“No, no,” quoth Robin hastily, and looking sideways at Little John, “thou didst not harm me.  But say no more of that, I prythee.  Yet I will say, lad, that I hope I may never feel again such a blow as thou didst give me.  By’r Lady, my arm doth tingle yet from fingernail to elbow.  Truly, I thought that I was palsied for life.  I tell thee, coz, that thou art the strongest man that ever I laid mine eyes upon.  I take my vow, I felt my stomach quake when I beheld thee pluck up yon green tree as thou didst.  But tell me, how camest thou to leave Sir Edward and thy mother?”

“Alas!” answered young Gamwell, “it is an ill story, uncle, that I have to tell thee.  My father’s steward, who came to us after old Giles Crookleg died, was ever a saucy varlet, and I know not why my father kept him, saving that he did oversee with great judgment.  It used to gall me to hear him speak up so boldly to my father, who, thou knowest, was ever a patient man to those about him, and slow to anger and harsh words.  Well, one day—­and an ill day it was for that saucy fellow—­he sought to berate my father, I standing by.  I could stand it no longer, good uncle, so, stepping forth, I gave him a box o’ the ear, and—­ wouldst thou believe it?—­the fellow straightway died o’t.  I think they said I broke his neck, or something o’ the like.  So off they packed me to seek thee and escape the law.  I was on my way when thou sawest me, and here I am.”

“Well, by the faith of my heart,” quoth Robin Hood, “for anyone escaping the law, thou wast taking it the most easily that ever I beheld in all my life.  Whenever did anyone in all the world see one who had slain a man, and was escaping because of it, tripping along the highway like a dainty court damsel, sniffing at a rose the while?”

“Nay, uncle,” answered Will Gamwell, “overhaste never churned good butter, as the old saying hath it.  Moreover, I do verily believe that this overstrength of my body hath taken the nimbleness out of my heels.  Why, thou didst but just now rap me thrice, and I thee never a once, save by overbearing thee by my strength.”

“Nay,” quoth Robin, “let us say no more on that score.  I am right glad to see thee, Will, and thou wilt add great honor and credit to my band of merry fellows.  But thou must change thy name, for warrants will be out presently against thee; so, because of thy gay clothes, thou shalt henceforth and for aye be called Will Scarlet.”

“Will Scarlet,” quoth Little John, stepping forward and reaching out his great palm, which the other took, “Will Scarlet, the name fitteth thee well.  Right glad am I to welcome thee among us.  I am called Little John; and this is a new member who has just joined us, a stout tanner named Arthur a Bland.  Thou art like to achieve fame, Will, let me tell thee, for there will be many a merry ballad sung about the country, and many a merry story told in Sherwood of how Robin Hood taught Little John and Arthur a Bland the proper way to use the quarterstaff; likewise, as it were, how our good master bit off so large a piece of cake that he choked on it.”