Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/23

 ROBIN HOOD. 23

awoke in the morning, and found,that his comrade was gone, he called for the host and said, ‘I had a warrant from the king, to take a bold outlaw called Robin Hood ; but now my warrant is stolen from me, and I have not money enough to pay the score; for the man that came with me last night is fled; therefore tell me what’s to pay,and I will leave my tools till I return.' The tinker soon learnt that Robin Hood frequented the parks, Away then he went, and found Robin chasing the deer in the woods. ‘ What bold knave is that,’ said Robin, ‘ that comes so freely to hinder my sport.’ ‘ No knave am I,’ cried the tinker, ‘ and that you shall know to your cost; which'of us have done wrong my crab-tree shall decide.’ The tin- ker and Robin then fought manfully, but at length the tinker thrashed Robin’s bones so sore, that he made him cry for peace. ‘ One favour I have to beg,’ said Robin, ‘ and thou must grant it me.’ ‘ The only favour I will grant,’ said the tinker, ‘ is to hang thee on a tree.’ Robin now blew his horn, when Lit- tle John and Will Scarlet came and enquired what was the matter? ‘ Here is a tinker,’ said Robin, ‘who has thrashed my bones sore.’ When they heard this they were going to throttle him, but Robin said, ‘ Our quarrel shall cease, and we will be friends;’ so the tinker agreed to live with them, and Robin allowed him £50 a-year to spend as he liked