Part 7 (2/2)

”Sir d.i.c.kon,” said Cedric, speaking as softly as I, ”canst thou keep a secret?”

”Of a certainty,” I answered. ”What now hast thou to reveal?”

”I will show thee something which I would fain have thee know, if thou wilt promise me to tell no soul whatever nor to give any hint of it.”

”'Tis well,” I answered, ”I promise it.”

”Listen!” he whispered, ”I go now to the Yew Hedge Meadow. After some minutes do thou follow me, and speak not to any one.”

Speaking thus, he rose and quickly left the tables. I was full of a desire to learn his meaning; and did wait but the shortest s.p.a.ce before following him. I found him, with his cross-bow ready drawn, at the archers' mark in the meadow.

”Do thou climb upon yon scaffolding,” said Cedric, ”and roll me a ball that I may try my hand once more at this strange game of Marvin's.”

I did as he did ask; and his bolt struck it fairly in mid career.

”Well shot!” I cried, ”thou'lt yet be Marvin's match at this game too.”

”Prithee, another ball,” called the forester.

Again I rolled the ball and again 'twas fairly struck. A third and fourth and fifth and sixth went down the trough; and I grew fairly 'mazed, for Cedric met each with a bolt as surely and as easily as if they stood stock still. I leaped down from my perch on the scaffolding and ran to him.

”Cedric!” I cried, ”what means this? Thou pa.s.sest Marvin's self. Did thy hand tremble to-day from the gaze of so many onlookers?”

Cedric laughed again; and now he wore such a gay, light-hearted look as I bethought me had not been on his face for three days past.

”Hus.h.!.+” he said, ”tell it not so loud lest some may hear thee. But was it not the will of my Lord Mountjoy, who risked his life for me at Shrewsbury, that Old Marvin should win this one last archer match? It cost me but a broken bowstring and some little work of the head when John o' the Wallfield seemed like to win the day. He needs must shoot before me that I might know how to guide my bolts. Had he struck the rolling ball with but one more bolt, he would have equaled Marvin's score; and I must have done likewise that we three might shoot again. If with two more, he would have bested Marvin, and I must take the prize from him. But with only two strokes in the five, 'twas easy quite; and now Marvin hath the prize that it were shame to keep from him.”

Then indeed I understood; and I wrung Cedric's hand in gladness.

”My father shall know of this,” I cried; ”and he'll give thee a prize also. Another cow, second only to the one that Marvin chooses, shall go to thy father's cottage.”

But Cedric's face, which had been merry, now quickly altered; and he shook his head.

”Sir d.i.c.kon,” he said steadily, ”dost thou not recall that thou didst promise not to reveal what I did show thee?”

”Why! But of that word thou'lt release me, Cedric. 'Twas but a notion of thine. Truly, Lord Mountjoy should know of this.”

But Cedric still shook his head.

”I told thee not in order that I might gain a prize. And for my shooting this day no prize will I take. I somehow could not bear that thou should'st think me so poor an archer as this day's work did show; but now I hold thee to thy knightly word, well and freely given.”

I could think of no word more to say nor any way of moving him from his resolve. So we walked slowly back to the hall, and in silence, for Cedric was ever of few words, and I was thinking deeply on his obstinacy.

In the courtyard and in the hall we found the feast was yet in progress.

Truly, if our men of England do work and fight as valiantly as they eat and drink, 'tis no wonder that our land grows in power and holds up its head among nations. I left Cedric at his former seat, and walked straight across the hall to my father. Cedric's eyes followed me, for it was plain that he yet feared I might tell Lord Mountjoy how our archery meet had been guided. And I cast back at Cedric, as I went, a sly and crafty look which did nothing [to] rea.s.sure him.

Soon I gained the ear of my father; and for half a minute did speak to him full earnestly. To which he straightway made answer in his strong and goodly tones which Cedric and many others might well hear above the hum of voices and the clatter of the serving-men:

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