Page 299 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

when it was over the judges came forward, looked carefully
at the targets, and proclaimed in a loud voice which three
had shot the best from the separate bands. Then a great
hubbub of voices arose, each man among the crowd that
looked on calling for his favorite archer. Then ten fresh tar-
gets were brought forward, and every sound was hushed as
the archers took their places once more.
This time the shooting was more speedily done, for only
nine shafts were shot by each band. Not an arrow missed
the targets, but in that of Gilbert of the White Hand five ar-
rows were in the small white spot that marked the center;
of these five three were sped by Gilbert. Then the judges
came forward again, and looking at the targets, called aloud
the names of the archer chosen as the best bowman of each
band. Of these Gilbert of the White Hand led, for six of the
ten arrows he had shot had lodged in the center; but stout
Tepus and young Clifton trod close upon his heels; yet the
others stood a fair chance for the second or third place.
And now, amid the roaring of the crowd, those ten stout
fellows that were left went back to their tents to rest for a
while and change their bowstrings, for nought must fail at
this next round, and no hand must tremble or eye grow dim
because of weariness.
Then while the deep buzz and hum of talking sounded all
around like the noise of the wind in the leafy forest, Queen
Eleanor turned to the King, and quoth she, ‘Thinkest thou
that these yeomen so chosen are the very best archers in all
merry England?’
‘Yea, truly,’ said the King, smiling, for he was well pleased

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood