II.
“Many, many years ago, when King Richard was ruler of England, he owned a beautiful horse which he rode whenever he went into battle.
“One day word came that Henry, the Earl of Richmond, was on his way to attack the king’s men.
“King Richard ordered his favorite horse brought to him, and turned to talk to the officers of his army.
“Now the groom who had charge of the king’s horses suddenly noticed that this horse needed shoeing.
“So he hurried to the nearest smithy.
“‘Shoe this horse quickly,’ he said to the blacksmith. ‘His Majesty has called for him. The enemy is near!’
“The blacksmith worked with all his might, and soon had four horseshoes ready.
“When he had nailed on two shoes, he found he had not nails enough for the other two. Suddenly the bugles sounded.
“‘Hurry!’ cried the groom. ‘The soldiers are gathering!’
“‘Shall I make more nails?’ asked the blacksmith.
“‘How many have you?’ asked the groom.
“‘I have only eight,’ replied the smith. ‘It would not take very long to hammer out eight more.’
“‘You will have to make eight do,’ said the groom.
“‘If you could only wait a little while,’ urged the smith, working away.
“‘I suppose I might,—but it would be a risk! Won’t four nails hold a horseshoe?’
“‘Well, that depends on how hard the horse is ridden,’ answered the blacksmith, driving the last of the eight nails in place.
“The horse reached the king in good time, for it took quite a long while for the officers to make their plans.