"You are in trouble," he said. "Do not mind what these fellows say. They are rough, but their hearts are kind. Come with me and tell me what is wrong."
"Everything is wrong," said Allen-a-Dale miserably, and it was true that things were going very badly with him. For his true love and promised bride had been forced to give him up and promise her hand to a rich old knight who won her father's favor by means of his money.
"She will marry the old knight if her father bids her," cried Allen-a-Dale, "for she thinks it right to be an obedient daughter; but I know it will break her heart and she will die."
"Now this thing shall not be," cried Little John, starting forward. "Master, can we not prevent such a wrong?"
"We will see," answered Robin Hood.
"But she is to be married in two days."
"Then we will go to the church and see that she is married to you instead of the old knight. But we will need to find a priest who will marry you."
"Then I know the very priest," said Will Scarlet. "It is jolly Friar Tuck who lives in Fountain Dale."
"Then let us go and get him at once. We have no time to lose," said Robin Hood; and out they started without delay. Little John, Will Scarlet, young David of Doncaster, and Arthur-a-Bland went with him. They wore their best clothes.
"For," said Robin Hood, "we must look brave when we go to a wedding."