am in simple earnest, I say. Come, change thine apparel with mine.
Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold to feast they brethren right
royally."

So the palmer was persuaded; and Robin put on the old man's hat, which
stood full high in the crown; and his cloak, patched with black and
blue and red, like Joseph's coat of many colors in its old age; and
his breeches, which had been sewed over with so many patterns that the
original was scarce discernible; and his tattered hose; and his shoes,
cobbled above and below. And while as he made the change in dress he
made so many whimsical comments also about a man's pride and the dress
that makes a man, that the palmer was like to choke with cackling
laughter.

I warrant you, the two were comical sights when they parted company that
day. Nathless, Robin's own mother would not have known him, had she been
living.

The next morning the whole town of Nottingham was early astir, and as
soon as the gates were open country-folk began to pour in; for a triple
hanging was not held there every day in the week, and the bustle almost
equated a Fair day.

Robin Hood in his palmer's disguise was one of the first ones to enter
the gates, and he strolled up and down and around the town as though he
had never been there before in all his life. Presently he came to the
market-place, and beheld thereon three gallows erected.

"Who are these builded for, my son?" asked he of a rough soldier
standing by.

"For three of Robin Hood's men," answered the other. "And it were Robin
himself, 'twould be thrice as high I warrant ye. But Robin is too smart
to get within the Sheriff's clutches again."

The palmer crossed himself.

"They say that he is a bold fellow," he whined.

"Ha!" said the soldier, "he may be bold enough out behind stumps i' the
forest, but the open market-place is another matter."

"Who is to hang these three poor wretches?" asked the palmer.

"That hath the Sheriff not decided. But here he comes now to answer his
own questions." And the soldier came to stiff attention as the Sheriff
and his body-guard stalked pompously up to inspect the gallows.

"O, Heaven save you, worshipful Sheriff!" said the palmer. "Heaven
protect you! What will you give a silly old man to-day to be your
hangman?"

"Who are you, fellow?" asked the Sheriff sharply.

"Naught save a poor old palmer. But I can shrive their souls and hang
their bodies most devoutly."

"Very good," replied the oth