A distant trampling of horses was heard.

The sounds approached rapidly, and at length a group of horsemen glittering in holyday dresses was visible among the trees.
"God's my life!" said Robin, "what means this?
To arms, my merrymen all." "No arms, Robin," said the foremost horseman, riding up and springing from his saddle: "have you forgotten Sir William of the Lee ?" "No, by my fay," said Robin; "and right welcome again to Sherwood." Little John bustled to re-array the disorganised economy of the table, and replace the dilapidations of the provender.
"I come late, Robin," said Sir William, "but I came by a wrestling, where I found a good yeoman wrongfully beset by a crowd of sturdy varlets, and I staid to do him right." "I thank thee for that, in God's name," said Robin, "as if thy good service had been to myself." "And here," said the knight, "is thy four hundred pound; and my men have brought thee an hundred bows and as many well-furnished quivers; which I beseech thee to receive and to use as a poor token of my grateful kindness to thee: for me and my wife and children didst thou redeem from beggary." "Thy bows and arrows," said Robin, "will I joyfully receive: but of thy money, not a penny.

It is paid already.

My Lady, who was thy security, hath sent it me for thee." Sir William pressed, but Robin was inflexible.
"It is paid," said Robin, "as this good knight can testify, who saw my Lady's messenger depart but now." Sir William looked round to the stranger knight, and instantly fell on his knee, saying, "God save King Richard." The foresters, friar and all, dropped on their knees together, and repeated in chorus: "God save King Richard." "Rise, rise," said Richard, smiling: "Robin is king here, as his lady hath shown.

I have heard much of thee, Robin, both of thy present and thy former state.