He was so delighted with the promise of one of grandfather’s stories that he was back in less time than if he had gone for candy!
“Well done!” grandfather greeted him. “Now sit down, and while you get your breath, I will tell you the story.
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.