d Robin to Little John, "and invite yonder horseman to dinner."

Little John bounded away, and soon came before a young man, who was
riding in a melancholy manner, with the bridle hanging loose on the
horse's neck, and his eyes drooping towards the ground.

"Whither go you?" said Little John.

"Whithersoever my horse pleases," said the young man.

"And that shall be," said Little John, "whither I please to lead him. I
am commissioned to invite you to dine with my master."

"Who is your master?" said the young man.

"Robin Hood," said Little John.

"The bold outlaw?" said the stranger. "Neither he nor you should have
made me turn an inch aside yesterday; but to-day I care not."

"Then it is better for you," said Little John, "that you came to-day
than yesterday, if you love dining in a whole skin: for my master is the
pink of courtesy: but if his guests prove stubborn, he bastes them and
his venison together, while the friar says mass before meat."

The young man made no answer, and scarcely seemed to hear what Little
John was saying, who therefore took the horse's bridle and led him to
where Robin and his foresters were setting forth their dinner. Robin
seated the young man next to Marian. Recovering a little from his
stupor, he looked with much amazement at her, and the baron, and
Robin, and the friar; listened to their conversation, and seemed much
astonished to find himself in such holy and courtly company. Robin
helped him largely to rumble-pie and cygnet and pheasant, and the other
dainties of his table; and the friar pledged him in ale and wine, and
exhorted him to make good cheer. But the young man drank little, ate
less, spake nothing, and every now and then sighed heavily.

When the repast was ended, "Now," said Robin, "you are at liberty to
pursue your journey: but first be pleased to pay for your dinner."

"That would I gladly do, Robin," said the young man, "but all I have
about me are five shillings and a ring. To the five shillings you shall
be welcome, but for the ring I will fight while there is a drop of blood
in my veins."

"Gallantly spoken," said Robin Hood. "A love-token, without doubt: but
you must submit to our forest laws. Little John must search; and if he
find no more than you say, not a penny will I touch; but if you have
spoken false, the whole is forfeit to our fraternity."

"And with reason," said the friar; "for thereby is the truth maintained
The abbot of Doubleflask swore t