the third was
launched--"mayhap the King would have declared you the best bowman in
all England!"

But the last part of his merry speech was drowned in the wild tumult
of applause which followed his exploit. His first two shafts had packed
themselves into the small space left at the bull's-eye; while his third
had split down between them, taking half of each, and making all three
appear from a distance, as one immense arrow.

Up rose the King in amazement and anger.

"Gilbert is not yet beaten!" he cried. "Did he not shoot within the mark
thrice? And that is allowed a best in all the rules of archery."

Robin bowed low.

"As it please Your Majesty!" quoth he. "But may I be allowed to place
the mark for the second shooting?"

The King waved his hand sullenly.. Thereupon Robin prepared another old
trick of the greenwood, and got him a light, peeled willow wand which he
set in the ground in place of the target.

"There, friend Gilbert," called he gaily; "belike you can hit that!"

"I can scarce see it from here," said Gilbert, "much less hit it.
Nathless, for the King's honor, I will try."

But this final shot proved his undoing, and his shaft flew harmlessly
by the thin white streak. Then came Robin to his stand again, and picked
his arrow with exceeding care, and tried his string. Amid a breathless
pause he drew the good yew bow back to his ear, glanced along the shaft,
and let the feathered missile fly. Straight it sped, singing a keen note
of triumph as it went. The willow wand was split in twain, as though it
had met a hunter's knife.

"Verily, I think your bow is armed with witchcraft!" cried Gilbert. "For
I did not believe such shooting possible."

"You should come to see our merry lads in the greenwood," retorted Robin
lightly. "For willow wands do not grow upon the cobblestones of London
town."

Meanwhile the King in great wrath had risen to depart, first signing the
judges to distribute the prizes. Never a word said he, of good or
ill, to the Queen, but mounted his horse and, followed by his sons and
knights, rode off the field. The archers dropped upon one knee as he
passed, but he gave them a single baleful look and was gone.

Then the Queen beckoned the outlaws to approach, and they did so and
knelt at her feet.

"Right well have ye served me," she said, "and sorry am I that the
King's anger is aroused thereby. But fear ye not. His word and grace
hold true. As to these prizes ye have gained,