s issue at the charge shoot down upon your
mark."

Carfax gave an order almost as he spoke. Instantly Robin loosed his bow,
and singing death flew from it. He overturned the soldier nearest to
Master Simeon, even as Warrenton's shaft struck another dead at once.

The forester Berry and little Stuteley added to the confusion--both
wounding the same soldier simultaneously. Then Carfax, believing that
these arrows came from Will's band, sounded a charge and spurred his
horse forward amongst his pikemen.

They rushed forward with swinging axe and clanking sword upon the
outlaws, who now delivered a sudden stream of shafts. These Robin's band
supplemented by shrewder arrows. Seven of the soldiers rolled over as
they ran, killed forthwith; and Robin, having pricked Simeon's horse,
shot him again in the ear whilst meaning to find his master.

The beast plunged wildly into the soldiers, trampling and scattering
them. But many managed yet to meet the robbers, and the desperate
hand-to-hand fighting was recommenced.

Robin bade the others cease. The four of them peered from out of their
cover over the crest, and watched breathlessly. Carfax had fallen from
his horse and lay floundering on the close grass. Stuteley sped a
gooseshaft into his forearm ere Robin could check him.

Warrenton drew his master's attention and anger away from his esquire by
a quick whisper.

"See, lording--quick! Look how some of the enemy do creep about Master
Will; they will strike him and his fellows from the rear!"

"The two who lead them are not uniformed--like as not they are those
treacherous ones whom I have such cause to remember."

So muttered Robin, with parted lips, and gasping his words disjointedly.
"Smite them, Warrenton," cried he, suddenly and excitedly. "Speedily,
instantly--or they will end this fight against us. _Now!_"

Their arrows flew together, marvellous shots, each finding its prey. The
two wretches threw up their arms as they ran; and, uttering dismal
cries, fell upon the earth, and in their death-struggles tore up vain
handfuls of the soil.

"Follow, follow," called Robin, to his three faithful ones. "Locksley! A
Locksley! To the rescue!"

[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD AND HIS COMPANIONS LEND AID TO WILL O' TH'
GREEN FROM AMBUSH

_Their arrows flew together, marvellous shots, each finding its prey._]

They tumbled headlong down the slope, shouting vociferously as they
came. The soldiers, alarmed and already disheart