“My prisoner if you had come amongst us with your posse of armed men, sir,” said Robin Hood proudly.  “As it is, Master Sheriff, you come here alone with your guide, and I bid you welcome to our greenwood home.  Fate made me what I am, the Sheriff’s enemy, but the gentle visitor’s friend.  Come, Rob, my boy, show your father where he can take away the travel stains, and then bring him to our humble board.”

It was the next day that was to be young Robin’s last with the outlaws in the merry greenwood, and all were gathered together to bid him farewell, and see him safely with his father on the road; but not as the Sheriff had come, wearily and on foot, for half a dozen of the best mules were forthcoming, and the guests were to ride back on their journey home.

Who does not know how hard it is to say good-bye?  Young Robin did not till the time had come.

He awoke that morning joyful and eager to start, for it was to go back home in company with the father whom he loved; but when the time came he had to learn how tightly so many of his little heartstrings had taken hold of the life under the greenwood tree.  Everything about him had grown dear, and there was almost a mule load of treasures and pets of his own collecting that could not be left behind.

And when they had been carefully packed in panniers by Little John and one of the men, there was the task of bidding them all good-bye, and then those two words grew harder every time.

But he spoke out manfully and well, in spite of a choking sensation, till nearly the last.

“For I’m coming back again,” he said, “and you’ll take care of my pet fawn for me, Little John, and always remember to feed it well.  And don’t forget the dog and that dormouse we couldn’t find, so that I can have it when I come back, and—­”

Croak!

What was that?

It was a peculiar sound made up in the air by Little John, and that did it, for when young Robin looked up in astonishment, it was to see the great fellow’s face all puckered up, and—­yes, there were two great tears rolling down his cheeks as he caught the boy in his arms and kissed him.

And so it was that when young Robin ran to bid Maid Marian good-bye, he could no longer hold it back.  As he clasped his arms about her neck, and kissed her passionately again and again, the sobs came fast, but the word Good-bye would not come at all, and when they rode away, the boy dared not look back for fear the men should see his red and swollen eyes.  So he only waved his hat, and kept waving it to the last.

But he was to see some of his friends again, for about a year after the Sheriff of Nottingham had the strangest visitors of his life-time at his house, and young Robin enjoyed the task of welcoming them, for as one old history says, Robin Hood was forgiven and restored by the King to his rightful possessions, and then it was that he was gladly welcomed by the Sheriff, who said he was honored by the visit of the nobleman and his lady.