Some half-score of the foresters, with Master Ford, had escaped along
the road towards Locksley: the rest were bound, and their horses
confiscated by the outlaws.

Master Simeon, with rage and terror depicted plainly upon his
countenance, lay writhing at Robin's feet, bound with the very cord with
which he had sought to end young Fitzooth's life. His enemies had
trussed him across a quarter-staff, and had tied the knots large and
tight about him.

"Well, Locksley, how now?" asked Will o' th' Green, with gruff
kindliness. "Are the vapors passed? Can you twiddle your bow again?"

"Not skilfully enough now to take place against you, Will," smiled
Robin, recovering himself more and more. "I am atrembling yet. I had
thought to see the blue sky no more----"

"Ay, my man's arrow was not too soon, Locksley," said Will, gravely.
"This fellow's hand was upon the rope, and another moment might have
seen you gallows-fruit upon this tree." He paused to bend over a
forester lying prone near them, with his face buried in the grass. Robin
saw that the man's body was transfixed by an arrow.

"He is no more," Will told them, looking up presently; "your aim was a
shrewd one, Hal," he went on, addressing himself to one of his band.

"Is he indeed _dead_?" asked Robin, in an awestruck voice.

"'Twas his life or yours," answered Will o' th' Green, grimly. He turned
to his men. "Now, comrades," cried he, "have you searched our prisoners
and prepared them? 'Tis well. Are they bound together, then, by the
arms, twos and threes, as is appointed in our rules; and is the right
leg and left leg of each villain shackled together?... Stand them up,
then, with their faces toward Nottingham, and bid them march."

"There is yet this one, captain," said one of the men, indicating
Carfax. "What shall we do with him?"

"Has he been searched closely?" enquired Will. Without waiting a reply,
he roughly ran his fingers through Master Carfax's pockets, and
unfastened his tunic at the bosom. A parchment dropped out and Will
snapped it up.

"I come from the Prince," whined Carfax, speaking at last; "and if so be
you are Master Will Cloudesley, or Will o' th' Green--as these folks do
call you--why, I have a very gracious message for you."

The outlaw gave a signal to his men. "Set him upon his feet," he
ordered, "and loosen these cords. Now, excellence, speak at your ease."

"Believe him not, Master Will," interposed Stuteley, afraid that Carfax