hand on it."

"Nay, nay, not so fast," replied the miller. "I must know you better
before I shake hands. None but an honest man's hand will I take."

"Some day, my good miller," replied the hunter, "I hope to have you take
my hand in yours. Proud will I be when the day comes."

II

And so to the miller's house they went. The miller again looked at the
stranger and said, "I like his face well. He may stay with us, may he
not, good wife?"

"Yes, he is a handsome youth, but it's best not to go too fast," said
the good wife. "He may be a runaway servant. Let him show his passport,
and all shall be well."

The hunter bowed low, and said, "I have no passport, good dame, and I
never was any man's servant. I am but a poor courtier who has lost his
way. Pray give me lodging for the night. Your kindness I will surely
repay."

Then the wife whispered to the miller, "The youth is of good manners and
to turn him out would be sin."

"Yea, a well-mannered youth--and one who knows his betters when he sees
them," the miller replied. "Let the lad stay."

"Well, young man," said the wife, "you are welcome here; and well lodged
you shall be, though I do say it myself. You shall have a fresh bed with
good brown sheets."

"Aye," said the miller, "and you shall sleep with our own son Richard."

Then they all sat down to supper--such a supper: pudding, apple pie, and
good things of all kinds. Then at a wink from the miller, the wife
brought out a venison pasty.

"Eat!" said the miller. "This is dainty food."

"Faith!" cried the hunter, "I never before ate such meat."

"Pshaw!" said Richard. "We eat this every day."

"Every day? Where do you buy it?"

"Oh, never a penny pay we. In merry Sherwood Forest we find it. Now and
then, you see, we make bold with the king's deer."

"Then I think that it is venison," said the hunter.

"To be sure. Any fool would know that," replied Richard; "but say
nothing about it. We would not have the king hear of it."

"I'll keep your secret," said the hunter. "Don't fear. The king shall
never know more than he knows now."

And so the evening passed merrily. It was late when the guest sought his
bed, but right soundly did he sleep.

The next morning the miller, the good wife, and Richard came out to see
the hunter on his way. Just then a party of nobles rode up.

"There's the king!" cried one.

"Pardon, your majesty!" cried another, and all fell upon their knees
before the hunter.