ry their skill at a capture.

Now there was a certain Guy of Gisborne, a hireling knight of the King's
army, who heard of Robin and of the price upon his head. Sir Guy was one
of the best men at the bow and the sword in all the King's service.
But his heart was black and treacherous. He obtained the King's leave
forthwith to seek out the forester; and armed with the King's scroll he
came before the Sheriff at Nottingham.

"I have come to capture Robin Hood," quoth he, "and mean to have him,
dead or alive."

"Right gladly would I aid you," answered the Sheriff, "even if the
King's seal were not sufficient warrant. How many men need you?"

"None," replied Sir Guy, "for I am convinced that forces of men can
never come at the bold robber. I must needs go alone. But do you hold
your men in readiness at Barnesdale, and when you hear a blast from this
silver bugle, come quickly, for I shall have the sly Robin within my
clutches."

"Very good," said the Sheriff. "Marry, it shall be done." And he set
about giving orders, while Guy of Gisborne sallied forth disguised.

Now as luck would have it, Will Scarlet and Little John had gone to
Barnesdale that very day to buy suits of Lincoln green for certain of
the yeomen who had come out at the knees and elbows. But not deeming it
best for both of them to run their necks into a noose, together, they
parted just outside the town, and Will went within the gates, while John
tarried and watched at the brow of the hill on the outside.

Presently whom should he see but this same Will flying madly forth from
the gates again, closely pursued by the Sheriff and threescore men. Over
the moat Will sprang, through the bushes and briars, across the swamp,
over stocks and stones, up the woodland roads in long leaps like a
scared jack rabbit. And after him puffed the Sheriff and his men, their
force scattering out in the flight as one man would tumble head-first
into a ditch, another mire up in the swamp, another trip over a rolling
stone, and still others sit down on the roadside and gasp for wind like
fish out of water.

Little John could not forbear laughing heartily at the scene, though
he knew that 'twould be anything but a laughing matter if Will should
stumble. And in truth one man was like to come upon him. It was
William-a-Trent, the best runner among the Sheriff's men. He had come
within twenty feet of Scarlet and was leaping upon him with long bounds
like a greyhound, when John ro