended by Master Carfax on this day.

Now were the tables turned, and very completely. The foresters had been
overcome by Will and his outlaws, thanks to the diversion brought about
by the Lincoln men. Much was sitting up with a more rueful countenance
than he had when Robin had first spied him on this morning; and little
sharp-nosed Midge was busy bathing and binding his cracked poll.