The colonel departed, doubting sorely in his heart how to accoutre and lead from the barrack stables three horses, in the teeth of his revolted regiment.
In the hall he met the housemaid.
'Can you lead a horse?' he asked.
'Yes, sir.'
'Are you willing to die for the king?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Can you do as you are bid?'
'I can keep on trying, sir.'
'Come then. Were I not a man I would be a woman such as you.'
When they entered the barrack yard, the soldiers scattered like autumn leaves before a blast of winter. They went into the stable unchallenged—and lo! in a stall, before the colonel's eyes, stood the king's white charger, with the royal saddle and bridle hung high beside him!