ow clung to his hand.

"Our woodland life; and I warrant you, Master Sheriff, that he is
none the worse, for he is the truest, most gracious little fellow I
ever met. Here, Little Namesake, speak out, and let your father
know you have been a good boy ever since you came here to stay."

Young Robin was silent, and looked from one to the other in a
curiously abashed fashion.

"Well, boy, why don't you speak?" cried Robin Hood merrily. "I
want Master Sheriff to hear that we have not spoiled you. Come,
tell him. You have always been a good boy, haven't you?"

Young Robin hung his head.

"No," he said slowly, with his brow wrinkled up, his head hanging
and one foot scraping softly at the mossy grass. "No, not always."

Little John burst into a tremendous roar of laughter, and began to
stamp about, with the result that young Robin made a dash at him
and tried vainly to climb up and clap his hand over the great
fellow's lips.

"Don't--don't tell," cried the boy.

"Ran at me--only yesterday," cried Little John--"and began to
thrash me in a passion."

"Don't tell tales out of school, Little John," cried Robin Hood,
laughing. "There, Rob, you must forgive him; we're none
of-us-perfect. Master Sheriff, and if your little fellow had been
quite so, I don't think that we should all, to a man here, have
loved him half so well. But come, after his confession, I think
you will grant one thing, and that is, that in spite of his having
spent a year in the outlaws' camp, he is as honest as the day."

"Nothing could make my boy Robin tell a lie," said the Sheriff
proudly. "But, sir, I have come humbly to you now. Glad even to
be your prisoner, so that I might once more see my child."

"My prisoner if you had come amongst us with your posse of armed
men, sir," said Robin Hood proudly. "As it is, Master Sheriff, you
come here alone with your guide, and I bid you welcome to our
greenwood home. Fate made me what I am, the Sheriff's enemy, but
the gentle visitor's friend. Come, Rob, my boy, show your father
where he can take away the travel stains, and then bring him to our
humble board."

It was the next day that was to be young Robin's last with the
outlaws in the merry greenwood, and all were gathered together to
bid him farewell, and see him safely with his father on the road;
but not as the Sheriff had come, wearily and on foot, for half a
dozen of the best mules were forthcoming, and the guests were to
ride ba