"John," said the great fellow, laughing heartily; "and they call me
little because I'm so big. What do you think of that?"

"I think it's very stupid," said the boy. "I thought you must be
Robin Hood."

"Then you thought wrong. But if you thought that this one was you
would be right. Here he comes." The boy looked in wonder at a
tall man who looked short beside Little John, as he came up in coat
of green with brown belt, a sword by his side, quiver of arrows
hung on his back, and longbow in his hand.

"What woodland bird have you got here, John?" he said. And the boy
saw that he smiled pleasantly and did not look fierce or
threatening.

"A young Robin," said the big fellow; "part of yesterday's plunder."

"I want to find my way home," said the boy. "Will you please show
me?"

"But you did not come here into the forest in shirt and hose, did
you, my little man?" said the great outlaw.

"No; someone took my cap and doublet away, sir."

Robin Hood frowned.

"Who was it?" he cried angrily. "Find out, John, and he shall have
a bowstring about his back. Point out the man who stripped you, my