Another dart struck
quivering at his heel. He made for the cover. A third shaft
leaped out right in his face, and fell short in front of him. And
then the laughter was repeated loudly, rising and reechoing from
different thickets.
It was plain that his assailants were but baiting him, as men, in
those days, baited the poor bull, or as the cat still trifles with
the mouse. The skirmish was well over; farther down the road, a
fellow in green was already calmly gathering the arrows; and now,
in the evil pleasure of their hearts, they gave themselves the
spectacle of their poor fellow-sinner in his torture.
Selden began to understand; he uttered a roar of anger, shouldered
his cross-bow, and sent a quarrel at a venture into the wood.
Chance favoured him, for a slight cry responded. Then, throwing
down his weapon, Selden began to run before him up the glade, and
almost in a straight line for Dick and Matcham.
The companions of the Black Arrow now began to shoot in earnest.
But they were properly served; their chance had past; most of them
had now to shoot against the sun; and Selden, as he ran, bounded
from side to side to baffle and deceive their aim.
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