shout at this, thinking they had
the enemy trapped. Down they charged after them, but the outlaws made
good their lead, and soon got through the gate and over the bridge which
had been let down by Arthur-a-Bland.

Close upon their heels came the soldiers--so close, that Arthur had no
time to close the gate again or raise the bridge. So he threw away his
key and fell in with the yeomen, who now began their retreat up the long
hill to the woods.

On this side the town, the road leading to the forest was long and
almost unprotected. The greenwood men were therefore in some distress,
for the archers shot at them from loop-holes in the walls, and the
pikemen were reinforced by a company of mounted men from the castle. But
the outlaws retreated stubbornly and now and again turned to hold their
pursuers at bay by a volley of arrows. Stutely was in their midst,
fighting with the energy of two; and the little palmer was there also,
but took no part save to keep close to Robin's side and mutter silent
words as though in prayer.

Robin put his horn to his lips to sound a rally, when a flying arrow
from the enemy pierced his hand. The palmer gave a little cry and sprang
forward. The Sheriff, who followed close with the men on horseback, also
saw the wound and gave a great huzza.

"Ha! you will shoot no more bows for a season, master outlaw!" he
shouted.

"You lie!" retorted Robin fiercely, wrenching the shaft from his hand
despite the streaming blood; "I have saved one shot for you all this
day. Here take it!"

And he fitted the same arrow, which had wounded him, upon the string
of his bow and let it fly toward the Sheriff's head. The Sheriff fell
forward upon his horse in mortal terror, but not so quickly as to escape
unhurt. The sharp point laid bare a deep gash upon his scalp and must
certainly have killed him if it had come closer.

The fall of the Sheriff discomfited his followers for the moment, and
Robin's men took this chance to speed on up the hill. The palmer had
whipped out a small white handkerchief and tried to staunch Robin's
wound as they went. At sight of the palmer's hand, Robin turned with a
start, and pushed back the other's hood.

"Marian!" he exclaimed, "you here!"

It was indeed Maid Marian, who had helped save Will, and been in the
stress of battle from the first. Now she hung her head as though caught
in wrong.

"I had to come, Robin," she said simply, "and I knew you would not let
me come, el