"Why," quoth he, "give thee a se'ennight and thou wilt be roaming the woodlands as boldly as ever." But Robin shook his head and smiled faintly where he lay.

"Mine own dear Little John," whispered he, "Heaven bless thy kind, rough heart.

But, dear friend, we will never roam the woodlands together again." "Ay, but we will!" quoth Little John loudly.

"I say again, ay--out upon it--who dares say that any more harm shall come upon thee?
Am I not by?
Let me see who dares touch--" Here he stopped of a sudden, for his words choked him.

At last he said, in a deep, husky voice, "Now, if aught of harm befalls thee because of this day's doings, I swear by Saint George that the red cock shall crow over the rooftree of this house, for the hot flames shall lick every crack and cranny thereof.