apital,
for the King has need of you. I bring steeds for all; lose no time in
obeying the King's message."

The Miller and his sons were startled and amazed; they could not guess
whether for joy or for sorrow they were thus called to court. But of
course there was nothing for them but to obey the King. Quickly they
mounted the eleven steeds which the eleven grooms had brought. The fat
Miller went first, on a fat little brown horse which looked like him;
and behind him came long, lanky Hans on a long-limbed bay. After him
followed Piet on a gallant chestnut, behind whom galloped all the other
brothers, with Tod the baby on the tiny white pony bringing up the rear.
But the Miller's poor wife was left behind, not knowing whether to be
sorry or glad because of the King's summons to her family.

Nearly all night they galloped, thud-thud! over the quiet roads, past
shut-eyed houses and dozy windmills, drowsy canals and dreaming
villages. And at early dawn they came to the Capital City. Here the
tired King himself rode out to meet them, accompanied by a crowd of
sleepy soldiers and cross-looking nobles. The Miller and his ten boys
slipped from their saddles and knelt in a row before the King, awaiting
his commands. But he had no time for ceremony this morning.

"Rise!" he cried impatiently. "Do not kneel there when time is so
precious! Rise and hasten to the seashore, Miller. I have heard what
wonderful Blowers your children are. It is for this reason I have sent
for you. Out yonder on the sea lies the ship of my son, the Prince, who
has sailed for Outland to bring home a bride. Yesterday morn he started;
but he has not gone far. My telescopes show that the ship still lies
helpless, as she has lain for twelve hours, becalmed between the
Windless Headlands in the Bay of Calms. The wedding was to have been
this morning at ten in the Outland King's cathedral. Hasten, Miller! He
has yet many leagues to go. You and your children must blow the Prince
into port in season for the ceremony, or his life is lost. For if he be
late, even by five minutes, the Outland King has bargained that he must
die. He is a proud father; she is a proud Princess, and must be kept
waiting by no one. My word is pledged; my son is in danger! Save the
Prince, Miller, and you shall be made a Duke, and all your children
Earls."

The King ceased speaking, and the crowd of nobles hustled the Miller and
his family down to the shore, whence, far off against t