Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/11

Rh then stepped up to him to make acquaintance: 'Come, brother,' said they, 'we are all of one trade, let us go and dine together; the sheriff has provided a treat for the butchers to-day, and you must go with us.' 'Agreed,' said bold Robin, 'may that butcher be hanged that denies the request.'

After dinner, the sheriff said to Robin, 'Hast thou any cattle or horned beasts to sell, my good fellow! if thou hast I would fain buy them of thee.' 'Yes, that I have, master sheriff,' said Robin; 'I have eight or ten score of horned beasts, that I long to have sold, and they are fat and fair. The sheriff then saddled his dapple grey horse, and set out with Robin Hood to behold his horned cattle, taking with him plenty of gold to complete his bargain. When they came to Sherwood forest, the sheriff began to be apprehensive of some danger, and trembled for fear, saying, 'Heaven defend us from a wonderful bold man that is called Robin Hood, who plays a thousand wicked pranks in this country, and empties the pockets of every rich man he meets.' They had not gone much farther before they beheld an hundred head of fat deer, tripping along the road; and then Robin cried out, 'Look here, master sheriff, behold my herd of horned beasts; how like you their colour and their make? they seem fat and fair to the eye.' 'What dost thou mean, fellow?' said the sheriff;