Part 37 (2/2)
”Then thou canst bend the bow?” said Arthur ”Will you not attes?”
”Marry, I wouldand blind eye”
”One does not need a leg to shoot arrows, nor yet two eyes Take aiossip, and show us how you played the sport in Sherwood on that day”
The archer's tone was ar only replied that he had already won a prize and was content
Just then one of the Sheriff's guards approached him
”My master would have speech with you, friend,” said he
”And so you have ar stood before hi his eye in fiery glance about the Sheriff's tent ”My body is full sore yet froave me”
”Are you sure 'twas Robin Hood?”
”That a hair, and small, fair beard”
”If you could lead me to him, friend, I would reward you well,” said the Sheriff, in malicious tones
”I will show the place where we ar
Monceux nodded, and n of dismissal ”I will speak further with you later, friend,” he said
The beggar went back to the archer and said that noould take a shot with him ”I may as o prizes as one,” he continued, affably, ”for the horse will help reatly incensed at this speech, and took aier However, hear took the bohich one of the archers held out to hireat show of care When at last he released the arrow all got ready to laugh and jeer at hiain, for his arroas found to be a full inch nearer the ain and again, and at length Arthur-a-Bland lodged his shaft in the center of the target ”Now mend that shot, Master Patch, an you can,” cried he
”Nay, I fear that I ar ”Yet I will even do my best”
He aimed with every circuh It rose up high in the air as though it et, and folk had already opened their raceful curve towards the mark, the steel point struck exactly on the point of the other's arrow, just where it had lodged loosely in the bull, and Master Bland's arrow ca in the very hole its opponent's arrow had made
This wondrous feat of archery evoked the loudest applause, and had not the Sheriff been so foolish a man, must have awakened suspicion in his breast But, no--Master Monceux poave over the Arab horse with its saddle, and the purse of gold to the victorious beggar; and then turned to leave the sports
He bade Master Carfax to see that the beggar did not go far away The Sheriff did not ar was very willing to keep near to the Sheriff, and asked very huiven a place in Monceux's household, instead of taking this horse, which was of small use to one of his trade
”I will accept your offer,” said Monceux, ”on the understanding that you will take the captaincy of my archers”
With such a fellow as this in his household Monceux felt that he would soon lay Robin Hood by the heels So he strutted to his horse, and was lifted thereon in fine self-satisfaction His daughter ently, whilst the ht
The beggar gripped his staff and lilance frorey-blue eyes of the maid who had sat so uncomfortably at her mistress's knee She moved, with downcast looks, after the rest, and only dared once peep at this strange ragged fellow
His lips nal, then were shut resolutely