It was not long before he spied the fire of a roadside smithy glaring out upon him like a great red eye, and when he reached the door of the shop he found the smith ready and waiting for his task.
Cling, clang, cling! How the iron rang beneath his mighty stroke! And cling, clang, cling, how the hammer sang as the shoe was pounded into shape!
By the time the sun was over the hill the horse was shod, and the rider was in his saddle again.
But the blacksmith would take no money for his work.
"To serve my country and the king is pay enough for me," he said; and he stood up straight and tall and looked the king's counselor in the eyes.
And lo! and behold, as the morning light fell on their faces, each saw that the other was his brother.
"God bless you, brother," and "God speed you, brother," was all that they had time to say, but that was enough to show that love was still warm in their hearts.
Then away, and away, and away, through the sun and the dew rode the elder brother—away and away over hill and dale toward the king's palace.
The king and his counselors were watching and waiting there, and as the sun climbed high and the message did not come, those who wanted war said:
"Shall we not saddle our horses, and call up our men?"