sensation, till nearly the last.

"For I'm coming back again," he said, "and you'll take care of my
pet fawn for me, Little John, and always remember to feed it well.
And don't forget the dog and that dormouse we couldn't find, so
that I can have it when I come back, and--"

_Croak_!

What was that?

It was a peculiar sound made up in the air by Little John, and that
did it, for when young Robin looked up in astonishment, it was to
see the great fellow's face all puckered up, and--yes, there were
two great tears rolling down his cheeks as he caught the boy in his
arms and kissed him.

And so it was that when young Robin ran to bid Maid Marian
good-bye, he could no longer hold it back. As he clasped his arms
about her neck, and kissed her passionately again and again, the
sobs came fast, but the word _Good-bye_ would not come at all, and
when they rode away, the boy dared not look back for fear the men
should see his red and swollen eyes. So he only waved his hat, and
kept waving it to the last.

But he was to see some of his friends again, for about a year after
the Sheriff of Nottingham had the strangest visitors of his
life-time at his house, and young Robin enjoyed the task of
welcoming them, for as one old history says, Robin Hood was
forgiven and restored by the King to his rightful possessions, and