Page 75 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

but a scurvy trick to beguile a poor spendthrift youth in
this way.
The afternoon had come when the Sheriff mounted his
horse and joined Robin Hood, who stood outside the gate-
way of the paved court waiting for him, for he had sold his
horse and cart to a trader for two marks. Then they set forth
upon their way, the Sheriff riding upon his horse and Robin
running beside him. Thus they left Nottingham Town and
traveled forward along the dusty highway, laughing and
jesting together as though they had been old friends. But
all the time the Sheriff said within himself, ‘Thy jest to me
of Robin Hood shall cost thee dear, good fellow, even four
hundred pounds, thou fool.’ For he thought he would make
at least that much by his bargain.
So they journeyed onward till they came within the
verge of Sherwood Forest, when presently the Sheriff looked
up and down and to the right and to the left of him, and
then grew quiet and ceased his laughter. ‘Now,’ quoth he,
‘may Heaven and its saints preserve us this day from a rogue
men call Robin Hood.’
Then Robin laughed aloud. ‘Nay,’ said he, ‘thou mayst set
thy mind at rest, for well do I know Robin Hood and well do
I know that thou art in no more danger from him this day
than thou art from me.’
At this the Sheriff looked askance at Robin, saying to
himself, ‘I like not that thou seemest so well acquainted
with this bold outlaw, and I wish that I were well out of
Sherwood Forest.’
But still they traveled deeper into the forest shades, and

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood