Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/291

274 But as the lash came down on his half-naked back, Hubert's arm was stayed. Conrad had risen and come to the rescue.

"Stop, Hubert!" he called commandingly. "He meant no harm, and I struck the first blow. Here, Dolf Schmidt! Take my bow and shoot an arrow if you will. I like you."

Dolf said nothing, but he looked at Conrad with sparkling eyes.

Then he took the bow and arrow.

"What shall I shoot at?" he asked.

"That brown bird on the bough there!" said Conrad, pointing to a small object on the top of a tall tree some way off.

"Nay," said the ragged archer. "It were a pity to kill the bird. She has a nest in that tree, it is likely. I will shoot the branch from under her, and not hurt so much as a feather."

So saying, he laid an arrow in place and pulled the string.

The dart fled like a hunted thing through