"
Robin insisted that this should not be, for number would
only expose them to greater risk of detection. The friar,
after some debate, reluctantly acquiesced.
While they were discussing these matters, they heard the distant
sound of horses' feet.
"Go," said Robin to Little John, "and invite yonder horseman to dinner."
Little John bounded away, and soon came before a young man, who was riding
in a melancholy manner, with the bridle hanging loose on the horse's neck,
and his eyes drooping towards the ground.
"Whither go you?" said Little John.
"Whithersoever my horse pleases," said the young man.
"And that shall be," said Little John, "whither I please to lead him.
I am commissioned to invite you to dine with my master."
"Who is your master?" said the young man.
"Robin Hood," said Little John.
"The bold outlaw?" said the stranger. "Neither he nor you should have made
me turn an inch aside yesterday; but to-day I care not."
"Then it is better for you," said Little John, "that you came
to-day than yesterday, if you love dining in a whole skin:
for my master is the pink of courtesy: but if his guests
prove stubborn, he bastes them and his venison together,
while the friar says mass before meat."
The young man made no answer, and scarcely seemed to hear what
Little John was saying, who therefore took the horse's bridle and led
him to where Robin and his foresters were setting forth their dinner.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109