followers scattering largesses as they rode.

CHAPTER XVI

All through that long winter Robin had lain hidden in the Barnesdale
caves with the remains of the band of outlaws which had begun with Will
of Cloudesley's advent and nigh ended with his death. At first there had
been some quarrelling and jealousy amongst them as to who should be the
new captain.

There were, with Robin and his three recruits, twenty and two men all
told. These had decided upon many tests between themselves in order to
settle who should lead; and when there were tests of archery Robin had
beaten them all.

Yet he had no wish to set himself at their head, having sped his arrows
so well more for the reason that a good bowman cannot but aim well when
his fingers are upon his weapon. So he had said modestly that they must
reckon without him, and that he would gladly obey the man the others
should choose.

Then there had been fresh bickerings, and they were once nearly
discovered by the Sheriff's foresters, who by some means stumbled upon
one of their underground passages.

The winter brought with it many privations; and they decided at length
to leave Barnesdale and go into the county of Lincoln. They made their
ragged clothes as much like those of the King's Foresters as they could
and then set out.

One thing had been agreed on: that they must have some new clothes and
induce other bold spirits to join with them: else Sherwood would be lost
to them for ever.

Robin had quite decided to cast in his lot with these men. He felt that
they would be loyal to each other, and he knew that the only traitors
which this band had known were now no more. A bitter hatred of the
Sheriff; of lying Carfax and of Royalty, as personified by the unjust,
indolent Prince, had moulded Robin's character into steel, as it were.

Robin had counselled this journey to Lincoln. In the secret caves about
Barnesdale, Will of Cloudesley had amassed and stored away much wealth.
It was useless to them here in Nottingham; but in Lincoln one of them
might go in to the market and buy sufficient Lincoln cloth and needles
and thread to fit them all out.

Swords might also be obtained; and some shirts of chain-mail, new bows
and new arrows.

The band started away under cover of a crisp February night, and had
come into sight of Lincoln within three days. They had just finished
their morning meal of the third day when they were overtaken by a
stoutish man whose cl