JOHN-OF-THE-WOODS

BY

ABBIE FARWELL BROWN

ILLUSTRATIONS BY

E. BOYD SMITH

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

THE RIVERSIDE PRESS CAMBRIDGE

COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY ABBIE FARWELL BROWN

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Published October 1909

To J. D. And K. D. 

Kindest of neighbors and best of friends

to all the world and its

Animal Kingdom

CONTENTS

 I. THE TUMBLERS II. THE FALL III. THE RUNAWAY IV. THE OX-CART V. THE HUNCHBACK VI. THE SILVER PIECE VIX. THE WANDERER VIII. THE RESCUE IX. THE ANIMAL KINGDOM X. THE HERMIT XI. THE PUPIL XII. THE BEAU XIII. A FOREST RAMBLE XIV. THE WOLF-BROTHER XV. THE GREEN STRANGER XVI. THE HUNT XVII. THE MESSENGER XVIII. THE CARRIER PIGEON XIX. THE JOURNEY XX. THE ARRIVAL XXI. THE PALACE XXII. THE PRINCE'S CHAMBER XXIII. THE CURE XXIV. THE KING XXV. THE FETE XXVI. THE TALISMAN CONCLUSION

ILLUSTRATIONS

 THE THREE TUMBLERS GIGI RUNS AWAY HAVE YOU GOT MY BOY? A QUAINT PAIR OF WANDERERS THE CIRCLE OF ANIMALS WATCHED HIM JOHN TALKED WITH THEM YOU SHALL NOT KILL MY FRIEND THE BEAR THE KING SENDS FOR YOU A STRANGE COMPANY JOHN WAS PROTECTED BY POWERFUL FRIENDS HE STROKED THE SOFT BALL OF FUR I WISH I COULD DO IT MYSELF JOHN URGED THE CLUMSY FELLOW TO DANCE TO ME, MY BROTHERS! THE KING AND PRINCESS CAME TO VISIT HIM

JOHN OF THE WOODS

I

THE TUMBLERS

It was late of a beautiful afternoon in May. In the hedges outside thevillage roses were blossoming, yellow and white. Overhead the larkswere singing their happiest songs, because the sky was so blue. Butnearer the village the birds were silent, marveling at the strangenoises which echoed up and down the narrow, crooked streets. 

"Tom-tom; tom-tom; tom-tom"; the hollow thud of a little drum soundedfrom the market-place. Boys and girls began to run thither, crying toone another:--

"The Tumblers! The Tumblers have come. Hurry, oh, hurry!"

Three little brothers, Beppo, Giovanni, and Paolo, who had been pokingabout the market at their mother's heels, pricked up their ears andscurried eagerly after the other children. 

Jostling one another good-naturedly, the crowd surged up to themarket-place, which stood upon a little hill. In the middle was astone fountain, whence the whole village was wont to draw all the waterit needed. In those long-ago days folk were more sparing in the use ofwater than they are to-day, especially for washing. Perhaps we shouldnot be so clean, if we had to bring every bucket of water that we usedfrom the City Square!

"Tom-tom; tom-tom; tom-tom"; the little drum sounded louder and louderas the crowd increased. Men and women craned their necks to see whowas beating it. The children squirmed their way through the crowd. 

On the highest step of the fountain stood a man dressed in red andyellow, with little bells hung from every point of his clothing, whichtinkled with each movement he made. In his left hand he held a smalldrum, from which hung streamers of red and green and yellow ribbon. This drum he beat regularly with the palm of his skinny right hand. Hewas a lean, dark man, with evil little red-rimmed eyes and a humpbetween his shoulders. 

"Ho! Men and women! Lads and lasses!" he cried in a shrill, crackedvoice of strange accent. "Hither, hither quickly, and make ready togive your pennies. For the tumbling is about to begin, --the mostwonderful tumbling in the whole round world!"

Stretching out his arm, he pointed to the group below him. The crowdpressed forward and stood on tiptoe to see better. Beppo and Giovanniand Paolo wriggled through the forest of legs and skirts and came outinto the open space which had been left about the fountain. And thenthey saw what the backs of the butcher and baker and candlestick-makerhad hidden from them. 

From the back of a forlorn little donkey that was tethered behind thefountain a roll of carpet had been taken and spread out on the ground. Beside this stood the three tumblers. One of them was a thin, darkman, small and wicked-looking, dressed, like the drum-beater, in redand yellow. The second tumbler was a huge fellow more than six feettall, with a shaggy mane of black hair. His muscles stood out in greatknots under the suit of green tights which he wore. 

"A Giant he is! Faith, he could toss me over his shoulder like ameal-bag!" muttered the Blacksmith, who stood with crossed arms lookingover the heads of the crowd. "And the wicked face of him! Ugh! Iwould not wish a quarrel with him!"

But the little boys in the front row were most interested in the thirdtumbler, who stood between the other two, with his arms folded, readyto begin. 

This also was a figure in green, with short trunks of tarnishedcloth-of-gold. But beside the Giant, in the same dress, he looked likea pigmy or a fairy mite. This third tumbler was a little fellow ofabout eight, very slender and childish in form, but lithe andwell-knit. Instead of being dark and gypsy-like, as were the otherthree of the wandering band, this boy was fair, with a shock of goldenhair falling about his shoulders, and with a skin of unusual whiteness, despite his life of exposure to sun and hard weather. And the eyesthat looked wistfully at the children in front of him were blue as thedepths into which the skylarks were at that moment diving rapturously. On the upper eyelid of the boy's left eye was a brown spot as big as anapple-seed. And this gave him a strange expression which was hard toforget. When he was grave, as now, it made him seem about to cry. Ifhe should smile, the spot would give the mischievous look of a wink. But Gigi so seldom smiled in those days that few perhaps had notedthis. On his left cheek was a dark spot also. But this was only abruise. Bruises Gigi always had. But they were not always in the sameplace. 

"Oh, the sweet Cherub!" said a motherly voice in the crowd. "I wonderif they are good to him. They look like cut-throats and murderers, buthe is like the image of the little Saint John in church. Wolves, witha lamb in their clutches! Save us all! Suppose it were my Beppo!"

At these words of his mother's, Beppo giggled, and the boy looked athim gravely. The Hunchback with the drum had heard, too, and darted afurious glance into the crowd where the woman stood. Then, giving aloud double beat on the drum, he signaled for the tumbling to begin. 

The three kicked off the sandals which protected their feet, steppedupon the carpet, and saluted the spectators. The Giant stretchedhimself flat, and, seizing Gigi in his strong arms, tossed him up inthe air as one would toss a rubber ball. Up, down, then back and forthbetween the elder tumblers, flew the little green figure, when hetouched ground always landing upon his toe-tips, and finishing eachtrick with a somersault, easy and graceful. The boy seemed made ofthistledown, so light he was, so easily he rebounded from what hetouched. The children in the circle about him stared open-mouthed andadmiring. Oh! they wished, if only they could do those things! Theythought Gigi the most fortunate boy in the world. 

But Gigi never smiled. At the end of one trick the Giant growled aword under his breath, and made a motion at which the boy cringed. Something had gone not quite right, and trouble threatened. He bit hislip, and the performance went on as before. 

Now Gigi had to do the most difficult trick of all. With the Giant asthe base, and Cecco, the other tumbler, above, Gigi made the top of aliving pyramid that ran, turned, twisted, and capered as the greatstrength of the Giant willed. At a signal they managed somehow toreverse their positions. All stood upon their heads; Gigi, with hislittle green legs waving in the air, heard shouts of applause whichalways greeted this favorite act. But the sound gave him no pleasure. He was tired; he was sore from a beating of the previous night, and hishead ached from the blow which had made that ugly mark on his cheek. Gigi grew dizzy--

II

THE FALL

Suddenly a woman's voice screamed from the crowd:--

"Ah! The Cherub!"

Gigi had fallen from the top of the pyramid. He fell on his shoulder, and for a moment lay still. But presently he was on his feet, kissinghis hand prettily to the crowd, and trying to pretend that he hadfallen on purpose, as he had been taught. The Giant and Cecco werealso quickly on their feet, and the three bowed, side by side, as asign that the show was over. 

Cecco hissed a word into Gigi's ear, and he knew what to fear next. Heshuddered and tried to draw aside; but the Giant turned to him, lividwith rage, and with one blow of his heavy hand struck him to the ground. 

"So! You spoil us again!" he muttered. "You good-for-nothing! I'llteach you! Now take the tambourine and gather up the coins from thecrowd. You'll get a beating anyway for this. But if you don't take upmore than we had at the last town, you'll have such a trouncing as younever yet knew. Now then!"

Dazed and trembling, Gigi took the tambourine, and, shaking its littlebells appealingly, went about among the people. They had already begunto scatter, with the wonderful agility of a crowd which has not paid. Some, however, still lingered from curiosity and with the hope of asecond performance. A number of small copper coins Jingled into Gigi'stambourine. He approached the good woman who had shown an interest inhim. She stooped down and thrust a piece of silver into his hand, whispering, --

"It is for yourself, child. Do not give it to the cruel men! Keep itto spend upon a feast-day, darling!"

Gigi looked at her, surprised. People so seldom spoke kindly to him!The brown spot upon his eyelid quivered. He seemed about to cry. Thewoman patted him on the head kindly. 

"If they are cruel to you, I'd not stay with them, " she whispered. "I'd run away. --Hey, Beppo! Hey, Giovanni! Paolo!" she called, "wemust be off. " And she turned to gather up her young ones, who wereshouting about the market-place, trying to stand upon their heads asGigi had done. 

Gigi clasped the silver piece tightly in his hand, and went on, shakingthe tambourine after the retreating crowd. But few more pennies werecoaxed away. Presently he made his way back to the group of tumblers, now seated on the fountain-steps. 

"Well, what have you?" growled the Giant. Gigi presented thetambourine with the few pennies rattling around somewhat lonesomely. 

"Humph!" snarled Cecco. "Less than last time. Is that all?"

"A beating you get!" roared the Giant. 

Gigi shivered. "No, --not all, " he said. "Here is a silver piece, " andhe held out the coin which the kind woman had given him. 

"Ah, silver! that is better!" cried Tonio the Hunchback, with his eyesshining greedily. "Give it here"; and he snatched it and thrust itInto his pouch. Tonio was the treasurer of the gypsy band. But theGiant had been eyeing Gigi with an ugly gleam. 

"He was keeping it!" he growled. "He did not mean to give it up. Hewould have stolen it!"

"It was mine!" cried Gigi with spirit. "She gave it to me and told meto keep it for a fiesta. But I gave it up because--because I did notwant to be beaten again. "

"You did not give it up soon enough!" roared the Giant, working himselfinto a terrible rage. "You shall smart for this, you whelp! Aftersupper I will beat you as never a boy was beaten yet. But I must eatfirst. I must get up my strength. No supper for you, Gigi. Do youwatch the donkey here while we go to the inn and spend the silverpiece. Then, when we are camped outside the town, --then we will attendto you!"

III

THE RUNAWAY

It was but a step to the inn around the corner. Off went the threegypsies, leaving Gigi with the donkey beside the fountain. The pooranimal stood with hanging head and flopping ears. He too was weary andheart-broken by a hard life and many beatings. His back was piled withthe heavy roll of carpet and all the poor belongings of the band, including the tent for the night's lodging. For on these warm springnights they slept in the open, usually outside the walls of some town. They were never welcome visitors, but vagrants and outcasts. 

Gigi sat on the fountain-step with his aching head between his hands. He was very hungry, and his heart ached even more than his head or hisempty stomach. He was so tired of their cruelties and their hard wayswith him, which had been ever since he could remember. The kind wordwhich the good woman had spoken to him had unnerved him, too. She hadadvised him to run away. Run away! He had thought of that before. But how could he do it? Tonio the Hunchback was so wicked and sharp!He would know just where to find a runaway. Cecco was so swift andlithe, like a cat! He would run after Gigi and capture him. The Giantwas so big and cruel! He would kill Gigi when he was brought back. The boy shuddered at the thought. 

Gigi pulled around him the old flapping cloak which he wore whiletraveling, to conceal his gaudy tumbler's costume. If he only had thatsilver piece perhaps he could do something, he thought. Much could bedone with a silver piece. It was long since the band had seen one. They would be having a fine lark at the inn, eating and drinking! Theywould not be back for a long time. 

Gigi looked up and around the marketplace. There was no one visible. The crowd had melted as if by magic. Every one was at supper, --everyone but Gigi. What a chance to escape, if he were ever to try! Thecolor leaped into the boy's pale cheeks. Why not? Now or never!

He rose to his feet, pulling his cloak closer about him, and lookedstealthily up and down. The donkey lifted his head and eyed himwistfully, as if to say, "Oh, take me away, too!" But Gigi paid noattention to him. He was not cruel, but he had never learned to bekind. Without a pang, without a farewell to the beast who had been hiscompanion and fellow-sufferer for so many long months, he turned hisback on the fountain and stole down one of the darkest little sidestreets. 

He ran on down, constantly down, for the village was on the side of ahill, and the market-place was at its top. Around sharp curves heturned, dived under dark archways and through dirty alleys, downflights of steps, until he was out of breath and too dizzy to gofurther. He had come out on the highroad, it seemed. The little browncottages were farther apart here. It was more like the country, whichGigi loved. He turned into an enclosure and hid behind a stack ofstraw, panting. 

[Illustration: Gigi runs away. ]

He wondered if by this time they had discovered his flight, and heshivered to think of what Tonio and Cecco were saying if it were so. He looked up and down the road. There was something familiar about it. Yes, it was surely the road up which they had toiled that veryafternoon, coming from the country and a far-off village. They hadbeen planning to go on from here down the other side of the hill to thenext village, Gigi knew. But now would they retrace their steps tolook for him?

Just then he spied a black speck moving down the road toward him. Gigi's heart sank. Could they be after him already? He crouchedcloser behind the straw-stack, trembling. They must not find him!

