The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-01-19

for the ohjectof his resentment, whom
he observed standing on the same spot,
and with the same composed counte-
nance which he had exhibited upon the
preceding day.
"Fellow," said Prince John, 81 guess
ed by thy insolent bubble thou vert no
rue lover of the long bow, and | sea
thou darest not adventure thy skill
among such merry-men as stand yon-
der" .'' v '.'- ~ '. iFl'A
~ Under, favor, sir" replied the yeo-
man, 81 have another reason for refrain
ing to shoot, beside the fearing dscom.
future and disgrace" ''l.' '2' 2 >.
s'And what is thy other reason?" said
Prince John, who for some cause which
perhaps he could not himself have ex
planned, felt a painful curiosity respect
ing this individual. - s1'
Because" replied the woodsman, 81
know not if these yeomen and are used
to shoot at the same marks ,and because,
moreover, I know not how your Grace.
might relish the winning of third prize
by one who has unwittingly fallen under
your dispIeasure. '97"5 Q 3a'asla@
Prince John colored as he put the
question: .''''l.4'l- -.'@f..' .'''''.'''
WHAT'S thy name, yeoman?"
"Lockslev answered the ycoman.
'.Tnen, Locksley," said Prince John,
sthou shalt shoot in thy turn, when these
yeomen have displayed their skill. If
thou carriestithe prize, I win add TO it
twenty MOBILES but ii thou losest it,thou
shalt be stripped of thy Lincoln green,
and scourged out of the lists with bow
strings, for Q wordy and insolent brag-
CART. % - 'l5.'' ~ ~ ..'-i y :
"And how if l refuse to shoot on such
a wager?' said the yeoman "Your
Graces power, supported as tits by so
many men-at-arms, may indeed easily
strip and scourge me, but cannot compel
me to bend or to draw my bow - isesa
IF thou refusest my fair rproffer," said
the Prince, 'lhe Provost of the lists shall
cut-thy bow-string, break thv, bow and
arrows, and. expel thee from the presence
as faint-heafted craven" 7s.,se.
"This is no fair chance you put on
me, proud Prince" said the yeoman, "to
compel me to peril myself against the
best archers of Leicester and Stafford
shire,s under the penalty of infamy if
they should overshoot me, Neverlhe
less, will obey your pleasure = en- Eas
les''Look to him close, men at-arms," said
Prince John, ''his heart is sinking am
jealous lest he attempt to escape the
trial. And do you good fellows shoot
boldly round; buck and but of wine
are ready for your refreshment in yonder
tent. when the prize is won." ~.
A target was placed at the upper end
of the southern avenue which led to the
list. The contending archers took their
station in turn, at the bottom OF the
southern access; the distance between
that station and the mark allowing full
distance, for what was called a shot at
rovers. The archers, having previously
determined by lot their order, of prece-
dence, were .te,shoot each three shafts in
succession. The'sports were regulated
by an officer of inferior rank, termed the
Provost of the Games for the high rank
of the marshals of the lists would have
been held degraded, had they condescen-
ded to superintend the sports of the yeo
manry. - 2''l p. A
Ore by one the archers, stepping for
ward, delivered their shafts yeomanlike
and, bravely. or twenty-four arrows, ,shot
in succession, ten were fixed in the tar
get, and the others ranged SO near it
that, considering the distance of The
mark, it was accounted good archery
Of the ten shafts which hit the target
two within the inner ring were shot by
Hubert, a forester in the service of Nal
yoisin, who was accordingly pronounced
victorious.
"Now, Locksley," said Prince John t.
the bold yeomaE, with a bitter smile
"'wilt thou try conclusions with Hubert
or wilt thou yield up bow, baldric, ant
quiver to the Provost Of the sports ?,
"Sith it be no BETTER" said Locksley
81 am content to try my fortune ION con
dition that when l have shot two shaft
at yonder mark Of Hubert's, he shall b.
tbound to shoot one at that which I shal
propose 49, E,a = = =
"That is but fair" answered Prime
John, sand it shall not be refused thee
If thou dost beat this braggart, Hubert
| l will fill the bug!e with silver pennie
for thee" }ilsl 2ama9 7eiiu9ag
ga man can do but his best,' answer
ed Hubert; shut my grandsire drew
! good long bow at Hastings, and l trus
mot to dishonor his memory" la
| The former target was now removed
and fresh one Of the same size placed
i in its room. Hubert, who, as victor il
| the first trial of skill, had the right tt
shoot first, took his aim with great deib
eration,long measuring the distance wit
his eye, while he held in his hand hi
blended bow, with the arrow placed OF
the string At length he made a stel
forward, and raising his bow at ful
stretch Of his left arm, till the center o
grasping place was nigh level with hi
face, he drew his bowstring TO his ear :
The arrow whistled through the air, an.
Elighted within the inner ring of the tar
, get, but not exactly in the center. 5s
"You have not allowed for the wind
) Hubert" said his antagonist, bendin;
|, his bow, cor that had been bette
/ shot" 75 p .ii!' M b1E
So saying, and without showing tn
least anxiety to pause upon his ain
Locksley stepped to the appointed sta
J 1 ton, and shot his arrow as earelessly i
:. appearance as if he had not even locke,
i at the mark. He was. speaking almos
: at the instant that the shaft left the bow
string, yet it alighted in the target tw
inches nearer to the white spot whic
: marked the center than that of Huber,
: s.By the light Of Heaven !" said Primo
: Johnato Hubert, sand thou suffer tina
ranagate knave 10 overcome thee, tho
} art worthy of the gallows!" s5
} > Hubert had but one set speech for a
4 occasions. 'sAn your highness were t
hang me-" he said, "a man can but d
his best. Nevertheless, my grandsir
!, drew "a good bow ------ .4Ie o.
j "The foul fend on thy grandsire. ant
all his generation y interrupted John
''shoot knaye, and shoot thy best. or
\ shall he the worse for thee y;