[1][2] Mattie, a cheerful peasant boy with his grazing goose, wanders into the forest of Lord Blackheart.
Both of them are captured and the goose is judged to be the property of Blackheart, who in turn deals Mattie twenty-five lashes.
The lord takes the master to his forest to find suitable trees, and he selects enough for Blackheart's whole entourage to set to the tedious work.
For the expected final beating, the terrified Blackheart surrounds himself with a strong guard.
While they are unsuccessfully chasing him, the real Mattie catches Blackheart and beats him a third time in front of the crowd.