to ask, whether he was Robin Hood's son; but those I asked only
shook their heads.

"That made me think all the more, and one day I managed to follow
him but among the trees to where I found him feeding one of the
wild deer, which followed him about like a dog."

"I waited a bit, and then stepped out to him, and what do you think
he did? He strung his bow, fitted an arrow to it before I knew
where I was, and drew it to the head as if he was going to shoot
me. 'Do you know where Nottingham is?' I said, and he lowered his
bow. 'Yes,' he said, 'of course. Do you know my father?' 'Do I
know the Sheriff?' I said; 'of course.' 'Are you going there
soon?' he cried, and I nodded. 'Then you go to my father,' he
cried, 'and tell him to tell aunt that I'm quite well, and that
some day I'm coming home."

The man stopped, for just then the Sheriff closed his eyes again
and said something very softly, which Robin's aunt heard, and she
sank upon her knees and covered her face with her hands.

Then the Sheriff sprang to his feet, looking quite a different man.

"Here," he said to the bringer of the news, and he gave him some
gold pieces. "Could you find your way back to the outlaws' camp in
the forest?"

"Oh! yes, Master Sheriff, that I could, though they did bind a
cloth over my face when they brought me away."