The boys worked the forge, Jim pumping the bellows keeping the heart of the fire at white heat while Jock buried the horseshoe in the pale centre of the coals and flying sparks singed their thick leather aprons. They inhaled the smoky leather fumes but resisted sneezing. When the colour of the shoe matched the pale red hue of the coals, Jock withdrew the shoe. He held it tight in the tongs and beat it to shape on the anvil to fit the animal"s hoof. Jock plunged the horseshoe into the tub of water. There was a sizzle of cooling steel and a cloud of steam vanished into the rafters of the smithy.
“That"s eight shoes ready,” Jock said. “I"ve nails here.”
The animals" coats shone from the careful grooming.
“Got really good at this grooming with the Rifles,” Jim said.
Jock grinned.
“My fath
