He looked thin and pale, but all danger was past.
King Richard gave the forester a purse full of nobles, and added a silver
bugle to the gift. He then appointed Herne his chief keeper, hung a
chain of gold round his neck, and ordered him to be lodged in the
castle.
"About a week after this, Herne, having entirely regained his strength,
accompanied the king on a hunting expedition to the forest, and they
had scarcely entered it when his horse started and threw him. Up to
that moment such an accident had never happened to him, for he was
an excellent horseman, and he arose greatly discomfited, while the
keepers eyed each other askance. Soon after this a buck was started,
and though Herne was bravely mounted on a black steed bestowed on
him on account of its swiftness by the king, he was the last in the
chase.
"'Thou art out of practice,' said the king, laughing, as he came up.
"'I know not what ails me,' replied Herne gloomily.
"'It cannot be thy steed's fault,' said the king, 'for he is usually as fleet
as the wind. But I will give thee an opportunity of gaining credit in
another way. Thou seest yon buck. He cannot be seventy yards off,
and I have seen thee hit the mark at twice the distance.
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