Chapter 15.
Robin Repays the Sheriff.
While Robin was fighting, Guy of Gisborne, Little John, had found his own trouble on the left fork of the path.
Walking past a house, he heard someone sobbing.
An old woman answered his knock.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
Dear woman, Little John said, what troubles you?
Perhaps I can help.
The woman looked up at Little John.
I don't think even Robin Hood himself could help me, but I will tell you my story.
I am a widow with three sons.
Last night, my oldest killed a deer.
The sheriff's men followed the drops of blood on the forest floor to my cottage.
The sheriff of Nottingham vows to hang my boys from a tree at the edge of Sherwood Forest.
Little John listened carefully.
Ah, he said, I know the sheriff well.
I also know how to set your sons free.
He told the woman that he needed a disguise.
She gave him her dead husband's clothes to wear.
Then Little John made himself a false beard and a wig from white sheep's wool.
Pretending to be an old man, he walked to the edge of the forest.
The sheriff, seated on his horse, saw John coming and called out, Old man, come here.
How would you like to earn sixpence?
Sixpence?
Why, yes, sir.
What is it needs doing?
The sheriff pointed at the three boys.
Their hands were tied behind their backs.
These rascals need hanging.
I'll pay you six pennies for the work.
At least, sir, agreed Little John.
Sixpence is a fair sum for such easy work.
Have these naughty fellows confess their sins.
You can try your hand as a confessor if you like, said the sheriff impatiently, so long as you're quick about it.
May I string my bow, good master? asked Little John.
I'd like to tickle their ribs with an arrow while they dangle.
Whatever you like, barked the sheriff.
Just get the job done quickly.
Little John strung his bow.
Then he went over to each boy and pretended to hear his confession.
I will cut your bonds, he whispered.
Keep your hands together so no one notices.
When I say run, dash into the forest.
John freed the third boy's bonds, then fitted an arrow into his bow.
He drew the bow halfway back and shouted, Run!
All three boys sprinted into the woods.
Little John slowly backed up toward the safety of the forest, keeping his arrow trained on the sheriff's men.
Whoever takes one step toward me dies, he warned.
No one moved.
The sheriff suddenly recognized Little John and flew into a rage.
Spurring his horse, the sheriff drew his sword and descended on John like the wind.
Little John pulled back on his bowstring, ready to shoot.
Crack!
His bow split in his hand.
He threw the shattered bow at the sheriff's horse, but the sheriff kept coming.
Swinging his sword as hard as he could, the sheriff hit Little John on the head with the flat side of the blade.
The blow knocked Little John to the ground where he lay unconscious.
Jumping off his horse, the sheriff exulted.
Oh, this is a happy day.
I happily trade those poachers for Robin Hood's right-hand man.
Let us hang this rogue today before his master has a chance to aid him.
We will leave his body as a warning to all others of his ilk.
As the sheriff's men prepared the hanging tree, a dark figure appeared on the road.
"'Isn't that Guy of Gisborne there?' asked one of the men fearfully.
The sheriff looked up.
He saw the dark horsehide cloak smeared with blood.
A chill ran down his spine, for even the sheriff feared Guy of Gisborne.
Yes, that is the devil.
I hope he slew the master thief.
Little John groaned and began to wake up.
When he saw the figure walking down the road, his heart sank.
The man carried Robin's bugle and bow, and his clothes were covered in blood.
How now, cried the sheriff.
What luck did you have in the forest?
Why, man, your clothes are covered in blood.
Robin answered in a harsh voice like Gisborne so that the sheriff would not know him.
If you do not like my clothes, you can shut your eyes.
The blood on me is that of the vilest outlaw that ever lived.
I have slain him today.
Little John cried out, Oh, you vile wretch.
I know you, Guy of Gisborne.
Truly, you are a fit tool for a coward like the Sheriff of Nottingham.
I will die gladly if life means nothing to me now.
Hot tears rolled down Little John's cheeks as he spoke.
The Sheriff said, glee in his voice, Tell me this is true, Guy of Gisborne.
What I tell you is true.
Here is Robin Hood's sword, his bow, and his bugle.
Do you think he would give them to me freely?
The sheriff clapped his hands.
The great outlaw is dead, and his right-hand man is mine.
Ask for whatever you like, Guy of Gisborne.
I will give it to you.
Give me this man's life, Robin demanded.
As I have slain the master, I would slay the man.
You're a fool, laughed the sheriff.
I would have given you whatever body you desired, but I have promised, so you may have him.
I thank you for the gift, Robin said.
Now, lean the man against that tree.
I'll show you how we handle things where I come from.
While the sheriff's men busied themselves with Little John, Robin strung the two bows he carried.
Then he walked toward Little John.
The sheriff's men backed up.
Little John shouted, Come, here is my chest.
It is right that the same hand that murdered my master should butcher me.
I know you, Guy of Gisborne.
Peace, Little John, Robin whispered.
You've said twice that you know me, but you do not know me at all.
Just over there is a bow and my broadsword.
When I cut your bond, grab them quickly.
Now, get them!
In the same instant, Robin swiftly fitted an arrow to the string of his bow.
The first man who touches a sword or a bowstring dies.
I have killed Guy of Gisborne.
Be careful that it is not your turn next.
The sheriff cried out, Robin Hood!
He was sure that Robin would kill him that day.
The sheriff turned his horse and kicked it with his spurs.
It sprinted off in a cloud of dust.
The horse was fast, but not faster than an arrow.
With a twang of his bow, Little John sent a shaft zipping through the air.
The arrow lodged in the sheriff's behind, sticking out like the tail feathers of a sparrow.
For the next month, the sheriff was very sore indeed and could sit only on the softest cushions.
