“‘Welcome, sir knight, thrice welcome,’ exclaimed the outlaw. ‘Truly thou look’st more merry than when last I saw thee in these woods? Hast thou recovered thy fair domains?’
“‘Ten thousand thanks to thee, my noble, my generous friend,’ cried the knight. ‘I still hold my fathers’ lands, and with the blessing of our Lady, I am come to return the sum I borrowed of thee.’
“‘’Tis already paid, my gallant sir,’ returned Robin Hood. ‘Two monks from the Abbey of the Holy Virgin have this day brought me back my gold with interest; so keep thy money, and when thou seest a man in need, remember Robin Hood.’
“‘Nay, thou wilt overwhelm me with thy kindness,’ replied the knight. ‘I would have been with thee ere the noon-tide, but yonder knave had the audacity to win every prize at a village festival, and, had I not interceded, he would have received but a sorry recompense for his achievements.’
“‘Ha! hast thou one of my truest men among thy followers?’ exclaimed the outlaw, as he recognised the victor. ‘George o’ the Green would have stood toughly against a score of lazy peasants, methinks.’
“‘Yes, good master,’ joined in the forester; ‘but what can one arm do against three-score? Of a truth I should have had a morning bath, an it had not been for this gallant knight.’
“Robin Hood whispered a few words to Little John, who left them and almost instantly returned with a bag of gold.
“‘Take this, good sir,’ said the chief outlaw, as he handed it to the knight. ‘The monks of St. Mary’s paid me too much by four hundred pounds. Thou canst not yet be rich; take it as a reward for thy generous intercession.’
“The knight would have refused, but he knew that by so doing he should displease his generous friend. ‘I accept thy gift,’ he replied. ‘One day I may be able to repay thy goodness; till then I shall remain a heavy debtor. But I entreat thee, receive this poor present as a humble tribute of my gratitude;’ and at his command, his followers alighted from their steeds, and laid the bows and quivers at the outlaw’s feet.