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“Who is this Lady Rowena,” said Prince John, “of whom we have heard so much?”

“A Saxon heiress of large possessions,” replied the Prior Aymer; “a rose of loveliness and a pearl of wealth.”

“We will make her happy again,” said Prince John, “by marrying her to a Norman. What do you say, De Bracy? Do you want a wife?”

“If I like her lands, my lord,” answered De Bracy, “it will be hard to disappoint me with the bride, and I will be deeply grateful to Your Highness.”

“We will not forget it,” said Prince John.

Prince John was going to give the signal for retiring from the lists, when a small scroll was put into his hand.

“Where from?” said Prince John, looking at the messenger.

“A Frenchman brought it here, who said, that he had ridden night and day to put it into the hands of Your Highness,” replied he.

The Prince looked at the inscription and the seal, and then read the note. It said: “Take care of yourself, the Devil is free!”

The Prince turned as pale as death. When he recovered from the shock, he showed the note to Waldemar Fitzurse and De Bracy. “It means,” he added, “that my brother Richard has obtained his freedom.”

“It is time, then,” said Fitzurse, “to collect our party at York. Let the archers shoot a few rounds at the target, and give them a prize. This will be enough for the Saxons, and tomorrow we will go on our way.”

“I thank you, Waldemar,” said the Prince, “you have reminded me, that I have a debt to pay to that peasant who yesterday insulted our person.”

The prize for the best archer was a horn decorated with silver. Eight yeomen presented themselves as competitors.

Prince John saw that his yeoman stood apart. “Fellow,” said Prince John, “I guessed that you were not a good archer, and now I see that you do not participate in the competition.”

“I do not want to upset your Grace in case a third prize is won by someone you dislike.”

Prince John asked, “What is your name, yeoman?”

“Locksley,” answered the yeoman.

“Then, Locksley,” said Prince John, “you will shoot in your turn, when these yeomen have showed their skill. If you win the prize, I will add twenty coins to it, but if you lose it, you will be put to shame and punished.”

“This is not fair, proud Prince,” said the yeoman, “but I will obey your command.”

A target was placed at one end of the southern avenue which led to the lists. One by one the archers, stepping forward, shot their arrows. Only ten out of twenty-four hit the target. Of the ten which hit the target, two within the inner ring were shot by Hubert, a forester in the service of Malvoisin who was called a winner.

“Now, Locksley,” said Prince John to the bold yeoman, with a bitter smile, “will you try to compete with Hubert?”

Locksley agreed.

Hubert, who, as the victor in the first trial of skill, had the right to shoot first, took his aim with great care. At length he made his shot. The arrow hit the inner ring of the target, but not exactly in the centre.