her lips as
if to call it to her side. "For the love of God, dear lady----" cried
Will.

And then the words died on his throat. With a savage snort of rage the
beast had rushed at this easy victim, and with a side blow of its
antlers had stretched her upon the ground. It now lowered its head,
preparing to gore her to death.

Already its cruel horns had brushed across her once. A piteous cry rang
through the woods. Will set his teeth, and swung himself to the ground
noiselessly.

Then he quickly dropped to his knee, and was aiming his shaft whilst the
stag was making ready for a more deadly effort. Will's arrow struck it
with terrific force full in the center of its forehead. The stag fell
dead across the body of the fainting maid.

Will Scarlett had soon dragged the beast from off the girl, and had
picked her up in his strong arms. He bore her swiftly to the side of one
of the many brooks in the vale.

He dashed cool water upon her face, roughly almost, in his agony of fear
that she was already dead, and he could have shed tears of joy to see
those poor closed eyelids tremble. He redoubled his efforts; and
presently she gave a little gasp: "Where am I, what is't?"

"You are here, dear maid, in the forest of Sherwood, and are safe."

She opened her eyes then, and sat up. "Methinks that there was danger
about me, and death," she said, wonderingly. Then recognition shone in
her face, and she incontinently began to bind her fallen hair and tidy
her disordered dress. "Is it you, indeed, Master Scarlett?" she asked.

"Ay, 'tis I. And, thank Heaven, in time to do you a service." Will's
tones were deep and full of feeling.

"I am always in your debt, Master Will," she said, pouting, "and now you
have me at grievous disadvantage. Tell me where you have been, and why
you did leave cousin Richard and France?"

"Once I had no safety there," replied Will, with meaning, "neither for
myself nor for my heart. As for my leaving Richard's Court, why,
foolishly, I would be always where you are."

"So you have followed me, then; is that what I am to believe?" The maid
smiled. "I will confess, I did know that you were come to London, and I
was glad, Will, for I had not too many friends in England, nor have them
now, it would seem. But why was there no safety for you in London? And
where have you hidden yourself of late?"

"There is a price upon my head. I am in exile. You know me as Will
Scarlett, but in sooth my name is not