Now there was no sign of any foul weather, but when one wishes to do a thing, as Little John did, one finds no lack of reasons for the doing.
Four merry wags were at the Blue Boar Inn; a butcher, a beggar, and two barefoot friars.

Little John heard them singing from afar, as he walked through the hush of the mellow twilight that was now falling over hill and dale.

Right glad were they to welcome such a merry blade as Little John.

Fresh cans of ale were brought, and with jest and song and merry tales the hours slipped away on fleeting wings.

None thought of time or tide till the night was so far gone that Little John put by the thought of setting forth upon his journey again that night, and so bided at the Blue Boar Inn until the morrow.
Now it was an ill piece of luck for Little John that he left his duty for his pleasure, and he paid a great score for it, as we are all apt to do in the same case, as you shall see.
Up he rose at the dawn of the next day, and, taking his stout pikestaff in his hand, he set forth upon his journey once more, as though he would make up for lost time.
In the good town of Blyth there lived a stout tanner, celebrated far and near for feats of strength and many tough bouts at wrestling and the quarterstaff.