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 "Brethren, I dare lay my life that this is the man who shall pay our master; and though we are but three against so many, we must bring him to dinner, or we cannot go back to Robin Hood."

Then he called to the monk:

"Abide, and come no farther, for if thou dost I shall slay thee. Thou hast made our master wroth, because he has waited for thee fasting for so long."

"Who is your master?" asked the monk.

"Robin Hood."

"He is a thief," said the monk, "and I have never heard aught good of him."

But Little John answered:

"Thou liest, and thou shalt repent it. He is a yeoman of the forest, and has bidden thee to dine with him."

Then the yeomen drew their bows, and Much pointed his arrow straight at the monk's breast.

At this all his followers turned and fled, save only a little page and a groom, who led the pack-horses to Robin Hood, while Much and Little John took the monk in custody between them to their master.

When Robin saw the monk he raised his