ble in the meal, and, when all the
outlaws were bending anxiously over it, flung a double handful of
flour right into their eyes, thus blinding them temporarily. Had not
other outlaws now rushed out of the thicket, the miller would
doubtless have effected his escape, but the new arrivals held him fast
until Robin, charmed with his ready wit, invited him to become an
outlaw too.

Some time after this, Robin, Will Scarlet, and Little John discovered
the minstrel Allan a Dale weeping in the forest because his
sweetheart, fair Ellen, was compelled by her father to marry a rich
old squire. Hearing this tale and sympathizing with the lovers, Robin
engaged to unite them, provided he could secure a priest to tie the
knot. When told Friar Tuck would surely oblige him, Robin started out
in quest of him, and, finding him under a tree, feasting alone and
toasting himself, he joined in his merry meal. Then, under the pretext
of saving his fine clothes from a wetting, Robin persuaded the friar
to carry him pick-a-back across a stream. While doing so, the friar
stole Robin's sword, and refused to give it back unless the outlaw
carried him back. Following Friar Tuck's example, Robin slyly
purloined something from him, and exacted a new ride across the river,
during which Friar Tuck tumbled him over into the water. Robin, who
had hitherto taken his companion's pleasantries good-naturedly, got
angry and began a fight, but soon, feeling he was about to be worsted,
he loudly summoned his men. Friar Tuck in return whistled for his
dogs, which proved quite formidable enough opponents to induce the
outlaws to beg for a truce.

Robin now secured Friar Tuck to celebrate Allan's marriage and laid
clever plans to rescue Ellen from an unwelcome bridegroom. So all
proceeded secretly or openly to the church where the marriage was to
take place. Pretending to be versed in magic, Robin swore to the
ecclesiastics present that, if they would only give him the jewels
they wore, he would guarantee the bride should love the bridegroom.
Just as the reluctant Ellen was about to be united to the rich old
squire by these churchmen, Robin interfered, and (the angry bridegroom
having flounced out of church), bribed the father to allow Friar Tuck
to unite Ellen and Allan a Dale. Because the bride undoubtedly loved
her spouse, Robin claimed the jewels promised him, and bestowed them
upon the happy couple, who adopted Sherwood Forest for their home.

Weary of t