We reached the cave, and thrusting the women along it, William and I
stood in the mouth and waited. He had no bow and all my arrows were gone
save three, but of these I, who was noted for my archery, determined
to make the best use I could. So I drew them out, and having strung
the bow, sat down to get my breath. On came the French, shouting and
jabbering at us to the effect that they would cut our throats and carry
off _la belle dame_ to be their sport.
"She shall be mine!" yelled a big fellow with a flattened nose and a
wide mouth who was ahead of the others, and not more than fifty yards
away.
I rose, and praying my patron, good St. Hubert after whom I was named
because I first saw light upon his day, the 23rd of November, to give
me skill, I drew the great bow to my ear, aimed, and loosed. Nor did
St. Hubert, a lover of fine shooting, fail me in my need, for that arrow
rushed out and found its home in the big mouth of the Frenchman, through
which it passed, pinning his foul tongue to his neck bone.
Down he went, and cheered by the sight I refitted and loosed at the
next.
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