Having come to the ford, he girded up his robes about his loins, tucked his good broadsword beneath his arm, and stooped his back to take Robin upon it.  Suddenly he straightened up.  “Methinks,” quoth he, “thou’lt get thy weapon wet.  Let me tuck it beneath mine arm along with mine own.”

“Nay, good father,” said Robin, “I would not burden thee with aught of mine but myself.”

“Dost thou think,” said the Friar mildly, “that the good Saint Christopher would ha’ sought his own ease so?  Nay, give me thy tool as I bid thee, for I would carry it as a penance to my pride.”

Upon this, without more ado, Robin Hood unbuckled 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 Godrick, 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 fair and fast enow.  Let me tell thee that not one of thy cloth hath so hoodwinked me in all my life before.  I might have known from thy looks that thou wert no such holy man as thou didst pretend to be.”

“Nay,” interrupted the Friar, “I bid thee speak not so scurrilously neither, lest thou mayst perchance feel the prick of an inch or so of blue steel.”

“Tut, tut,” said Robin, “speak not so, Friar; the loser hath ever the right to use his tongue as he doth list.  Give me my sword; I do promise to carry thee back straightway.  Nay, I will not lift the weapon against thee.”

“Marry, come up,” quoth the Friar, “I fear thee not, fellow.  Here is thy skewer; and get thyself presently ready, for I would hasten back.”