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cult task. Several, however, altogether declined to draw bowstring against such a mark, which one of them swore was as difficult to be seen, as the fulfilment of Tib-of-the-Trent's prophecies.

Little John was bound to venture a shaft at the hazardous mark which he had himself erected; and he took the precaution, before shooting, of selecting the straightest and clearest arrow from his sheaf, and of also waiting for the first bursting of one of the gentle breezes, which, every now and then sprung up, as if only to awaken the green leaves that seemed to slumber so peaceably beside each other.

Fairly and boldly, and with caution, did Little John take aim, and discharge his shaft; and so truly was it shot, that, although it struck not the string, it alighted bang in the centre of the bow. A little more to the left, and the arrow would have divided the string. The clapping of hands and loud huzzas of the outlaws, showed their satisfaction at the archer's skill; even Robin Hood lifted up his own voice to swell the applause.

Will Scarlet next stepped up to the allotted mark from whence they all shot; and every

breath seemed as hushed, and every voice as silent, as if their companions had been contending with the rival archers of other counties, instead of merely trying their skill among themselves. With all the coolness which was so essential to the furtherance of good archery, and with eye and arm firm to his purpose, Will delivered his shaft with the same success as his opponent; for it alighted on the other side of the bowstring, and also pierced the wood of the bow, leaving only the space of the string between the two arrows. He also received the plaudits of his companions, but not one of them would adventure another shot at so precarious a mark.

By the love I bear towards strong ale and fat bucks!" quoth the Pindar of Wakefield, "I should as soon think of keeping a wild falcon in the pound, or overtaking a swift stag after having drank my tenth cup, as splitting yonder bow-string."

"And I," said the Tinker of Tickhill, with a shrug of the shoulder, "would as soon undertake to solder a hole up blindfolded, or clench a rivet in the dark; for, by St. Dunstan ! who was both tinker and smith, I trow there is never

a wight in Christendom who can drive a shaft through yonder string."

"By St. Peter! who first taught us to take toll," said Much the Miller, "I should think it as easy to sift the bean flour from the wheaten, when they have been ground together, or to blow round the mill-sails with my own breath, as to shoot a shaft so near yonder mark, as those which are already discharged."

"And I," said Allan-a-Dale, "should just as soon hit yonder string, as get music out of the reeds and bulrushes, like Godfrey Pan; who, I dare be sworn, was a tinker, though he took afterwards to tending sheep in Arcady, some Thorpe or other in the Fens of Lincolnshire, I trow, where reeds are plentiful."

Marry, and by my creed!" quoth Arthura-Bland, "I would as lief try to make leather from the rind of wild-crabs, (and I hold their skins somewhat of the thinnest to wear,) or shoot at the sky-lark, when it is singing far beyond ken in the clouds, and expect to bring it down, as to hit the silken bow-string."

"Nay, then, by my hope hereafter!" said Robin Hood, stepping up, since ye all refuse to bend wood after yonder two shafts, which

seem so loath to be divided, why, I will e'en make one for the nonce, an' some of ye will split a headless shaft with me after."

So saying, and without further delay, he took an arrow at random from his sheaf, and drove it clean through the centre of the bowstring, piercing even the wood beyond, and so closely wedged in between the heads of the other shafts, that they all three touched.

Long and loud were the acclamations that arose from the assembled outlaws, after this exploit, and Margaret failed not to show her admiration, but sent forth her sweet voice to swell the torrent of applause, while Edwin waved his helmet, and the tinker clapped his bony hands together, until they sounded like the clatter awakened by his own hammering.

The outlaw chief, having achieved this triumph, took the long sword, with which Walterthe-one-Handed had hewn down the ponderous oaken branch, and sticking it point downward, invited his merry men to split an headless shaft upon its edge. Not one of them, however, would adventure against so hazardous a mark ; and Robin Hood was himself compelled to follow his previous and successful shot, which he

again did with the same caution and equally good fortune, splitting the headless arrow upon the edge of the sword, at the distance of sixscore yards. Just then the daughter of Hereward the Saxon, accompanied by Druth and Royston Gower, entered the glade.

A deep gloom sat upon the brow of the dwarf, and there was a wildness in his eye, which added to the peculiar expression of his countenance, and the matted and shaggy hair that seemed as if thrown upon his head with a hay-fork in a slovenly manner, gave to his features the look of some savage monster, meditating mischief. He also grasped the massy cudgel, his constant companion, with a fierce firmness, as if he would fain bury his lumpy and mis-shapen fingers in the knurry wood. As he drew near to the outlaw chief, he swung the ponderous weapon round his head with a frightful velocity, which caused those who stood near him to spring to a safer distance, and leave a complete and vacant circle around him. At length the dwarf approached within arm's length to where Walter-the-one-Handed stood, resting his broad bony hand upon the hilt of the heavy sword, on which Robin Hood had