ir poverty against them. Be kind to those who help you, but
exact toll as heretofore of all who come through the greenwood. The rich
to pay in money, and blood--if it be necessary."

He added these words with an effort; and his mind wandered in the
shadowy fields of death. Robin saw how his fingers twitched, as if they
plucked still the cord of his good yew bow. He smoothed back Will's dark
hair from off his brow, and put water to the outlaw's lips. Will o' th'
Green glanced up at him, and something of his old expression--half-grim,
half-smiling--showed that he struggled still to hold hands with life.

"For you, Locksley," he muttered, puckering his brows, "there are two
roads open. One, to yield thyself to Monceux and the rack--for not even
your uncle at Gamewell should save you, even did he so wish; the
other--to join with these honest fellows and live a free life. What else
is left to you? If you would be as dutiful to the laws as the earth to
summer sun, it should not avail you. Your lord the Sheriff is in the
hands of his girl--and she listens with willing ear to Master Carfax.
Ask not how I know these things. Your cousin is outlawed----"

"I shall live in the greenwood, Will," answered Robin, quietly, "with
your brave men and you--if so be I may. Have I won now the freedom of
the forest?" He showed him the broken peacocked arrow which the Clerk of
Copmanhurst had given him.

The outlaw held up his right hand and laid it on Robin's bowed head:
"Upon you, Robin of Locksley, do I bestow, with this my last breath,
full freedom of the forests of England," he said, very loudly. Then he
relaxed from his frown to a rare smile. "Learn this sign----" he said,
and showed Robin, with feeble fingers, how the greenwood men knew each
other in any disguise. It was a simple signal, very easy to know, yet
very sure. No one might suppose it given by accident--yet of design it
appeared quite innocent. The smile was fading from Will's face as Robin
repeated it carefully after him; and even as he spoke again he died.

"Farewell--friends all--take this brother into your good company, and
make him and those with him right welcome. I pray you to remember and
abide by those kindly rules which have always--always----"

His speech fell away into meaningless words, and the light left his
face. He moved in Robin's arms and sighed. Then, as his body rolled
slowly over, and he lay with his back turned to them, they saw that his
worst wound