Next to the Sheriff's box was one occupied by the fat Bishop of Hereford; while in the other side was a box wherein sat a girl whose dark hair, dark eyes, and fair features caused Rob's heart to leap.
"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.
"A fair maid, that," he said smilingly, "and one more worthy the golden arrow than the Sheriff's haughty miss."
"In truth I care not for the golden bauble and wished to win it in despite of the Sheriff for whom I have no love.
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.
"I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff," said the archer.
"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.
The Sheriff's brow darkened, yet for the sake of his daughter and the golden arrow, he dissembled.
At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward the Sheriff's daughter, who sat with a thin smile upon her lips.
The Sheriff glowered furiously upon this ragged archer who had refused his service, taken his prize without a word of thanks, and snubbed his daughter.
And I and my brothers have told him that the band would choose that one who should bring the Sheriff to shame this day and capture his golden arrow.
"In truth I brought the Sheriff to shame for mine own pleasure, and won his golden arrow to boot.
Nay, I say, thou goest not away without paying me, else shall our good Sheriff know of it."
"Ay," quoth the Tinker, "blow thou mayest, but go thou must with me to Nottingham Town, for the Sheriff would fain see thee there.
