Page 74 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

good round sum; besides I have it not by me. Yet I will give
thee three hundred pounds for them all, and that in good
hard silver and gold.’
‘Now thou old miser!’ quoth Robin, ‘well thou knowest
that so many horned cattle are worth seven hundred pounds
and more, and even that is but small for them, and yet thou,
with thy gray hairs and one foot in the grave, wouldst trade
upon the folly of a wild youth.’
At this the Sheriff looked grimly at Robin. ‘Nay,’ quoth
Robin, ‘look not on me as though thou hadst sour beer in
thy mouth, man. I will take thine offer, for I and my broth-
ers do need the money. We lead a merry life, and no one
leads a merry life for a farthing, so I will close the bargain
with thee. But mind that thou bringest a good three hun-
dred pounds with thee, for I trust not one that driveth so
shrewd a bargain.’
‘I will bring the money,’ said the Sheriff. ‘But what is thy
name, good youth?’
‘Men call me Robert o’ Locksley,’ quoth bold Robin.
‘Then, good Robert o’ Locksley,’ quoth the Sheriff, ‘I will
come this day to see thy horned beasts. But first my clerk
shall draw up a paper in which thou shalt be bound to the
sale, for thou gettest not my money without I get thy beasts
in return.’
Then Robin Hood laughed again. ‘So be it,’ he said, smit-
ing his palm upon the Sheriff’s hand. ‘Truly my brothers
will be thankful to thee for thy money.’
Thus the bargain was closed, but many of the butchers
talked among themselves of the Sheriff, saying that it was