The next minute Robin's eyes began to open wider, for he knew that
he was looking at the feathered end of the arrow, pointing straight
at him; and directly after, as he stepped a little on one side to
avoid an ant-hill, he could see the whole of the arrow except the
point, which had passed through the brim of the hat.

"Why, you hit it!" he cried excitedly.

"Well, that's what I tried to do," said Little John.

"But you hit it just in the place I said."

"Yes, you told me to," said Little John, smiling. "That's how you
must learn to shoot when you grow up to be a man."

Young Robin said nothing, but stood rubbing one ear very gently,
and staring at the hat.

"Well," said Little John, smiling down at his companion, "what are
you thinking about?"

"I was thinking that it is very wonderful for you to stand so far
off and shoot like that."

"Were you, now?" said Little John. "Well, it is not wonderful at
all. If you keep on trying for years you will be able to do it
quite as well. I'll teach you. Shall I?"

"I should like you to," said Robin, shaking his head; "but I can't
stop here. I must go home to my father."