Nearer and nearer came the speck. At last Gigi saw that it was a cartdrawn by a team of white oxen, which accounted for the slowness of thepace. He sighed with relief. This at least he need not fear. As itcame nearer, Gigi saw that in the cart were a woman and three littleboys of about his own age. And presently, as he watched the lumberingteam curiously, he recognized the very woman who had given him thesilver piece an hour before. These, too, were the little boys who hadfaced him in the crowd. A sudden hope sprang into Gigi's heart. Perhaps she would help him to escape. Perhaps she would at least givehim a lift on his way. He decided to risk it. 

IV

THE OX-CART

Gigi waited until the cart was nearly opposite, and he could hear thevoices of the woman and the children talking and laughing together. Then he crept out from behind the stack and stepped to the side of theroad. 

The great, lumbering oxen eyed him curiously, but did not pause. Thechildren stopped talking, and one of them pointed Gigi out to hismother. 

"Look, Mama! A little boy!"

"Hello!" cried the woman in her hearty, kind voice, stopping the team. "What are you doing here, little lad?"

She did not recognize Gigi at once in his long traveling cloak. Butsuddenly he threw back the folds of it and showed the green tightsunderneath. 

"Do you remember?" he said. "You told me to run away. Well, I havedone it!"

"It is, the little tumbler! The tumbler, Mama!" cried the boys in onebreath, clapping their hands with pleasure. 

But the woman stared blankly. "My faith!" she said at last. "You lostno time in taking the hint. How did you get here so soon? We werehomeward bound when you had scarcely finished tumbling. Now here youare before us, on foot!"

"I ran, " said Gigi simply. "I came not by the highway, which is longand winding, but down steep streets like stairs, which brought me herevery quickly. "

"See the bruise on his cheek, mother!" cried Beppo, the littlest boy, pointing. The good woman saw it, and her eyes flashed. 

"Oh! Oh!" she clucked. "The wicked men! Did they do that to you?"

"Yes. And they will do more if they catch me now, " said Gigi. "Iknow. They have beaten me many times till I could not move. But ifthey catch me this time, they will kill me because I ran away. Willyou help me?"

"Why, what can I do?" asked the woman uneasily, looking up and down theroad. "If they should come now! You belong to them. I shall getmyself into trouble. "

Gigi's face fell. "Very well, " he said. "Good-by. You were kind tome to-day, and I thought--perhaps--" He turned away, with his lipsquivering. 

"Stay!" cried the woman. "Where is the silver piece which I gave you?You can at least buy food and a night's lodging with that. "

"They took it from me, " said Gigi. "I had to give it up because therewas so little money in the tambourine, --only coppers. They said peoplewould not pay because I fell; and so they would beat me again. "

"They took it from you! The thieves!" cried the woman angrily. "Nay, then I will indeed help you to escape. Climb in here, boy, among myyoungsters. We have still an hour's ride down the road, and you shallgo so far at least. "

Gigi climbed into the cart and nestled down among the children. Thewoman clucked to the oxen, and forthwith they moved on down thehighroad. The shadows were beginning to darken, and the birds hadceased to sing. 

"Hiew! Hiew! Come up! Come up!" the woman urged on the great whiteoxen. "It is growing late, and the good man will wonder why we are solong returning from market. This has been our holiday, " she explainedto Gigi. "And to think that the Tumblers should have happened to cometo the market this very day! The children will never forget!"

Beppo had been staring at Gigi with fascinated eyes. "How did youlearn?" he asked suddenly. "Could I do it too?"

Gigi laughed. For the first time that day his face lost its sadness, and the brown spot on his eyelid, falling into one of the littlecreases, gave him a very mischievous look. He seemed to wink. Immediately the whole cartful of peasants began to laugh with him, theyknew not why. They could not help it. This was what happened wheneverGigi laughed, as he seldom did. 

But soon Gigi grew grave once more. "Why do you want to learn?" heasked. "It does not make me happy. For oh! they are so cruel!"

"Do they beat you much?" asked Paolo sympathetically. Gigi nodded hishead with a sigh. "Very much, " he said. "I am always black and blue. "

"Am I too big to learn?" demanded Giovanni, the oldest boy, who wasperhaps twelve and heavier than Gigi. "When did you begin?"

Gigi grew thoughtful. "Ever since I remember, I have tumbled, " hesaid. "Ever since I was a baby, before I could even turn a somersault, they tossed me back and forth between them and made me kiss my hand tothe people who stood about. "

"And did they beat you then?" asked Beppo, doubling up his fists. 

Gigi sighed again. "They always beat me, " he said simply. "Whatever Idid, they beat me when they were ugly. And that was always. "

"Do you belong to them?" asked the woman suddenly. "They are Gypsies, black men. But you are fair like the people of the North. Where didthey get you, Gigi?"

Gigi shook his head. "I do not know, " he said. "I have belonged tothem always, I think. "

"Hark!" said Mother Margherita suddenly. "What's that?"

There was a faint noise far off on the road behind them. Gigitrembled. "They are coming for me!" he said. "What shall I do?"

"No, no, " said the woman. "I do not fear that. It is too soon, surely. But it is growing dark here in the valley. This is a lonelyspot, and there are many wicked men about besides your masters, Gigi. "

"Thieves and villains!" whispered Giovanni. "Oh, mother, hide the bagof silver that you got at market!"

"Sh! Sh!" warned the mother sharply. "Do not speak of it! Hiew, hiew! Go on! go on!" And she urged the oxen faster. 

But the great beasts would not hasten their pace for her. The noisecame nearer. They could hear that it was the trotting of hoofs. 

"There is only one animal, " said Gigi, whose ears were keen. "I canhear his four feet patter. I think it is the donkey!"

"I can see him now!" cried Paolo. "It is a little man on a donkey. Heis bending forward and beating it hard. "

Gigi strained his eyes to see. "It is Tonio!" he whispered fearfully. "I know it! Oh, the Hunchback will kill me when he finds me! And hewill take your silver, too!"

"Sh! Sh!" commanded the mother. "He shall not find you. Here, takethis bag, Gigi. It will be safer with you. And here, creep under myskirts and keep close. He will never guess where you are!"

Mother Margherita spread out her generous draperies, which luckily wereboth long and wide, and Gigi crept under them, being wholly covered. The other boys huddled close, shivering with a not wholly unpleasantexcitement. This was an adventure indeed for a holiday!

The rider drew nearer and nearer, lashing the poor donkey unmercifully. At last they could see his face, red and lowering. 

"Halt!" he cried suddenly. "You in the cart there, halt!"

V

THE HUNCHBACK

The oxen stopped. The cart came toa standstill. The boys huddled closer, and Gigi's heart beat like a tambourine. He was sure that Tonio would hear it. 

"What do you want?" asked Mother Margherita, and her usually kind voice was harsh. 

"You seem to have a load of young cubsthere, " shouted Tonio. "Have you got myboy, Gigi the Tumbler, among them? Someone has stolen the little monster. "

[Illustration: "Have you got my boy?"]

"What are you talking about!" answeredMother Margherita sharply. "I am a respectablecountrywoman returning from market-daywith my children. What business have Iwith tumblers and vagrants!"

"That I'll see for myself, woman, " saidTonio, jumping unsteadily down from thedonkey and approaching the cart. Tonio hadbeen drinking, and his little eyes were red andfierce. 

"Keep your hands off my children!" criedtheir plucky mother, brandishing her whip. But Tonio was not to be kept away. 

"I will see them!" he snarled. He thrusthis ugly face into those of the three boys, oneafter another, eyeing them sharply in thegrowing darkness. But there was little aboutthese sun-browned, black-eyed youngsters tosuggest the slender, fair-haired Gigi. 

Tonio peered into the cart. He even thrusthis long, lean hand into the straw that coveredthe floor, and felt about the corners, while theboys wriggled away from his touch like eelsfrom a landing-net. Gigi held his breath. ButMother Margherita would not tamely endureall this. 

"Get along, you vermin!" she cried, strikingat his hands as he approached the forwardend of the cart. "Can't you see that theboy is not here? What would he be doing inmy cart, anyway? I'll trouble you to let us goon our way in peace. My man in the housedown yonder will be out to help us with hiscrossbow and his dogs, if we scream a bitlouder. Be off with you, and look for yourboy in the village. Is it likely he would havecome so far as this, the poor tired little lad?"

"The others are searching the village, "growled the Hunchback tipsily. "They'llfind him if he's there. 'Tis likely you areright. And then! I must be there to help atthe punishing. Oh! that will be sport!--Haveany other teams passed you on the road?" heasked suddenly. "Have you overtaken no oneon foot?"

"We have passed no one, " said MotherMargherita truthfully, starting up the oxen. "Hiew! Hiew! Go on! go on, " she clucked. "We must get home to bed. "

The Hunchback withdrew from the cartunsteadily, and mounted his donkey. For amoment he looked doubtfully up and downthe road, then he turned the poor tired animal'shead once more toward the village, and theybegan to plod back up the slope. 

"The Lord forgive me!" whispered MotherMargherita piously. "I told a lie, and beforemy children, too! But it was to spare a childsuffering, perhaps death. Surely, the Lordwho loves little children will forgive me this sin. "

So the good woman mused, as, faint withterror and gasping for breath, Gigi came outfrom under her skirts. He handed back thebag of silver, and gave a sigh of relief. Thelittle boys seized him rapturously. 

"You are saved, Gigi!" cried Paolo. 

"He will never find you now, " said Giovanni. 

"See, we are almost home! You shall comeand live with us and teach us how to tumble!"cried Beppo, hugging his new friend closely. But Mother Margherita interrupted him. 

"Not so fast, not so fast, children, " shewarned. "Gigi is saved for now. But we maybe able to do little more for him. Your fatheris master in the house, remember. Your fathermay not be pleased with what we have done. Never promise what you may not be able togive, my Beppo. " And she fell to musingagain rather uneasily. 

The boys were all suddenly silent, and Gigi, who had warmed to their kindness, felt asudden chill. He had not thought of anythingbeyond the safety of the moment. He hadmade no plans, he had only hoped vaguelythat these good people might help him. Butnow, what was to happen next? Was therestill something more to fear?

Suddenly the flash of a lantern lighted theroad ahead. A man's voice hailed them loudly. "Hello! Hello! Will you never be coming home?"

"Father! It is father!" cried the three boysin an answering shout. Then with a commonthought they all stopped short, and Gigi feltthem looking at him in the darkness. 

"What will he think of Gigi?" he heardBeppo whisper to his brothers. 

"Sh!" warned Mother Margherita. Andthe man's voice sounded nearer. 

"Hello, old woman!" it called gruffly. "Well, you did come back, didn't you?I began to believe that you had all run away. "

"Run away!" There was a little pausebefore any one answered. And Gigi feltthe elbows of the boys nudging him in the side. 

"Father's angry!" they whispered. "Fatheris terrible when he is angry. You had betterlook out!"

Then Gigi knew that there was somethingelse to fear that night. And his heart sank. Was there to be no end of his troubles?

VI

THE SILVER PIECE

The team stopped in front of a stone cottage, from the window of whichthe light shone hospitably. They all jumped down from the cart, andunder cover of the darkness Mother Margherita hustled Gigi with theother boys into the house, while Giuseppe, the father, cared for theoxen. 

The mother busied herself in preparing supper, and the boys scatteredabout on various errands. But Gigi sat in a corner by the fire, tootired to move or speak. He had thrown off his long cloak, and the fireglanced brightly upon the green and gold costume of this quaint littlefigure, so out of place in the simple cottage. Presently Giuseppeentered with a heavy tread, and paused in amazement at what he saw onhis hearthstone. 

"Hello!" he cried gruffly. "What's this?"

Mother Margherita came forward quickly. "It is a little tumbler, " shesaid. "We saw him do his tricks at the market to-day. The Gypsiesbeat him, and he has run away. Let us give him at least supper and ashelter for the night, Giuseppe?" Her tone was beseeching. 

"Hum!" grumbled Giuseppe doubtfully. "A runaway! A tumbler! A thief, I dare say, as well. A pretty fellow to bring into an honest man'shouse! His master will be after him, and then we shall all get intotrouble for sheltering a runaway. Margherita, you were always afoolish woman! Is this all you have to show for market-day? Where isthe money?"

"Here it is, Giuseppe, " said the mother, handing him the bag of silver, which he thrust into his pocket. "Now let us have supper. You cancount the silver afterward, and we will tell you about everything whenthat is over. "

With a very bad grace the father watched the little stranger timidlytake his place at the board between Paolo and Giovanni, Beppo cryingbecause he could not have the tumbler next to him also. 

There was much to talk about at that meal. They had to describe theholiday at market, which was a great event for the little family. Thenthere were the Tumblers; and the adventure of Gigi and theHunchback, --that was the most exciting of all. And how near they cameto losing the bag of silver which they had earned by selling theirvegetables at the market! Giuseppe asked Gigi many questions, notunkindly, but with a bluntness that made the boy wince. And oftenMother Margherita spoke up for him, with a kind answer. Gigi grewpaler and paler, and his food lay almost untouched on his plate. Hewas too tired to eat. 

At last, when supper was finished. Mother Margherita rose and lighteda candle. "Come with me, Gigi, " she said, "and I will show you whereyou are to sleep this night. "

Gigi followed her readily, glad to escape further questioning, andeager to rest his aching head. The little boys called after him ahearty good-night. But Giuseppe saw him go without a word, castingsidewise looks after the retreating figures, and grunting sourly. 

There was no room for Gigi in the loft where the family slept. But outin the stable, beside the oxen, was a fresh pile of straw, a fine bedfor the tired little wanderer. When Mother Margherita had bidden him akind good-night and had closed the stable door behind her, Gigi threwhimself upon the straw and was almost Instantly asleep. The oxenbreathed gently beside him, chewing their cud. Everything was stilland peaceful. And the night passed. 

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" crowed the first cock, speaking the same tonguethat he learned at the beginning of the world, and that he always usesin every land, among every people. 

