ler of good hasty pudding! Come but within reach of my sword
arm, and, friar or no friar, I'll shave your tonsure closer than ever
bald-pated monk was shaven before!"

"Soft you and fair!" said the friar unconcernedly; "hard words are
cheap, and you may need your wind presently. An you would like a bout
with swords, meet me halfway i' the stream."

And with this speech the friar waded into the brook, sword in hand,
where he was met halfway by the impetuous outlaw.

Thereupon began a fierce and mighty battle. Up and down, in and out,
back and forth they fought. The swords flashed in the rays of the
declining sun and then met with a clash that would have 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. Nathless, their ribs ached at the force
of the blows. Once and again they paused by mutual consent and caught
breath and looked hard each at the other; for never had either met so
stout a fellow.

Finally in a furious onset of lunge and parry Robin's foot stepped on a
rolling stone, and he went down upon his knees. But his antagonist would
not take this advantage: he paused until Robin should get upon his feet.

"Now by our Lady!" cried the outlaw, using his favorite oath, "you are
the fairest swordsman that I have met in many a long day. I would beg a
boon of you."

"What is it?" said the other.

"Give me leave to set my horn to my mouth and blow three blasts
thereon."

"That will I do," said the curtall friar, "blow till your breath fails,
an it please you."

Then, says the old ballad, Robin Hood set his horn to mouth and blew
mighty blasts; and half a hundred yeomen, bows bent, came raking over
the lee.

"Whose men are these," said the friar, "that come so hastily?"

"These men are mine," said Robin Hood, feeling that his time to laugh
was come at last.

Then said the friar in his turn, "A boon, a boon, the like I gave to
you. Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth and whistle three blasts
thereon."

"That will I do," said Robin, "or else I were lacking in courtesy."

The friar set his fist to his mouth and put the horn to shame by the
piercing whistles he blew; whereupon half a hundred great dogs came
running and jumping so swiftly that they had reached their bank as soon
as Robin Hood's men had reached his side.

Then followed a rare foolish conflict. Stutely,