The little nag whinnied till her sides shook, which the King took,
as before, to be an affirmative. However, because it was Sunday he
remained with the Doves a day and a night, and during such time as
their lips were not sealed they urged him to become one of them, and
found a new settlement of Brothers in his Barn. He spent his night
in reflection, but by morning had come to no decision.

"To what better use could you dedicate it?" asked the Chief Brother,
who was known as the Ringdove because he was the leader.

"None that I can think of," said the King, "but I fear I am not good
enough."

"When you have passed our initiation," said the Ringdove, "you will
be."

"Is it difficult?" asked William.

"No, it is very easy, and can be accomplished within a month. You
have only to ride south till you come to the hills, on the highest
of which you will see a Ring of beech-trees. Under the hills lies
the little village of Washington, and there you may dwell in comfort
through the week. But on each of the four Saturdays of the lunar
month you must mount the hill at sunset and keep a vigil among the
beeches till sunrise. And you must see that these Saturdays occur on
the fourth quarters of the moon--once when she is in her crescent,
once at the half, again at the full, and lastly when she is waning."

"And is this all?" said William. "It sounds very simple."