It was but a few moments later when Gigi was awakened suddenly by atouch on his shoulder. The boy opened his eyes and stared about, bewildered. He did not know where he was. Who was this bending overhim in the dim light? Not Tonio; not Cecco; not the Giant? Then herecognized Mother Margherita, stooping low with a pitiful expression onher face. She had a little bundle in her hand. 

"Get up, Gigi, " she whispered. "You must be off. My man is so angry!He vows he will take you to the village to-day and give you up to yourmasters. He thinks you are a thief, Gigi. But I do not believe thatyou stole the silver piece. "

"The silver piece!" cried Gigi, still more bewildered. 

"Sh!" cautioned the woman, laying a hand on his lips. "Giuseppe mustnot know that I am here. He sleeps still. When we counted the moneyin the bag we found it short by one piece of silver, besides the one Igave you. That was my own to do with as I chose. But he believes thatyou stole another when you were holding the bag for me, hiding under myskirts. "

"I did not take it!" cried Gigi, wide-awake now. "Oh, I would notsteal from you, --not from you, the only person who was ever kind to me!"

"There, there! I told him so!" said the good woman soothingly. "Itold him I must have lost it at the market when I was making change forsomebody. But he will not believe. You must be off, Gigi, before hewakes, or you will have to go back to those cruel fellows. Giuseppe isso set! Like a mule he is when he is angry!"

Gigi sprang to his feet and looked wildly around. "Where shall I go?What shall I do?" he asked. 

Mother Margherita looked at the pale little lad and her eyes filled. "Poor little fellow!" she sighed. "Suppose you were one of my boys, Beppo or Paolo! But we must lose no time"; and she dashed the tearsfrom her eyes. "Here is your cloak to hide that gaudy dress. And hereis a bundle of food, --all I could spare without the good man'sknowledge. For it must seem that you have run away of your own accord. I know that will make him sure that you are a thief. But I dare notlet him guess that I have warned you and helped you to escape. You donot know Giuseppe's anger!--Farewell, dear little lad, and may theSaints have you in their keeping. "

She led him to the door and pointed out the direction, in the graydawn. She showed him where, to the north, by a great tree, a lanebranched from the highroad. "Follow that, " she said. "It will besafer in case you are pursued. And it comes at last to the great roadinto another country. There perhaps you will be safe and find friendswho can help you more than I have done. Though none can wish youbetter. " And she hugged him close. "Farewell, Gigi!"

VII

THE WANDERER

With a lump in his throat, Gigi left the only roof that had ever shownhim kindness. In the gray dawn he crept out to the highroad. Therewas no time to be lost, for already the east was growing pink, and soonthe sun would be making long shadows on the open road. Giuseppe wouldsurely spy him and bring him back. 

As soon as he was outside the farm enclosure, Gigi began to run. Buthe found that he was stiff and sore from his fall of the day before, and from the many beatings which he had received of late. Every bonein his body ached, and especially his head, which throbbed so as tomake him faint. Still he ran on. For more than anything else hefeared being captured and sent back to the Gypsies. 

At last Gigi came to the great tree where branched the cross-road tothe north. Here he turned aside. Then he drew a deep breath, feelingsafer. He ceased running, and presently, being hungry and tired, hesat down upon a stone and opened the bundle which Mother Margherita hadgiven him. He found bread and cheese, and began to eat greedily, untilhe remembered that he knew not where he should find dinner and supper. He looked at the remnant of bread and cheese longingly, but at lastwrapped it up and put it back into the little pouch which, as was thecustom in those times, he wore at his belt. 

The lane upon which he was now traveling was shadier than the highroad, and as he went on the trees grew even taller and bigger. Apparentlythe way was leading through the outskirts of a forest. The lane wasmore crooked, also. Gigi could not see far either before or behindhim, because of the constant turnings. 

Suddenly, he stopped short and listened. There was a sound; yes, therecertainly was a sound on the road behind him, --the noise of gallopinghoofs. 

Gigi was seized with a panic. Without stopping to think, he plungedfrom the road into the forest, and began to run wildly through theunderbrush. He did not care in which direction he went, --anywhere, asfar as possible from the pursuing hoof-beats. 

On, on he plunged, sometimes sprawling over roots of trees, sometimesbruising himself against low branches or stumbling upon stones whichseemed to rise up on purpose to delay him; torn by briars and trippedby clutching vines. But always he ran on and on, this way and that, wherever there seemed an opening in the forest, which was continuallygrowing denser and more wild. 

How long he wandered he did not know. The sun was high in the heavenswhen at last, wholly exhausted, Gigi fell upon a bank of moss. Hisweary bones ached. He was too tired to move, but lay there motionless, and presently he fell into a troubled sleep. When he awoke with astart, it was growing dark, and he was very hungry. He felt for thepouch into which he had put his bits of bread and cheese, but it wasgone! He must have lost it when pushing through the bushes. 

What was he to do? He knew he must find his way back to the highroad, where he could perhaps beg a supper at some cottage. But how was he toknow which way to go? He looked up and around him in despair. He wasin the midst of the wildest kind of forest. The trees grew closetogether, and there was no path, no sign that men had ever passed thisway. 

Moreover, it was growing darker every minute. Already the shadowsbehind the trees were black and terrible. Gigi suddenly rememberedthat there were fierce animals in the forests. In those days, all overEurope bears and wolves and many kinds of wild beasts, large and small, wandered wherever there were trees and hiding-places; in fact, onemight meet them anywhere except in cities and towns. And sometimes inwinter, when they were very hungry, bold wolves prowled even in themarket-places. 

Gigi shuddered. He dared not think of sleep, alone in this dreadfulplace. He must try to find the road. Once more he crawled to his feetand began to stagger through the darkness, groping with his hands toward off the branches which scratched his face and the thorns whichtore his garments into rags. 

Now there began to be strange sounds in the forest. The birds hadceased to sing, save for a chirp now and then as Gigi's passing wakenedsome tired songster. But there were other noises which Gigi did notunderstand, and which set his heart to knocking fearfully; the crackingof twigs far off and near at hand; little scurries in the underbrush ashe approached; now and then the crash of something bounding through thebushes in the distance; sometimes a squeak or a chatter which soundedterrible to the little boy's unaccustomed ears. And finally, far offin the forest, came a long, low howl that set his teeth to chattering. 

Was it a wolf? The thought was more than Gigi could bear. He fainted, and fell forward into a bed of soft green moss. 

VIII

THE RESCUE

Gigi must have lain all night where he fell. For when he opened hiseyes the sun was shining dimly through the dense leaves of the treeoverhead. He remembered only the last thing he had heard before hiseyes closed, --that long howl in the darkness. So it was with a thrillof terror that he felt a strange touch on his face. Something warm andwet was passing over his cheek. Something soft and warm was cuddlingclose to his side. He thrust out his hand feebly, groping at somethingto help him rise. His fingers closed in thick, soft hair. SuddenlyGigi knew what was happening to his face. Some big animal was lickingit with a coarse but gentle tongue!

Was it the wolf that had howled? A dreadful thought! Gigi screamedaloud. He struck at the creature with all the strength he had, whichwas little enough. 

"Get away! Go along with you!" he cried in Gypsy gibberish. 

In answer, the animal uttered a whine, very gentle, very piteous; andit began to lick the hand which had struck it. 

Gigi's eyes had now grown used to the half-light. Suddenly he saw whathad lain beside him, keeping him warm all night. It was a great shaggydog, brown and white. Around his neck was a heavy collar of leatherstudded with nails. Gigi did not like dogs. The only ones he knew hadalways chased the Tumblers and barked at them as they entered or left avillage. Sometimes they had snapped at Gigi's heels so viciously thathe had cried out. And then Cecco would cuff him for making a fuss. 

But this dog seemed friendly. He looked up in Gigi's face, and waggedhis tail pleasantly. He whined and put his nose in Gigi's hand; thenhe got to his feet and ran away a few steps, looking back at the boyand waiting. Gigi did not know what it meant. But when the dog sawthat the boy was not following, he went back and repeated his action. Several times he did this, and still Gigi lay looking at him, too tiredand too weak to make an effort, even to think. At last the dog cameback once more. This time he took Gigi's hand between his teeth, verygently, and began to pull him in the direction toward which he hadfirst gone. Then Gigi knew. The dog was trying to lead him somewhere!

A throb of hope warmed his heart. Perhaps this was a friend who wouldbring him out of the dreadful forest to some place where he could eat. For oh, he was so hungry! He dragged himself to his feet, and tried tofollow, leaning a hand on the dog's neck. The creature was wild withjoy, and began to bark and wag his tail furiously. Even this motionmade the boy totter, he was so weak. He took a few steps, then he hadto stop. He was sore all over, dizzy and faint. He lay down on theground with his head between his hands. And once more the good dogcrept near and poked his wet nose into Gigi's face, licking his cheek. 

The boy reached out a hand and patted him timidly. It was the firsttime Gigi had ever felt friendly toward an animal!

When the dog found that it was of no use to try to lead Gigi on, he satstill and seemed to think for a few moments. Then he came close andcrouched in the moss beside Gigi, whining softly and rubbing his noseagainst the boy's knee. Evidently he wanted his new friend to dosomething. The boy looked at him wearily, and wondered. He took holdof the collar about the dog's neck. Yes! that was it! The dog barkedand wagged his tail, but did not move. He was still waiting. Gigilooked at the big fellow lying there. He was almost as large as thelittle donkey who bore the luggage of the Tumblers upon their journeys. He was big enough to carry Gigi himself. Was that what the creaturemeant?

Gigi lifted one leg over the dog's back, keeping hold of the collar astightly as he could. The animal rose to his feet with a glad bark. Yes, this was what he wanted. He began to move forward slowly, forGigi was a heavy burden and his feet nearly touched the ground. 

Slowly they moved through the forest, a quaint pair of wanderers. Sometimes Gigi felt faint and ill, and lay forward, resting his head onthe dog's soft neck. Sometimes they stopped to rest. Then Gigi layflat on the moss, with the dog stretched out close to his side. Butthey were both unwilling to waste many minutes so. 

[Illustration: A quaint pair of wanderers. ]

IX

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Presently Gigi and the dog came to a clearing in the forest. All aboutwas as wild as anything they had passed. But here, quite alone, stooda little hut made of logs and branches twisted together. 

The first thing that Gigi saw, after the hut itself, was an old man ina coarse gray gown, sitting on a stump, reading a book. His head wasbare, and he had a long white beard. His feet were bare, too, and hewore leather sandals. A rope was tied about his waist. Gigi hadsometimes seen men so dressed plodding along the highroad or beggingfrom the townsfolk. If he thought about them at all, he believed themto be some rival sort of performers, like the Tumblers themselves. Itseemed very queer to see one of the Gray Men here in the lonelyforest, --and with such strange companions! Gigi stared and staredagain, rubbing his tired eyes to make sure that they saw aright. 

On the old man's knees was curled, asleep, a comfortable white cat. Three little kittens played with the knotted ends of his girdle, swarming up and down the gray gown of the reader. On his shoulderperched a squirrel, busily eating a nut which he held in his littlepaws. Close by, a brown and white deer grazed about the door of thelittle hut. A great black raven hopped gravely about the old man'sfeet, now and then picking up a bug. Lying peacefully asleep in frontof the hut door, like a yellow mat of fur, a fox was stretched. In andout among the rose-bushes of a tiny garden which was planted beneaththe window of the hut, hopped several brown hares, seeming much athome. The old man's head nodded forward on his book. He could sleepsoundly, it seemed, with all these little live things swarming abouthim. Even as his gray locks swept the page, a thrush fluttered downand lighted gently on the bald crown, beginning to sing so sweetly thatGigi held his breath. 

All this the boy saw in that first glimpse before he and the dog partedthe bushes and came out into the clearing. In that instant everythingchanged. The dog gave a sharp bark of pleasure. The old man let thebook fall from his hand, and sat staring. The animals leaped fromtheir slumbers and scuttled away in every direction, some into the hut, some into the neighboring bushes, some melting as if by magic into theforest. The squirrel and the thrush took shelter in the treetops. Only the raven, with ruffled feathers, remained at the old man's side, turning a fierce little eye upon the newcomer. 

By this time Gigi had thrown himself from the dog's back, and stoodfeebly leaning against a tree. Released from his burden, the dogbounded forward, and was soon leaping upon the old man's shoulders, covering his face and hands and feet with eager kisses. 

"Down, Brutus, down!" said the old man, in a tongue which Gigi couldnot understand. "Where hast thou been so long, good dog? And what newpet hast thou brought for my colony?" He looked towards Gigi withkeen, kind eyes. "Come hither, my lad, " he said in the same tongue. 

But Gigi only stared, not understanding. He was growing afraid of thisqueer old man, who spoke a strange language and had wild animals forhis friends; who read, too, in a great black book! Gigi had heard ofwicked wizards and sorcerers, and he believed that he saw one now. Heturned about and tried to run away. But his poor head grew dizzy, andbefore he knew it he had fallen, and lay sobbing and shivering, unableto rise. 

Presently he felt the dog's gentle tongue licking his face. A momentafter, kind, strong arms lifted him and bore him into the little hut. The old man laid Gigi on a cot beside the window, and after laying hishand on the boy's head and wrist, went away and returned with somethingin a cup. 

"Drink this, my child, " he said. And this time Gigi understood. Hedrank and felt better. Then the old man asked him in the tongue whichGigi knew, "Are you hungry, lad?"

The boy nodded, and his eyes must have told how nearly starved he was. The old man went swiftly to a little cupboard in the wall, and sooncame back with bread and milk in an earthen bowl. 

"Eat, " he said, lifting Gigi's head on his arm. "Eat this good bread, my son, and drink the warm milk of my friend the doe, which I had justset aside, not expecting you. Then you shall sleep here on my pallet. And soon we shall be right smiling and happy all!"

The kind old eyes beamed on Gigi while he devoured his breakfast like astarved animal, without a word of thanks. When he had finished, thekind old hands brought water and bathed the tired body, bound up thebleeding hands and feet with refreshing ointment, and laid Gigi backagain to rest upon the cot beside the rose-screened window. 

