rung, Little John gave the
agreed signal, and the three youths scampered off, he covering their
retreat by threatening to kill any one who attempted to pursue them.

The angry sheriff, on perceiving Robin, who just then appeared,
deeming him the man he sent into the forest, demanded some token that
he had done his duty. In reply Robin silently exhibited his own sword,
bugle, and bow, and pointed to his blood-stained clothes. The officers
having meantime captured Little John, the sheriff allowed Robin--as a
reward--to hang his companion. By means of the same stratagem as
Little John employed for the rescue of the youths, Robin saved his
beloved mate, and, when the sheriff started to pursue them, blew such
a blast on his horn that the terrified official galloped away, one of
Robin's arrows sticking in his back.

Two months after, there was great excitement in Nottingham, because
King Richard was to ride through the town. The gay procession of
knights, pages, and soldiers was viewed with delight by all the
people, among whom Robin's outlaws were thickly dotted. Riding beside
the king, the Sheriff of Nottingham paled on recognizing in the crowd
Robin himself, a change of color which did not escape Richard's eagle
eye. When the conversation turned upon the famous outlaw at the
banquet that evening, and sheriff and bishop bitterly declared Robin
could not be captured, Richard exclaimed he would gladly give a
hundred pounds for a glimpse of so extraordinary a man! Thereupon one
of the guests rejoined he could easily obtain it by entering the
forest in a monk's garb, a suggestion which so charmed the
Lion-hearted monarch that he started out on the morrow with seven
cowled men. They had not ridden far into the forest before they were
arrested by a man in Lincoln green--Robin himself--who conducted them
to the outlaw's lair.

As usual, the chance guests were entertained with a feast of venison
and athletic games, in the course of which Robin declared he would
test the skill of his men, and that all who missed the bull's-eye
should be punished by a buffet from Little John's mighty fist. Strange
to relate, every man failed and was floored by Little John's blow, the
rest roaring merrily over his discomfiture. All his men having tried
and failed, Robin was asked to display his own skill for the
stranger's benefit, and, when he too shot at random, all loudly
clamored he must be punished too. Hoping to escape so severe a blow as
Li