Robin Hood

ok Robin Hoo

r he did

ither good w

me at the

t adventure. Then some would leap and some would run and some try archery and some ply the quarter-staff and some fall to with the good broad sword. Some again would try a roun

usually skilled in any feat of arms he would seek the man and test him in personal encounter-which did not always end hap

ooting, in which Little John struck down a hart at fiv

the burly fellow on the shoulder; "I would travel

carlet laughed

untain's Abbey-Tuck, by name-who c

p his ears at t

'll neither eat nor drink

cap of steel. Underneath his Lincoln green he wore a coat of chain metal. Then with sword and buckler girded

ays till he came to a green broad pasture land at whose edge flowed a stream dipping in and out among the willows and rushes on the banks. A pleasant stream it was, but it flowed ca

from the farther side; then came a sound of two men's voices arguing. One was upholding the merits of hasty pud

izing speech to a hungry man! But, odds bodikins! did ev

rvel at the speech, for the

d that one a stout curtall friar who wore a long cloak over his portly frame, tied with a cord in the middle. On his head was a knight's helmet, and in his hand was a no more warlike weapon than a hu

and shiny; and his little gray eyes danced about with the funniest air imaginable. You would not have blamed Robin Hood for wanting to laugh, had you heard this serious two-faced talk and then seen this jovial one-faced man. Good humor and fat living stood out all over him; yet for all that he look

n he saw the meat pie which was now in fair way to be devoured before his very eyes; for the fri

seized his bow a

ry me over the water, or else I

d laid his hand upon his sword. Then he looked u

worthy of some attention." So the friar knight got him up gravely, though his eyes twinkled with a cunning light, and laid aside his beloved pie and his cloak and his sword

back, and said, "I am much

d much more important than yours which are carnal, lie on the other side of this stream. I see that you are a likely man and one, moreover, who would not refuse to

hat Robin had no time to unsling his bow from his back, whither he had placed it

ut I shall get my fe

"I fear me now that I have already wetted myself so sadly

d sword and buckler would be my undoing on the uncertain foot

ed the other calmly. "Promise to carry me

n stripped himself; and Robin bent his stout

mbling along now stepping into a deep hole, now stumbling over a boulder in a manner that threatened to unseat his rider or plunge them both clear under current. But the fat friar hung on and dug his heels into his steed's ribs in as

the friar down than h

y the Scriptures that you quote so glibly?-Be not weary of well doing. You must c

a cunning gleam that boded no good to Robin; b

of the stream have not quenched your spirit. Once more will I be

reat words to use, when he should arrive thither, he felt himself slipping from the friar's broad back. He clutched frantically to save himself but had too round

r swim!" And he gained his own bank without more ado, while Robin thrashed and spluttered abo

nd let fly one shaft after another at the worthy friar. But they rattled harmlessly off hi

t; "shoot as you have begun; if you shoot her

ll all his arrows were gone, when f

good hasty pudding! Come but within reach of my sword arm, and, friar or no fri

ds are cheap, and you may need your wind presently. An you w

to the brook, sword in hand, where he w

shivered less sturdy weapons or disarmed less sturdy wielders. Many a smart blow was landed, but each perceived that the other wore an undercoat of linked mail which might not be pierced. Nat

rolling stone, and he went down upon his knees. But his antagonist would

ite oath, "you are the fairest swordsman that I have

it?" said

horn to my mouth and bl

tall friar, "blow till your br

n to mouth and blew mighty blasts; and half a hun

," said the friar, "

bin Hood, feeling that his ti

the like I gave to you. Give me leave to set my

Robin, "or else I wer

les he blew; whereupon half a hundred great dogs came running and jumping so swiftl

g their arrows whizzing toward the opposite bank; but the dogs, which were taught of the friar, dodg

ke of this in my days!" c

sorcery and

ill Scarlet, who had but then run up, and w

d. "Are you Friar Tuck? Then am I your

I tended the Abbey here, preached o' Sundays, and married and christened and buried folk-and fought too, if need were; and if it smacks not too

ll Scarlet glancing roguishly at the two opponents' dripping garments. And at this sal

indeed that famous yeoman? Then I like you well; and had I known you ear

your dogs and repair with us to the greenwood. We have need of you-with this message came I to-day to seek you. W

y. "Once more will I cross this much beforded