Robin Hood got off his horse, and tied him to a thorn. “Carry me over this water, thou brawny friar,” said he, “or thou hast not an hour [Illustration: Robin Hood asking the fair maiden whom she will have for a husband. _see page 14._ _London, William Darton, 58, Holborn Hill, Augˢᵗ. 29, 1821._] 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 leaped lightly off the friar’s back, and seemed 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 back, while Robin said to him again, “Carry me over the water, thou brawny friar, or it shall breed thee pain.” The friar once more took Robin upon his back; but this time he did not carry him over; for, as soon as he had 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 same place, Robin said to him, “I see by this trial that thou art worthy to be my match.” Robin challenged him in wrestling, in shooting, and at the quarter-staff; but Robin could not beat the friar, nor the friar beat Robin in any of these. “I 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.” “I wish from my 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, and the friar could not 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. [Illustration: The Friar throwing Robin into the River. _see page 23._ _London, William Darton, 58, Holborn Hill, Augˢᵗ. 29, 1821._] 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 dwelling in the village where he was born. While he had thoughts of this sort, one time when he took many rich prizes, he resolved to make a present to the queen. The name of the queen was Eleanor; she was the mother of King Richard the First, who had great power in her son’s reign. Queen Eleanor was very much pleased with Robin Hood’s present, and said to herself, If I live one year to an end, I will be a friend to thee, and all thy men.