There Gigi lay and slept; slept and dreamed; dreamed and went overagain by fits and starts the strange adventures of the past two days. But strangest of all, though by far the pleasantest, was that picturewhich he had seen when he came out into the clearing upon the back ofBrutus. And this picture, with queer variations, filled the foregroundof Gigi's dreaming. 

X

THE HERMIT

_They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earthshall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover thesea_. --HOLY WRIT. 

For three days Gigi lay on the pallet of the good Hermit, near todeath. And for three days the great dog lay on guard by his side. TheHermit went softly to and fro, taking tender care of the boy and givinghim medicine made from wonderful herbs which he had found in the woods. Often he knelt in a corner of the hut, before a rude wooden Cross, andsaid prayers; this seemed to give him strength for his work and hopefor its result. So that when he rose, his face would be bright andhappy. 

This was he doing the third morning when Gigi awoke, feeling better. The ache was gone from his limbs and the dizziness from his head. Heawoke with a long sigh, and for the first time since he lay down on theHermit's pallet he looked around him with interest. At first he didnot know where he was. 

The hut was small and bare. In one corner was a cupboard where theHermit kept his scanty supply of food and the medicines which hedistilled. Against the wall was a bench, beside a table made of atree-stump, and on the table lay a great black book. Opposite the bedwas the Cross of wood fastened to the wall, and below it the goodHermit knelt with bowed head. Gigi wondered what he was doing. Hehimself knew no prayers. 

Gigi's eyes wandered to the door, which stood open. On the sill thecat and her kittens were playing. Outside he could catch a glimpse ofvarious animals frisking about the dooryard. Birds sang merrily in thetrees overhead and in the bushes just outside the window. The ravenhopped into the doorway and stood looking saucily at Gigi, with head onone side. It was all so peaceful, so quiet, so different from anythingwhich Gigi had known, that he thought it must be a dream. He sighedagain, and turned over, stretching out his arm. In doing so he touchedthe hairy neck of Brutus, who was still sleeping by his bed. Instantlythe dog sprang up and began to lick the boy's face. At the samemoment, with a pious gesture, the Hermit also rose and came toward thecot, smiling kindly. 

"You are better, my son?" he asked, laying a cool hand upon Gigi'sforehead. "Ah, yes! You will soon be quite yourself. "

Gigi stared up at him contentedly. "Who are you?" he asked. He hadnever been taught manners, and he could no longer hide his curiosity. 

"I am a Hermit, " answered the old man. "I live here alone with myanimals, as you see. I pass the days in prayer and meditation, studying the Lord's Holy Book and the living works of His hands. "

"Why do you live away from men?" asked Gigi again. 

The Hermit's face grew sad. 

"Men are wicked and cruel, child, " he said. "Men hurt and kill oneanother. They love to slay the innocent animals for sport. In theirkingdoms is no love. I have made myself here an animal kingdom, whereall is love and peace. "

"Do all animals know you?" asked Gigi, wondering. 

"With time I can make friends with them all, " said the Hermit, smiling. "One has but to love and understand and be patient. See!"

He gave a peculiar call. Instantly there came tumbling into the hut, until it nearly overflowed, a strange medley of creatures, --hares, mice, birds, kittens, squirrels. Last of all peered into the doorway adeer and her little speckled fawn. 

The dog sat quite still, not moving a muscle. He had been trained notto frighten his more timid neighbors. 

"Follow the example of Brutus, my son, " said the Hermit gently. "Makeno sudden movement and do not speak. They know my voice, and they willlearn yours. But you are still a stranger to them, and must expectthem to be shy. "

The animals crowded lovingly about the Hermit, some springing upon hisshoulders and knees, the birds flitting about his head. 

Gigi thought he had never seen so wonderful a sight. "Oh!" thought he, "if I could only do this, what money might I not take from a crowd onmarket-days!"

After talking to his pets and caressing them tenderly, the old mandismissed them to the outdoor sunshine, so that he was alone with Gigi, who could then be free to move and speak once more. 

"The beloved innocents!" said the Hermit, with a sigh. "Who could everwillfully injure one of them. God's creatures?--But now, my son, tellme about yourself, " he broke off. "Who are you? Whence do you come?Whither are you going?"

"I do not know, " said Gigi simply, in answer to all three questions. And then he told his story as he had told it to Mother Margherita. 

The old man listened pitifully. "Poor little lad!" he said. "Men havebeen cruel to you, also. You have no home, no friends, no past, and nofuture. What shall we do with you?"

"Oh, let me stay with you!" cried Gigi, clasping his hands. "You areso good and wise. Teach me! Teach me to be good and wise, too. Takeme into your animal kingdom, and teach me to make them all my friends. I could do such tricks with them, --far better than tumbling. I shouldgrow rich!"

The old man shook his head. "That cannot be, " he said. "I cannotteach men to grow rich. Nor would I see my animals made ridiculous formoney. I came here to be a hermit. I vowed to have nothing more to dowith human folk, only with the animals whom they persecute. But Inever thought that a child would seek my roof. "

Pie looked at Gigi doubtfully. The boy returned the look, and thebrown spot on his eyelid trembled piteously. The Hermit blinked. 

"Yes, you are a poor little animal, too, " he said at last. "You areignorant and innocent as they. I cannot turn you away. Perhaps I canteach you better things than tricks. Perhaps I can make you a discipleand a Christian. If you are teachable, I can make you wise with theknowledge of herbs and healing. If I send back to the world which Ihave left one man useful, tender, strong, and good, perhaps he may beable to do more than I have done to stay the march of evil. "

Gigi did not understand the words at all, but the tone was kind. Hepushed the bandage from his head, looked up at the Hermit, and smiledhis own strange smile. "I think you will not beat me, " he said. Thebrown spot on his eyelid gave him the wink of mischief. 

"Beat you!" The old man's face broke into an answering smile, and herocked to and fro with pleasure in Gigi's little joke. Then he bentforward suddenly, and stared into the boy's face with a keen look. 

"The wicked eye of him!" he said, talking to himself. "How like it is!Strange, strange! About nine years old, he is. Nine years ago--" Hepaused, gazing at Gigi, and murmuring under his breath. "What are youwearing about your neck?" he asked suddenly. 

Gigi put his hand to a tiny silver chain which just peeped above hisgreen doublet, and drew out a flat piece of silver of strange shape, and with one side carved deeply with a notched Cross. 

"Where did you get this?" asked the Hermit, strangely excited. 

"I do not know, " said Gigi, wondering. "I have worn it always. Noteven Cecco dared take it from me. I have heard him say so. But I donot know why!"

"The lost one!" cried the Hermit, embracing Gigi, with tears in hiseyes. Then, crossing himself, he added piously, "Dear little lad! Weare in the Lord's hands. Gigi, you shall stay with me until the timeis come. But you wear the Cross, a blessed emblem. I shall call youno more by that heathen Gypsy name. You shall bear the belovedChristian name of John, to which perhaps you have as good a right asany. Ah! I will not tell you more. I will wait until I see if you beworthy indeed. If not--his son shall never know!"

All this Gigi did not understand. But he was happy to know that hemight stay. And he began his new life as one of the Hermit's animalkingdom by hugging close old Brutus, his first four-footed friend, whohad brought him safely to this haven. 

XI

THE PUPIL

_But ask now the beasts and they shall teach thee, and the fowls of theair and they shall tell thee_. --HOLY WRIT. 

Gigi the Gypsy was now become John; no longer an outcast and awanderer, but a happy little Christian boy. Surely no child ever livedso strange a life as he. Surely no boy ever had such queer playmates, or studied in so wild a school. 

First of all he had to become acquainted with his oddly-mixed family oftwo-footed and four-footed brothers. Brutus was his friend from thebeginning. The great dog seemed to have adopted for his very own theboy whom, led by some kindly angel, he had found that night in theforest. But the other creatures were shy at first. They ran at thesound of John's shrill boyish voice, and shrank from his quickmovements. They hid in the bushes when he came dashing and dancinginto the clearing after a romp with Brutus, and it would take somepatience to coax them back again. 

John saw that this troubled the good old Hermit, whom he loved betterevery day, and he tried to imitate his teacher's gentle voice andmanner and his soft tread. The little tumbler was himself light as afeather, and graceful as the deer, his new-found sister. He was quickto learn and naturally gentle, though his cruel life had made himcareless and rough. Soon he had made friends with all the Hermit'spets, so that they knew and loved him almost as well as they did themaster of this forest-school. 

In his green doublet and hose, clumsily patched with pieces of grayserge from the Hermit's own cloak, John rambled about the wild woods, looking like one of the fairy-folk of whom legends tell. Often he wentwith the wise old man, who gave him lessons of the forest which he knewso well. John learned to steal on tiptoe and surprise the ways of thewood-folk, --the shy birds and the shyer little brothers who live in themoss and mould. He grew wise in the lore of flowers and herbs, andcould tell where each one grew and when it blossomed, and which ones, giving their life-blood for the sake of men, could cure disease andbring comfort to the ailing. At night they watched the moon and thefar-off, tiny stars. These, too, became friends, many of them known toJohn by name. He loved each one, for the Hermit said that they alsowere his brothers and sisters, like the birds and beasts and fishes;all being the children of that Father who had made this beautiful worldto be the home where all should live together. 

But the book of Nature was not all that John studied in these days. Helearned to read also the written language of men, and studied the wiseand holy words which have kept goodness before men's sight sinceknowledge began. Until now John had never opened a book or held a pen. But the Hermit taught him wisely and well, and soon he was in a fairway to become a scholar. 

A busy life he led, what with his studies indoors and out and hisduties about the hut, --for the Hermit taught him to be deft in alltasks, however simple and homely. John could cut up firewood or cook aporridge with as happy a face as he wore when he played with Brutus orsang the morning hymn of praise at the good Hermit's side. 

One thing his teacher would not have him forget. He must practice histumbling every day. For the Hermit said, "No skill once learned willever come amiss, my son. You spent years and suffered hardly to gainthis agility. It seems to me not frivolous nor undignified, but abeautiful thing, to keep one's body lithe and graceful even as are thefree-natured animals. Then practice, John; and some day even thisskill may not come amiss. "

So the boy practiced daily in front of the cabin. He danced andtumbled; he turned somersaults and stood on his head; he leaped with apole and swung nimbly as a monkey from the limbs of the overhangingtrees. And the circle of animals watched him gravely, marveling nodoubt at the strange antics of their brother; but, being now used tohis voice and manner, neither annoyed nor shocked by anything which hemight do. 

[Illustration: The circle of animals watched him. ]

When the day was over, John would throw himself on a soft bed of mossunder a tree, beside the Hermit seated on a log. Then they would reador talk, and tell stories of what they had seen in the world of men. Brutus would be curled down between them. Blanche and her kittens, bigand little, would play with John's hair as he lay there. The squirrel, perched on the boy's doubled-up knees, would chatter and crack nuts. The brown hares would run to and fro over his feet, while the doe andher little fawn nibbled the grass close by, listening to the sound ofthe human voices as though they liked it. 

What a happy home it was! John wondered if ever any boy was so luckyas he. 

XII

THE BEAR

John had grown to love the little four-footed brothers dearly, and theywere great friends of his. But still the Hermit seemed to have a charmabout him which John lacked, and which drew even the strange newcreatures to him and made them trust him from the first. John longedto learn this secret. But when he asked the old man about it he lookedat the boy kindly and said, --

"It will come, my son, with time. Love, live, and learn. "

John had been with the Hermit some months, when happened an adventurethat interested him more than anything which had befallen. He waswalking one day with the old man in a part of the forest far distantfrom their hut. They were looking for a rare and wonderful herb whichthe sage needed to distill a certain precious balm. 

"This should be the spot, " said the old man, going toward a heap ofrocks around which grew a tangle of shrubs and creepers. "The plantwhich I seek is shy, and hides in the shadows of sheltered places. Yonder is a cave, where first I made my dwelling when I came to theforest, before I built the hut in which we now live. And at theentrance, I remember, grew the herb of grace, which more than once hasdone me service in healing the hurts of my pets. "

The Hermit plunged eagerly forward to the rocks. John followed closebehind. At the entrance to the cave the old man stooped to pluck theherb which they had come so far to seek, and John, clambering besidehim, bent curiously to peer into the cave. Suddenly a sound fromwithin made him start. The Hermit paused in his task, and both staredmotionless into the blackness of the cave. Presently the sound cameagain, --a deep growl ending in a whine. 

"Some animal in pain, " whispered the Hermit to John. "Stay you here, my son. I will discover what it may be. "

"Nay, father!" pleaded the boy. "It may be some fierce creature; itmay hurt you. Do not go!"

The old man turned beaming eyes upon him. "Never yet have I been hurtby an animal, " he said gently. "My body bears only the scars of humanhands. I am not afraid. But do you stay here, my son. You have notyet quite learned the language of dumb things. "

"I shall go with you!" said John to himself. He seized the staff whichthe Hermit had dropped, and followed close upon his heels. 

Soon their eyes became more used to the darkness of the cave, withwhich the Hermit was already familiar. Presently out of the shadows ina far corner they spied two red eyes glaring upon them. Behind theeyes bulked a huge, apparently shapeless form. It half rose as theydrew near, and again they heard the growl of anger. But as thecreature made a sudden movement, the growl turned into a howl of agony, and it rolled back into the corner, whimpering. 

John plucked the Hermit by his robe. "It is a bear!" he said. "I havemet them sometimes upon the highways, traveling with mountebanks. Andthe men told me that they were very fierce and hard to tame. Becareful, my father! Go not near, I beseech you!"

But the old man paid no heed to his words. Bending forward, he made astrange sound in his throat, a soothing, cooing noise. The bear heardit, and ceased to whine. They saw the ugly head rear up and look atthe Hermit wildly. Again he made the sound, and stooping without fearbrought his face close to the bear's great body. The animal did notmove. 

