But, when the unsuspecting youth brought down this quarry, the forester proposed to arrest him for violating the law.
Robin, however, deftly escaped, and, when the keeper sent an arrow after him, retaliated by another, which, better aimed, killed one of the king's men! Although unwittingly guilty of murder, Robin, knowing his life was forfeit, took to the forest, where he became an outlaw.

In vain the Sheriff of Nottingham tried to secure him: Robin always evaded capture at his hands.

Still he did not remain in hiding, but frequently appeared among his fellow-men, none of whom would betray him, although the sheriff promised a reward of two hundred pounds for his capture.
Once, while in quest of adventures, Robin met on a narrow bridge a stranger who refused to make way for him.

Irritated by what he considered the man's insolence, Robin seized his quarter-staff, only to find that his antagonist more than matched him in the skilful use of this weapon.

Then a misstep suddenly toppled Robin over into the stream, where he might have perished had not some of his men leaped out of the thicket to his rescue.