n
see you tackle. Harkee, if you will leave your tan-pots and come with
me, as sure as my name is Robin Hood, you shan't want gold or fee."

"By the breath o' my body!" said Arthur, "that will I do!" and he
gripped him gladly by the hand. "But I am minded that I clean forgot the
errand that brought me to Sherwood. I was commissioned by some, under
the Sheriff's roof, to capture you."

"So was a certain tinker, now in our service," said Robin smilingly.

"Verily 'tis a new way to recruit forces!" said the tanner laughing
loudly. "But tell me, good Robin Hood, where is Little John? I fain
would see him, for he is a kinsman on my mother's side."

"Here am I, good Arthur-a-Bland!" said a voice; and Little John
literally rolled out from under the bush to the sward. His eyes were
full of tears from much laughter which had well-nigh left him powerless
to get on his feet.

As soon as the astonished tanner saw who it was, he gave Little John a
mighty hug around the neck, and lifted him up on his feet, and the two
pounded each other on the back soundly, so glad were they to meet again.

"O, man, man!" said Little John as soon as he had got his breath. "Never
saw I so fine a sight in all my born days. You did knock him over like
as he were a ninepin!"

"And you do joy to see me thwacked about on the ribs?" asked Robin with
some choler.

"Nay, not that, master!" said Little John. "But 'tis the second time I
have had special tickets to a show from beneath the bushes, and I cannot
forbear my delight. Howsoever, take no shame unto yourself, for
this same Arthur-a-Bland is the best man at the quarter-staff in all
Nottinghamshire. It commonly takes two or three men to hold him."

"Unless it be Eric o' Lincoln," said Arthur modestly; "and I well know
how you paid him out at the Fair."

"Say no more!" said Robin springing to his feet; "for well I know that I
have done good business this day, and a few bruises are easy payment
for the stout cudgel I am getting into the band. Your hand again, good
Arthur-a-Bland! Come! let us after the deer of which I spoiled your
stalking."

"Righty gladly!" quoth Arthur. "Come, Cousin Little John! Away with
vats and tan-bark and vile-smelling cowhides! I'll follow you two in the
sweet open air to the very ends of earth!"

CHAPTER XVI

HOW ROBIN HOOD MET SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA

Then answered him the gentle knight
With words both fair and thee:
"God save thee, my good