prize.
Forward, friends; quick march!"

They rattled off at a smart pace. Robin mounted behind the good-natured
Much, and Stuteley upon the captain's horse. The miller told Robin
confidentially a full score of times that he, Much, was bound to win the
archery contest, being admittedly the first bowman in the world.

"Harkee, gipsy," called he at length, over the point of his shoulder to
patient Robin behind him, "I'll not take your crown, I swear it! I like
you, and I would not rob your sweetheart of a penny piece. Buy ribbons
for her, then, with the crown I give you."

Robin expressed his thanks very cordially. This fellow seemed an
honest-hearted rogue; and 'twas mainly to his furious urging of his
steed that they arrived in time for the great event.

As it was, all the jousting was done, and most of the nobles had already
gone away. The Sheriff was fussily preparing himself to escort the
Prince to the castle when the horns blew announcing the arrival of the
Lincolnshire bowmen.

They had pushed their way clumsily through the array of tents, and now
blundered into the lists through the gate. Robin was glad indeed of his
stained face and semi-disguise, not being over proud of his companions.
He gave Will Stuteley a signal to detach himself from them, and come to
his side. The two youths then hastened to the archers' stand.

There had been three deaths already as a result of the joustings; and
six others were seriously injured; yet the Prince looked far from being
satisfied, and his glance strayed for ever to the gate.

When the Lincoln men had come noisily trooping in, his face had lit up
and his hand had made a half-movement to find the jewelled hilt of his
sword. Master Carfax, too, had started to his feet in evident concern.

When the heralds announced these new-comers, visible disappointment
showed on the faces of the Prince and his followers. Clearly they were
eagerly expecting the appearance of other folk; but, quickly recovering
himself, John re-found all the old elegance of his manners. He
courteously acknowledged the rough greeting of the archers, and sat back
smilingly in his box.

Master Monceux gave the signal for the archery contest to be begun; and
Robin soon saw that the archers against him were men very different from
those who had been at Nottingham Fair.

When it came to the turn of the Prince's own bowman, Hubert of
Normandy--a man slim, conceited, and over-dressed, but nevertheless a
ver