Presently the Hermit turned to John. "The poor beast has a woundedpaw, " he said. "An arrow has hurt it badly. "

He unfastened from his girdle a cup which he always carried in hiswanderings. 

"Here, my son, " he said, "fill this at the spring which we passedyonder. The creature suffers from thirst. "

John hesitated. "Is it safe to leave you here alone with this wildbeast?" he asked. 

The Hermit smiled. "Quite safe, " he said. "Do you think I need yourprotection? Brother Bear will soon know me for his friend. "

When John returned he found the Hermit sitting on the floor of thecave, with the bear's paw resting on his knee. The animal was quiet, save for a whimpering now and then. John could see his little red eyesfixed upon the Hermit with a curious look of wonder and appeal. Heseemed unable to move, and the Hermit touched the beast quitenaturally, as if he were a great kitten. The bear stirred and turnedhis eyes when John entered. 

"Thanks, son, " said the Hermit, taking the cup from the boy's hand;and, turning again to' the bear, he held it to the animal's mouth. "Drink, brother, " he said. 

Eagerly the bear lapped up the water. 

"Now, my son, " said the Hermit to John, "go you to the entrance of thecave and pluck me a handful of the healing herb-leaves. I must bind upthis suffering paw. "

"Surely, father, " begged John, "you will not try to touch thecreature's wound. He will tear you to pieces!"

The old man turned reproachful eyes upon him. "Son, " he said, "I havetried to teach you obedience. Go, get me the leaves. "

Without more words John hastened to do as he was bid. When he returnedwith a handful of the plant, he found that the Hermit had bathed thewounded paw of the now quiet animal. He had torn a strip of linen fromthe shirt which he wore under his gray robe, and was making this into abandage. Soon he had crushed the leaves and had bound them upon thefoot of the bear, who lay still and gentle under his hands. Johnstared, amazed. 

"Now we will go home, " said the Hermit softly, "and you, John, shallreturn with food for this poor hungry brother. You will soon make himyour dear friend also. For, you see, he asks only love and patience. Men have been cruel to him. But we will be kind to our Brother Bear. "

Thus John learned a new lesson of courtesy to the wilder, biggerbeasts. That same day he made the long journey a second time, bringingthe bear his dinner, with a comb of wild honey which the Hermit hadfound on the way home. And he had the joy of seeing the creature actno longer like an enemy, but like a timid friend. 

Day after day John went and ministered to the sick animal. At last, there came a joyous time when the bear rose to greet him on hisapproach. The injured paw was healed. And when John left the cavethat night, the bear hobbled at his heels, even to the clearing wherethe Hermit lived. He would not go farther at that time. He sat downon his haunches outside the border of tall trees, and when John triedto coax him he looked at the hut doubtfully. At the sight of Brutus hemade lumberingly away. 

A few evenings later, the bear came of his own accord to beg for hissupper; and at last this became a custom. Soon he also was accounted amember of the animal kingdom, and became good friends with them all. In time John taught him many tricks, such as he had seen themountebanks do with their traveling bears. But unlike them, Johntaught only by kindness; and his bear learned the faster. 

XIII

A FOREST RAMBLE

"Father, " said John one summer afternoon, when his tasks for the daywere quite finished, "Brutus and I are going for a long walk. "

"Very well, my son, " answered the Hermit, "I will bide here and read mybook, for the heat has made me somewhat weary. But see that you returnbefore sunset. "

"Yes, father, " said John. 

Slinging over his shoulder a little basket in which to fetch home anystrange plants which he might find in the forest, John whistled toBrutus, and the pair trotted away together as they loved to do. TheHermit looked after them, and smiled. 

"John is a good boy, " he said. "One day he will be a fine man. Maythe Saints help me to make him worthy of his father and of the name hebears. " Then he turned to his beloved book. 

John and Brutus went merrily through the forest, the boy singing underhis breath snatches of the cheerful hymns that he and the Hermit loved. The dog ran ahead, exploring in the bushes, sometimes disappearing forlong minutes at a time, but ever returning to rub his nose in John'shand and exchange a silent word with him. They were not going for anyparticular errand to any especial spot. They were just ramblingwherever the forest looked inviting; which is the nicest way to travelthrough the woods, --especially if one of you can be trusted to find theway home, however wavering may be the trail that you leave behind. Itwas what John loved to do more than anything in the world. 

The woods were cool and green and full of lovely light. It was sostill and peaceful, too! The tiny queer noises all about, which once, before he knew the kingdom of the forest, had frightened him so much, now filled John with the keenest joy. Often he paused and listenedeagerly. He liked to feel that he was surrounded everywhere by littlebrothers, seen and unseen. With a word to Brutus, which made the doglie down and keep perfectly quiet, John would steal forward softly andpeer through a screen of bushes, or into a treetop, and watch thehousekeeping of some shy brother beast or bird. Once he flung himselfflat on the ground, and lay for a long time eagerly watching the anticsof a beetle. A little later, with Brutus patiently beside him, he satcross-legged for ten minutes, waiting to see how a certain big yellowspider would spin her web between two branches of a rose-bush. 

They wandered on and on. A great golden butterfly rose before themfrom a bed of lilies, and together he and Brutus ran after it; not tocapture and kill it, oh no! for to John the wonder of the flower withwings lay in the life which gave it power to move about and pay callsupon the other blossoms that must be always stay-at-homes. John chasedit gaily, as one brother plays with another. And when it lighted on arose-bush or a yellow broom-flower, or poised on a swaying blade ofgrass, he crept up and admired its lovely colors without touching thefragile thing. But at last, as if suddenly remembering an errand whichit had forgotten, the butterfly soared quickly up and away over thetreetops and out of sight. 

"Good-by, little brother!" called John after it. "I wish I could flyas you do and look down upon the kingdom of the forest! Then indeed Iwould learn all the secrets of our friends up in the treetops there, who hide their nests so selfishly. Oh, I should so love to see all thelittle baby birds! To be sure, some that I have seen in theground-nests are ugly enough. Oh, the big mouths of them! Oh, thebald skins and prickly pin-feathers! Ha! ha!" John laughed soheartily that Brutus came running up to see what the joke was. "OBrutus!" cried John. "I think I know why the father and mother birdsbuild their nests so high. They are ashamed to have any one see theirfunny little ones before they are quite dressed!"

Brutus looked up in John's face and seemed to smile. The boy and thedog often had talks together in this wise. 

"I think I will ask them, " said John. "Now, Brutus, lie still. " Hegave a peculiar whistle, waited a moment, and repeated it, twice, thrice. At the first call there was a fluttering in the branchesoverhead. At the second call one saw the silhouettes of tiny bodiesdropping from branch to branch ever nearer to the boy below. At thethird, there was a flutter, a rush of wings, and a flock of dear littlebirds came flying to John's shoulder, to his out-stretched arms, to hishead; so that presently he looked like a green bush which they hadchosen for their perch. 

John talked with them in his own way, with chirps and lisping of thelips, and they were no more afraid of him than of a good-natured tree. But after a while, a fly, which had been tickling Brutus's nose, grewso impertinent that the poor dog had to punish him with his paw. Atthe sudden movement the birds fluttered away, and John lookedreproachfully at his friend. But when he saw the drop of blood on thedog's nose he forgave him. 

[Illustration: John talked with them. ]

"Poor Brutus!" he said. "You kept still as long as you could, I know. And indeed, it is time we were moving. Come, Brutus!"

The pair continued their voyage of discovery. The woods are so full ofthrilling stories for those who know how to read them! A field-mouse'snest in a tuft of grass; a beehive in a hollow tree; tracks of a wildboar in the muddy edge of the brook; a beautiful lizard changing colorto match the leaves and moss over which it crept. John longed to carrythis little brother home to join the circle of pets. But he knew itwas kinder to leave him there, where perhaps he had a home and family. 

And oh, the flowers! So many kinds, so fragrant and so beautiful!John gathered a great armful to carry back to the Hermit. And so theminutes went; the shadows began to lengthen, and it was time to turnhomeward. 

XIV

THE WOLF-BROTHER

John whistled to Brutus, to call him for the home-going. But just thenhe spied a new plant whose name he did not know. He was stooping overto examine the lovely pink blossoms, when Brutus came bounding up tohim, behaving strangely. He whined and looked distressed; he startedaway into the bushes, begging John to follow. Evidently he had foundsomething which he wished John to see. The boy laid down his armful offlowers and ran after the dog, as swiftly and softly as he could; forhe did not know what forest secret he might be about to discover. 

Brutus led him straight to a hollow under a great rock. And there Johnsoon saw the cause of the dog's excitement. Stretched out on a bed ofleaves were four little gray bodies. John ran up to them with a cry. 

"Why, they are puppies!" he said. "Brutus, you have found some littlebrothers of your own!"

Brutus whined and sniffed about the rock strangely. John bent over thelittle bodies, which lay quite still and seemed to be asleep. Hetouched one softly. It was stiff and cold. 

"Oh, they are dead, poor little things!" said John. "I am so sorry. Ihoped to take them home to my father. How came they here, I wonder?They must have starved to death!"

Just then John saw one of the puppies give a tiny shiver. Its legsmoved feebly and its eyes opened. "Ah! One of them still lives!" hecried eagerly. "Perhaps I can save its life, the dear little thing!"

He took the gray body up in his arms and hugged it tenderly, but itmade no response. Then, laying it down again on the leaves, he drewfrom his basket a crust of bread which he had brought to nibble whilehe walked. (It is such fun to have something to nibble when one goesfor a ramble in the woods!) John ran to the brook which babbled closeby, and, dipping the bread in the water until it was soft, returned toput some in the mouth of the little gray thing that lay so pitifully onthe leaves. 

"Eat, little brother!" said John. 

Brutus looked on gravely. The puppy opened its mouth feebly andswallowed a bit of bread. After the first taste it grew eager, andbegan to nibble hungrily. John gave it all he had, and was overjoyedto see it gradually gain strength. But still it could not stand on itsweak little legs. 

"We must take him home, Brutus, " said John. "We will make him well andstrong, then we shall have another little dog to be your baby brother. "

Brutus said nothing, though perhaps he knew better. Presently he wastrotting homeward; tracing backward, as no human being could have done, the winding way by which they had come through the dense forest. Behind him came John, carrying the little gray creature tenderly in hisarms, and with the basket full of flowers on his back. And so at lastthey reached the hut, in the door of which stood the Hermit, shadinghis eyes and looking anxiously for them. 

"My son!" he cried gladly when they appeared. "You were gone so longthat I feared you were lost, even with Brutus to guide you. It isafter sundown. Where have you been, and what do you bring there?"

"We have been--I know not where, " said John; "farther than I have gonesince I came to the forest. It must be near the homes of men. Forsee! We have found a little dog! His brothers were lying dead besidehim; I think they were starved to death. But this one lives, and someday I hope he will grow into a big dog like Brutus, --though indeed hedoes not look much like him now!"

So John prattled eagerly, laying the little creature in the old man'sarms. But the Hermit looked at it and looked again. Then he smiled atJohn. 

"Ah, Son!" he said. "This will never be a dog like Brutus. You havebrought home a baby wolf!"

"A wolf!" cried John. "He looks quite like a puppy, and he is gentle, too!"

"They are much alike, " said the Hermit. "You saved this poor littlecub in good time, John. He is very weak. Probably his mother waskilled by some hunters, who left her little ones there to starve. Thatis what they do, John, never stopping to think what suffering theycause. But let us now feed this little fellow with warm milk, and weshall soon have him as gay as ever. I am glad that you brought him, John. We needed a wolf-brother in our kingdom. "

"But, Father! a wolf!" cried John, with a shudder. He had notforgotten the horror of his first night alone in the forest, and thelong howl which had made him lose his senses. "Oh, will he not growbig and eat us up, my father? Yes; that was why Brutus acted sostrangely. He knew it was no puppy, although I told him so. "

"It is quite safe to keep him, John, " said the Hermit. "We cannot turnhim out to starve, for he is too young to care for himself. You willsee to-morrow that he will play like any puppy. Brutus and he will begreat friends, --they are relatives already. Once upon a time Brutushad a wolf for his ancestor. And as we ourselves know not from whom wemay be descended, so must we treat all creatures as our brothers. Yes, this wolfkin will grow up lean and ugly-looking, like any wolf. But wewill teach him to be kind and gentle, John, even as Brutus is. "

And the Hermit was right. The wolf-cub soon became the pet andplaything of the animal kingdom. With food and care he grew into around, roly-poly ball of fur. He played merrily with Brutus and thekittens. And though at first he was a bit rough, they and John taughthim better ways, so that he kicked and bit his friends no longer. 

As the months went by, they watched him change gradually from cub towolf. They were sorry to see him lose his puppy looks and friskymanners. But what could they do? It is a great pity, but no one hasyet discovered how to make babies of any sort remain babies. Graduallyhe lost his roundness. He grew longer and longer, until he wasstretched out into four feet of gaunt yellowish-gray wolf. But stillhe remained quiet and gentle with his friends, quick to learn and readyto obey. 

He was a perfectly good wolf, and he loved John so dearly that he couldscarcely be separated from him. He followed the boy wherever he went, and lay down beside him when he slept, like any watch-dog. And thoughhe was so gentle in the animal kingdom, the Hermit knew that it wouldgo hard with any one who should try to hurt Wolf's little master. 

Yet he and Brutus were the best of friends. The good dog was too nobleto be jealous. 

XV

THE GREEN STRANGER

For five happy years John lived with the good Hermit, and became asturdy lad of fourteen before anything new happened of great moment tothe animal kingdom. In all this time he had seen no human creatureexcept the Hermit himself. Their hut was so far in the forest that notravelers ever passed that way. 

But John was never lonely, for he had the kindest of fathers in theHermit, and the happiest of comrades and playmates in the circle ofpets, ever increasing, who gathered about the abode of peace. Brutuswas still his dearest friend. But the wolf was almost as intimate. Asfor Bruin, he was never a constant dweller with the colony, but cameand went at will. Sometimes he disappeared for weeks at a time, andthey knew that he was wandering through the forest which stretched formiles in every direction, pathless and uninhabited. And sometimes theywondered what adventures the big brother might be enjoying. 

