Robin Hood and Little John were trying their
skill and strength in archery on the deer in the forest when, in the
words of the old ballad:
Little John killed a Hart of Greece
Five hundred feet him fro,
and Robin was so proud of his friend that he said he would ride a
hundred miles to find such another, a remark--
That caused Will Shadlocke to laugh.
He laughed full heartily;
There lives a curtail fryer in Fountains Abbey
Will beate bothe him and thee.
The curtell fryer, in Fountains Abbey,
Well can a strong bow draw;
He will beate you and your yeomen.
Set them all in a row.
[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD'S WELL, FOUNTAINS ABBEY.]
So Robin, taking up his weapons and putting on his armour, went to seek
the friar, and found him near the River Skell which skirted the abbey.
Robin arranged with the friar that as a trial of strength they should
carry each other across the river. After this had been accomplished
successfully Robin asked to be carried over a second time. But the friar
only carried him part way and then threw him into the deepest part of
the river, or, in the words of the ballad:
And coming to the middle streame
There he threw Robin in;
"And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow,
Whether thou wilt sink or swim.
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