, and quite regardless of all
around, he dropped upon his knees, clasped the boy to his breast,
and softly whispered the words:

"Thank God!"

Young Robin's arms were tightly round his father's neck by this
time, and he was kissing the care-worn face again and again.

"They didn't know who you were, father; they didn't know who you
were," cried the boy passionately, as if asking his father's pardon
for the outrage committed upon him.

"No, Rob," said the Sheriff, in a choking voice; "they did not know
who I was. But you know your poor old father again."

"Know you again!" cried the boy, hanging back, and looking at his
father wonderingly. "Why, yes; but what a long time you have been
before you came to fetch me."

"Yes, yes, my boy; a long, long year of misery and sorrow; but I
have found you now, at last."

"Oh! I am glad," cried the boy, struggling free, and catching his
father's hand to lead him towards where Robin Hood and Marian were
standing, wet-eyed, looking on.

"This is my father," cried the boy proudly. "This is Robin Hood,
the captain, father," he continued, and the Sheriff bowed gravely;
"and this is Maid Marian, who has been so good to me."

The Sheriff bowed slowly 'and gravely, as if to the greatest lady
in the land, and then the boy dragged at his father's hand.

"And this is old Little John, father," he cried. "I say, isn't he
big!"

The Sheriff bowed again, and the great outlaw's face wore such a
comic expression of puzzlement that Robin Hood laughed aloud, and
completed his great follower's confusion.

"He has been so good to me, father," cried young Robin. "I can
shoot with bow and arrow now, and sound my horn. Hark!"

The boy clapped his horn to his lips and blew a few cheery notes
which ran echoing down the forest glades, and the men assembled
gave a hearty cheer.

"You're welcome to the woodlands, Master Sheriff," said Robin Hood,
advancing now with extended hand. "Do not take this as the
outlaw's hand, nor extend yours as the Sheriff; but let it be the
grasp of two Englishmen, one of whom receives a guest."

"I thank you, sir," said the Sheriff slowly. "I can give you
nothing but thanks, for after a year of sorrow I find my child is
after all alive and well."

"And I hope not worse than when accident brought him into our
hands. What do you say? Do you find him changed?"

"Bigger and stronger," said the Sheriff, drawing the boy closer to
him, while the little fell