an hour; and then the greenwood men saw that
reinforcements were coming to their enemies. Robin's horn gave once more
the order for retreat.

Slowly they fell back through the woods and up the rising ground. "Alas,
alas!" cried poor Mistress Fennel, wringing her hands in utter
forgetfulness that now she was dressed as a man. "We are undone! Here
come others to meet us, with pikes and many men!"

Robin saw that upon the hill-top there was a grey castle. From its open
gate there poured out a motley crowd of men armed rudely with pikes and
with staves. They rushed downward to intercept the outlaws as it seemed,
and Robin thought that, in truth, he and his merry men were trapped at
last.

But--oh, joyful sight!--foremost among those coming from the castle was
the once mournful knight Sir Richard of the Lee. He was smiling now and
very excited. "A Hood! a Hood!" he cried. "To the rescue. A Hood!"

Never was there more welcome sight and hearing than this. Without a word
the outlaws raced up to meet their timely friends, and gained shelter of
the castle, whilst Sir Richard kept the Sheriff and his fellows at bay.
Then, when all were safely across the little drawbridge, the knight gave
the word, and fell back upon his stronghold also. The bridge was drawn
and the gates clashed together, almost in the frantic, hideous face of
Master Simeon, upon whose features showed streaks of blood from his
wound and rage commingled.

* * * * *

The knight stationed his men about the walls. Soon appeared Monceux
beneath them alone, and demanding speech. He commanded the knight to
deliver up Robin and his men upon pain of assault and burning of the
castle with fire.

Sir Richard replied briefly. "Show me your warrant, Sir Malapert, and I
will consider it," he said, from within the gates. And Master Monceux
had no warrant with him.

"My word is enough for you, Richard of the Lee," roared he, furiously.
"Am I not Sheriff of Nottingham?"

"You cannot be the Sheriff of Nottingham, good man," answered the
knight, getting ready to close the wicket, "for he is Master Monceux,
and is busy escorting the Princess of Aragon towards York. Go to and
mend your manners, rascal, and call away these ruffians with you."

Then Sir Richard snapped to the wicket gate, and returned to Robin.
"Well met, bold Robin," he cried, taking him by both hands. "Well met,
indeed. I had intended to ride forth this very day to your home