When Robin Hood had dressed himself in this manner, he rode straight to Nottingham. The sheriff of Nottingham was master of the market, and Robin Hood hired a stall there. But we may very well suppose that he did not know much about his trade, and indeed, as long as he had any meat to sell, no other butcher could sell a single joint; for Robin Hood sold more meat for a penny than the others could do for five. “To be sure,” said they, “this is some young fellow that has sold his father’s land.” The butchers then went up to Robin Hood: “Come, brother,”
Robin Hood bargaining with the Nottingham Butcher.
see [page 8].
London, William Darton, 58, Holborn Hill, Augˢᵗ. 29, 1821.
said one of them, “we are all of one trade, will you go and dine with us?” “I should be a shabby fellow,” said Robin, “if I was ashamed of my calling; so I will go with you.” The sheriff was the tavern-keeper, and sat at the head of the table; and, after dinner, Robin Hood would insist upon paying the bill. The sheriff was a cunning old miser, and, when he saw how madly Robin Hood behaved, he thought he would not miss such a chance of turning a penny. “Good fellow,” said the sheriff, “hast thou any horned beasts to sell to me?”—“That I have, good master sheriff,” said Robin Hood. “I have a hundred or two, if you will please to go and see them.” The sheriff then saddled his good palfrey, and took three hundred pounds in gold, and away he went with Robin Hood.
The road they took led through the forest of Sherwood; and, as they rode along, the sheriff cried out, “God preserve us this day from a man they call Robin Hood!” But, when they came a little further, there chanced to come out of the thicket a hundred good fat deer, skipping very near them. “How do you like my horned beasts, master sheriff?” said Robin Hood. “These are the cattle I told you of.” “To tell you the truth,” replied the sheriff, “I wish I were away, for I do not like your company.” Then Robin Hood put his bugle-horn to his mouth, and blowed three times; when suddenly there came out of the wood Little John and Robin Hood’s hundred men, clothed in green, and running all in a row. “What is your will, master?” said Little John. “I have brought hither the sheriff of Nottingham,” said Robin Hood, “this day, to dine with me.” “He is welcome,” said Little John. “I hope he will pay us well for his dinner.” Robin Hood now made the sheriff sit down under a tree; and, after they had all eaten and drunk enough, he opened the sheriff’s bag,
Robin Hood telling out the Sheriffs money.