dreadful was going to happen. Maybe he was 
only cold and hungry. Pretty soon Grandpa 
Strong came out to feed his hens. He threw out 
his pan full of cracked corn, pulled his coat 
more closely about him, and went back to the 
house. 
Robin Hood looked down and saw the chickens 
enjoying their breakfast. Why should he not 
have some of it, too? He had often fed there 
before, hopping about on the outskirts of the 
feeding flock and taking care not to come too 
close to any of the hens. For a minute or two 
he looked on and then flew down to the chicken 
yard. The corn was good and soon he was 
enjoying it greatly. He’ became so absorbed 
that for a moment he must have forgotten 
where he was, and then something struck him on 
the head. The blow was so severe that he was 
too dazed to fly. It was Martha, the old hen, 
who had pecked him with her bill, and before he 
could recover she struck him again. He dropped 
fluttering on the ground. Other hens walked up 
and pecked him rapidly, most of their blows fall- 
ing on his head. They continued to strike him 
101 : 
