a far country by this time. But I have kept my word, Robin, and have brought back the money that thou didst lend me, and which I have doubled four times over again, and so become rich once more. Along with this money I have brought a little gift to thee and thy brave men from my dear lady and myself.” Then, turning to his men, he called aloud, “Bring forth the packhorses.”

But Robin stopped them. “Nay, Sir Richard,” said he, “think it not bold of me to cross thy bidding, but we of Sherwood do no business till after we have eaten and drank”; whereupon, taking Sir Richard by the hand, he led him to the seat beneath the greenwood tree, whilst others of the chief men of the band came and seated themselves around. Then, quoth Robin, “How cometh it that I saw young David of Doncaster with thee and thy men, Sir Knight?”

Then straightway the Knight told all about his stay at Denby and of the happening at the fair, and how it was like to go hard with young David; so he told his tale, and quoth he, “It was this, good Robin, that kept me so late on the way, otherwise I would have been here an hour agone.”

Then, when he had done speaking, Robin stretched out his hand and grasped the Knight’s palm. Quoth he in a trembling voice, “I owe thee a debt I can never hope to repay, Sir Richard, for let me tell thee, I would rather lose my right hand than have such ill befall young David of Doncaster as seemed like to come upon him at Denby.”

So they talked until after a while one came forward to say that the feast was spread; whereupon all arose and went thereto. When at last it was done, the Knight called upon his men to bring the packhorses forward, which they did according to his bidding. Then one of the men brought the Knight a strong box, which he opened and took from it a bag and counted out five hundred pounds, the sum of the money he had gotten from Robin.

Robin Hood feasts Sir Richard in the forest.

“Sir Richard,” quoth Robin, “thou wilt pleasure us all if thou wilt keep that money as a gift from us of Sherwood. Is it not so, my lads?”

Then all shouted “Ay” with a mighty voice.

“I thank you all deeply,” said the Knight, earnestly, “but think it not ill of me if I cannot take it. Gladly have I borrowed it from you, but it may not be that I can take it as a gift.”

Then Robin Hood said no more, but gave the money to Little John to put away in the treasury, for he had shrewdness enough to know that nought breeds ill-will and heart-bitterness like gifts forced upon one that cannot choose but take them.

Then Sir Richard had the packs laid upon the ground and opened, whereupon a great shout went up that made the forest ring again, for lo, there were tenscore bows of finest Spanish yew, all burnished till they shone again, and each bow inlaid with fanciful figures in silver, yet not inlaid so as to mar their strength. Beside these were tenscore quivers of leather embroidered with golden thread, and in each quiver were a score of shafts with burnished heads that shone like silver; each shaft also was feathered with peacock’s plumes and innocked with silver.

Sir Richard of the Lea giveth Robin Hood and his band a noble present from himself and Lady Lea.

Sir Richard gave to each yeoman a bow and a quiver of arrows, but to Robin he gave a stout bow inlaid with the cunningest workmanship in gold, whilst each arrow in his quiver was innocked with gold.

Then all shouted again for joy of the fair gift, and all swore among themselves that they would die if need be for Sir Richard and his lady.

At last the time came when Sir Richard must go, whereupon Robin Hood called his band around him, and each man of the yeomen took a torch in his hand to light the way through the woodlands. So they came to the edge of Sherwood, and there the Knight kissed Robin upon the cheeks and left him and was gone.

Thus Robin Hood helped a noble knight out of his dire misfortunes, that else would have smothered the happiness from his life.

Now listen, and you shall next hear of certain merry