Page 47 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

people laughed as they saw a yellow patch that showed be-
neath his arm when he raised his elbow to shoot, and also
to see him aim with but one eye. He drew the good yew bow
quickly, and quickly loosed a shaft; so short was the time
that no man could draw a breath betwixt the drawing and
the shooting; yet his arrow lodged nearer the center than
the other by twice the length of a barleycorn.
‘Now by all the saints in Paradise!’ cried the Sheriff, ‘that
is a lovely shaft in very truth!’
Then Adam o’ the Dell shot, carefully and cautiously,
and his arrow lodged close beside the stranger’s. Then af-
ter a short space they all three shot again, and once more
each arrow lodged within the clout, but this time Adam o’
the Dell’s was farthest from the center, and again the tat-
tered stranger’s shot was the best. Then, after another time
of rest, they all shot for the third time. This time Gilbert
took great heed to his aim, keenly measuring the distance
and shooting with shrewdest care. Straight flew the arrow,
and all shouted till the very flags that waved in the breeze
shook with the sound, and the rooks and daws flew clamor-
ing about the roofs of the old gray tower, for the shaft had
lodged close beside the spot that marked the very center.
‘Well done, Gilbert!’ cried the Sheriff right joyously. ‘Fain
am I to believe the prize is thine, and right fairly won. Now,
thou ragged knave, let me see thee shoot a better shaft than
that.’
Nought spake the stranger but took his place, while all
was hushed, and no one spoke or even seemed to breathe, so
great was the silence for wonder what he would do. Mean-

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood