to a trial of marksmanship, and then to a bout of sword play, during
which the strange outlaw was slain. Then, donning the fallen man's
strange apparel, Robin went off to Nottingham in quest of more
adventures.

Meantime, Little John had entered a poor hut, where he found a woman
weeping because her sons had been seized as poachers and sentenced to
be hanged. Touched by her grief, Little John promised to rescue them
if she would only supply him with a disguise. Dressed in a suit which
had belonged to the woman's husband, he entered Nottingham just as the
sheriff was escorting his captives to the gallows. No hangman being
available, the sheriff gladly hired the stranger to perform that
office. While ostensibly fastening nooses around the three lads'
necks, Little John cleverly whispered directions whereby to escape.
This part of his duty done, Little John strung his bow, arguing it
would be a humane act to shorten their agony by a well-directed shaft.
But, as soon as his bow was properly strung, Little John gave the
agreed signal, and the three youths scampered off, he covering their
retreat by threatening to kill any one who attempted to pursue them.

The angry sheriff, on perceiving Robin, who just then appeared,
deeming him the man he sent into the forest, demanded some token that
he had done his duty. In reply Robin silently exhibited his own sword,
bugle, and bow, and pointed to his blood-stained clothes. The officers
having meantime captured Little John, the sheriff allowed Robin--as a
reward--to hang his companion. By means of the same stratagem as
Little John employed for the rescue of the youths, Robin saved his
beloved mate, and, when the sheriff started to pursue them, blew such
a blast on his horn that the terrified official galloped away, one of
Robin's arrows sticking in his back.