Him, too, the arrow caught, so that he fell almost on the other.
I set the third and last arrow on the string and waited a space. Behind
these two was a squat, broad man, a knight I suppose, for he wore
armour, and had a shield with a cock painted on it. This man, frightened
by the fate of his companions, yet not minded to give up the venture
for those in rear of him urged him on, bent himself almost double, and
holding the shield over his helm which was closed, so as to protect his
head and body, came on at a good pace.
I waited till he was within five-and-twenty yards or so, hoping that
the roughness of the ground would cause him to stumble and the shield to
shift so that I could get a chance at him behind it. But I did not, so
at last, again praying to St. Hubert, I drew the big bow till the string
touched my ear, and let drive. The shaft, pointed with tempered steel,
struck the shield full in the centre, and by Heaven, pierced it, aye,
and the mail behind, aye, and the flesh it covered, so that he, too, got
his death.
"A great shot, Master," said William, "that no other bow in Hastings
could have sped.
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