ughly as
to have become a man with no hat at all. They all were tumbled upon the
road.

"Why all this haste?" roared he, not noticing Robin or the others. "Why
will you not tarry for my money? 'Tis strange that no man will wait upon
me this day, whilst I am in so generous a mood!" He sprang up and down,
whacking them without ceasing. His feet encountered one of his many hats
and ruthlessly kicked it aside.

"'Tis Much the Miller!" cried Robin, recognizing him by his voice "'Tis
the miller who helped to save me in Sherwood. Friend, you have never yet
paid me my guinea, and I now do claim it of you."

Master Much ceased his occupation. He turned warily about to Robin. So
soon as he had looked well at him, he dropped his stick and came over
very frankly to him.

"So it's the gipsy?" said he, grinning all over his broad face. "And
they have neither flayed you nor hanged you yet? And are these fellows
with you?"

"We are the free men of Sherwood," said Robin, "and were coming to
Lincoln to get ourselves new clothes and weapons. Also we had hoped to
find other good men and true willing to join with us."

Much went up to Stuteley, and craved his pardon very handsomely at this.
"Had I but looked at you, friend, I might have known you for the other
gipsy, and these fellows for some of those who did save you both from
Master Carfax. That is always my way: but never have I been so sorry
for't as on this day, for now, through being too hasty, I have lost your
good will."

"Nay, Master Miller, but that is not so," said Stuteley.

Warrenton and Berry at first were inclined to play with the miller as he
had with them; but Robin pleaded so well for good fellowship that, after
a little, peace was proclaimed.

Much, to atone for his misdeeds, undertook to do their business in
Lincoln; and set himself busily to work on their behalf. He found them
all comfortable and quiet quarters where they might stay unnoticed and
unmolested, and Stuteley went with Robin to buy the cloth for their
suits.

They stayed in and about the old town for nearly three weeks, until all
were well equipped. Much asked that he might join with them and bring
his friend Midge and a few other merry souls.

Robin explained to him that they had rules, which, although few and
simple, were strict, and that they had, at present, no especial leader,
since all had elected to remain equal and free, observing the same laws
and pledged to each other in loyalty unt