"I must keep going," he kept telling himself. "I must warn the Sheriff, the Pixies are coming!"
As he entered the clearing at the junction, he could hear the Pixies some distance behind, but catching up. He looked back to see if they were in sight.
"Not in sight," he gasped thankfully.
Then, as Marbell turned his face back to the front, he ran straight into the signpost, knocking it flat and making him feel rather dizzy.
"Oh drat, I'd better put it back. Um, but which bit points where?"
He could hear the sound of feet, many small feet, coming up the trail.
"Oh, that'll do," he said, pushing the sign back into a hole the ground. "Now, which way to the castle. Ah, that way."
Captain Marbell came to the rope bridge across the chasm.
"Ah, a rope bridge across the moat, the guards must have got back and warned the Sheriff. They've pulled up the drawbridge and left this rope bridge so that I can get in."
Captain Marbell crossed the bridge and was never seen again.
Meanwhile, back at the junction.
Robin entered the clearing; he was fifty metres ahead of the Robin Hood supporters club.
"Ah back to the river I think," he said as he raced past the signpost.
Robin was just thinking that he didn't recognise the trail when he rounded a bend and saw the castle in front of him.
"That'll have to do, they're beginning to catch up."
The Sheriff was called to the ramparts.
"Quick your Lordship, we're being attacked by an army of Pixies," the sergeant at arms reported.
"Curses, they've come for me," the Sheriff snarled. "Pack the cash, I'm leaving by the back door."
And so it was that the evil Sheriff of Nottingham abandoned the castle, taking all the cash and the guards with him.
As Robin entered the castle the whole place was filled with cheering people. He was welcomed as a hero and given the freedom of the city.
The Robin Hood supporters club explained that they were only having a bit of fun.
"And you've saved our leader, the real Robin Hood, who is imprisoned in the dungeons below us," they told Robin.
"Then lets free him, for you will need a good man to rule in Nottingham Castle," Robin replied.
"Hurrahhh!" they all yelled.
Robin Hood was freed and introduced to Robin.
"Robin, meet Robin."
"Robin."
"Robin."
"Robin, will you stay and help us fight the good fight? Will you
73
74