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Robin Hood's head； and how the Sheriff of Nottingham swore that
he himself would seize Robin； both because he would fain have the two
hundred pounds and because the slain man was a kinsman of his own。
Now the Sheriff did not yet know what a force Robin had about him
in Sherwood； but thought that he might serve a warrant for his
arrest as he could upon any other man that had broken the laws；
therefore he offered fourscore golden angels to anyone who would
serve this warrant。 But men of Nottingham Town knew more of
Robin Hood and his doings than the Sheriff did； and many laughed
to think of serving a warrant upon the bold outlaw； knowing well
that all they would get for such service would be cracked crowns；
so that no one came forward to take the matter in hand。
Thus a fortnight passed； in which time none came forward to do
the Sheriff's business。 Then said he； 〃A right good reward have
I offered to whosoever would serve my warrant upon Robin Hood；
and I marvel that no one has come to undertake the task。〃
Then one of his men who was near him said； 〃Good master；
thou wottest not the force that Robin Hood has about him
and how little he cares for warrant of king or sheriff。
Truly； no one likes to go on this service； for fear of cracked
crowns and broken bones。〃
〃Then I hold all Nottingham men to be cowards；〃 said the Sheriff。 〃And let
me see the man in all Nottinghamshire that dare disobey the warrant of our
sovereign lord King Harry； for； by the shrine of Saint Edmund； I will hang him
forty cubits high！ But if no man in Nottingham dare win fourscore angels；
I will send elsewhere； for there should be men of mettle somewhere
in this land。〃
Then he called up a messenger in whom he placed great trust； and bade
him saddle his horse and make ready to go to Lincoln Town to see whether
he could find anyone there that would do his bidding and win the reward。
So that same morning the messenger started forth upon his errand。
Bright shone the sun upon the dusty highway that led from Nottingham
to Lincoln； stretching away all white over hill and dale。
Dusty was the highway and dusty the throat of the messenger；
so that his heart was glad when he saw before him the Sign of the
Blue Boar Inn； when somewhat more than half his journey was done。
The inn looked fair to his eyes； and the shade of the oak trees
that stood around it seemed cool and pleasant； so he alighted
from his horse to rest himself for a time； calling for a pot
of ale to refresh his thirsty throat。
There he saw a party of right jovial fellows seated beneath
the spreading oak that shaded the greensward in front of the door。
There was a tinker； two barefoot friars； and a party of six of the King's
foresters all clad in Lincoln green； and all of them were quaffing
humming ale and singing merry ballads of the good old times。
Loud laughed the foresters； as jests were bandied about between
the singing； and louder laughed the friars； for they were lusty men
with beards that curled like the wool of black rams； but loudest of all
laughed the Tinker； and he sang more sweetly than any of the rest。
His bag and his hammer hung upon a twig of the oak tree； and near
by leaned his good stout cudgel； as thick as his wrist and knotted
at the end。
〃Come；〃 cried one of the foresters to the tired messenger；
〃come join us for this shot。 Ho； landlord！ Bring a fresh pot
of ale for each man。
The messenger was glad enough to sit down along with the others
who were there； for his limbs were weary and the ale was good。
〃Now what news bearest thou so fast？〃 quoth one； 〃and whither
ridest thou today？〃
The messenger was a chatty soul and loved a bit of
gossip dearly； besides； the pot of ale warmed his heart；
so that； settling himself in an easy corner of the inn bench；
while the host leaned upon the doorway and the hostess stood
with her hands beneath her apron； he unfolded his budget
of news with great comfort。 He told all from the very first：
how Robin Hood had slain the forester； and how he had hidden
in the greenwood to escape the law； how that he lived therein；
all against the law； God wot； slaying His Majesty's deer and
levying toll on fat abbot； knight； and esquire； so that none dare
travel even on broad Watling Street or the Fosse Way for fear
of him； how that the Sheriff had a mind to serve the King's warrant
upon this same rogue； though little would he mind warrant of either
king or sheriff； for he was far from being a law…abiding man。
Then he told how none could be found in all Nottingham Town
to serve this warrant； for fear of cracked pates and broken bones；
and how that he； the messenger； was now upon his way to Lincoln Town
to find of what mettle the Lincoln men might be。
〃Now come I； forsooth； from good Banbury Town；〃 said the jolly Tinker；
〃and no one nigh Nottinghamnor Sherwood either； an that be the mark
can hold cudgel with my grip。 Why； lads； did I not meet that mad wag
Simon of Ely； even at the famous fair at Hertford Town； and beat him
in the ring at that place before Sir Robert of Leslie and his lady？
This same Robin Hood； of whom； I wot； I never heard before；
is a right merry blade； but gin he be strong； am not I stronger？
And gin he be sly； am not I slyer？ Now by the bright eyes of Nan o'
the Mill； and by mine own name and that's Wat o' the Crabstaff；
and by mine own mother's son； and that's myself； will I； even I； Wat o'
the Crabstaff； meet this same sturdy rogue； and gin he mind not
the seal of our glorious sovereign King Harry； and the warrant
of the good Sheriff of Nottinghamshire； I will so bruise； beat；
and bemaul his pate that he shall never move finger or toe again！
Hear ye that； bully boys？〃
〃Now art thou the man for my farthing；〃 cried the messenger。
〃And back thou goest with me to Nottingham Town。〃
〃Nay；〃 quoth the Tinker； shaking his head slowly from side to side。
〃Go I with no man gin it be not with mine own free will。〃
〃Nay； nay；〃 said the messenger； 〃no man is there in Nottinghamshire
could make thee go against thy will； thou brave fellow。〃
〃Ay； that be I brave；〃 said the Tinker。
〃Ay； marry；〃 said the messenger； 〃thou art a brave lad；
but our good Sheriff hath offered fourscore angels of bright
gold to whosoever shall serve the warrant upon Robin Hood；
though little good will it do。〃
〃Then I will go with thee； lad。 Do but wait till I get my bag and hammer；
and my cudgel。 Ay； let' me but meet this same Robin Hood； and let me
see whether he will not mind the King's warrant。〃 So； after having paid
their score； the messenger； with the Tinker striding beside his nag；
started back to Nottingham again。
One bright morning soon after this time； Robin Hood started
off to Nottingham Town to find what was a…doing there；
walking merrily along the roadside where the grass was sweet
with daisies； his eyes wandering and his thoughts also。
His bugle horn hung at his hip and his bow and arrows at
his back； while in his hand he bore a good stout oaken staff；
which he twirled with his fingers as he strolled along。
As thus he walked down a shady lane he saw a tinker coming； trolling a
merry song as he drew nigh。 On his back hung