“The two rustics ran off, terribly frightened, and reported the cheerful intelligence at Gotham. Oh, then there were stirring times in that old town! The people had no wish to receive a kingly decoration in that way.
“What was to be done?
“They met for consultation.
“Now there were wise men in Gotham, and, when the convention met, these wise men expressed their opinions not only on the nose question, but on public affairs in general. After a long deliberation, one of these wise men, whom I will call Fitz Peter, said: ‘Our wits have thus far prevented King John from setting foot in our town, and our wits are able to save our noses.’ This opinion was received with great satisfaction.
“But how should they accomplish the end?
“Now chief among the wise men of Gotham was one whom I will call Leofric. He at last stood up with a very knowing look, and said: ‘I have heard of many people who were punished for being wise, but I never heard of a person who was punished for being a fool. When the king’s troops come, let us each imitate a safe example, and act like a fool.’
“At this the people shouted. So they decided to rely on their wits for the safety of their noses, and to act like fools.
“One morning, very early, as a party of horsemen were leaving the town for hunting, a troop appeared, with a fierce sheriff at their head.
“The bowmen were terribly scared, and the question passed around as to what they should do. They hit upon a plan, and threw away their hunting-gear. When the sheriff came up, he found the old men rolling great stones up the hill, and the young men bending over and grunting as if they were in great distress.
“‘What are you doing?’ demanded the sheriff of one of the old men who was tugging away at a stone.