n to do errands faithfully and
quickly, but to wait patiently and quietly oftentimes when he could not
understand why he waited.

Year after year passed by and little Cedric had grown large and tall.
When he visited his home he used often to laugh at the little bed which
had once held him so cosily. Not only had he grown strong and tall, but
he had grown even more in thoughtfulness and courtesy toward all about
him.

One day Sir Rollin sent for him. "Cedric," said he, "I wish you to take
a message to the King. It is quite an important one and it must reach
him before to-morrow night. Get ready as quickly as you can. Take my
gray horse, as he is the swiftest one in the stables, and remember that
I have trusted you much by sending you upon this errand."

Cedric's heart beat with joy, as he thought, "At last I have proved
faithful enough to be sent with a message to our great King." He was
ready in less than half an hour, and jumping on the splendid gray
charger he went galloping down the highway. On and on he rode.

At last he entered a thick forest of pine trees. The road grew very dark
and lonesome. "What if I should meet some wild beast," thought Cedric,
but he added, half aloud, "If I am ever to be a knight, I must learn to
be brave and face every danger." It was not long before he was quite
sure that he heard a deep, low growl. His heart beat fast, but he rode
steadily forward and soon the growl was repeated, this time nearer and
more distinct, and Cedric saw in the dim light, a great wild boar coming
towards him. The creature's eyes were shining like fire, and his white
tusks overhung his lower jaw in a fierce and forbidding fashion. Cedric
knew that this must be the beast which had destroyed so many of the
cattle of the neighboring peasants, but who was so strong and savage
that no one had dared to go near him. He spurred his horse forward as he
thought, "If I kill this wild boar I will already begin to be of service
to the people of my country." So he lifted the spear which he carried at
his side, from its leather socket, and raising it high in the air, he
hurled it swiftly at the beast who was ready to spring upon him. In a
moment more the wild boar rolled over upon the ground, dead. Cedric
reached down and drew his spear from its side, and as he rode on again
he thought, "Wolves and wild boars must not stop the way of a messenger
of the King. I must fear nothing if I am to be a knight."

After a time his ro