It was easy to see that Felix, although nominally the eldest, had not yet reached his full development.

A light complexion, fair hair and eyes, were also against him; where Oliver made conquests, Felix was unregarded.

He laughed, but perhaps his secret pride was hurt.
There was but one thing Felix could do in the way of exercise and sport.
He could shoot with the bow in a manner till then entirely unapproached.
His arrows fell unerringly in the centre of the target, the swift deer and the hare were struck down with ease, and even the wood-pigeon in full flight.

Nothing was safe from those terrible arrows.

For this, and this only, his fame had gone forth; and even this was made a source of bitterness to him.
The nobles thought no arms worthy of men of descent but the sword and lance; missile weapons, as the dart and arrow, were the arms of retainers.