Vexed at being beaten at quarter-staff, Robin now proposed a shooting-match, and, his good humor entirely restored by winning a victory in this contest, he promptly enrolled the stranger in his band.

His merry companions, on learning the huge new-comer was John Little, ironically termed him Little John, by which name he became very famous.
Baffled in his attempts to secure Robin and unable to find any one near there to serve a warrant upon him, the sheriff hired a Lincoln tinker, who, entering an inn, loudly boasted how cleverly he was going to accomplish his task.

Among his listeners was the outlaw, who enticed the tinker to drink, and made him so drunk that he had no difficulty in stealing his warrant.
The tinker, on awaking, was furious, and, coming face to face with Robin soon after, attacked him fiercely.

Seeing his opponent was getting the better of him, Robin blew his horn, whereupon six of his men appeared to aid him.

Awed by the sudden appearance of these men,--who were all clad in Lincoln green,--the tinker laid down his cudgel and humbly begged permission to join the band.
The baffled sheriff now rode off to London to complain, but, when Henry heard one of his officers could not capture an outlaw, he indignantly bade him leave the court and not appear there again until he had secured Robin.