Which of you is Robin o' th' Hood? I fain would look upon a man who can
recover from death so valiantly."

Berry and Much were, both together, preparing to point to Robin,
forgetting their promise. Robin gave them a quick glance of warning.
"Come, friends, let us to breakfast," he cried, rising. "I am sharp set,
and soon we shall be hearing from the Sheriff's men, no doubt. Let us
fortify ourselves withal."

All that morning went by, however, without further event. The greenwood
men became uneasy. All felt that some terrible plot was being hatched
against them, and their unrest grew with the day. Had Little John turned
traitor? And was he now preparing their enemies?

Soon after noon Robin called them together into the biggest of their
caves. He offered to disguise himself and go into Nottingham--there to
learn the best or worst.

Many of them made objection to this, saying that one had no reason to
take more risk than another in this free company. Robin persuaded them
at last to his own way of thinking, as he had already done before.
Unconsciously they were coming to regard him as their head, although any
one of them would have fiercely denied this in open council. Robin took
a staff, and hurried towards the highroad for the second time that day.

He had another reason for making this adventure: the fond hope of seeing
Mistress Marian. Her brother--for so he felt sure this young Gilbert
must be--had stirred afresh in Robin's heart all his warm love for her.
He wondered what he could say to her.

Why, he could tell her of Gilbert's escapade! Of course she must be
trembling at this very moment for the boy and thinking him in a thousand
dangers! It was another duty added to that to which Robin bore towards
the company of freemen. He doubled and trebled his pace.

Suddenly, as he came upon the road, the sound of a lusty singing struck
upon his ears. Robin became aware of a shabby cart and a bushy figure
leading a bony horse, and the smell of fresh-killed meat. It was an
honest butcher on his way to market in Nottingham.

"Give you good day, friend," called Robin to him. "You have a fair load
there--what is your price for it?"

"Why, truly, beggar, a bigger price than you will pay, I fear," answered
the butcher, in the middle of his song.

"I will give you four pieces of gold for it," said Robin.

The butcher stopped his thin horse at once. "Take the reins then,
master," cried he, joyfully; "the cart and all is