"I marvel much he does not come," he said. "I fear he does not mean to keep faith."
"Have no doubt, master," said Little John. "You have no need, I say."
Sir Richard Lee, meanwhile, who had tarried to see the wrestling, came while it was still daylight to fulfil his promise. He went straight to Barnsdale, and there he found Robin Hood and his band under the greenwood tree. Directly the knight saw Robin, he dismounted from his palfrey, and saluted him courteously on one knee.
"God save thee, good Robin Hood, and all this company."
"Welcome, welcome, noble knight," said Robin. "I pray thee tell me what need driveth thee to greenwood? I am right glad to see thee. Why hast thou been so long in coming?"
"The abbot and the high justice have been trying to get hold of my land," said the knight.
"Hast thou thy land again?"
"Yea, and for that I thank God and thee. But take not offence that I have come so late in the day. On my journey hither I passed by some wrestling, and there I helped a poor yeoman who was being wrongly put behind by the others."
"Nay, by my faith, for that I thank thee," said Robin. "The man that helpeth a good yeoman, his friend will I be."
"Have here the four hundred pounds you lent me," said the knight, "and here is also twenty marks for your courtesy."