Page 181 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

his sword from his side and handed it to the other, who
thrust it with his own beneath his arm. Then once more
the Friar bent his back, and, Robin having mounted upon
it, he stepped sturdily into the water and so strode onward,
splashing in the shoal, and breaking all the smooth surface
into ever-widening rings. At last he reached the other side
and Robin leaped lightly from his back.
‘Many thanks, good father,’ quoth he. ‘Thou art indeed a
good and holy man. Prythee give me my sword and let me
away, for I am in haste.’
At this the stout Friar looked upon Robin for a long time,
his head on one side, and with a most waggish twist to his
face; then he slowly winked his right eye. ‘Nay, good youth,’
said he gently, ‘I doubt not that thou art in haste with thine
affairs, yet thou dost think nothing of mine. Thine are of a
carnal nature; mine are of a spiritual nature, a holy work, so
to speak; moreover, mine affairs do lie upon the other side of
this stream. I see by thy quest of this same holy recluse that
thou art a good young man and most reverent to the cloth. I
did get wet coming hither, and am sadly afraid that should
I wade the water again I might get certain cricks and pains
i’ the joints that would mar my devotions for many a day to
come. I know that since I have so humbly done thy bidding
thou wilt carry me back again. Thou seest how Saint Go-
drick, that holy hermit whose natal day this is, hath placed
in my hands two swords and in thine never a one. Therefore
be persuaded, good youth, and carry me back again.’
Robin Hood looked up and he looked down, biting his
nether lip. Quoth he, ‘Thou cunning Friar, thou hast me

1 0 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood