not appear before sunset, his lands would be forfeited. Presently the knight of Wierysdale came in, and pretended to beg for mercy; but the proud Abbot spurned him, when Sir Rychard flung the gold at his feet and snatched away the deed, telling him if he had shown a little Christian mercy he should not only have returned the money, but made a present to the Abbey. And, indeed, the monks had to rue their mercilessness in the end, as Robin Hood levied a toll of eight hundred pounds upon them as they once passed through Sherwood Forest, which enabled him to forgive Sir Rychard's debt, when that trusty knight came to discharge it at the appointed time.

Another time, as Robin Hood was roaming through the Forest, he saw a handsome young man, in a very elegant suit, who was passing over the plain, singing blithely as he went. On the following morning he was surprised to see the same young man coming along with disordered clothes and dishevelled hair, and sighing deeply at every step, and saying, "Alack and well-a-day!" Robin Hood having sent one of his men to fetch him, inquired what lay so heavy on his heart, and why he was so gladsome yesterday and so sorry to-day. The young man pulled out his purse, and showed him a ring, saying, "I bought this yesterday to marry a maiden I have courted these seven long years, and this morning she is gone to church to wed another." "Does she love you?" said Robin. "She has told me so a hundred times," answered Allan-aDale for such was the youth's name. "Tut, man! then

she is not worth caring for, if she be so fickle!” cried Robin Hood. "But she does not love him," interrupted Allan-aDale: "he is an old cripple, quite unfit for such a lovely

as a lamb."

lass." "Then why does she marry him?” inquired Robin Hood. "Because the old knight is rich, and her parents insist upon it, and have scolded and raved at her till she is as meek "And where is the wedding to take place?" "At our parish, five miles from hence," said Allan; "and the Bishop of Hereford, who is the bridegroom's brother, is to perform the ceremony.'

said Robin.

Then, without more ado, Robin Hood dressed himself as a harper, with a flowing white beard and a dark-coloured mantle, and bidding twenty-four of his men follow at a distance, he entered the church, and took his place near the altar. Presently the old knight made his appearance, hobbling along, and handing in a maiden as fair as the day, all tears and blushes, accompanied by her young companions strewing flowers. "This is not a fit match," said Robin Hood aloud, “and I forbid the marriage." And then, to the astonishment of the Bishop and of all present, he blew a blast on his horn, when four-and-twenty archers came leaping into the churchyard, and entered the building. Foremost among these was Allan-aDale, who presented his bow to Robin Hood. The outlaw by this time had cast off his cloak and false beard, and turning to the bride, said, "Now, pretty one, tell me freely whom you prefer for a husband—this gouty old knight or one of these bold young fellows?" "Alas!" said the young maid, casting down her eyes, "Allan-a-Dale has courted me for seven long years, and he is the man I would choose. now, my good Lord Bishop," said Robin, “prithee unite this loving pair before we leave the church." "That cannot be,"

"Then

said the Bishop; "the law requires they should be asked three

times in the church." "If that is all," quoth Robin Hood,

gown, he dressed Little John up in it, and gave him the book, and bid him ask them seven times in the church, lest three should not be enough. The people could not help laughing, but none attempted to forbid the banns, for the bishop and his brother were glad to get out of the church. Robin Hood gave away the maiden, and the whole company had a venison dinner in Sherwood Forest; and from that day Allan-a-Dale was a staunch friend to Robin Hood as long as he lived.

Robin Hood had often heard tell of the prowess of a certain Friar Tuck, who, having been expelled from Fountain Abbey for his irregular conduct, lived in a rude hut he had built himself amidst the woods, and who was said to wield a quarter-staff and let fly an arrow better than any man in Christendom. So, being anxious to see how far this was true, Robin set off one morning for Fountain Dale, where he found the friar rambling on the bank of the river Skell. The friar was a burly man, at least six feet high, with a broad chest, and an arm fit for a blacksmith. The outlaw walked up to him, saying, "Carry me over this water, thou brawny friar, or thou hast not an hour to live." The friar tucked up his gown, and carried him over without a word; but when Robin seemed to be going, he cried out, "Stop, my fine fellow, and carry me over this water, or it shall breed you pain." Robin did so, and then said, "As you are double my weight, it is fair I should have two rides to your one, so carry me back again.” The friar again took Robin on his back; but on reaching the middle of the stream he pitched him into the water, saying, "Now, my fine fellow, let's see whether you'll sink or swim." Robin swam to the bank, and said, "I see you are worthy to

be

my match;" and then summoning his foresters by a blast

of his bugle, he told the friar he was Robin Hood, and asked