ht the Sheriff of
Nottingham swore a great oath that Little John was the best archer
that ever he had seen, and asked him who he was and where he was born,
and vowed that if he would enter his service he would give twenty
marks a year to so good a bowman.

Little John, who did not wish to confess that he was one of Robin
Hood's men and an outlaw, said his name was Reynold Greenleaf, and
that he was in the service of a Knight, whose leave he must get before
he became the servant of any man. This was given heartily by the
Knight, and Little John bound himself to the Sheriff for the space of
twelve months, and was given a good white horse to ride on whenever he
went abroad. But for all that he did not like his bargain, and made
up his mind to do the Sheriff, who was hated of the outlaws, all the
mischief he could.

His chance came on a Wednesday when the Sheriff always went hunting
and Little John lay in bed till noon, when he grew hungry. Then he got
up, and told the steward that he wanted some dinner. The steward
answered he should have nothing till the Sheriff came home, so Little
John grumbled and left him, and sought out the butler. Here he was no
more successful than before; the butler just went to the buttery door
and locked it, and told Little John that he would have to make himself
happy till his lord returned.

Rude words mattered nothing to Little John, who was not accustomed to
be baulked by trifles, so he gave a mighty kick which burst open the
door, and then ate and drank as much as he would, and when he had
finished all there was in the buttery, he went down into the kitchen.

Now the Sheriff's cook was a strong man and a bold one, and had no
mind to let another man play the king in his kitchen; so he gave
Little John three smart blows, which were returned heartily. 'Thou art
a brave man and hardy,' said Little John, 'and a good fighter withal.
I have a sword, take you another, and let us see which is the better
man of us twain.'

The cook did as he was bid, and for two hours they fought, neither of
them harming the other. 'Fellow,' said Little John at last, 'you are
one of the best swordsmen that I ever saw--and if you could shoot as
well with the bow I would take you back to the merry greenwood, and
Robin Hood would give you twenty marks a year and two changes of
clothing.'

'Put up your sword,' said the cook, 'and I will go with you. But first
we will have some food in my kitchen, and carry off a