bootless errand

Finding nothing, they were filled with fury, and in their anger beat the Hermit on whose account they had come a bootless errand.

He had come out on a bootless errand, to save 171 the lives of certain men, if it might be.

And again adopting a bantering tone, "I trust, fair lady, I shall not return this time from a bootless errand."

At any rate, the army was obliged to withdraw from a bootless errand.

I would rather have a double purpose than a bootless errand, any day?