Part 33 (1/2)

”Was Robin o' th' Hood _that_ little bag of bones?” cried Middle, in great vexation ”God-a-mercy, but now I see it all He has taken ossip; be sure that I will bring hi to be paid, good friend,” said the landlord

”Why, I would pay you with all pleasure, had I the means,” the tinker replied ”At thisof tools I will leave thees”

”Give me your leathern coat as well,” said ht to me”

”It would seem that I am fallen from one thief to another,” snapped Middle ”If you ith ive you such a crack as shall drive so your breath and one after your quarry”

Middle thought this to be good advice, and he strode forth froone half aunder the trees a little in front of him ”Ho there! you villain!” shouted Middle ”Stay your steps I am most desperately in need of you this day!”

Robin turned about with a surprised face ”Well ain, tinker,”

cried he ”Have you found Robin Hood?”

”Marry, that have I!” roared Middle, plunging at him

Robin had his sword at his side and tried to draw it; but the tinker was too speedy for hior that for a while he had Robin at his ht, for now Robin had plucked out his sword 'Twas steel against oak; brute force e, and he fought with such fury that Robin's sides began to ache

”Hold your hand, tinker,” called Robin, at last ”I cry a boon of you”

”I would rather hang you upon this tree ere granting it to you,” said Middle, co afresh

But Robin had had tient summons of Stuteley and Little John

In a brief space they appeared, with reenwood men at their heels, and Master Middle was seized and disarh

”This rascal tinker had made my bones quite sore,” said Robin, ruefully

”Is that your trouble?” said Little John ”Let me discover now if I may not do the like for him”

”Not so, Little John,” Robin said then ”This was ue has bestowed on me He had a warrant for my arrest, which I have stolen from him”

”With twelve silver pennies, a crust of bread, and six little keys,”

remarked Middle, with eossip,” answered Robin, sold Here also, if you will, is my hand”

”I take it heartily, with the pence!” cried Middle, seizing the slim, frank hand of the outlaw ”By my leathern coat, by my pots and pans, I swear I like you, friend Hood, and will serve you and your men honestly!

Do you want a tinker? Nay; but I'll swear you do--who else can rind your swords and patch your pannikins? Will you take ht so well, and who kno to play a bold game?”