“‘Ha! Reynolde Grenelefe,’ he exclaimed, as his servant stood before him, ‘where hast thou been?’
“‘Roving through the forest, good master,’ replied Reynolde; ‘and by my troth I have beheld the strangest sight that mortal eyes e’er saw. In yon dense wood is a fine stag, whose hide is of a bright green colour, and a herd of seven-score more lie scattered around him. His horns are so large and sharp that I dare not shoot for fear that he might rush at me and tear me, and hearing thy bugle-horn, I have hastened to tell thee of so strange a creature.’ The sheriff, filled with wonder, desired to be immediately conducted to the animal, and the outlaw started off again at his full speed, followed by his master until they arrived at the spot where Robin Hood was still lying upon the turf. ‘This is the hart, good master,’ said Little John, pointing to his captain; ‘and there is the gallant herd;’ and he directed the sheriff’s attention to a band of yeomen who were reclining under the shade of some neighbouring trees.
“‘Thou hast betrayed me,’ he cried, drawing his sword, and biting his lips with rage. ‘Thus shalt thou suffer for thy treachery;’ and he struck a fierce blow at his conductor.
“‘Calm thee, good master,’ exclaimed Little John, nimbly avoiding the weapon. ‘Thou hast given me many a good dinner, and now thou shalt have a jovial supper in return.’ Two foresters advanced, and gently disarmed the still threatening prisoner, who very quietly suffered himself to be seated at a well spread cloth. At the entreaty of the outlaws he began to eat; but when Little John brought him wine in his own cup, his mortification was so great that he could not swallow another morsel. The foresters pressed him so much the more, and laughed loud and long at his rueful countenance, while two or three sang ballads celebrating their own victory over the sheriff of Nottingham.
“The poor man could endure the scene no longer. He started to his feet, and would gladly have made his escape, but his flight was arrested. ‘For one night, sir sheriff, thou shalt be an outlaw like us,’ said Robin Hood to him. ‘Thou shalt have thy couch under the green trees of Barnesdale, and if on the morrow thou likest thy fare, we will give thee a green mantle, and teach thee to shoot the grey goose-wing.’ Night drew on; the foresters, wrapping themselves in their cloaks, laid themselves down under the most shady trees, and binding their prisoner, that he might not escape during the darkness, compelled him to share their broad couch. All night long he tossed about and groaned, and when, oppressed with weariness, he at length fell asleep, dreams of the most hideous nature wakened him to fresh torment. The darkness seemed to him interminable; but at length the sun rose, and the foresters one and all roused themselves from their slumbers. ‘Hast thou passed a good night, sir sheriff?’ asked Robin Hood. ‘How likest thou our downy beds?’
“‘The beasts of the field lie more softly,’ replied the sheriff. ‘Rather than make me pass another night like this, I pray thee send an arrow through my heart, and I’ll forgive thee. But wherefore dost thou detain me? I have no gold, and that traitor Reynolde Grenelefe has robbed me of what I possessed at home. Suffer me to go and I will be thy best friend to my dying day.’
“‘Swear that thou wilt never harm the foresters of Barnesdale,’ replied Robin Hood, ‘and thou shalt depart;’ and he presented the cross of his sword to the sheriff’s lips.
“He took the oath, and the outlaw immediately cut his bonds; then ordering his horse to be brought, he helped the anxious sheriff to his saddle, and bade him a merry ride. The goaded steed flew along the narrow pathway, and quickly emerging from the woods, bore his glad rider home to Nottingham.
“A twelvemonth was nearly elapsed since Robin Hood had lent the four hundred pounds to the knight of Wierysdale, and but two days yet remained to Lammas-tide, when the money would become due.