"I have not another penny-piece, good Master Hood," replied the Sheriff.
"If that is true, then you shall pay no more than ten pieces of gold for your entertainment, excellence," decreed Robin. "Speak I soothly, men of the greenwood?"
"The Sheriff should swear by his patron saint that he will never more molest us," said one of the company, wisely; and this addition was carried unanimously.
"So be it, then," cried Little John, approaching Monceux. "Now, swear by your life and your patron saint——"
"I will swear it by St. George, who is patron of us all," cried the fat Sheriff, vigorously; and he swore that never again would he disturb or distress them in Sherwood.
"Let me catch anyone of you out of it!" thought he to himself.
Then he paid them ten pieces of gold; and having done this, rose up to go.
It was already full dusk. "Gossip," observed Little John, reprovingly, "you did not hand me your wallet, but took out instead the ten golden pieces. Let me see for myself that thirty remain. Mayhap some evil person has robbed you unbeknown."
"Nay—I do not think that," said the Sheriff, quickly; "I take great care of all my belongings——"
"Yet you may have been despoiled," persisted Little John; "permit me to satisfy myself and this company that you have had honorable treatment in these happy woods."