I would that I had an army of such as he."
To this the Sheriff answered never a word, but all the blood left his
cheeks, and he caught at the pommel of his saddle to keep himself from
falling; for he also saw the fellow that so shouted, and knew him to be
Friar Tuck; and, moreover, behind Friar Tuck he saw the faces of Robin
Hood and Little John and Will Scarlet and Will Stutely and Allan a Dale
and others of the band.
"How now," said the King hastily, "art thou ill, Sheriff, that thou
growest so white?"
"Nay, Your Majesty," said the Sheriff, "it was nought but a sudden pain
that will soon pass by." Thus he spake, for he was ashamed that the
King should know that Robin Hood feared him so little that he thus dared
to come within the very gates of Nottingham Town.
Thus rode the King into Nottingham Town on that bright afternoon in the
early fall season; and none rejoiced more than Robin Hood and his merry
men to see him come so royally unto his own.
Eventide had come; the great feast in the Guild Hall at Nottingham Town
was done, and the wine passed freely.
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