This blow was a lucky one. It caught Robin off his guard. His stick had rested a moment while he looked to see the giant topple into the water, when down came the other upon his head, whack! Robin saw more stars in that one moment than all the astronomers have since discovered, and forthwith he dropped neatly into the stream.
The cool rushing current quickly brought him to his senses, howbeit he was still so dazed that he groped blindly for the swaying reeds to pull himself up on the bank. His assailant could not forbear laughing heartily at his plight, but was also quick to lend his aid. He thrust down his long staff to Robin crying, “Lay hold of that, an your fists whirl not so much as your head!”
Robin laid hold and was hauled to dry land for all the world like a fish, except that the fish would never have come forth so wet and dripping. He lay upon the warm bank for a space to regain his senses. Then he sat up and gravely rubbed his pate.
“By all the saints!” said he, “you hit full stoutly. My head hums like a hive of bees on a summer morning.”
Then he seized his horn, which lay near, and blew thereon three shrill notes that echoed against the trees. A moment of silence ensued, and then was heard the rustling of leaves and crackling of twigs like the coming of many men; and forth from the glade burst a score or two of stalwart yeomen, all clad in Lincoln green, like Robin, with good Will Stutely and the widow’s three sons at their head.
“Good master,” cried Will Stutely, “how is this? In sooth there is not a dry thread on your body.”
“Why, marry,” replied Robin, “this fellow would not let me pass the footbridge, and when I tickled him in the ribs, he must needs answer by a pat on the head which landed me overboard.”
“Then shall he taste some of his own porridge,” quoth Will. “Seize him, lads!”
“Nay, let him go free,” said Robin. “The fight was a fair one and I abide by it. I surmise you also are quits?” he continued, turning to the stranger with a twinkling eye.
“I am content,” said the other, “for verily you now have the best end of the cudgel. Wherefore, I like you well, and would fain know your name.”