"If thou refusest my fair proffer," said the Prince, "the Provost
of the lists shall cut thy bowstring, break thy bow and arrows,
and expel thee from the presence as a faint-hearted craven."

"This is no fair chance you put on me, proud Prince," said the
yeoman, "to compel me to peril myself against the best archers of
Leicester And Staffordshire, under the penalty of infamy if they
should overshoot me. Nevertheless, I will obey your pleasure."

"Look to him close, men-at-arms," said Prince John, "his heart is
sinking; I am jealous lest he attempt to escape the trial.---And
do you, good fellows, shoot boldly round; a buck and a butt of
wine are ready for your refreshment in yonder tent, when the
prize is won."

A target was placed at the upper end of the southern avenue which
led to the lists. The contending archers took their station in
turn, at the bottom of the southern access, the distance between
that station and the mark allowing full distance for what was
called a shot at rovers. The archers, having previously
determined by lot their order of precedence, were to shoot each
three shafts in succession. The sports were regulated by an
officer of inferior rank, termed the Provost of the Games; for
the high rank of the marshals of the lists would have been held
degraded, had they condescended to superintend the sports of the
yeomanry.

One by one the archers, stepping forward, delivered their shafts
yeomanlike and bravely. Of twenty-four arrows, shot in