The road was hot and dusty and his journey had been long, for that day he had come all the way from Leicester Town, a good twenty miles and more; wherefore young Partington was right glad when he saw before him a sweet little inn, all shady and cool beneath the trees, in front of the door of which a sign hung pendant, bearing the picture of a blue boar.  Here he drew rein and called loudly for a pottle of Rhenish wine to be brought him, for stout country ale was too coarse a drink for this young gentleman.  Five lusty fellows sat upon the bench beneath the pleasant shade of the wide-spreading oak in front of the inn door, drinking ale and beer, and all stared amain at this fair and gallant lad.  Two of the stoutest of them were clothed in Lincoln green, and a great heavy oaken staff leaned against the gnarled oak tree trunk beside each fellow.

The landlord came and brought a pottle of wine and a long narrow glass upon a salver, which he held up to the Page as he sat upon his horse.  Young Partington poured forth the bright yellow wine and holding the glass aloft, cried, “Here is to the health and long happiness of my royal mistress, the noble Queen Eleanor; and may my journey and her desirings soon have end, and I find a certain stout yeoman men call Robin Hood.”

At these words all stared, but presently the two stout yeomen in Lincoln green began whispering together.  Then one of the two, whom Partington thought to be the tallest and stoutest fellow he had ever beheld, spoke up and said, “What seekest thou of Robin Hood, Sir Page?  And what does our good Queen Eleanor wish of him?  I ask this of thee, not foolishly, but with reason, for I know somewhat of this stout yeoman.”

“An thou knowest aught of him, good fellow,” said young Partington, “thou wilt do great service to him and great pleasure to our royal Queen by aiding me to find him.”

Then up spake the other yeoman, who was a handsome fellow with sunburned face and nut-brown, curling hair, “Thou hast an honest look, Sir Page, and our Queen is kind and true to all stout yeomen.  Methinks I and my friend here might safely guide thee to Robin Hood, for we know where he may be found.  Yet I tell thee plainly, we would not for all merry England have aught of harm befall him.”

“Set thy mind at ease; I bring nought of ill with me,” quoth Richard Partington.  “I bring a kind message to him from our Queen, therefore an ye know where he is to be found, I pray you to guide me thither.”

Then the two yeomen looked at one another again, and the tall man said, “Surely it were safe to do this thing, Will”; whereat the other nodded.  Thereupon both arose, and the tall yeoman said, “We think thou art true, Sir Page, and meanest no harm, therefore we will guide thee to Robin Hood as thou dost wish.”

Then Partington paid his score, and the yeomen coming forward, they all straightway departed upon their way.