Nevertheless, come on, and I will strive my best to serve you all."
"Stop!" cried Robin Hood, "we will fight no more. I take my vow, this
is an ill day for thee and me, Little John. I do verily believe that my
wrist, and eke my arm, are palsied by the jar of the blow that this
stranger struck me."
Then Little John turned to Robin Hood. "Why, how now, good master,"
said he. "Alas! Thou art in an ill plight. Marry, thy jerkin is all
befouled with the dust of the road. Let me help thee to arise."
"A plague on thy aid!" cried Robin angrily. "I can get to my feet
without thy help, good fellow."
"Nay, but let me at least dust thy coat for thee. I fear thy poor bones
are mightily sore," quoth Little John soberly, but with a sly twinkle in
his eyes.
"Give over, I say!" quoth Robin in a fume. "My coat hath been dusted
enough already, without aid of thine." Then, turning to the stranger,
he said, "What may be thy name, good fellow?"
"My name is Gamwell," answered the other.
"Ha!" cried Robin, "is it even so? I have near kin of that name. Whence
camest thou, fair friend?"
"From Maxfield Town I come," answered the stranger.
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