Robin Hood and the Tinker

           NowitwastoldbefoorehowtwohundredpoundsweresetuponRobinHood’shead,andhowtheSheriffofNottinghamsworethathehimselfwouldseizeRobin,bothbecausehewouldfainhavethetwohundredpoundsandbecausetheslainmanwasakinsmanofhisown.NowtheSheriffdidnotyetknowwhataforceRobinhadabouthiminSherwood,butthoughtthathemightserveawarrantforhisarrestashecoulduponanyothermanthathadbrokenthelaws;thereforeheofferedfourscoregoldenangelstoanyonewhowouldservethiswarrant.ButmenofNottinghamTownknewmoreofRobinHoodandhisdoingsthantheSheriffdid,andmanylaughedtothinkofservingawarrantupontheboldoutlaw,knowingwellthatalltheywouldgetforsuchservicewouldbecrackedcrowns;sothatnoonecameforwardtotakethematterinhand.Thusafortnightpassed,inwhichtimenonecameforwardtodotheSheriff’sbusiness.Thensaidhe,"ArightgoodrewardhaveIofferedtowhosoeverwouldservemywarrantuponRobinHood,andImarvelthatnoonehascometoundertakethetask."

           Thenoneofhismenwhowasnearhimsaid,"Goodmaster,thouwottestnottheforcethatRobinHoodhasabouthimandhowlittlehecaresforwarrantofkingorsheriff.Truly,noonelikestogoonthisservice,forfearofcrackedcrownsandbrokenbones."

           "ThenIholdallNottinghammentobecowards,"saidtheSheriff."AndletmeseethemaninallNottinghamshirethatdaredisobeythewarrantofoursovereignlordKingHarry,for,bytheshrineofSaintEdmund,Iwillhanghimfortycubitshigh!ButifnomaninNottinghamdarewinfourscoreangels,Iwillsendelsewhere,forthereshouldbemenofmettlesomewhereinthisland."