"If only he could tell me!" wished John. But this kind of gossip wasstill impossible between them. 

One day John was out in the forest, not far from the Hermit's hut, cutting wood for the winter, which was near at hand. He was alone, fora wonder. The wolf had come with him, but had now trotted away intothe forest on business of his own. The bear had disappeared some weeksbefore, on one of his pilgrimages. Brutus was at that moment with theHermit in the hut; for the dog divided his attentions between the youngfriend and the old. 

John had lifted his axe to attack a certain tree when, with a scurry oflittle feet, a frightened hare came bounding past him, ears laid backand eyes bulging with fear. It was so strange to see a startledcreature in this peaceful wood, that John dropped his axe wonderingly. Then he noted that the birds were chattering nervously overhead, andhis quick ear caught furtive rustlings in the underbrush all aroundhim. The forest was alive with fears. Presently the wolf camebounding past, with wild eyes, evidently making for the hut. Johncalled, but the frightened creature did not pause. 

Very soon John heard over his shoulder an unusual sound. He turnedquickly, and saw a sight which made his heart rise in his throat. 

Across an open glade in the wood his friend the bear was lumbering onall fours, wild-eyed, with lolling tongue and panting breath. Closebehind him came on foot a young man, several years older than John, dressed in a suit of green velvet, with a plumed cap. In his hand hebore a long spear, and he was charging upon the bear with a cruel lightin his eyes. Suddenly Bruin made for a tree, and began to climb, clutching the bark frantically with his claws. At sight of his preyabout to escape, the stranger gave a loud, fierce cry and dashedforward, at the same time drawing from behind his shoulder a bow suchas men used in hunting. He fitted an arrow to the string, and wasabout to shoot, when John sprang forward with blazing eyes. 

"You shall not shoot!" he cried. "This is a peaceful wood. You shallnot kill my friend the bear. "

[Illustration: You shall not kill my friend the bear. ]

At this unexpected happening, the young man turned with a start and asnarl, like a dog from whom one would take away his bone. 

"Who are you?" he cried angrily. "How dare you interrupt my sport! Doyou know who I am?"

"I do not care who you are!" answered John. "You shall not hunt inthese woods, You must go away. "

"Go away!"

The face of the stranger was white with rage. He turned from the treein which the bear had now found a place of safety behind a crotch, andpointed his arrow at John. The lad saw his danger. Even as thestranger drew the arrow to its head John leaped forward; before theother knew what was happening, John seized him in his arms and with amighty effort wrenched away the weapon. It was wonderful how easily hemastered this fellow, who was some inches taller than himself. 

Beside himself with rage, the stranger grappled with John, and thenbegan a wrestling match strange to see. If the bear up in the treeknew what it all meant, he must have been very much excited. 

The two lads clinched, swayed, and finally fell to the ground, rollingover and over. The stranger pummeled and kicked, scratched and bit. John merely defended himself, holding his enemy firmly and trying tokeep him under. It was easy to see that he was the stronger of thetwo. Presently the young man began to weaken, and at last John feltthe stranger's body grow limp in his clutch. He felt a thrill oftriumph such as the Hermit certainly had never taught him. Butsuddenly, remembering the duty of a noble foe, he rose to his feet, leaving the stranger lying where he was. 

He was not badly hurt. Presently he also rose, sullenly, and pulled onhis cap which had fallen off. John had taken possession of his spearand bow. He now gravely handed an arrow to the young man. 

"You may keep that, " he said politely. "I think you can do no harmwith that. "

The stranger turned crimson, and his face was wicked to see. 

"You shall pay for this!" he spluttered, with sobs in his voice. "Noone can injure me without danger. You shall--"

At this moment, not far away in the direction of the Hermit's hut, ahorn sounded. Once, twice, thrice, it blew vigorously, as if giving acommand. Both John and the stranger started. 

"I must go!" muttered the latter to himself. "Needs must at thatcall. " And without another word or glance at John, he ran to hishorse, which was tethered close by, and was soon galloping away in thedirection of the bugle-call. 

Trembling with excitement and with alarm at this coming of strangers tothe forest which so long had been at peace, John hurried back to thehut. But Bruin remained safe in his tree. 

He seemed to have no wish to come down And learn what all these strangedoings meant. 

XVI

THE HUNT

John found the Hermit sitting as usual beside the door of his hut, reading his book. He was surrounded by his family of pets. Brutusbounded to meet John, but the boy was too excited to give him the usualcaress. 

"Father!" he cried, "have you heard or seen nothing? There arestrangers in the forest, wicked strangers who hunt our friends thebeasts. I have but now come from such a terrible scene!"

He covered his face with his hands. The Hermit started to his feet. 

"What has happened?" he quavered. "Just now the wolf came leaping intothe hut; but I feared nothing. Your clothes are torn. Your face isbloody. Who has been hurting you, my son?"

But before John could answer came again the call of a bugle, this timevery near, "_Tara_! _Tara_! _Tara_!"

"Huntsmen!" cried the Hermit. "Send Brutus into the hut. " John drovethe dog inside, and some of the house-pets with him. Already theothers had taken alarm at the threatening noise and were scattering inevery direction. 

Nearer and nearer came the sound of galloping hoofs, the baying ofhounds, the shouts of many men. John and the Hermit stood with palefaces, waiting. 

Suddenly into the clearing bounded a frightened deer, --a slenderdappled creature with brown eyes. Straight to the Hermit she ran, anddropped panting at his feet. 

"It is our doe!" cried John, his face turning whiter. "O father! Theyare hunting her!"

The old man said nothing, but stooped and threw his mantle over thetrembling creature. Hardly had he done so when the hounds burst intothe clearing, barking fiercely, rushing towards the spot where the deerlay. 

The Hermit raised his staff and stepped forward with a quick word. Instantly the dogs paused, cringing. They snarled and snapped theirteeth, but made no motion to draw nearer. There was another loudbugle-blast, and a group of horsemen burst into the open space. 

"Hola! Hola! The stand!" cried the foremost rider, flourishing hissword. The others clustered about this leader. He was a tall, oldishman, red-faced and fierce-eyed. Like the stranger whom John had met, he was magnificently dressed in green velvet, with a gold chain abouthis neck, and a star blazing on his breast. He wore also a green capbound with a gold band, from which a golden feather drooped to hisshoulder. The gloves which he wore, the baldric of his bugle, and thehilt of the sword which he brandished aloft, glittered with jewels. 

When he spied the Hermit standing with upraised staff over the deer, while the dogs cowered at his feet, he drew up his horse and gave ashout of wonder. Then once more there was a moment of intense silencein that spot whose quiet had been broken by such a din. Thereafter thesplendid leader of the hunt spoke in a brutal voice. 

"Ho! Who are you who interrupt our hunt and stand between us and ourquarry? Stand aside, old man, whoever you are. This is no place foryou. The deer is ours. " He flourished his jeweled sword eagerly. 

"I shall not stand aside, " said the Hermit. "This doe is mine, myfriend and companion. Her milk has nourished me many a day, and sheshall not die in this place which is my home. "

"Shall not die?" cried the huntsman hoarsely. "Do you know to whom youspeak?"

"I can guess, " said the Hermit quietly. "From his cruelty and his freespeech I judge it must be he who calls himself king of the realm beyondthis forest. "

"King of this forest and lord of all that dwell therein, " shouted thehuntsman ferociously. "And who are you who dare oppose me?"

"I am a hermit, " said the old man simply. "My service is to God, whomyou dishonor. My friends are the creatures whom you hunt. My study isto save life, which you would destroy. Depart, and leave in peace thisplace where life is sacred. "

"Depart!" roared the King, while his nobles crowded around him, murmuring and bending threatening looks upon the Hermit and the lad. "Not till yonder animal is slain. Ho, have at her!"

With prick of spur he urged his horse forward. But quick as thoughtthe Hermit with his staff drew a circle around himself and John and thedoe, which still lay panting at his feet, wrapped in the gray mantle. 

"Dare not to cross this line!" he cried. "This ground is holy. Yearsago in the Father's name I consecrated it. 'Tis holy as any cathedral, and 'tis sanctuary for man and beast. Hear what the Lord says to you:'They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain. '"

The Hermit raised his hand and spoke a word to the horses that werebeing urged forward. With a shrill whinny they rose on their hindlegs, pawing the air, and refused to advance. 

"What witchcraft is this!" cried the King, spurring his steed cruelly. But the animal, like the dogs, obeyed the Hermit's will rather than theKing's. 

"No witchcraft, " said the Hermit, still guarding the deer with hisupraised staff. "It is the Lord's will. You, who have ever disobeyedHis holy word, perhaps know not how dear to Him were the birds andbeasts. His first companions. His childhood friends. And to thisday, for He Himself hath said it, not a sparrow falleth without Hisknowledge and pity. O wicked man! How then can you delight to kill?"

The King gazed at the Hermit like one in a dream. "How dare you saysuch things to me, your King?" he said at last. 

"You are no king of mine, thank God!" said the Hermit. "I am an exile. I am of no land. This forest is my domain, my animal kingdom. Depart, I beg, without more bloodshed. O King, already in time past the hunthas cost you dear. Will you not take heed lest the Lord punish youfurther for your sins?"

The King turned pale. "This is certainly witchcraft!" he muttered. "What know you of the past?" he cried, almost as if against his will. 

"I know much, " said the Hermit calmly. "I know that hunting cost thelife of your eldest son. Will you not heed that warning, lest more illbefall?"

There was a stir among the nobles, and John saw the young man with whomhe had wrestled a short time before spur his horse forward to theKing's side. His face was black and angry. 

"Sire--father, " he said. "Will you not end this parley and slay themall? I would have a hand in it for the sake of that young cub there!"and he shook his fist toward John. But more he did not say; perhaps hewas ashamed to tell how the wood-boy had got the best of him. 

"Ay, " said the Hermit, pointing a finger at him and shaking it sadly. "The second son follows in the footsteps of his brother, and like hisfather is cruel, bloodthirsty, revengeful. Beware, O King! Beware, King's son! For happiness was never yet distilled from innocent blood, nor life from death. "

The King shuddered, as all could see. "I hunt, " he said, --and it wasstrange to see how he was almost apologetic, --"I hunt all animalsmercilessly, because through them the Prince my son was slain. I willhunt them out of my kingdom, until not one remains. I will slay themuntil the ground is soaked with their blood! Not an animal, save suchas are of use, shall exist in all my land. I will have no pets--nosinging birds. I hate them all!"

"Ay, " said the Hermit, shaking his head sadly, "you hate them all! ButI love them all. And here they come to me. 'The sparrow hath found ahouse and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young. ' I willprotect them with my life. You dare not kill me, O King! Godlessthough you are, once you were a Christian, and you know the meaning ofthe words I spoke when I said that this was holy ground. "

He drew from his bosom the iron Cross which he wore, and held it upbefore the King. 

The monarch shrank back and seemed to hesitate. Suddenly he wheeledhis horse and blew a blast upon his bugle. "Back!" he cried somewhatbitterly. "We will not linger here for a paltry doe. Let us leavethis cursed wood and this crusty hermit. Back to our own demesne, where we shall find sport enough, I dare say. "

Once more he blew his horn and bounded forward out of the clearing; thenobles after him, and the cowed, disappointed dogs trailing at the rearwith tails between their legs. John could not help feeling sorry forthem. Poor things! They at least knew no better. 

John was just stooping to pet the frightened deer, when an arrowwhizzed over his shoulder and struck the creature in the haunch. Thepoor animal gave a cry of pain, and blood dyed the gray mantle of theHermit, the first blood shed in that place of peace. 

With a shout of anger John leaped up and looked over his shoulder. Afamiliar wicked face grinned back at him, as a horse and rider gallopedinto the forest. The King's son had skulked behind to shoot that shaft. 

"My son!" cried the Hermit, laying trembling hands on John's shoulder. "It was meant for you. You would have died had you not stooped at thatmoment to caress the doe. "

"Poor doe!" said John, kneeling beside her and busying himself with thearrow. "You have saved my life. Now we must save yours. My father, Ithink she is not badly hurt. "

And he began to stanch the blood and bind up the wound with the skillwhich the Hermit had taught him. 

But the old man stood for a long time gazing into the forest after theparty of huntsmen. "A murderer and a coward, " he said. "In sanctuaryhe has shed innocent blood. For many evil deeds the price will surelybe paid. And the price is heavy. "

XVII

THE MESSENGER

The little deer was not greatly hurt by the cowardly hunter. John andthe Hermit nursed her tenderly, and so great was their knowledge ofhealing balms that she was soon nibbling the grass about theirdooryard, as sprightly as ever, save for a slight lameness in one leg. 

Bruin was with them once more, a constant guest in the little circle. The fright of that day when the hunters came to the forest had affectedall the animals, who clung closely to their two human friends, and didnot venture far from the hut. 

Although John and the Hermit had never spoken together of the Kingsince that terrible day, the boy thought often about him, and about theyoung Prince with whom he had wrestled for the life of the bear. AndJohn was troubled by many things. He thought how great must be thesuffering among the helpless animals when men so cruel were in power. If animals were treated so, how must the poor and lowly people fare atthe hands of their lords and masters? Were the mighty so cruel to oneanother, --to children and women and aged people? All these were weakand helpless, too. John remembered the Hermit's tales of war and thewickedness of cities, and his heart grew sick. What a terrible worldthis was to live in, if the great and powerful were so bad!

But when John was most unhappy, longing to change it all, he would lookaround the little hut where, surrounded by his animal friends, the dearold Hermit sat under the wooden Cross, reading out of the great book. Then John grew happy once more. For the Hermit had taught him wellfrom that holy volume. 

