"Hurry, friends."

Just then Robin stumbled over the skeleton of the ape, and an idea
seized suddenly on his brain, and, picking himself up, he clutched the
horrid thing tightly, and turned back with it. Thrusting open the proper
entrance of the tent, Robin suddenly rushed forth with his burden, with
a great shout.

"A Montfichet! A Montfichet! Gamewell to the rescue!"

He held the ape aloft and thrust with it at the press. The battle melted
away like wax under a hot sun at the touch of those musty bones. Terror
and affright seized upon the mob, and everywhere they fell back.

Taking advantage of this, the Squire's few men redoubled their efforts,
and, encouraged by Robin's and the little stroller's cries, fought their
way to him. The tumbler had come bounding to Robin's side and made up in
defiant noise that which he lacked in strength of arm. The tide was
turned, the other strollers and the Gamewell men came victoriously
through the press and formed a ring about the entrance to the wizard's
tent.

Robin, still brandishing his hideous skeleton, wished to pursue the
beaten and flying rabble; but the Squire counselled prudence.

"You have done right well, Robin of Locksley, and dearly do I love you
for your courage and resource. George Montfichet will never forget this
day. Here let us wait until the Sheriff's men come to us. I hear them
now, come at last, when all the fighting's done."

"What is your name, lording?" asked the little stroller, presently.

"Robin Fitzooth."

"And mine is Will Stuteley. Shall we be comrades?"

"Right willingly, for between us we have won the battle," answered
Robin. He had taken a liking to this merry rogue; and gave him his name
without fear or doubt. "I like you, Will; you are the second Will that I
have met and liked within two days; is there a sign in that?"

"A sign that we will be proper friends," replied the stroller.

Montfichet called out for Robin to give him an arm. The Squire, now that
the danger was over, felt the reaction; and he had strange pains about
his breast.

"Friends," said Montfichet, faintly, to the wrestlers, "bear us escort
so far as the Sheriff's house. It will not be safe for you to stay here
now. I would speak with you later, since notice must be taken of this
affair. Pray follow us, with mine and my lord Sheriff's men."

He spoke with difficulty, and both Robin and Mistress Fitzooth were much
perplexed over him. The party moved slowly across