twang sounded from among the trees and a second arrow, sent with unerring precision, imbedded 14 itself in the deer’s body. As the stag fell, a lad of some sixteen years, clad in the dress of a forester, ran hastily forward and reached the animal at the same moment that Francis did. 14 “Behold, cousin,” cried the girl triumphantly, “I have slain the deer. Could thy Lady Jane Grey have done so well, thinkest thou?” “Nay, fair maid,” and the boy turned quickly, “’twas mine own bolt that did the deed. Behold for thyself that thy shaft struck too far to the left.” “’Tis false,” cried Francis angrily. “’Twas mine arrow that slew him. This one is mine, and thou seest that it alone hath entered the vital part. ’Tis thine that is too far to the left.” “Nay; not mine, but thine,” retorted the lad. “What? Would I, who lack but little of man’s estate be excelled by a girl? See for thyself, mistress. The two are not an inch apart. The point is only which did the deed. On mine honor, I tell thee, that it was mine own arrow. Thou seest that it hath penetrated deeper than thine.” “I see naught of the kind,” answered 15 Francis with passion. “It was mine that did it.” 15 “Good master,” said the boy appealing to the tutor, “didst mark that the stag fell not until he received my shot?” “Ay! I noted it, lad, and ’tis a point well taken,” quoth Master Hugh. “But a truce to thy quibbling. Here are the huntsmen.” The noise of the horns had been growing louder and louder as the hunting party drew near, but the boy and girl were so absorbed in their controversy that they had not heeded it. “Fair maiden, there is a penalty,” began the lad, but one of the hunters called out: “Beshrew me! if the quarry be not slain! What varlet hath done this?” As Francis started forward the lad spoke, “I, good my master. Give me thy knife, I pray thee, that I may make the essay.” “What, ho, boy? Thou? Then instead of breaking the stag, thou shalt break the jail. Knowest thou not that it is trespass to kill deer upon the land of another?”
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