Scene I. Morning. Sherwood Forest (as before). Little John and some of the Outlaws are gathered together talking. Occasionally they look anxiously toward the cave and at the approaches through the wood. Enter two Foresters, running and breathless.

FIRST FORESTER

The King's men! They are scouring thro' the wood,
Two troops of them, five hundred men in each
And more are following.

SECOND FORESTER

We must away from here
And quickly.

LITTLE JOHN

Where did you sight them?

SECOND FORESTER

From the old elm,
Our watch-tower. They were not five miles away!

FIRST FORESTER