Now again the meadow echoed with the cries of “Marvin! Marvin!” Some too did call out a cheer for Cedric as he came up with bolt in groove; for the young forester was well bethought at Mountjoy, and to-day he had not shamed the old-time leader as some had thought he might. As soon as the first ball touched the sward he pressed trigger; and in a moment ’twas seen that his bolt had nicked its edge. Then twice he missed it fairly; and twice more his bolts struck home. With but one more stroke he would have equaled Marvin’s score. As it was, his points were six, even as those of John o’ the Wallfield, while Marvin had thrice struck the bull’s-eye and four times the rolling ball. [Illustration: _WE MADE A PROCESSION THROUGH THE FIELDS, ALL THE MEN AND MAIDENS SHOUTING AND DANCING AND MAKING A MOST MERRY AND HEARTENING DIN_] When Lord Mountjoy announced the prize was Marvin’s, the elder Mountjoy men broke out afresh with cheers; and in these all the company, led by my father himself, speedily joined. Two of the stoutest yeomen hoisted Marvin to their shoulders; and with them in the lead, we made a procession through the fields and toward the hall, all the men and maidens shouting and dancing and making a most merry and heartening din. The tables were spread in the courtyard, and already were laden with bounteous platters of the roasted beef with bread and cakes and ale and goodly Yorkshire pudding. The yeomanry here sat them down while my father did lead his guests of gentle blood to the tables spread in the castle hall. For an hour we feasted sumptuously, and many a tale was told of archery and of the deer hunting of olden days, when, as I learned from the talk of my elders, men were taller and stronger and of keener eye than now, and such craft of the bow as Elbert and Old Marvin had that day displayed was the boast of many archers in any goodly company. In all this talk Cedric, the forester, had no part; though he listened full courteously to any who would address him. I had been rejoiced at Marvin’s victory; but now I bethought me that Cedric might be feeling bitterness at his own poor showing. That he should strike the rolling ball but thrice in the first five trials seemed not strange; but he had done no better at the bull’s-eye target; and his father’s words might well have cut more deeply than he chose to show. I found a place beside him, and, speaking softly so that no other might hear, did say: “’Twas not thy day to-day, Cedric; but mind thee not. There’ll be many another match whence thou’lt carry off the prize.” Cedric turned to me and smiled, methought a bit grimly, and I went on: “’Twas hardly fair to thee to make thee shoot at the rolling ball at a match and for the first time. ’Tis Marvin’s own game; and at it he hath always excelled all others.” “Sir Dickon,” said Cedric, speaking as softly as I, “canst thou keep a secret?” “Of a certainty,” I answered. “What now hast thou to reveal?”