"Here is thy greatest danger, friend," said he, "for here we are nighest to that vile thief Robin Hood, and the place where he dwells.

Beyond this we come again to the open honest country, and so are more safe in our journeying." "Alas!" quoth Robin, "I would that I had as little money by me as thou hast, for this day I fear that Robin Hood will get every groat of my wealth." Then the other looked at Robin and winked cunningly.

Quoth he, "I tell thee, friend, that I have nigh as much by me as thou hast, but it is hidden so that never a knave in Sherwood could find it." "Thou dost surely jest," quoth Robin.

"How could one hide so much as two hundred pounds upon his person ?" "Now, as thou art so honest a fellow, and, withal, so much younger than I am, I will tell thee that which I have told to no man in all the world before, and thus thou mayst learn never again to do such a foolish thing as to trust to beggar's garb to guard thee against Robin Hood.

Seest thou these clogs upon my feet ?" "Yea," quoth Robin, laughing, "truly, they are large enough for any man to see, even were his sight as foggy as that of Peter Patter, who never could see when it was time to go to work." "Peace, friend," said the Corn Engrosser, "for this is no matter for jesting.