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But one remedy presented itself to his mind； and that we need not
say was to purchase new ones。 Inquiring the way to the most
genteel ready…made…clothes' establishment in the city of Cologne；
and finding it was kept in the Minoriten Strasse； by an ancestor of
the celebrated Moses of London； the noble Childe hied him towards
the emporium； but you may be sure did not neglect to perform his
religious duties by the way。 Entering the cathedral； he made
straight for the shrine of Saint Buffo； and hiding himself behind a
pillar there （fearing he might be recognized by the archbishop； or
any of his father's numerous friends in Cologne）； he proceeded with
his devotions； as was the practice of the young nobles of the age。
But though exceedingly intent upon the service； yet his eye could
not refrain from wandering a LITTLE round about him； and he
remarked with surprise that the whole church was filled with
archers； and he remembered； too； that he had seen in the streets
numerous other bands of men similarly attired in green。 On asking
at the cathedral porch the cause of this assemblage； one of the
green ones said （in a jape）； 〃Marry； youngster； YOU must be GREEN；
not to know that we are all bound to the castle of his Grace Duke
Adolf of Cleves； who gives an archery meeting once a year； and
prizes for which we toxophilites muster strong。〃
Otto； whose course hitherto had been undetermined； now immediately
settled what to do。 He straightway repaired to the ready…made
emporium of Herr Moses； and bidding that gentleman furnish him with
an archer's complete dress； Moses speedily selected a suit from his
vast stock； which fitted the youth to a T； and we need not say was
sold at an exceedingly moderate price。 So attired （and bidding
Herr Moses a cordial farewell）； young Otto was a gorgeous； a noble；
a soul…inspiring boy to gaze on。 A coat and breeches of the most
brilliant pea…green； ornamented with a profusion of brass buttons；
and fitting him with exquisite tightness； showed off a figure
unrivalled for slim symmetry。 His feet were covered with peaked
buskins of buff leather； and a belt round his slender waist； of the
same material； held his knife； his tobacco…pipe and pouch； and his
long shining dirk； which； though the adventurous youth had as yet
only employed it to fashion wicket…bails； or to cut bread…and…
cheese； he was now quite ready to use against the enemy。 His
personal attractions were enhanced by a neat white hat； flung
carelessly and fearlessly on one side of his open smiling
countenance； and his lovely hair； curling in ten thousand yellow
ringlets； fell over his shoulder like golden epaulettes； and down
his back as far as the waist…buttons of his coat。 I warrant me；
many a lovely Colnerinn looked after the handsome Childe with
anxiety； and dreamed that night of Cupid under the guise of 〃a
bonny boy in green。〃
So accoutred； the youth's next thought was； that he must supply
himself with a bow。 This he speedily purchased at the most
fashionable bowyer's； and of the best material and make。 It was of
ivory； trimmed with pink ribbon； and the cord of silk。 An elegant
quiver； beautifully painted and embroidered； was slung across his
back； with a dozen of the finest arrows； tipped with steel of
Damascus； formed of the branches of the famous Upas…tree of Java；
and feathered with the wings of the ortolan。 These purchases being
completed （together with that of a knapsack； dressing…case； change；
&c。）； our young adventurer asked where was the hostel at which the
archers were wont to assemble？ and being informed that it was
at the sign of the 〃Golden Stag；〃 hied him to that house of
entertainment； where； by calling for quantities of liquor and beer；
he speedily made the acquaintance and acquired the good will of a
company of his future comrades； who happened to be sitting in the
coffee…room。
After they had eaten and drunken for all； Otto said； addressing
them； 〃When go ye forth； gentles？ I am a stranger here； bound as
you to the archery meeting of Duke Adolf。 An ye will admit a youth
into your company 'twill gladden me upon my lonely way？〃
The archers replied； 〃You seem so young and jolly； and you spend
your gold so very like a gentleman； that we'll receive you in our
band with pleasure。 Be ready； for we start at half…past two！〃 At
that hour accordingly the whole joyous company prepared to move；
