Page 286 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

great fancy to them.’
At these words the corn factor grew pale as a linen nap-
kin. ‘Who art thou that talkest so?’ said he.
Then merry Robin laughed again, and quoth he, ‘Men
hereabouts call me Robin Hood; so, sweet friend, thou
hadst best do my bidding and give me thy shoes, wherefore
hasten, I prythee, or else thou wilt not get to fair Newark
Town till after dark.’
At the sound of the name of Robin Hood, the corn fac-
tor quaked with fear, so that he had to seize his horse by
the mane to save himself from falling off its back. Then
straightway, and without more words, he stripped off his
clogs and let them fall upon the road. Robin, still holding
the bridle rein, stooped and picked them up. Then he said,
‘Sweet friend, I am used to ask those that I have dealings
with to come and feast at Sherwood with me. I will not ask
thee, because of our pleasant journey together; for I tell thee
there be those in Sherwood that would not be so gentle with
thee as I have been. The name of Corn Engrosser leaves a
nasty taste upon the tongue of all honest men. Take a fool’s
advice of me and come no more so nigh to Sherwood, or
mayhap some day thou mayst of a sudden find a clothyard
shaft betwixt thy ribs. So, with this, I give thee good den.’
Hereupon he clapped his hand to the horse’s flank and off
went nag and rider. But the man’s face was all bedewed with
the sweat of fright, and never again, I wot, was he found so
close to Sherwood Forest as he had been this day.
Robin stood and looked after him, and, when he was
fairly gone, turned, laughing, and entered the forest carry-