together a number of fighting men and gone and punished Robin Hood
and his outlaws for carrying off that valuable set of loads of
cloth.

But Robin's father cared nothing for the cloth or the mules; he
could only think of the bright happy little fellow whom he loved so
well, and whom he wept for in secret at night when there was no one
near to see.

Robin's aunt when she came and tried to comfort him used to shake
her head and wipe her eyes. She said little, only thought a great
deal, and she came over again and again to try and comfort her dead
sister's husband; but it made no difference, for the Sheriff was a
sadly altered man.

Then all at once there was a change, and it was at a time when
Robin's aunt was over to Nottingham.

For one day a man came to the Sheriff's house and wanted him. But
the Sheriff would not see him, for he took no interest in anything
now, and told his servant that the man must send word what his
business was.

The servant went out, and came back directly.

"He says, sir, that he was taken prisoner by Robin Hood's men a
week ago, and that he has just come from the camp under the
greenwood tree, and has brought you news, master."

The Sheriff started up, trembling, and told his servant to bring