and Otto not a little increased his popularity among them by
stepping out and having a conference with the landlord； which
caused the latter to come into the room where the archers were
assembled previous to departure； and to say； 〃Gentlemen； the bill
is settled！〃words never ungrateful to an archer yet： no； marry；
nor to a man of any other calling that I wot of。
They marched joyously for several leagues； singing and joking； and
telling of a thousand feats of love and chase and war。 While thus
engaged； some one remarked to Otto； that he was not dressed in the
regular uniform； having no feathers in his hat。
〃I dare say I will find a feather；〃 said the lad； smiling。
Then another gibed because his bow was new。
〃See that you can use your old one as well； Master Wolfgang；〃 said
the undisturbed youth。 His answers； his bearing； his generosity；
his beauty； and his wit； inspired all his new toxophilite friends
with interest and curiosity； and they longed to see whether his
skill with the bow corresponded with their secret sympathies for
him。
An occasion for manifesting this skill did not fail to present
itself soonas indeed it seldom does to such a hero of romance as
young Otto was。 Fate seems to watch over such： events occur to
them just in the nick of time； they rescue virgins just as ogres
are on the point of devouring them； they manage to be present at
court and interesting ceremonies； and to see the most interesting
people at the most interesting moment； directly an adventure is
necessary for them； that adventure occurs： and I； for my part； have
often wondered with delight （and never could penetrate the mystery
of the subject） at the way in which that humblest of romance
heroes； Signor Clown； when he wants anything in the Pantomime；
straightway finds it to his hand。 How is it that；suppose he
wishes to dress himself up like a woman for instance； that minute a
coalheaver walks in with a shovel…hat that answers for a bonnet； at
the very next instant a butcher's lad passing with a string of
sausages and a bundle of bladders unconsciously helps Master Clown
to a necklace and a tournure； and so on through the whole toilet？
Depend upon it there is something we do not wot of in that
mysterious overcoming of circumstances by great individuals： that
apt and wondrous conjuncture of THE HOUR AND THE MAN； and so； for
my part； when I heard the above remark of one of the archers； that
Otto had never a feather in his bonnet； I felt sure that a heron
would spring up in the next sentence to supply him with an
aigrette。
And such indeed was the fact： rising out of a morass by which the
archers were passing； a gallant heron； arching his neck； swelling
his crest； placing his legs behind him； and his beak and red eyes
against the wind； rose slowly； and offered the fairest mark in the
world。
〃Shoot； Otto；〃 said one of the archers。 〃You would not shoot just
now at a crow because it was a foul bird； nor at a hawk because it
was a noble bird； bring us down yon heron： it flies slowly。〃
But Otto was busy that moment tying his shoestring； and Rudolf； the
third best of the archers； shot at the bird and missed it。
〃Shoot； Otto；〃 said Wolfgang； a youth who had taken a liking to the
young archer： 〃the bird is getting further and further。〃
But Otto was busy that moment whittling a willow…twig he had just
cut。 Max； the second best archer； shot and missed。
〃Then；〃 said Wolfgang； 〃I must try myself： a plague on you； young
springald； you have lost a noble chance！〃
Wolfgang prepared himself with all his care； and shot at the bird。
〃It is out of distance；〃 said he； 〃and a murrain on the bird！〃
Otto； who by this time had done whittling his willow…stick （having
carved a capital caricature of Wolfgang upon it）； flung the twig
down and said carelessly； 〃Out of distance！ Pshaw！ We have two
minutes yet；〃 and fell to asking riddles and cutting jokes； to the
which none of the archers listened； as they were all engaged； their
noses in air； watching the retreating bird。
〃Where shall I hit him？〃 said Otto。
〃Go to；〃 said Rudolf； 〃thou canst see no limb of him： he is no
bigger than a flea。〃
〃Here goes for his right eye！〃 said Otto； and stepping forward in
the English manner （which his godfather having learnt in Palestine；
had taught him）； he brought his bowstring to his ear； took a good
aim； allowing for the wind and calculating the parabola to a
nicety。 Whiz！ his arrow went off。
He too