f the highway this day, and must
exact an accounting from all passersby."

"Who is it bids me hold?" asked the knight quietly. "I am not i' the
habit of yielding to one man."

"Then here are others to keep me company," said Robin clapping his
hands. And instantly a half-score other stalwart fellows came out of the
bushes and stood beside him.

"We be yeomen of the forest, Sir Knight," continued Robin, "and live
under the greenwood tree. We have no means of support--thanks to the
tyranny of our over-lords--other than the aid which fat churchmen and
goodly knights like yourselves can give. And as ye have churches and
rents, both, and gold in great plenty, we beseech ye for Saint Charity
to give us some of your spending."

"I am but a poor monk, good sir!" said Friar Tuck in a whining voice,
"and am on my way to the shrine of Saint Dunstan, if your worshipfulness
will permit."

"Tarry a space with us," answered Robin, biting back a smile, "and we
will speed you on your way."

The Black Knight now spoke again. "But we are messengers of the King,"
quoth he; "His Majesty himself tarries near here and would have speech
with Robin Hood."

"God save the King!" said Robin, doffing his cap loyally; "and all that
wish him well! I am Robin Hood, but I say cursed be the man who denies
our liege King's sovereignty!"

"Have a care!" said the knight, "or you shall curse yourself!"

"Nay, not so," replied Robin curtly; "the King has no more devoted
subject than I. Nor have I despoiled aught of his save, mayhap, a few
deer for my hunger. My chief war is against the clergy and barons of the
land who bear down upon the poor. But I am glad," he continued, "that I
have met you here; and before we end you shall be my friend and taste of
our greenwood cheer."

"But what is the reckoning?" asked the knight. "For I am told that some
of your feasts are costly."

"Nay," responded Robin waving his hands, "you are from the King.
Nathless--how much money is in your purse?"

"I have no more than forty gold pieces, seeing that I have lain a
fortnight at Nottingham with the King, and have spent some goodly
amounts upon other lordings," replied the knight.

Robin took the forty pounds and gravely counted it. One half he gave to
his men and bade them drink the King's health with it. The other half he
handed back to the knight.

"Sir," said he courteously, "have this for your spending. If you lie
with kings and lordings overmuch, you are