Little John Escorts the Knight
The knight raised his head and looked blankly at the outlaw, who at once doffed his cap, saying, “Welcome, Sir Knight! I give you, on my master’s behalf, a hearty welcome to the greenwood. Gentle knight, come now to my master, who hath waited three hours, fasting, for your approach before he would dine. Dinner is prepared, and only tarries your courteous appearance.” The stranger knight seemed to consider this address carefully, for he sighed deeply, and then said: “I cry thee mercy, good fellow, for the delay, though I wot not how I am the cause thereof. But who is thy master?” Little John replied: “My master’s name is Robin Hood, and I am sent to guide you to him.” The knight said: “So Robin Hood is thy leader? I have heard of him, and know him to be a good yeoman; therefore I am ready to accompany thee, though, in good sooth, I had intended to eat my midday meal at Blythe or Doncaster to-day. But it matters little where a broken man dines!”