"Where may they find so desirable a man?" asked the little ferret Midge, eagerly.
"Go into Watling Street," Robin told them. "At this time o' th' year there are many people passing that way."
"May Heaven send us a guest speedily," said Arthur-à-Bland, "for I am growing wondrous hungry."
The three outlaws started off at once and in high spirits, the adventure being one much to their liking. They had scarcely watched the great highroad known to all as Watling Street (and which runs from Dover in Kent to Chester town) for many minutes, when they espied a knight riding by in a very forlorn and careless manner. One foot was in the stirrups, the other out; his visor was raised above his eyes, and his face was pinched and woebegone.
Little John approached the stranger and bade him stay; for who can judge of a man's wealth by his looks? The outlaw saluted the knight courteously and informed him that his master was fasting, having waited supper for him a full three hours.
The knight reined in his sorry steed, and glanced toward his questioner with lack-lustre eye. Little John repeated his speech.
"And who is your master?" asked the knight then.
"None other than Robin Hood, of Barnesdale," Little John returned, laying his great hand on the knight's bridle. "He bids us speed you to the feast."
Seeing the other two, the knight shrugged his shoulders.
"'Tis clear that this is an invitation which will brook no refusal," he said. "So I will go with you, friends."