“‘I want a few head of cattle,’ rejoined the former, ‘and if thou wilt, I’ll ride this day to look at thine.’
“‘Fill me a bumper of sack,’ cried Robin Hood; ‘here’s to a good bargain;’ and tossing off a goblet of wine, he rose up, threw a handful of silver upon the table, and with the sheriff left the astonished butchers to finish their wine and talk of their extraordinary comrade.
“The man of dignity saddled his palfrey, and tying a heavy bag of gold, wherewith to pay for his purchase, to his girdle, set out with Robin Hood to Sherwood forest. Merry were the jokes and loud was the laughter of the bold outlaw as they trotted along the road, and the sheriff thought that he had never met with so pleasant a companion. ‘Heaven preserve us,’ said he, ‘from a man they call Robin Hood, who often frequents these woods.’
“‘Fear not, master sheriff,’ replied Robin; ‘I saw him in Nottingham town not two hours ago, and I’ll warrant me he has not overtaken us.’
“‘In Nottingham!’ cried the sheriff, with astonishment: ‘why didst not thou tell me that before? I must go back and capture him.’
“‘’Twill be a profitless errand for thee,’ answered the outlaw. ‘Though I know Robin Hood as well as my own self, ’twas with difficulty I recognised him in his disguise.’ The sheriff looked hard at his companion, as he claimed so intimate a knowledge with the outlawed forester, but said not a word, only spurring his horse on faster, and keeping as far from his fellow-traveller as the width of the road permitted.
“Presently they arrived at the borders of the forest, and striking into a narrow road that led through it, reached an open lawn of some considerable extent. Just as they entered upon it, a whole herd of deer tripped gaily across the path.
“‘How likest thou my horned beasts, master sheriff?’ asked Robin Hood; ‘they are fat and in good condition, are they not?’
“‘I must tell thee, good fellow,’ returned the sheriff, reining up his palfrey, ‘that I would rather be elsewhere than in thy company.’
“Robin Hood replied by taking his bugle-horn from his side, and blowing three distinct blasts that made the woods re-echo, and his companion’s ears to tingle with no small degree of apprehension.