and yonder is the bishop of Hereford, with all his men, who wants to bring me to the gallows.” “If thou be Robin Hood,” said the old woman, “as I think thou art, I would as soon lose my own life, as not do all in my power to save thee. Many a time have Little John and thou done me a kindness, and brought me venison; and no longer ago than last Saturday night thou gave me a pair of new shoes, and this green kirtle.” “Then,” said Robin Hood, “give me thy green kirtle, and thy close-eared cap, and put into my hands thy distaff and spindle, and do thou take my scarlet mantle and my quiver and bow.” As soon as they had made this change, Robin Hood left the house, and went to the place where all his company were to be found. He looked behind him a hundred times for the bishop, who had no thoughts of finding him in this disguise. One of the robbers, who was a spiteful fellow, as Robin Hood came near them, cried out, “A witch! a witch! I will let fly an arrow at her.” “Hold thy hand,” said Robin Hood, “and shoot not thy arrows so keen, for I am Robin Hood, thy master.” Then he went up to Little John, and said, “Come, kill a good fat deer, for the Bishop of Hereford is to dine with me to-day.” While this was going on, the bishop came to the old woman’s house; and seeing a man, as he thought, with a mantle of scarlet, and a quiver and a bow in his hand, he shook his head, and said, “I am afraid you are one of Robin Hood’s gang. If you have not a mind to be hanged yourself, shew me where that traitor is, and set him before me.” The old woman agreed to this. “Go with me,” said she to the bishop, “and I think I can bring you to the man you want.” The bishop then mounted her upon a milk-white steed, and himself rode upon a dapple-grey; and, for joy that he should get Robin Hood, he went laughing all the way. But, as they were riding along the forest, the bishop saw a hundred brave bowmen, drawn up together under a tree. “Oh! who is yonder,” said the bishop, “ranging within the wood?” “Why,” said the old woman, “I think it is a man they call Robin Hood.” “Why, who art thou?” said the bishop; “for, to tell thee the truth, I thought thou hadst been Robin Hood himself.” “Oh! my lord,” said she, “I am only an old woman.”