Then quoth Robin, "How cometh it that I saw young David of Doncaster with thee and thy men, Sir Knight ?" Then straightway the Knight told all about his stay at Denby and of the happening at the fair, and how it was like to go hard with young David; so he told his tale, and quoth he, "It was this, good Robin, that kept me so late on the way, otherwise I would have been here an hour agone." Then, when he had done speaking, Robin stretched out his hand and grasped the Knight's palm.

Quoth he in a trembling voice, "I owe thee a debt I can never hope to repay, Sir Richard, for let me tell thee, I would rather lose my right hand than have such ill befall young David of Doncaster as seemed like to come upon him at Denby." So they talked until after a while one came forward to say that the feast was spread; whereupon all arose and went thereto.

When at last it was done, the Knight called upon his men to bring the pack horses forward, which they did according to his bidding.

Then one of the men brought the Knight a strongbox, which he opened and took from it a bag and counted out five hundred pounds, the sum he had gotten from Robin.
"Sir Richard," quoth Robin, "thou wilt pleasure us all if thou wilt keep that money as a gift from us of Sherwood.

Is it not so, my lads ?" Then all shouted "Ay" with a mighty voice.
"I thank you all deeply," said the Knight earnestly, "but think it not ill of me if I cannot take it.