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Down they charged after them, but the outlaws made good their lead, and soon got through the gate and over the bridge which had been let down by Arthur-a-Bland. Close upon their heels came the soldiers so close, that Arthur had no time to close the gate again or raise the bridge. So he threw away his key and fell in with the yeomen, who now began their retreat up the long hill to the woods.
"My thanks, gentle palmer," quoth Robin, "your suggestion is good, and we will deploy to the gate upon the far side." So the men marched silently but quickly until they were near to the western gate. Then Arthur-a-Bland asked leave to go ahead as a scout, and quietly made his way to a point under the tower by the gate.
"Then if ever you loved me, and for the sake of that service, draw your bright brown sword and strike off my head; never let me fall alive into the hand of the Sheriff of Nottingham." "Not for all the gold in England would I do either of the things you suggest." "God forbid!" cried Arthur-a-Bland, hurrying to the rescue.
They made a sally in that direction, in order to mislead the soldiery, then abruptly turned and headed for the West gate, which was still guarded by Arthur-a-Bland. The Sheriff's men raised an exultant shout at this, thinking they had the enemy trapped.
So amid great merriment and right good fellowship the outlaws shook Middle by the hand, and he took oath of fealty, and thought no more of the Sheriff's daughter. In Nottingham there lived a jolly tanner, With a hey down, down, a down down! His name was Arthur-a-Bland, There was ne'er a squire in Nottinghamshire Dare bid bold Arthur stand.
Presently Robin entered the edge of the wood, when whom should he see but Arthur-a-Bland, busily creeping after a graceful deer that browsed alone down the glade. "Now by Saint George and the Dragon!" quoth Robin to himself. "I much fear that yon same fellow is a rascally poacher come after our own and the King's meat!"
It commonly takes two or three men to hold him." "Unless it be Eric o' Lincoln," said Arthur modestly; "and I well know how you paid him out at the Fair." "Say no more!" said Robin springing to his feet; "for well I know that I have done good business this day, and a few bruises are easy payment for the stout cudgel I am getting into the band. Your hand again, good Arthur-a-Bland!
Robin saw that he was discovered, so he determined to put a bold face on the matter, and went forward with some smart show of authority. "Hold!" he cried: "stay your hand! Why, who are you, bold fellow, to range so boldly here? In sooth, to be brief, ye look like a thief that has come to steal the King's deer." "Marry, it is scant concern of yours, what I look like!" retorted Arthur-a-Bland.
"And you do joy to see me thwacked about on the ribs?" asked Robin with some choler. "Nay, not that, master!" said Little John. "But 'tis the second time I have had special tickets to a show from beneath the bushes, and I cannot forbear my delight. Howsoever, take no shame unto yourself, for this same Arthur-a-Bland is the best man at the quarter-staff in all Nottinghamshire.
The band had been increased from time to time by picked men such as Arthur-a-Bland and David of Doncaster he who was the jolliest cobbler for miles around until it now numbered a full sevenscore of men; seven companies each with its stout lieutenant serving under Robin Hood.
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