n they passed the Bush Hovel they saw the
Wise Woman currying her broomstick, and Viola cried:

"Great-Aunt, give us a blessing."

"Great-Niece," said the Wise Woman, "how can I give you what you
already have? But I will give you this." And she held out a horseshoe.

"Good gracious," said the King, "this was once Pepper's."

"It was," said the Wise Woman. "In her merriment at hearing you ask a
silly question, she cast it outside my door."

A little further on they came to the Guess Gate, but when the King,
dismounting, swung it open, it grated on something in the road. He
stooped and lifted--a horseshoe.

"Wonder of wonders!" exclaimed the King. "This also was Pepper's. What
shall we do with it?"

"Hang--it--up--hang--it--up--hang--" creaked the Gate; and clicked home.

In due course they reached the Doves, and at the sound of Pepper's
hoofs the Brothers flocked out to meet them.

"Is all well?" cried the Ringdove, seeing the King only. "And have you
returned to us for the final blessing?"

"I have," replied the King, "for I bring my bride behind me, and now
you must make us one."

The gentle Brothers, rejoicing at the sight of their happiness and
their beauty, led them in; and there they were wedded. The Doves
offered them to eat, but the King was impatient to reach his Barn by
nightfall; so they got again on Pepper's back, and as they were about
to leave the Ringdove said:

"I have something of yours which is in itself a thing of no moment;
yet, because it is of good augury, take it with you."

And he gave the King Pepper's third shoe.

"Thank you," said the King, "I will hang it over my Barn door."

Now he urged Pepper to her full speed, and they went at a gallop past
the Hawking Sopers, who, hearing the clatter, came running into the
road.

"Stay, gallopers, stay!" they cried, "and make merry with us."

"We cannot," called the King, "for we are newly married."

"Good luck to you then!" shouted the Sopers, and with huzzas and
laughter flung something after them. Viola stretched out her hand and
caught it in mid-air, and it was a horseshoe.

"The tale is complete," she laughed, "and now you know where Pepper
picked up her stones."

Soon after the King said, "Here is my Barn." And he sprang down and
lifted his bride from the nag's back and brought her in.

"It is a poor place," he said gently, "but it is all I have. What can I
do for you in such a home?"

"I will tell you," said Viola, and p