"The Devil himself could not hit such a mark as that." "Mayhap he could and mayhap he could not," quoth merry Robin, "but that we shall never know till thou hast shot thereat." At these words Guy of Gisbourne looked upon Robin with knit brows, but, as the yeoman still looked innocent of any ill meaning, he bottled his words and strung his bow in silence.

Twice he shot, but neither time did he hit the wand, missing it the first time by a span and the second time by a good palm's-breadth.

Robin laughed and laughed.

"I see now," quoth he, "that the Devil himself could not hit that mark.

Good fellow, if thou art no better with the broadsword than thou art with the bow and arrow, thou wilt never overcome Robin Hood." At these words Guy of Gisbourne glared savagely upon Robin.