“My name is John Little,” said the stranger, astonished to hear that his opponent was Robin Hood.
“Well, I shall call thee Little John in merry jest, tho’ thou art seven feet tall. Come and be one of my men,” said Robin.
Little John finally agreed to go with Robin Hood, and he became one of his strongest and trustiest followers.
HOW ROBIN HOOD MET FRIAR TUCK
In which it appears that others had wits besides Robin Hood.
One morning Robin Hood started for an adventure. He put on his steel coat of mail, and over it his jacket of Lincoln green.
About noontime he came to the banks of a wide stream and walked warily along until he heard a voice through the thick bushes. Peering through he saw a stout brawny fellow sitting on the bank of the stream eating brown bread and onions. He looked very jolly and good-natured. Robin Hood saw by his shaven crown and a string of beads that he must be a friar.
“Hey, my good father, will you tell me how I may cross this stream?” said Robin Hood. The friar looked up and said:
“Yonder is the ford. The water is free to all; wade in.”