h the tree like a fox caught in
a hencoop. Behind him were three Black Friars standing close together in
a frightened group, like three black sheep in a tempest. Hitched to the
branches of the trees close at hand were six horses, one of them a
barb with gay trappings upon which the Bishop was wont to ride, and the
others laden with packs of divers shapes and kinds, one of which made
Robin's eyes glisten, for it was a box not overlarge, but heavily bound
with bands and ribs of iron.

When the Bishop saw Robin and those with him come into the open he
made as though he would have run toward the yeoman, but the fellow
that guarded the Bishop and the three friars thrust his quarterstaff in
front, so that his lordship was fain to stand back, though with frowning
brow and angry speech.

"Stay, my Lord Bishop," cried jolly Robin in a loud voice, when he saw
what had passed, "I will come to thee with all speed, for I would rather
see thee than any man in merry England." So saying, he quickened his
steps and soon came to where the Bishop stood fuming.

"How now," quoth the Bishop in a loud and angry voice, when Robin had so
come to him, "is this the way that thou and thy band treat one so high
in the church as I am? I and these brethren were passing peacefully
along the highroad with our pack horses, and a half score of men to
guard them, when up comes a great strapping fellow full seven feet high,
with fourscore or more men back of him, and calls upon me to
stop--me, the Lord Bishop of Hereford, mark thou! Whereupon my armed
guards--beshrew them for cowards!--straight ran away. But look ye; not
only did this fellow stop me, but he threatened me, saying that Robin
Hood would strip me as bare as a winter hedge. Then, besides all this,
he called me such vile names as 'fat priest,' 'man-eating bishop,'
'money-gorging usurer,' and what not, as though I were no more than a
strolling beggar or tinker."

At this, the Bishop glared like an angry cat, while even Sir Richard
laughed; only Robin kept a grave face. "Alas! my lord," said he, "that
thou hast been so ill-treated by my band! I tell thee truly that we
greatly reverence thy cloth. Little John, stand forth straightway."

At these words Little John came forward, twisting his face into a
whimsical look, as though he would say, "Ha' mercy upon me, good
master." Then Robin turned to the Bishop of Hereford and said, "Was this
the man who spake so boldly to Your Lordship?"

"Ay, t