Page 353 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Worship, are these naughty fellows shrived?’
‘Nay,’ said the Sheriff, laughing, ‘never a whit; but thou
mayst turn thy hand to that also if thou art so minded.
But hasten, I prythee, for I would get back to mine inn be-
times.’
So Little John came to where the three youths stood
trembling, and, putting his face to the first fellow’s cheek as
though he were listening to him, he whispered softly into
his ear, ‘Stand still, brother, when thou feelest thy bonds
cut, but when thou seest me throw my woolen wig and
beard from my head and face, cast the noose from thy neck
and run for the woodlands.’ Then he slyly cut the cord that
bound the youth’s hands; who, upon his part, stood still as
though he were yet bound. Then he went to the second fel-
low, and spoke to him in the same way, and also cut his
bonds. This he did to the third likewise, but all so slyly that
the Sheriff, who sat upon his horse laughing, wotted not
what was being done, nor his men either.
Then Little John turned to the Sheriff. ‘Please Your Wor-
ship,’ said he, ‘will you give me leave to string my bow? For
I would fain help these fellows along the way, when they are
swinging, with an arrow beneath the ribs.’
‘With all my heart,’ said the Sheriff, ‘only, as I said before,
make thou haste in thy doings.’
Little John put the tip of his bow to his instep, and strung
the weapon so deftly that all wondered to see an old man so
strong. Next he drew a good smooth arrow from his quiver
and fitted it to the string; then, looking all around to see
that the way was clear behind him, he suddenly cast away

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood