This," he adds, "is practised by many good archers with whom I am acquainted, as much as if he were to hit the blanc four hundred yards away." "A tall fellow this!" said Montagu; "and one I wot from the North," as the young gallant fitted the shaft to the bow.

And graceful and artistic was the attitude he assumed,--the head slightly inclined, the feet firmly planted, the left a little in advance, and the stretched sinews of the bow-hand alone evincing that into that grasp was pressed the whole strength of the easy and careless frame.

The public expectation was not disappointed,--the youth performed the feat considered of all the most dexterous; his arrow, disdaining the white mark, struck the small peg which fastened it to the butts, and which seemed literally invisible to the bystanders.
"Holy Saint Dunstan! there's but one man who can beat me in that sort that I know of," muttered Nicholas, "and I little expected to see him take a bite out of his own hip." With that he approached his successful rival.
"Well, Master Marmaduke," said he, "it is many a year since you showed me that trick at your father, Sir Guy's--God rest him! But I scarce take it kind in you to beat your own countryman!" "Beshrew me!" cried the youth, and his cheerful features brightened into hearty and cordial pleasure, "but if I see in thee, as it seems to me, my old friend and foster-brother, Nick Alwyn, this is the happiest hour I have known for many a day.

But stand back and let me look at thee, man.

Thou! thou a tame London trader! Ha! ha! is it possible ?" "Hout, Master Marmaduke," answered Nicholas, "every crow thinks his own baird bonniest, as they say in the North.