that he never had seen in all his life before such a hand at quarterstaff.  At last Robin gave the stranger a blow upon the ribs that made his jacket smoke like a damp straw thatch in the sun.  So shrewd was the stroke that the stranger came within a hair’s-breadth of falling off the bridge, but he regained himself right quickly and, by a dexterous blow, gave Robin a crack on the crown that caused the blood to flow.  Then Robin grew mad with anger and smote with all his might at the other.  But the stranger warded the blow and once again thwacked Robin, and this time so fairly that he fell heels over head into the water, as the queen pin falls in a game of bowls.

“And where art thou now, my good lad?” shouted the stranger, roaring with laughter.

“Oh, in the flood and floating adown with the tide,” cried Robin, nor could he forbear laughing himself at his sorry plight.  Then, gaining his feet, he waded to the bank, the little fish speeding hither and thither, all frightened at his splashing.

“Give me thy hand,” cried he, when he had reached the bank.  “I must needs own thou art a brave and a sturdy soul and, withal, a good stout stroke with the cudgels.  By this and by that, my head hummeth like to a hive of bees on a hot June day.”

Then he clapped his horn to his lips and winded a blast that went echoing sweetly down the forest paths.  “Ay, marry,” quoth he again, “thou art a tall lad, and eke a brave one, for ne’er, I bow, is there a man betwixt here and Canterbury Town could do the like to me that thou hast done.”

“And thou,” quoth the stranger, laughing, “takest thy cudgeling like a brave heart and a stout yeoman.”

But now the distant twigs and branches rustled with the coming of men, and suddenly a score or two of good stout yeomen, all clad in Lincoln green, burst from out the covert, with merry Will Stutely at their head.

“Good master,” cried Will, “how is this?  Truly thou art all wet from head to foot, and that to the very skin.”

“Why, marry,” answered jolly Robin, “yon stout fellow hath tumbled me neck and crop into the water and hath given me a drubbing beside.”

“Then shall he not go without a ducking and eke a drubbing himself!” cried Will Stutely.  “Have at him, lads!”

Then Will and a score of yeomen leaped upon the stranger, but though they sprang quickly they found him ready and felt him strike right and left with his stout staff, so that, though he went down with press of numbers, some of them rubbed cracked crowns before he was overcome.

“Nay, forbear!” cried Robin, laughing until his sore sides ached again.  “He is a right good man and true, and no harm shall befall him.  Now hark ye, good youth, wilt thou stay with me and be one of my band?  Three suits of Lincoln green shalt thou have each year, beside forty marks in fee, and share with us whatsoever good shall befall us.  Thou shalt eat sweet venison and quaff the stoutest ale, and mine own good right-hand man shalt thou be, for never did I see such a cudgel player in all my life before.  Speak!  Wilt thou be one of my good merry men?”