Part 34 (1/2)
Another two days brought theue of Fountain's Abbey or Dale, as some folk call it
As they neared the Abbey Robin walked on in front of the rest and held his bow free in his hand
Presently he ca towards hith, approaching the far bank, Robin espied a knight, clad in chain ar, in a lusty voice, a hearty woodland song ”Now by ht Robin, puzzled, ”but I have heard this song before”
He peeped forth again, and saw that the knight filled up the spaces of his song with bites froreat pasty which he held in his hand His face was turned fro an arrow to his bow as he did so ”I pray you, Sir Knight, to carry er with his weapon
”Put down your bow, forester,” shouted the knight, ”and I will safely carry you across the brook 'Tis our duty in life to help each other, and I do see that you are a man worthy of so had done; but whilst he was searching his ht the latter had waded across to hi you to shore” He spoke through the bars of his closed visor
Robin had cast down his bow; and noithout thinking, juht carried hiossip, you shall carry ood turn deserves another, as you know”
”Nay, but I shall wet my feet,” Robin commenced
”No more than I have wetted mine,” retorted the other ”Besides, yonder is your bow, and small use are your arroithout it”
Robin perceived then that he had been too hasty He considered for a ht,” he said, presently, ”and I will carry you across the river”
The knight laughed and agreed, and Robin took hi hied 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 ht 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 sht was holding hihtly Just as he had opened his ht suddenly released his hold of Robin's legs, and shook hiained the other bank and his broadsword
Robin, et skin and spoiled bow, struggled back to the bank wherefroht in set terht
”'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 draord; and there in the center of the streaether valiantly for near a quarter of an hour ”I crave a boon of you, Sir Knight,” cried Robin, then feeling hi 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 claiht