we may all have the advantage of taking a lesson from so peerless an
archer."

"It is far from my wish presumptuously to compete with my lord,"
replied Wilfrid, calmly rejecting the bow.

"He has boasted that which he cannot perform," said Brithric, with an
insulting laugh.

"You are welcome to that opinion, Brithric, if it so please you," said
Wilfrid, turning about to quit the ground.

"Nay," cried the prince, "you go not till you have made good your
boast, young sir, by sending an arrow nearer to the mark than mine."

"Ay, royal Atheling," shouted the company, "compel the vaunter to show
us a sample of his skill."

"Rather, let my lord, the Atheling, try his own skill once more," said
Wilfrid; "he can hit the mark himself, if he will."

Prince Edwin bent his bow, and this time the arrow entered the centre
of the target. The ground rang with the plaudits of the spectators.

"Let us see now if Wilfrid, the son of Cendric, the traitor, can equal
the Atheling's shot," shouted Brithric.

"Shoot, Wilfrid, shoot!" cried more than twenty voices among the royal
wards.