Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/80

68 once more" said the master, "and observe what he does." "He now goes nearer to the image, and refixes the arrow in the string in order to strike it."

"As you value your life, do as before."

Again the knight plunged his body into the water as the arrow flew; and then at the command of the master, resumed his inspection of the glass.

"The clerk makes great lamentation, and says to my wife, 'If the third time I do not strike the effigy, I shall lose my life.' Now he approaches it so near, that I think he cannot miss it."

"Take care," said the master, "as soon as you see him bend the bow, immerse your body, as I before told you." The knight watched attentively, and at the proper moment, plunged below the water. "Rise quickly, and look into the glass:" he did so, and laughed. "My friend," said the master, "why do you laugh?" "I observe," answered he, "very distinctly, that the clerk has missed the effigy, and that the arrow, rebounding, has entered his bowels, and destroyed him. My wife makes a hole under my bed, and there he is buried."