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"It is Black Will of Lynchmere," said the bowman "Many a match have I shot with him, and I knoell that no other man on the Surrey marches could have sped such a shaft I trust that you are houseled and shriven, Will, for I have known you so long that I would not have your damnation upontwanged with a rich deep musical note Aylward leaned upon his bow-stave as he keenly watched the long swift flight of his shaft, ski smoothly down the wind

"On him, on him! No, over hiht Nay, nay, friend, now that I have the length of you, you can scarce hope to loose again"

Black Will had notched an arrow and was raising his bohen Aylward's second shaft passed through the shoulder of his drawing arer and pain he dropped his weapon, and dancing in his fury he shook his fist and roared curses at his rival

"I could slay hiood bowmen are not so common," said Aylward "And now, fair sir, weround on either side, and if once they get behind us, then indeed our journey has coh yonder horseman who leads theel "Villain as he is, he is none the less a gentleman of coat-armor, and should die by some other weapon than thine"

"As you will," said Aylward, with a clouded brow "I have been told that in the late wars many a French prince and baron has not been too proud to take his death wound froland have been glad enough to stand by and see it done"

Nigel shook his head sadly "It is sooth you say, archer, and indeed it is no new thing, for that good knight Richard of the Lion Heart met his end in such a lowly fashion, and so also did Harold the Saxon But this is a private ainst him Neither can I ride at hierous in spirit Therefore, ill go upon our way, since there is neither profit nor honor to be gained, nor any hope of advance his bow, had re this conversation, and the two rode swiftly past the little squat Chapel of the Martyr and over the brow of the hill From the suround, with several of his coathered in a knot around him Others ran aimlessly up the hill, but were already far behind The leader sat motionless upon his horse, and as he saw them look back he raised his hand and shrieked his curses at theround had hid theel bade adieu to the home of his youth