Again the crowd cheered wildly. Such shooting as this was not seen every
day in Nottingham town.

The other archers in this round were disconcerted by the preceding
shots, or unable to keep the pace. They missed one after another and
dropped moodily back, while the trumpet sounded for the third round, and
the target was set up fifty ells distant.

"By my halidom you draw a good bow, young master," said Rob's queer
comrade to him in the interval allowed for rest. "Do you wish me to
shoot first on this trial?"

"Nay," said Rob, "but you are a good fellow by this token, and if I win
not, I hope you may keep the prize from yon strutters." And he nodded
scornfully to the three other archers who were surrounded by their
admirers, and were being made much of by retainers of the Sheriff, the
Bishop, and the Earl. From them his eye wandered toward Maid Marian's
booth. She had been watching him, it seemed, for their eyes met; then
hers were hastily averted.

"Blinder's" quick eye followed those of Rob. "A fair maid, that," he
said smilingly, "and one more worthy the golden arrow than the Sheriff's
haughty miss."

Rob looked at him swiftly, and saw naught but kindliness in his glance.

"You are a shrewd fellow and I like you well," was his only comment.

Now the archers prepared to shoot again, each with some little care. The
target seemed hardly larger than the inner ring had looked, at the first