se."

Their further talk was interrupted by an exclamation from Will Scarlet.

"By the saints, we are trapped!" he said, and pointed to the top of the
hill, toward which they were pressing.

There from out a gray castle poured a troop of men, armed with pikes and
axes, who shouted and came running down upon them. At the same instant,
the Sheriff's men also renewed the pursuit.

"Alas!" cried poor Marian, "we are undone! There is no way of escape!"

"Courage, dear heart!" said Robin, drawing her close to him. But his own
spirit sank as he looked about for some outlet.

Then--oh, joyful sight!--he recognized among the foremost of those
coming from the castle the once doleful knight, Sir Richard of the Lea.
He was smiling now, and greatly excited.

"A Hood! a Hood!" he cried; "a rescue! a rescue!" Never were there more
welcome sights and sounds than these. With a great cheer the outlaws
raced up the hill to meet their new friends; and soon the whole force
had gained the shelter of the castle. Bang! went the bridge as it swung
back, with great clanking of chains. Clash! went one great door upon the
other, as they shut in the outlaw band, and shut out the Sheriff, who
dashed up at the head of his men, his bandaged face streaked with blood
and inflamed with rage.

CHAPTER XXI

HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT

The proud Sheriff loud 'gan cry
And said, "Thou traitor knight,
Thou keepest here the king's enemy
Against the laws and right."

"Open the gate!" shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the
walls. "Open, I say, in the king's name!"

"Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?" asked a
haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

"You know me well, traitor knight!" said the Sheriff, "now give up into
my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws
and right."

"Fair and softly, sir," quoth the knight smoothly. "I well avow that
I have done certain deeds this day. But I have done them upon mine
own land, which you now trespass upon; and I shall answer only to the
King--whom God preserve!--for my actions."

"Thou soft-spoken villain!" said the Sheriff, still in a towering
passion. "I, also, serve the King; and if these outlaws are not given up
to me at once, I shall lay siege to the castle and burn it with fire."

"First show me your warrants," said Sir Richard curtly.

"My word is enough! Am