Page 356 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

at last done that which he had sought to do for years, tak-
en Little John prisoner. Quoth he to himself, ‘This time
tomorrow the rogue shall hang upon the gallows tree in
front of the great gate of Nottingham Town, and thus shall
I make my long score with him even.’ So saying, he took a
deep draught of Canary. But it seemed as if the Sheriff had
swallowed a thought with his wine, for he shook his head
and put the cup down hastily. ‘Now,’ he muttered to him-
self, ‘I would not for a thousand pounds have this fellow
slip through my fingers; yet, should his master escape that
foul Guy of Gisbourne, there is no knowing what he may
do, for he is the cunningest knave in all the world—this
same Robin Hood. Belike I had better not wait until tomor-
row to hang the fellow.’ So saying, he pushed his chair back
hastily, and going forth from the inn called his men togeth-
er. Quoth he, ‘I will wait no longer for the hanging of this
rogue, but it shall be done forthwith, and that from the very
tree whence he saved those three young villains by stepping
betwixt them and the law. So get ye ready straightway.’
Then once more they sat Little John upon the horse, with
his face to the tail, and so, one leading the horse whereon
he sat and the others riding around him, they went forward
to that tree from the branches of which they had thought
to hang the poachers. On they went, rattling and jingling
along the road till they came to the tree. Here one of the
men spake to the Sheriff of a sudden. ‘Your Worship,’ cried
he, ‘is not yon fellow coming along toward us that same Guy
of Gisbourne whom thou didst send into the forest to seek
Robin Hood?’ At these words the Sheriff shaded his eyes