"It will all come right some time, " he said to himself. "Some day theLord will teach men better, and all will be peace and love as it ishere. But oh! If only I were big and strong and powerful, so that Icould help to hasten that happy day!"

One evening, several weeks later, they sat as usual in the midst oftheir circle of pets. The Hermit, with the raven on his shoulder andthe cat on his knee, was reading from the book. John, on a bench bythe window, was using the last light of an autumn day to make a basketfor gathering herbs. The gaunt wolf lay at his feet. Beside himrested the bear, snuffling in his sleep; and stretched out between himand the Hermit, Brutus snored peacefully. On John's shoulders roostedtheir carrier pigeon, and several kittens played about his legs. Thedeer lay on a pallet in the corner. It was a very peaceful scene, andevery one seemed to have forgotten the fright of a month before. 

Suddenly John said: "Father, tell me about the King. "

The old man started, and placing a finger in the book to mark theplace, looked at John with surprise. "Why should we speak of him?" heasked uneasily. "This is the hour of peace and meditation on pleasantthings. "

"I have thought about him so much, " said John. "I cannot tell why, butI am unable to forget him. I want to know more of him and of his son. "

The old man shook his head. "I am sorry, " he said. "Did you care somuch for his gorgeous clothes and jewels, his horse and band offollowers? Have they turned your head, foolish boy? Did you findanything to admire in their talk and manner and looks? I amdisappointed, John!"

"Nay, I did not admire anything about them, " John hastened to say. "Isaw that the King was cruel. I believe well that he was also wicked. But he seemed to have friends. How can a bad man have friends? Andwhy do the people allow him to be their king?"

"Ah, John!" cried the Hermit, "it is not so easy to find a good king!Perhaps his people do not care; perhaps they know no better. Perhapshe is so powerful that they have no choice but to obey him. "

"Is the King so wicked?" asked John, wondering how the Hermit knew somuch. "What has he done that is bad?"

The old man hesitated; then he turned to John with a gesture that theboy did not understand. 

"Listen, John, " he said. "I will tell you some things that this Kinghas done. It is well that you should know. Years ago, before you wereborn, he was not the lawful king in this Country. The true king washis brother Cyril, who was good and kind, ruling wisely and well. Butsuddenly he died. Those in his service guessed that his brotherRobert, this present King, had caused his death by poison. So Robertbecame king. A stormy time he had of it, at first; for the whole landloved King Cyril. Many accused Robert, and refused to do himhonor, --especially one holy man, John, King Cyril's friend andphysician. Yes, my son, he bore the same blessed name as yourself. This man the people loved dearly, for he was wise and generous with hiswisdom. He healed them freely of their hurts. He went about thecountry doing good, bringing love and good cheer wherever he went. Hewas honored almost as a saint. But because he dared lift his voiceagainst the King--he died. No one knew how it happened. At the sametime his little son disappeared; men believed that he also was slain bythe cruel King. The people were furious; they stormed and threatened. But alas! gradually the voices of their leaders were silenced. Somedied suddenly, as John had done. Some disappeared. Some were banishedfrom the kingdom. Some went away, broken-hearted; who knows where theymay be now?"

"Oh, how could the people forget their King and the holy man who hadbeen good to them?" cried John. "How could they allow that bad man tobe their king?"

"The people?" said the Hermit sadly. "The people so soon forget! Doyou not recall how, ages ago, the people treated the best Man who everlived? These folk dared not seem to remember. They were selfish andlazy. The new King was rich and powerful. They found it easier togrumble and do nothing else. And when the King said, 'Hunt!' theyhunted. When he commanded, 'Hate all animals; have no pets!' theyobeyed him. But it is a gloomy land, a sad land, of which Robert isking!"

"Oh!" said John, "how do you know so much, my father?"

"Do not ask, " said the Hermit. "One day I will tell you, but not now. "

"Oh, he is a wicked King, who ought to die!" burst out John, throwingup his arm angrily. "Would I were a man, and I would go kill him. ButI will do it when I am grown!"

At his rough tones and gestures the birds fluttered away, frightened, and the animals slunk into the corners, trembling. The peace of thelittle hut was rudely disturbed. 

"Nay, my son, nay!" cried the old man in horror. "Say not such wickedwords! See how you frighten our peaceful friends. What have I triedto teach you? It is not yours to avenge. The Lord himself will punishas he sees best. Perhaps even now he chastens that wicked heart. Already the King has lost his dearest, oldest son. He was killed fiveyears ago while hunting a wild boar in the forest. But now--"

At this moment there was a loud knock on the door of the hut. TheHermit and John started and looked at each other in wonder. When hadsuch a thing happened before! Brutus and the wolf arose, bristling. The bear growled savagely. The raven gave a screech of fear andburrowed under John's cot. There was a moment's pause. Then theHermit, crossing himself, called loudly, --

"Enter, if your errand be peace. Enter, in the name of the Lord. "

Quickly the latch clicked and the door flew open. Into the midst ofthe startled group stumbled a man, breathless and covered with dustfrom head to foot. His hat was gone. His hair was disheveled, and hiseyes bloodshot. 

"Hasten!" he cried, turning to the Hermit. "You are the man Iseek, --you, skilled in herbs and healing. The King sends for you. "

[Illustration: The King sends for you. ]

"The King!" The Hermit and John spoke the word together, staring wildly. 

"Yes, the King, " repeated the man. "I have killed my horse to gethere. He fell in the forest yonder, even as I spied the light fromyour window. There is no time to be lost. We must go on foot to thenearest town, where horses may be had. Hasten, old man, and bring yourherbs and balsams. "

"But whither? And for what purpose?" asked the Hermit, still standingwith one trembling hand on the holy book. 

"The King's son is wounded, " cried the messenger. "Five days ago hewas hunting the deer, and an arrow, glancing falsely, pierced hisbreast. He was grievously hurt. Even now he may be dying. Why do wewaste words? The physicians have done their best, but they have givenhim up at last. The King raved; he was beyond reason. Suddenly, inhis madness he spoke of you, the wizard of this forest. He recalledthat day when you cursed him for the sake of your brute creatures. Hevowed it was all enchantment. 'Send for the wizard!' he cried. 'Lethim cure my son. He dare not refuse, for he claims to be a servant ofGod. '"

The Hermit was trembling now with emotion. "It is the Lord's will!" hesaid. "He was wounded while hunting an innocent beast. On thestrength and speed of another beast hung his chance for life. And now, only with the aid of another can we reach him in time. --Nay, upon afourth we must rely to find our way out of the forest. Brutus only canhelp us. But let us hasten. Come, my friend! Back to the city oncemore. " Calling to the dog, he began to make hurried preparations fordeparture. 

John ran to him. "Do not go to the wicked man!" he whispered. "Theymay kill you. Oh, what should I do then?"

The Hermit shook his head. "I must go, " he said. "It is written, 'Dogood to them that hate you. ' There is no question of my duty. "

"Oh, let me then go with you, father, " pleaded John. 

The Hermit laid his hand on the boy's head, and looked at him tenderly. "The time is not yet ripe, my son, " he said. "Who knows what all thismay mean? Wait a little longer. Stay and care for our little friends. From the nearest village I will send Brutus back to you. You will notbe lonely, with your work and play as usual. Do not neglect either. Adieu, my dear son!" And he blessed John. 

Embracing the boy and bidding farewell to the other friends, the Hermittook his staff and bag of simples, and wrapped his cloak about him. "Itrust you, John, " he said at the door. "Be patient, obedient, andwise. " Then in the folds of his cloak he took the carrier pigeon. "Iwill send you word by our friend, if need be, " he said, as he went outinto the darkness. 

Brutus and the messenger followed him closely. The door banged behindthem, and John was alone with the circle of frightened, coweringcreatures. He threw himself on his knees before the Hermit's table, and laying his head on the book, began to weep, he scarcely knew why. 

XVIII

THE CARRIER PIGEON

A evening of the next day, just as John had finished his simple supper, he heard a scratching at the door. It was Brutus, returning footsoreand weary. Tied to his collar John found a message from the Hermit. 

"Be of good cheer, " it read. "We mount excellent steeds to ride to theKing. If by God's help I may save the young man's life, I will returnto you speedily thereafter. If it be the Lord's will that other thingsbefall, I will send the carrier pigeon with news. Bear a good heart, my son. Keep to your studies, your exercise, and your devotions as ifI were with you. So when I return I shall find you a little stronger, wiser, a better champion of the good. Farewell!"

John read this letter eagerly, and set himself to obey the master'swishes. But now the days seemed long indeed. In spite of the manyfriends who shared the hut with him, John felt very lonely, and longedfor the dear old man's return. But now he had something more to thinkof: the good King Cyril and the holy man, his friend, who had borne thename of John. And he longed to be some day a man like that. 

The Hermit had been gone for nearly a week. One day John was sittingby the door of the hut, busy with his studies, when he heard a _whir_in the air overhead. Glancing up, he saw the flash of snowy wings, andpresently the carrier pigeon came fluttering down to his shoulder. 

"Ah, my dear bird!" cried John, tenderly taking the creature in hishands and lifting it to peck at his lips as it always loved to do. "You have come to me safely from far away. You have come from theplace where my dear father is. Have you brought me word from him?"

With a soft coo the pigeon nestled closer in John's arms. Reachingunder its wing, he found a scroll of writing tied there securely with asilken cord. 

"A letter from my father!" he cried, untying it eagerly. 

It was indeed a long letter in the good man's clear script. It told oftheir safe arrival, after a hard journey through the night; of theirreception by the King. They had come almost too late. But when theyarrived the Prince was still breathing. They were ushered into hischamber, where he lay white and still. No one could rouse him to lifeor consciousness. By his bedside sat the King, his face like amountain-top wrapped in clouds. 

"Save my son!" he had cried when he saw the Hermit. "Save my son, sorcerer, and I will give you whatever your heart craves. "

"I am no sorcerer, " the Hermit had answered. "I am God's servant, withsome skill in healing, because I have studied the work of His hands andthe uses of His gifts. If it be His will, I may save the young man. If otherwise, we may not hope to prevail. "

"Oh, he must not die!" cried the King. "You foretold it, I remember, in the forest. But think--he is my only son. He must be king afterme. He must live!"

"Other sons have died, " said the Hermit solemnly. "Other princes havenot lived to reign. And what of them?"

The King shuddered. "Save my son!" he repeated. "Only save this boy, and I will do whatever you ask. "

"Then" (said the Hermit's letter) "I did my best. I bathed the youth'swound with my healing balsam. I gave him soothing draughts to drink. I sat by his bedside and prayed that the Lord's will might be donethrough me. And then came a change. A faint color blossomed in hischeeks. His lips trembled; his eyes opened and he looked at me. Thenhe sighed and closed his eyes. What he thought I know not. But he hadpaused in his march towards death. From that day he mended. ThePrince's wound is now healed. The King's gratitude knew no bounds. Hepromised me rewards beyond belief, --which, as you know, mean naught tome. 

"But, John, a strange thing has befallen. The Prince should now bewell upon the road to health. He should be gaining strength every day. There seems no reason otherwise. But such happens not. He liespassive and dazed. He seems not to care whether he lives or dies. Henever speaks nor smiles, only looks sometimes at me as if he wanted toask me something. The doctors say that he is slowly dying. 

"And now, John, " concluded the Hermit's letter, "now comes the reasonfor these long, tedious words to you. I have done my utmost, but I ampowerless. Will you come? Will you try what your own skill and youthmay do? It may be your mission in life to save this lad who tried tokill you. I know that if he could but once smile, he would get well. Therein lies your power. Come, as quickly as you may. Bring with youour animal friends who cannot be left behind. Brutus will lead you tothe village, and thence you must find your way to the Capital. And oneword more: if you find yourself in trouble or need, show the silvertalisman which you wear about your neck, and I think all will be well. Remember my teachings, John, and come as soon as may be. "

When John had finished the letter, he stood for a moment quite dazed. He was to leave this place where all was peace and happiness, and goback among men whom he feared! He was to go to the very King whosename he shuddered to remember, --the King who had killed his brother andthat holy man John with his little son! He was to do all this for thesake of the enemy who had hunted the bear, who had injured the gentledeer, who had aimed to take John's own life! He grew sick at thethought. Yet, --it was the Hermit himself who summoned him. And heremembered the good man's teachings. 

"How I can help I know not, " sighed John, "but I must go!" He laid hishead upon the feathers of the carrier pigeon and shed some bittertears. Then, placing the bird gently on the tree beside him, hestraightened himself bravely. "I will go!" he said. "I will gojoyfully, as one should who hopes to be worthy to bear the name ofJohn. "

Just then Brutus came sauntering from the hut, shaking himself lazilyafter his nap. 

"Ho, Brutus!" called John, snapping his fingers. "Shall we go on ajourney together, you and I? Shall we take these little friends on awonderful pilgrimage? And will you be my guide, as you were oncebefore, good Brutus?"

The dog seemed to understand. He pricked up his ears, and leaped up toJohn's shoulders with a joyous bark. Then, rushing to the edge of thewood, he looked back, inviting John to follow. 

"Oh, let us be off!" he seemed to say. "I have been longing to go toour dear master. Let us hasten, little brother!"

"Not so fast!" said John. "We have first to gather our provisions andmake ready our company of pilgrims. I must take all the food I can. For I dare not trust wholly to the silver Cross. What could my fathermean by that?"

Still wondering, John set about his preparations. They did not takelong. There was neither lock nor bolt on the door of the Hermit's hut, nor aught of value to hide. When John's basket was packed with simplefood, and the animals were gathered about him outside in the littleclearing, he rolled a stone against the door, and they were ready to go. 

