by the wayside for a long while in a
deadly anger, only the sharp clashing of their blades breaking the
silence.

Then Robin stumbled over the projecting root of a tree; and Sir Guy, who
was quick and heavy with his weapon, wounded Robin in his side.

The outlaw recovered himself adroitly; and, full of sudden rage, stabbed
at the knight under and across his guard. The capul-hide hindered Sir
Guy in his attempt at a parry--the horse head fell across his eyes.

Next instant Sir Guy of Gisborne went staggering backward with a deep
groan, Robin's sword through his throat.

"You did bring this upon yourself," muttered Robin, eyeing the body of
the knight in vain regret. "Yet you did fall bravely, and in fair fight.
You shall be buried honorably."

He dragged the body into the bushes; and, having taken off the horse
hide, slipped it upon himself. He then perceived that, hanging from the
dead man's belt, there was a little silver whistle. "What may this be?"
thought Robin.

Sir Guy, clothed in old and ragged dress, looked to be a plain yeoman,
slain in defence of his life, or mayhap a forester. Pulling the hide
well over himself Robin put the little whistle to his lips and blew it
shrilly.

Instantly, far off to the right of him, sounded an answering note, and
again from behind him there was reply. In about four or five minutes
twenty of the Sheriff's best archers came running through the wood to
Robin's side.

"Didst signal for us, lording?" asked the leader of them, approaching
Robin.

"Ay, see him! I have encountered and slain one of your robber fellows
for ye," answered Robin, simulating Sir Guy's voice and manner. "I would
have you take up his body upon your shoulders and bear him along this
little path, wherefrom he sprang upon me."

The archers obeyed him immediately, "Do you follow us, lording?" they
asked.

"I will lead ye," cried Robin, waving his red sword truculently, "Follow
me speedily."

Thus he led them after him through the secret paths into Barnesdale, and
there blew his horn so suddenly that Stuteley and his fellows were upon
the Sheriff's men ere they might drop Sir Guy's dead body to the earth.

Robin bade his men disarm the archers, and tie such of them as would not
prove amenable.

Thus the Sheriff was robbed of his best archers; for these fellows,
finding the greenwood men to be of such friendly mind, soon joined in
with them.

"This is well done, in sooth," said Robin, gently, to h