e with head, tail, and mane.
The skin of the head made a helmet; while the tail gave the curious
three-legged appearance.

"Good-morrow, good fellow," said Robin cheerily, "methinks by the bow
you bear in your hand that you should be a good archer."

"Indifferent good," said the other returning his greeting; "but 'tis not
of archery that I am thinking this morning, for I have lost my way and
would fain find it again."

"By my faith, I could have believed 'twas your wits you'd lost!" thought
Robin smiling. Then aloud: "I'll lead you through the wood," quoth
he, "an you will tell me your business. For belike your speech is much
gentler than your attire."

"Who are you to ask me my business?" asked the other roughly.

"I am one of the King's Rangers," replied Robin, "set here to guard his
deer against curious looking strollers."

"Curious looking I may be," returned the other, "but no stroller. Hark
ye, since you are a Ranger, I must e'en demand your service. I am on the
King's business and seek an outlaw. Men call him Robin Hood. Are you one
of his men?"--eyeing him keenly.

"Nay, God forbid!" said Robin; "but what want you with him?"

"That is another tale. But I'd rather meet with that proud outlaw than
forty good pounds of the King's money."

Robin now saw how the land lay.

"Come with me, good yeoman," said he, "and belike, a little later in the
day, I can show you Robin's haunts when he is at home. Meanwhile let us
have some pastime under the greenwood tree. Let us first try the mastery
at shooting arrows."

The other agreed, and they cut down two willow wands of a summer's
growth that grew beneath a brier, and set them up at a distance of
threescore yards.

"Lead on, good fellow," quoth Robin. "The first shot to you."

"Nay, by my faith," said the other, "I will follow your lead."

So Robin stepped forth and bent his bow carelessly and sent his
shaft whizzing toward the wand, missing it by a scant inch. He of the
horse-hide followed with more care yet was a good three-fingers' breadth
away. On the second round, the stranger led off and landed cleverly
within the small garland at the top of the wand; but Robin shot far
better and clave the wand itself, clean at the middle.

"A blessing on your heart!" shouted Capul-Hide; "never saw I such
shooting as that! Belike you are better than Robin Hood himself. But you
have not yet told me your name."

"Nay, by my faith," quoth Robin, "I must keep it secre