and expel thee from the presence as a faint-hearted
craven."

"This is no fair chance you put on me, proud Prince, to compel me to
peril myself against the best archers of Leicester and Staffordshire,
under the penalty of infamy if they should overshoot me. Nevertheless,
I will obey your pleasure."

A target was placed at the upper end of the southern avenue which led
to the lists. The contending archers took their station in turn, at the
bottom of the southern access; the distance between that station and the
mark allowing full distance for what was called a shot at rovers. The
archers, having previously determined by lot their order of precedence,
were to shoot each three shafts in succession.

One by one the archers, stepping forward, delivered their shafts
yeomanlike and bravely. Of twenty-four arrows, shot in succession, ten
were fixed in the target, and the others ranged so near it, that,
considering the distance of the mark, it was accounted good archery.
Of the ten shafts which hit the target, two within the inner ring were
shot by Hubert.

"Now, Locksley," said Prince John, "wilt thou try conclusions with
Hubert, or wilt thou yield up bow, baldric, and quiver, to the Provost
of the sports?"

"Sith it be no better, I am content to try my fortune; on condition that
when I have shot two shafts at yonder mark of Hubert's, he shall be
bound to shoot one at that which I propose."

"That is but fair," answered Prince John, "and it shall not be refused
thee. If thou beat this braggart, Hubert, I will fill the bugle with
silver pennies for thee."

The former target was now removed, and a fresh one of the same size
placed in its room. Hubert took his aim with great deliberation, long
measuring the distance with his eye, while he held in his hand his
bended bow, with the arrow placed on the string. At length he made a
step forward, and raising the bow at the full stretch of his left arm,
till the centre or grasping place was nigh level with his face, he
drew his bow-string to his ear. The arrow whistled through the air,
and lighted within the inner ring of the target, but not exactly in
the centre.

"You have not allowed for the wind, Hubert, or that had been a better
shot."

So saying, Locksley stept to the appointed station, and shot his arrow
as carelessly in appearance as if he had not even looked at the mark. He
was speaking almost at the instant that the shaft left the bow-string,
yet it alighted in the