eting three pretty girls with baskets of
eggs, gallantly offered to carry their loads. When merrily challenged
to carry all three, Little John cleverly slung one basket around his
neck by means of his rosary, and marched merrily along carrying the
two others and singing at the top of his lungs, while one of the girls
beat time with his staff.

On approaching town, Little John restored the baskets to their owners,
and, assuming a sanctimonious bearing, joined two brothers of
Fountains Abbey, whom he implored to give him a little money. Because
they turned a deaf ear to his request, Little John went with them,
acting so strangely that he annoyed them sorely. Seeing this, he
declared he would leave them if they would only give him two pennies,
whereupon they rejoined they had no more than that for their own
needs. Crying he would perform a miracle, Little John plumped down
upon his big knees in the middle of the road and loudly intreated St.
Dunstan to put money in their purses. Then jumping up, he seized their
bags, vowing that anything above a penny was clearly his, since it was
obtained through his prayers!

Robin, longing for a little variety, once met a beggar with whom he
exchanged garments. Soon after, meeting four other mendicants, Robin
joined them, and having gotten into a quarrel with them had the
satisfaction of routing all four. A little later he met an usurer,
whom he gradually induced to reveal the fact that he had never lost
his money because he always carried his fortune in the thick soles of
his shoes. Of course Robin immediately compelled the usurer to remove
his foot-gear, and sent him home barefoot, while he rejoined his men
and amused them with a detailed account of the day's adventures.

Queen Eleanor, having heard endless merry tales about Robin Hood,
became very anxious to meet him, and finally sent one of her pages to
Sherwood Forest to inform Robin the king had wagered his archers would
win all the prizes in the royal shooting-match. Because she had
wagered the contrary, she promised Robin a safe-conduct for himself
and his men if he would only come to court and display his skill.

Choosing Will Scarlet, Little John, and Allan a Dale as his
companions, Robin attended the tournament and won all the prizes, to
the great disgust of the king, the sheriff, and the Bishop of
Hereford, which latter recognized the hated outlaw. On discovering the
king would not respect the safe-conduct she had given