Marry, the blood upon me is that of the vilest outlaw that ever trod the woodlands, and one whom I have slain this day, albeit not without wound to myself." Then out spake Little John, for the first time since he had fallen into the Sheriff's hands.

"O thou vile, bloody wretch! I know thee, Guy of Gisbourne, for who is there that hath not heard of thee and cursed thee for thy vile deeds of blood and rapine?
Is it by such a hand as thine that the gentlest heart that ever beat is stilled in death?
Truly, thou art a fit tool for this coward Sheriff of Nottingham.

Now I die joyfully, nor do I care how I die, for life is nought to me!" So spake Little John, the salt tears rolling down his brown cheeks.
But the Sheriff of Nottingham clapped his hands for joy.

"Now, Guy of Gisbourne," cried he, "if what thou tellest me is true, it will be the best day's doings for thee that ever thou hast done in all thy life." "What I have told thee is sooth, and I lie not," said Robin, still in Guy of Gisbourne's voice.

"Look, is not this Robin Hood's sword, and is not this his good bow of yew, and is not this his bugle horn?
Thinkest thou he would have given them to Guy of Gisbourne of his own free will ?" Then the Sheriff laughed aloud for joy.