the bank; but
at last he managed it. He set the knight down, then seized his bow.
"Now, friend, yonder is your sword. I'll e'en crave that you shall carry
me on your shoulders once more!"

The knight eyed Robin solemnly. "'Tis written in the Scriptures,
forester, that we should not be weary in well-doing," he observed, "so
for this reason I will do your behest. Get upon my back once more."

This time Robin carried his bow and smiled within himself. He found,
however, that the knight was holding him very lightly. Just as he had
opened his mouth in expostulation, the knight suddenly released his hold
of Robin's legs, and shook him into the running water. Then, laughing
heartily, he regained the other bank and his broadsword.

Robin, with wet skin and spoiled bow, struggled back to the bank
wherefrom he had first started out. He began to revile the knight in set
terms, and challenged him to fight.

"'Tis only fair, forester, that we should go half-way to each other,"
answered the knight, unconcernedly, "if so be we are able to fight. I
will come to the middle of the stream, and if I do not find you there, I
shall know you to be afraid."

Robin waded out to him with drawn sword; and there in the center of the
stream they fought together valiantly for near a quarter of an hour. "I
crave a boon of you, Sir Knight," cried Robin, then feeling himself in
danger of being drowned.

"'Tis yours, forester," spluttered the knight, still holding fast to his
manner of courtesy.

Forthwith Robin found his horn, and blew it somehow, all wet as it was.

"I too claim a boon," cried the knight.

"'Tis yours," answered Robin, hearing joyfully the approach of his men.

The knight produced a whistle and caused a shrill note to issue forth
from it. Even as Warrenton and the rest came leaping to Robin's rescue
on one hand, twenty and five great dogs sprang out of the bushes on the
opposite bank.

Warrenton and his fellows immediately sped a volley of arrows at the
yelping beasts; but, jumping and leaping they caught the arrows in their
mouths, even as they flew!

"I never have seen the like of this in my days!" cried Little John,
amazed. "'Tis rank sorcery and witchcraft."

"Take off your dogs, friar," cried Middle, who was the least surprised
of them all, "else ill will befall both them and you."

"He calls you friar," said Robin, astounded; "are you not a knight, in
sooth?"

"I am but a poor anchorite, a curtal friar," repl