Brother, pass the pottle lest it grow cold." But all the four beggars leaped to their feet when Robin had done speaking, and the Blind man snatched up a heavy knotted cudgel that lay beside him on the grass, as did the others likewise.

Then Robin, seeing that things were like to go ill with him, albeit he knew not what all the coil was about, leaped to his feet also and, catching up his trusty staff, clapped his back against the tree and stood upon his guard against them.

"How, now!" cried he, twirling his staff betwixt his fingers, "would you four stout fellows set upon one man?
Stand back, ye rascals, or I will score your pates till they have as many marks upon them as a pothouse door! Are ye mad?
I have done you no harm." "Thou liest!" quoth the one who pretended to be blind and who, being the lustiest villain, was the leader of the others, "thou liest! For thou hast come among us as a vile spy.

But thine ears have heard too much for thy body's good, and thou goest not forth from this place unless thou goest feet foremost, for this day thou shalt die! Come, brothers, all together! Down with him!" Then, whirling up his cudgel, he rushed upon Robin as an angry bull rushes upon a red rag.

But Robin was ready for any happening.