ut seeing that the priest had no
weapon upon him, he gave a sign that he should be admitted to Little
John's cell.

There the friar found the big outlaw very dejected. "Give you good
cheer, brother," said the friar, gently; "I have come to pray with you."

"What assistance can your prayers be to me?" asked Little John, sharply;
"I am to be hanged to-morrow morn, and all your prayers will scarce
alter that."

"Anger is a great sin," replied the priest.

"I have no sins against God," said Little John; "I have always
endeavored to live easily and justly." Then the friar came up close to
him, and whispered something in his ear. The outlaw's expression altered
at once. "By the Sheriff's rope," muttered he, quite in his old manner,
"but I swear that if thou canst get me a weapon----"

"Here is a little dagger," said Friar Tuck, pulling it out from under
his gown. "'Tis small, but to-morrow it may be of use. I can do no more
now; but be ready for us to-morrow, when the last moments are come.
Robin Hood will not easily let you die, be sure of it."

The friar, after he had left the prison, ran all the way to Barnesdale,
under the stars.

CHAPTER XXXI

It was hardly dawn when a strong guard of soldiers was drawn up without
Nottingham Castle, and the prisoner was dragged forth from his cell.
Monceux had wisely come to the conclusion that Sir Guy of Gisborne had
also failed, and he saw no reason to delay Little John's execution.

Early as was the hour, yet both the Sheriff and the Bishop of Hereford
were present. The space before the castle was thronged with people.
Beside the prisoner walked the castle chaplain.

The crowd swayed and roared, and a small disturbance broke out on the
right of the Sheriff. At once the soldiers hurried to quell it.

As the prisoner neared the gallows, the crowd so bore upon the cart in
which he stood upright that progress for a few minutes was out of all
question.

Another disturbance broke out in the rear of the procession. Next
instant the prisoner was seen to have free hands. He stooped and sliced
the cords about his feet, and, releasing himself, all at once he sprang
out of the cart.

Then was an uproar indeed. The soldiers had strict orders that the
episode of Stuteley's escape was not to be repeated. But whilst they
exerted themselves desperately a sudden hail of arrows fell upon them
from the sky, as it were. Robin Hood's horn was heard blowing merrily,
and the Sheriff