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How Robin Hood Came to Be an Outlaw
Thentakinguphisowngoodstoutbowandnockinganarrowwithcare,heshotwithhisverygreatestskill.Straightflewthearrow,andsotruethatitlitfairlyuponthestranger’sshaftandsplititintosplinters.Thenalltheyeomenleapedtotheirfeetandshoutedforjoythattheirmasterhadshotsowell.
"NowbythelustyyewbowofgoodSaintWithold,"criedthestranger,"thatisashotindeed,andneversawIthelikeinallmylifebefore!NowtrulywillIbethymanhenceforthandforaye.GoodAdamBell1wasafairshot,butnevershotheso!"
1AdamBell,Clymo’theClough,andWilliamofCloudeslywerethreenotednorth-countrybowmenwhosenameshavebeencelebratedinmanyballadsoftheoldentime.
"ThenhaveIgainedarightgoodmanthisday,"quothjollyRobin."Whatnamegoestthouby,goodfellow?"
"MencallmeJohnLittlewhenceIcame,"answeredthestranger.
ThenWillStutely,wholovedagoodjest,spokeup."Nay,fairlittlestranger,"saidhe,"IlikenotthynameandfainwouldIhaveitotherwise.Littleartthouindeed,andsmallofboneandsinew,thereforeshaltthoubechristenedLittleJohn,andIwillbethygodfather."
ThenRobinHoodandallhisbandlaughedalouduntilthestrangerbegantogrowangry.
"Anthoumakeajestofme,"quothhetoWillStutely,"thouwilthavesorebonesandlittlepay,andthatinshortseason."
