his
gruff way. "Nor do I see why you should fear danger for him when he is
in my company."

"I meant not that, Will, believe me," said Robin, hastily. "But there
are two amongst your band who have little love for my cousin, and are
jealous also of you----" And he told him of his adventure in the early
part of the day when they last had met.

Will listened with a frown. "So they winged you, youngling, and yet for
all that you won the Sheriff's arrow? Give me now some token whereby I
may know which of my men are traitors."

"I should only know their voices, Will," said Robin, regretfully.

The outlaw shrugged. "It matters not, after all," he remarked, turning
to leave them. "Go your ways, Locksley, and win the purse."

"Is there no toll?" enquired Robin, smiling again, "Am I truly free of
Sherwood, Will?"

"'Twould seem so, Locksley," said the outlaw, briefly. Then, without
further ado, he strode away from him.

They watched his lithe form disappear.

"'Tis sure that our disguise is none too good," sighed Robin, pondering
upon the ready way in which the outlaw had recognized him.

Soon afterward rain fell and a heavy storm raged amongst the trees. The
two youths crept into the hollow of one of the larger oaks to shelter
themselves. Whilst waiting there they heard the noise of an approaching
cavalcade. It was a body of archers coming from Lincoln to compete for
the purse of gold.

They cantered past the tree wherein Robin and Stuteley lay hidden, and
took no heed of the drenching rain. All were merry with wine and very
confident that one amongst them would surely win the prize. The only
question was, Which one?

"These Nottingham clods!" cried one, scornfully; "I'll dare swear that
many of them have already promised the prize to their maids! Nottingham
'gainst Lincoln--'tis possible that they may stand to us for a round.
But after that!"

"We will spend the money in Nottingham town," shouted another of the
trotting bowmen. "For sure the Prince himself could do no handsomer
thing. A piece I'll toss to the heralds, and another to you, Staveley,
for you are a covetous worm----"

The rest of his speech was lost through the one addressed turning
violently upon him and thrusting at him with his pike, thus tumbling him
into the mire. Stuteley laughed outright at this, and for a moment
startled the rest of this worshipful company.

Robin, rather vexed at his esquire's want of caution, came with him from
out of