. Thence he made gestures of
contempt and scorn toward the English army, as he did so shouting foul
words, of which a few floated to them in the stillness.

"Now," said Edward, "if I had an archer who could reach that varlet,
I'll swear that his name should not be forgotten in England. But alas!
it may not be, for none cam make an arrow fly true so far."

Instantly Grey Dick stepped forward.

"Sire, may I try?" he asked, stringing his great black bow as he spoke.

"Who are you?" said the King, "who seem to have been rolled in ashes and
wear my own gold arrow in your cap? Ah! I remember, the Suffolk man who
showed us all how to shoot at Windsor, he who is called Grey Dick. Yes,
try, Grey Dick, try, if you think that you can reach so far. Yet for the
honour of St. George, man, do not miss, for all the host will see Fate
riding on your shaft."

For one moment Dick hesitated. Such awful words seemed to shake even his
iron nerve.

"I've seen you do as much, Dick," said the quiet voice of Hugh de Cressi
behind him. "Still, judge you."

Then Dick ground his heels into the turf and laid his weight against the
bow. While all men watched breathless, he drew it to an arc, he drew it
till the string was level with his ear. He loosed, then, slewing round,
straightened himself and stared down at the earth. As he said afterward,
he feared to watch that arrow.

Away it sped while all men gazed. High, high it flew, the sunlight
glinting on its polished barb. Down it came at length, and the King
muttered "Short!" But while the word passed his lips that shaft seemed
to recover itself, as though by magic, and again rushed on. He of the
foul words and gestures saw it coming, and turned to fly. As he leapt
forward the war arrow struck him full in the small of the back, just
where the spine ends, severing it, so that he fell all of a heap like an
ox beneath the axe, and lay a still and huddled shape.

From all the English right who saw this wondrous deed there went up such
a shout that their comrades to the left and rear thought for a moment
that battle had been joined. The King and the Prince stared amazed. Hugh
flung his arms about Dick's neck, and kissed him. Jack Green cried:

"No archer, but a wizard! Mere man could not have sent a true shaft so
far."

"Then would to heaven I had more such wizards," said the King. "God
be with you, Grey Dick, for you have put new heart into my and all our
company. Mark, each of you, that he