his breath. "He is back
there on the highroad with the hardest stick I've met in a good many
days. He gave me no chance to reason with him, the dirty scamp!"

The men--Much and two of the widow's sons--could scarce conceal their
mirth at the thought of Robin Hood running from a beggar. Nathless, they
kept grave faces, and asked their leader if he was hurt.

"Nay," he replied, "but I shall speedily feel better if you will fetch
me that same beggar and let me have a fair chance at him."

So the three yeomen made haste and came out upon the highroad and
followed after the beggar, who was going smoothly along his way again,
as though he were at peace with all the world.

"The easiest way to settle this beggar," said Much, "is to surprise
him. Let us cut through yon neck of woods and come upon him before he is
aware."

The others agreed to this, and the three were soon close upon their
prey.

"Now!" quoth Much; and the other two sprang quickly upon the beggar's
back and wrested his pike-staff from his hand. At the same moment Much
drew his dagger and flashed it before the fellow's breast.

"Yield you, my man!" cried he; "for a friend of ours awaits you in the
wood, to teach you how to fight properly."

"Give me a fair chance," said the beggar valiantly, "and I'll fight you
all at once."

But they would not listen to him. Instead, they turned him about and
began to march him toward the forest. Seeing that it was useless to
struggle, the beggar began to parley.

"Good my masters," quoth he, "why use this violence? I will go with ye
safe and quietly, if ye insist, but if ye will set me free I'll make
it worth your while. I've a hundred pounds in my bag here. Let me go my
way, and ye shall have all that's in the bag."

The three outlaws took council together at this.

"What say you?" asked Much of the others. "Our master will be more glad
to see this beggar's wallet than his sorry face."

The other two agreed, and the little party came to a halt and loosed
hold of the beggar.

"Count out your gold speedily, friend," said Much. There was a brisk
wind blowing, and the beggar turned about to face it, directly they had
unhanded him.

"It shall be done, gossips," said he. "One of you lend me your cloak and
we will spread it upon the ground and put the wealth upon it."

The cloak was handed him, and he placed his wallet upon it as though
it were very heavy indeed. Then he crouched down and fumbled with
the leathe