x, rubbing his hands. "We
all did see this fellow shoot the deer. Tis the clearest case; and I do
counsel you to deal lawfully in it, Master Ford. Remember that he also
is suspected of being an outlaw, in that you saw him once use a
peacocked arrow. Although I am but a layman, as it were, friend," he
added, meaningly, "yet I do know the law, and shall be forced to quit my
conscience with the Prince when I return to Nottingham. Wherefore,
seeing that your appointment to Locksley still lacks his
confirmation----"

"I would rather bring the rogue to Master Monceux, as he did command
me," argued Ford, who could not quite brace himself to this. "Besides,
we have no leisure at this moment to carry out the law," he went on.
"You know that your master the Prince did start us on this journey with
two errands upon our shoulders."

"One was to deal with Robin of Locksley," said Carfax, snarlingly, and
without yielding his point.

"To take him to Nottingham, master, I say," put in Much. "I do not think
that the Prince meant you to harm him."

"Be silent, knave!" snapped the lean-faced man, sharply. "Who gave you
the right to question me? Shut your mouth, or I will have you accounted
as accomplice with these fellows, and put a noose about your bull-neck
also!"

"Why, harkee, master," said Much, very wrathful. "This is a game where
two can play or more. I do forthwith range myself with the gipsy; and
you, Midge," he added, turning to one of his company, "surely you will
follow?"

"Right instantly," answered the one called Midge, a little ferret of a
man.

"And I also." "And I, Master Much"--so spoke the remaining Lincoln men.

"So are we six, then," said Much. He tumbled off his horse, and the
other three of them did the like; and then strode over to where Robin
stood. "Release him," said the miller, determinedly; and he promptly
knocked two of the foresters sprawling.

This was the signal for a general encounter, and all threw themselves
very heartily into the melee.

The miller and his men struggled to release Robin and Stuteley so that
these might help in the fray; but the foresters were too many for them.
Twice did Much get his hands upon Robin's bonds, only to be plucked
violently backward. The men tumbled one upon the other in the fight,
pummelling, clutching, and tearing at each other in a wild confusion.
They made little noise, all being too desperately in earnest. Ford
encouraged his foresters by word and gestu