ich had
been cleared to the platters.

In the morning Friar Tuck awoke disposed to be surly, but was speedily
mollified by the sight of the Black Knight, who had already risen gay as
a lark, washed his face and hands, and was now stirring a hot gruel over
the fire.

"By my faith, I make a sorry host!" cried Tuck springing to his feet.
And later as they sat at breakfast, he added, "I want not your gold, of
which you spoke last night; but instead I will do what I can to speed
you on your way whenever you wish to depart."

"Then tell me," said the knight, "how I may find Robin Hood the outlaw;
for I have a message to him from the King. All day yesterday I sought
him, but found him not."

Friar Tuck lifted up his hands in holy horror. "I am a lover of peace,
Sir Knight, and do not consort with Robin's bold fellows."

"Nay, I think no harm of Master Hood," said the knight; "but much I
yearn to have speed with him in mine own person."

"If that be all, mayhap I can guide you to his haunts," said Tuck, who
foresaw in this knight a possible gold-bag for Robin. "In sooth, I could
not well live in these woods without hearing somewhat of the outlaws;
but matters of religion are my chief joy and occupation."

"I will go with you, brother," said the Black Knight.

So without more ado they went their way into the forest, the knight
riding upon his charger, and Tuck pacing along demurely by his side.

The day had dawned clear and bright, and now with the sun a good three
hours high a sweet autumn fragrance was in the air. The wind had just
that touch of coolness in it which sets the hunter's blood to tingling;
and every creature of nature seemed bounding with joyous life.

The knight sniffed the fresh air in delight.

"By my halidom!" quoth he; "but the good greenwood is the best place
to live in, after all! What court or capital can equal this, for
full-blooded men?"

"None of this earth," replied Tuck smilingly. And once more his heart
warmed toward the courteous stranger.

They had not proceeded more than three or four miles along the way from
Fountain Abbey to Barnesdale, when of a sudden the bushes just ahead of
them parted and a well-knit man with curling brown hair stepped into the
road and laid his hand upon the knight's bridle.

It was Robin Hood. He had seen Friar Tuck, a little way back, and
shrewdly suspected his plan. Tuck, however, feigned not to know him at
all.

"Hold!" cried Robin; "I am in charge o