Rolf followed that man who had stolen the ewe, and the way led first down into the dales, and then upward to the fells. There had been rain and the paths were soft, so that the tracks of man and sheep were clear. It was strange to Rolf that the robber showed such boldness as to go on beaten ways. But when at last he reached the region where all the paths were grassy and tracks could no longer be seen, then Rolf knew not what to do until he met a wayfarer. "Hast thou seen," asked Rolf, "one who goes driving a ewe?" "He is not far before thee," answered the man. "But what seekest thou with him?" "The ewe is mine," said Rolf. "I will have it again." "Thou art foolhardy," cried the man. "A life is more than a sheep. Turn back!" "Not I," quoth Rolf, and he went on. Then in a little while he saw the man before him, going without haste behind the ewe. And Rolf marvelled at his confidence, for the man did not even look back to see if he were followed. So Rolf strung his bow and went faster, going quietly until he was but fifty feet behind the man. And then he called to the robber. That man turned at once, drawing his sword. Grim and harsh was he in face when he found he was followed, but when he saw a lad, alone, then he smiled. "Seekest thou me?" he asked. And his voice was harsh, like his face, so that he was a man to terrify many. "That sheep is mine," said Rolf. "Leave it and go thy way." "Go home, boy!" said the man. "I would not hurt thee." "Once more," cried Rolf, "I bid thee leave the ewe, else will I strive with thee for it." "What," sneered the man, "wilt thou set thyself against me? Draw thy sword, then!" But the robber's sword was long and heavy, while Rolf's was short and light. "Nay," he responded, "but I will hurt thee with my arrows. Take thy shield and defend thyself." "No shield do I need," sneered the man again, "against such as thou. Shoot, and see if thou canst touch me!" So great was his contempt that he stung Rolf to the quick. "Let us see, then!" the lad cried. And in great heat of anger, at short range, Rolf drove a shaft at the middle of the man's body. But behold! the man swung his heavy sword as lightly as a wand, and brushed the arrow aside! "Once more!" quoth he. And then Rolf shot again, and yet again, but each time the arrow was swept aside. And the robber called with jeers to shoot faster. So Rolf sent his shafts as swiftly as he could, and it was astonishing to see how fast they followed each other; but though he shot half a score of times, each arrow, just as it reached its mark, was brushed aside. Of them all, one touched the clothing on the robber's breast, so that it tore the cloth; and one, sent at the face, scratched the skin ere it was turned. When that was done, the man jeered no more, for he saw that Rolf was closing in.