The Sheriff of Nottingham offers a reward for Robin Hood’s capture; but the citizens of Nottingham shy away from the offer because they know that going after Robin Hood will only earn them “cracked crowns and broken bones” (20). The Sheriff sends a messenger, a tinker named Wat o’ the Crabstaff, to the town of Lincoln to see if anyone there is willing to do the job.

The Tinker meets with Robin Hood on the road, without knowing who he is. The two men befriend each other and stop at the Blue Boar Inn. There, Robin gets the Tinker drunk and leaves him asleep. After the Tinker wakes up and realizes what has happened, he leaves the tavern in anger. He and Robin again meet on the road, and they come to blows with their staffs. When Robin’s staff breaks and the Tinker has him cornered, Robin blows his horn and Little John and six other Merry Men come to his rescue. Robin invites the Tinker to join his band, and he good-naturedly accepts.