he was lost in the crowd, before Rob could utter what it was upon his
lips to say, that he would shoot again with him.

And now the herald summoned Rob to the Sheriff's box to receive the
prize.

"You are a curious fellow enough," said the Sheriff, biting his lip
coldly; "yet you shoot well. What name go you by?"

Marian sat near and was listening intently.

"I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff," said the archer.

Marian leaned back and smiled.

"Well, Rob the Stroller, with a little attention to your skin and
clothes you would not be so bad a man," said the Sheriff. "How like you
the idea of entering my service.

"Rob the Stroller has ever been a free man, my Lord, and desires no
service."

The Sheriff's brow darkened, yet for the sake of his daughter and the
golden arrow, he dissembled.

"Rob the Stroller," said he, "here is the golden arrow which has been
offered to the best of archers this day. You are awarded the prize. See
that you bestow it worthily."

At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward