Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/12

12 'I wish I was safe out of this forest, for I like not thy company.' 'Then will you not buy?' said-Robin Hood; 'however since you came hither to buy my cattle, you must pay whether you take them or not. He then blew a loud blast with his horn. Quickly Little John and his company appeared, and said, 'Pray what is your pleasure, good master?' Said Robin, 'I have brought the sheriff of Nottingham to eat with you to-day, and I hope you will make him welcome.' 'He is welcome, kind master,' said John; 'but I hope he will honestly pay for cooking.' Robin now bade the sheriff dismount, and taking his mantle from his back, quickly told out his gold; he then took him to his bower, and feasted him well; afterwards he set him again on his dapple-gray horse, and brought him back through the wood. 'Commend me to your wife at home, my kind sir,' said Robin; so he went laughing away.

As bold Robin Hood one day was standing under the green Oaken-tree, he espied a gallant young man, clothed in scarlet and white, who came tripping along the road, singing a roundelay. He seemed in great haste, and quickly was out of sight. Next morning Robin Hood beheld the same young man coming over the plain, but his carriage was totally changed; he now passed slowly