manner. One foot was in the stirrups,
the other out; his visor was raised above his eyes, and his face was
pinched and woebegone.

Little John approached the stranger and bade him stay; for who can judge
of a man's wealth by his looks? The outlaw saluted the knight
courteously and informed him that his master was fasting, having waited
supper for him a full three hours.

The knight reined in his sorry steed, and glanced toward his questioner
with lack-lustre eye. Little John repeated his speech.

"And who is your master?" asked the knight then.

"None other than Robin Hood, of Barnesdale," Little John returned,
laying his great hand on the knight's bridle. "He bids us speed you to
the feast."

Seeing the other two, the knight shrugged his shoulders.

"'Tis clear that this is an invitation which will brook no refusal," he
said. "So I will go with you, friends."

When they were returned to Barnesdale, Robin saluted the knight very
magnificently; and his horse having been cared for, all sat down to a
plentiful supper of venison, pheasants, and various small birds.

After partaking liberally of the good cheer, the knight brightened up
considerably and declared that he had not enjoyed so good a meal for
nigh three weeks; and he vowed that if ever Robin and his comrades
should come to his country he would entertain them with an equally
worthy and honorable repast.

This was not, however, the exact payment which Robin had intended. He
thanked the knight, therefore, and reminded him that a yeoman like
himself might hardly offer such a supper to a knight as a gift of
charity.

"I have no money, Master Hood, nevertheless," answered the knight,
frankly. "I have so little of this world's goods in sooth that I should
be ashamed to offer that which I have."

"Money, however little, always finds a welcome from us," said Robin,
smiling. "Will you deem me too impertinent, Sir Knight, if I ask what
moneys you have?"

"I have, of my own, ten silver pennies," said the knight. "Here they
are, and I wish they were a hundred times as many." He handed Little
John his pouch; and the big fellow soon had knowledge of its contents.
It was as the knight said, no more nor less.

Robin filled his guest a bumper of wine, and made a sign for Little John
to hand back the pouch.

"Pledge me, Sir Knight," cried the merry outlaw, "and pledge me
heartily, for these be sorry times. I see that your armor is bent and
that your clothes are wo