uiver with arrows. Thus armed, he set forth to Fountains Dale.

By the side of the river a friar was walking, armed like Robin, but
without a bow. At this sight Robin jumped from his horse, which he
tied to a thorn, and called to the friar to carry him over the water or
it would cost him his life.

The friar said nothing, but hoisted Robin on his broad back and marched
into the river. Not a word was spoken till they reached the other
side, when Robin leaped lightly down, and was going on his way when the
friar stopped him. "Not so fast, my fine fellow," said he. "It is my
turn now, and you shall take me across the river, or woe will betide
you."

So Robin carried him, and when they had reached the side from which
they had started, he set down the friar and jumped for the second time
on his back, and bade him take him whence he had come. The friar
strode into the stream with his burden, but as soon as they got to the
middle he bent his head and Robin fell into the water. "Now you can
sink or swim as you like," said the friar, as he stood and laughed.

[Illustration: Friar Tuck upsets Robin Hood]

Robin Hood swam to a bush of golden broom, and pulled himself out of
the water, and while the friar was scrambling out Robin fitted an arrow
to his bow and let fly at him. But the friar quickly held up his
shield, and the arrow fell harmless.

"Shoot on, my fine fellow, shoot on all day if you like," shouted the
friar, and Robin shot till his arrows were gone, but always missed his
mark. Then they took their swords, and at four of the afternoon they
were still fighting.

By this time Robin's strength was wearing, and he felt he could not
fight much more. "A boon, a boon!" cried he. "Let me but blow three
blasts on my horn, and I will thank you on my bended knees for it."

The friar told him to blow as many blasts as he liked, and in an
instant the forest echoed with his horn; it was but a few minutes
before "half a hundred yeomen were racing over the lea". The friar
stared when he saw them; then, turning to Robin, he begged of him a
boon also, and leave being granted he gave three whistles, which were
followed by the noise of a great crashing through the trees, as fifty
great dogs bounded towards him.

"Here's a dog for each of your men," said the friar, "and I myself for
you"; but the dogs did not listen to his words, for two of them rushed
at Robin, and tore his mantle of Lincoln green from off his back.