ROBIN ToD. 359

over this water, thou brawny friar,” said he, “ or thou hast not
an hour longer to live.” ‘The friar did not grumble, but stooped
and took Robin upon his back. The water was deep, and the
passage was long and not easy; and neither of these rivals spoke
a single word till they came to the other side, Robin then
Jeaped lightly off the friat's back, and scemed going away.
“Stop,” said the friar, “carry me over this water, thou fine
fellow, or it will breed thee pain.” Robin took the friar upon
his back, and neither of the two spoke a single word till they
came to the other side, ‘The friar then leaped lightly off Robin's
hack, while Robin said to him again, “Carry me over the water,
thou brawny friar, or it shall breed thee p: ‘The friar once
more took Robin Hood upon his back ; but this time he did not
carry him over, for when he got to the middle of the stream, he
threw him into the water, “And now choose, my fine fellow,”
said he, “whether thou wilt sink or swim.” | Robin swam to
the shore; and when the friar was come to the place, Robin
id to him, “I see by this trial that thou art worthy to be
challenged him in wrestling, in shooting,
aff ; but Robin could not beat the friar, nor
the friar beat Robin, at any of these.‘ T wish from my soul,”
said Robin, ‘you would quit this lazy life, and come and be one
of us; we range the forest merry and free, and are as happy as
the day is long.”—T wish from iy soul,” said the friar,
“thou wouldst leave thy rambling and wicked life, and come
and live in our convent: thy thefts will bring thee to a bad
end, but I shall live out my days quiet and respected.” Robin
could not persuade the friar, nor the friar persuade Robin; so
they shook hands and parted.

Robin Hood knew very well that his way of life was against
the laws; and that, if he were once caught, it would go very hard
with him. He had now been in this way for several years ; and
began to wish that he could change his way of living for a quiet