XIX

THE JOURNEY

A strange company they were, these citizens of the Animal Kingdomtraveling to town! Foremost went Brutus, leading the way and feelingvery important with a bundle bound upon his strong back. Gray andgaunt, the wolf trotted along at his side, like another dog. Next cameJohn, with a knapsack on his shoulders, in which three little kittensslumbered beside the provisions for their journey; there were alwaysnew kittens in the Animal Kingdom. On his shoulder perched the raven, and by a rope he led the bear, whom he felt safer to have close by hisside. Sometimes the bear trotted on all fours. Sometimes he walkedupright like a big brown man, towering over John's head. Now beforeand now behind them went Blanche the cat, pretending as cats do thatshe was neither following nor leading, but traveling quiteindependently of them all. Frequently she disappeared into the bushesor up a tree, but soon came scampering past, when she would stop tomake a hasty toilet. Overhead fluttered from tree to tree the carrierpigeon and the other birds, who were John's pets and bound to followwherever he went. 

The deer and her fawn went part way with them, and the little rabbitshopped a staccato accompaniment for some time. But John did not urgethem to follow. He knew they were better off in the forest, where theycould take care of themselves. 

All day they fared on the uneven path by which, nose to earth, Brutusled them. And at last, weary and spent, they came to the littlevillage where the Hermit had taken horse for the longer journey. 

John paused at the first house in the village and knocked at the gate. A burly fellow came to the door. 

"Hello!" he cried. Starting back when he saw the strange groupgathered in his dooryard. "What means all this?"

[Illustration: A strange company. ]

"If you please, " said John politely, "we go upon a Journey to the King, and we seek shelter. Will you let us sleep in your stable, friend?"

"Sleep in my stable!" muttered the man, "a beggar with a band of outlawanimals! A wolf and a bear! No, indeed. I have too much respect forthe safety of my cattle and for the King's laws. "

He was about to shut the door in John's face. But the lad had a suddenthought. He would try at this first place the value of the Hermit'shint. 

"Stay, " he said, "one moment, friend. " Fumbling in his breast, he drewout the silver medal which he wore about his neck. "I was to showthis--" he began. 

But he saw the man start, and, shading his lantern with his hands, peermore closely at the object. Then he stared at John's face with wonder. 

"In God's name!" exclaimed the man, "who are you who travel with thisstrange company?"

John looked almost as surprised as he. "A poor pilgrim, on the King'serrand, " he said. "We ask only a corner of your stable with a bed ofstraw to lie on. Give us shelter, kind friend, and to-morrow speed uson our way. "

The man still stared at John as though he saw a fairy. But now hethrew the door wide open. "Enter, " he said. "I cannot refuse you. Enter my house. You shall have a bed and supper, fair boy; but what ofthese?" and he turned troubled eyes upon the animals. 

"Nay, " said John simply, "I ask no better bed than theirs, my fellowpilgrims. Thank you for your hospitality, kind friend. May we allsleep in your stable? My animals are quite safe company. They willhurt nothing that hurts not me. "

John smiled then in his happy, trustful way, and the face of the manlooking into his brightened as if by reflection. His coarse mouthbroadened into a smile. 

"They shall sleep soundly in the hay, " said he kindly, "though it beagainst the law. I will risk even the bear and the wolf for the sakeof that you wear about your neck. But the stable and the company ofbeasts are not fit for the like of you. That I know, though you be inrags. Come into the house, young stranger. "

"Have you forgotten, " said John gently, "how once a stable shelteredthe greatest King of all among the humblest beasts? I have often hadworse beds than a pile of sweet straw. I shall be happy enough amongmy friends. "

The man hung his head for a moment, then raised it and looked at Johnstrangely. 

"I _had_ forgotten, " he said. "Who are you? Who are you who talk sowisely, and who wear that silver Cross upon you?"

"I am John, the Hermit's pupil, and I am very tired, " was the answer. "May we not rest now? To-morrow perhaps we will show you some prettytricks to pay for our night's lodging. "

"_John_, " mused the man, "that is a good name! I want no pay from anyone who bears that name. " And still eyeing John strangely, he led theway to the stable door. 

He bade them good-night; and thereupon the straw the two-footed andfour-footed pilgrims rested peacefully together, nestled in a warm massof fur and feathers, flaxen hair, and woolen rags. 

In the morning the farmer brought them food, and his family came withhim to see the strange visitors. For so many animals had never beforebeen seen together in that country. John put Bruin and Brutus throughtheir tricks, and the children clapped their hands joyously at thesight. Then John himself tumbled and danced for them, and they were inan ecstasy. 

At the end of the performance they clung about the boy's neck and flungthemselves upon the animals, declaring that they must not go away, andbegging them to stay forever. 

But John shook his head, smiling. "I must be off, " he said. "I mustdo the King's errand. "

And so they went upon their way, the children watching them wistfullyout of sight. But the farmer went with them some little distance topoint out the road; and when he left them he spoke a last word ofwarning. 

"The King has no love of animals, " he said. "There are none in all thekingdom save those for use and those he hunts to kill. There are nopets nor playmates for the children; no birds even in his forests. Beware his wrath, my lad, when he has word of your caravan. "

"I am going to the King, " said John simply. "We go to save the life ofhis son. "

The farmer stared again at John with a strange expression. "You, tosave his life!" he muttered. "I cannot understand it all!" And hepassed his hand over his forehead. 

"I have some skill at healing. Farewell!" cried John gaily. "We shallbe safe, I know. "

"Ay, with that silver thing on your neck, " said the man to himself, shading his eyes to watch them out of sight. "John; the Hermit'spupil; a boy with the knowledge of healing, and a smile, --SaintFrancis! What a smile! He is like our holy John come back again as achild. Who can he be?" And he crossed himself devoutly as he wentback to his work. 

But John and his friends went sturdily upon their way. Up and downhills they traveled; along dusty roads; through lonely stretches ofmoor and plain. They caused great excitement in the villages throughwhich they passed. It was years since the townsfolk had seen a dancingbear; years even since they had enjoyed the frolics of a cat andkittens. The raven was a source of delight. The birds that followedoverhead and came at John's call, perching on his arms and shoulders, filled the children with envy. The wolf looked so fierce that theywere afraid of him; but his brother Brutus was petted in a way to spoilany ordinary dog. Yet he kept his temper and his poise, and enduredtheir homage meekly. 

Often, in the country through which they passed, John found sickpersons to whom he could bring relief, and gladly he used the knowledgewhich the Hermit had taught him. It seemed that there were few in thatland who had the skill of healing, and many of the sick had longsuffered for lack of the simple remedies which John had often used forhis pets. He saved several lives. Oh! that was joy for John! Thepeople were very grateful, and would have paid him anything he wished. But all he asked was food or shelter for himself and his friends. Thenthey spoke his name softly and kissed his hands, which made John laugh. 

John found it easy enough to earn all the food he needed in thevillages. Remembering his mountebank days, he had but to hold a littleperformance in the public square. Every one would hurry to see Bruindo his tricks and John himself turn somersaults and walk on his hands;after which the bear would dance and pass the hat, into which thepennies rained generously. 

But it was harder to find lodgings for the night. Knowing the King'shatred for animals, men feared to shelter this caravan. Only when Johnwould pull from his breast the talisman of silver would they soften andyield to his wishes, wondering and almost worshiping, as the farmer haddone on that first day. John himself was the most wondering of themall. For he saw no reason why the silver Cross should have such power. Sometimes he wondered if it was bewitched; but he knew the good Hermitwould not have bade him rely on magic. Yet it made him almost afraid, so that he used this power only when he had to for the sake of theweary animals. He himself was welcome everywhere, --perhaps for thesake of his yellow hair and blue eyes, which were a wonder in thatcountry; but more likely for the smiling ways and cheerful speech ofhim, that made his passing through that gloomy land like the passage ofa sunbeam through thick clouds; and blessings followed after him. 

And so, after six days of travel, they came at last to the King's city. 

XX

THE ARRIVAL

About sundown John with his train came to the gates of the city wherethe King lived. They were all very hungry, dusty, and tired. 

A watchman on the wall, with telescope to his eye, had spied them afaroff. 

"Hello!" he cried. "What is this coming down the highroad? It seems asmall caravan, creeping and writhing like a caterpillar. The head ofit seems human. But, by my faith! the rest of it is like nothing Ihave seen for many years! What ho! Let us be on guard. It may be anenemy of the King. "

The warders ran to arms. And so it happened that a crowd of them weregaping at the entrance when John and his companions came up. 

The lad was almost exhausted. But when he saw the way barred by a bandof frowning armed men, he doffed his cap and smiled his own peculiarsmile. 

"Good-evening, friends, " he said. "We have been long in reaching yourcity. We are glad to be at the gates at last. "

"Who are you?" asked the Captain gruffly, stepping forward and barringthe way, while his companions gazed in amazement at the wolf and thebear who were huddled at John's side. 

"I come on an errand to the King, " said John. "Please guide me to himquickly, for it is an urgent matter. "

"To the King!" sneered the Captain; and the warders echoed his laugh. "No one goes to the King in such company as you bring. You must knowthat. They are outlaws, all, --and you too, I dare say!"

"I know not. But I must see the King, and that quickly, " said John. "I come with these friends to heal the King's son, if I can. "

"Ha! More sorcery!" interrupted the Captain. "No, you shall not enterhere. The King allows no animals in his domain. How you have broughtthem so far I cannot guess!"

"Well, I bear this, " said John, drawing out the silver talisman. 

The men bent forward to look at it, then fell back, staring at oneanother with astonished faces. 

"Who is he?" they whispered among themselves. "What shall we do?"

"Let me pass, good friends, " begged John, looking up in their faceswith his simple smile. "I will promise to do no harm. Among friendsmy friends are quite harmless. But tell me, I pray you, where I mayfind the good Hermit who healed the Prince's wound? I come at hisbidding. "

At these words the guards pulled themselves together and exchangedlooks. They began to swagger. 

"Ah, is it so?" growled the Captain. "You are a friend of the wizardhimself. We must let the King know of this. Yes, you shall enter. Here! Take him captive! Off with him to the prison. "

"To prison!" cried John in amazement. "For what ill deed, I pray?"

But already the guards were pressing forward upon him. At the sight oftheir threatening looks Brutus ran in front of John and began to growlwarningly, crouching ready to spring upon the first who should layhands on the boy. The wolf bristled and showed his fangs. And thebear, rising on his hind legs, growled and blinked his little red eyesso terribly that the men fell back. John was protected by powerfulfriends. The other animals shrank close to him, and the raven began toscream. 

[Illustration: John was protected by powerful friends. ]

"Have a care!" warned John. "My friends are armed with sharp teeth andclaws, and they will not readily let a stranger touch me. "

"He is a wizard!" muttered the soldiers; but they shrank back, afraidto touch him. 

"Why do you treat me thus?" asked John wistfully. 

"Because you say you are a friend to that vile magician of the woods, by whose arts the Prince was wounded, they say, and who yet holds himat death's door. " So spoke the Captain of the guards. "The Princestill lives. But when he passes, the King has decreed that the wizardshall die the death. You come in time to share it, if you be hispupil!"

"Oh, hasten, hasten!" cried John, clasping his hands. "Please take meto him! Perhaps I may yet save the good old man. If it is not toolate, perhaps I can also save the Prince. "

"Ay, we will take you to him fast enough, if you will call off yourgrowling beasts, " said the Captain. 

"Nay, we must all go together, " answered John, who saw how they meantto trap him. "Oh, come, let us be moving, for there is no time tolose!"

Grumbling, but afraid either to delay or to venture near John, theguards formed in a hollow square about him and his pets, and they allbegan to march in a strange company through the city streets to thepalace. 

A crowd gathered as they passed. Men, women, and children craned theirnecks to look at this group of animals, such as had not been seen inthe city for years. They gazed, too, at the handsome yellow-hairedboy, and whispered among themselves, "Who is he? What has he done?"

John noticed that the faces of the people who gazed at him were set andhard. They seemed sad and hopeless. He pitied them. "It is a kingdomwithout love, " he said to himself. 

Yet, as they looked, their faces changed. A new something came intotheir eyes. A whispering went around among the crowd, increasing to amurmur, like the sound of bees. 

They came at last to the palace, where the crowd was forced to pause. But, surrounded by the band of soldiers, John and his party went in andon, led by the Captain himself, at whose word or gesture doors flewopen and servants bowed. 

Through long, glittering halls, lined with mirrors in which their ragsand dust, draggled feathers and matted hair showed pitifully, limpedJohn and his weary friends. Up a grand marble staircase, withwondering footmen lining either side, pattered on muddy feet Brutus andhis gray brother, and the bear, clumsily erect at John's side. Behindmewed the tired Blanche, whose kittens John carried in his arms, whilethe carrier pigeon and the raven perched on his shoulder. But theother birds had remained outside in the trees of the palace garden. 

XXI

THE PALACE

At last they came to a great hall, full of people who seemed met forsome solemn purpose. At the door stood the Grand Chamberlain in laceand velvet, holding in one hand his staff, and in the other anhourglass at which he was gazing earnestly. 

"What is this?" he said sternly, as the Captain approached with hisprisoners. "Do you not know that this is a moment of life and death?"

In a few whispered words the Captain explained matters. 

The Chamberlain stared sullenly at John. "No more wizardry!" he saidat last. "We have had enough of that. The King has just passedjudgment on the sorcerer. In five minutes he is to die. The doctorsdeclare this to be the only hope for the Prince's life. "

"Oh, let me see him! Let me see my good father!" begged John, claspinghis hands piteously. "I may yet save his life, I and these friends. "

As he said this, John had a sudden thought. He fumbled in his bosomfor the silver Cross, and held it out with trembling hands so that theChamberlain could see it. 

The man started back, turning pale and letting fall his staff ofoffice. "What does this mean?" he cried, "Who is this lad? How camehe by this token?"

Once more the Captain whispered to him. The Chamberlain looked wildlyat John, then at the hourglass, in which the last grains of sand hadsifted down. 

"The time has come, " he said; "the fatal moment is here! I should givethe signal for which the executioners wait. But something holds meback. In Heaven's name, what does it all mean? Is it sorcery or--"

"It is the Lord's will, " said John quietly. "Oh, pray, let me see theKing. "

"I do not understand, " muttered the Chamberlain hoarsely. "But, in thename of the talisman which you wear, enter. Go alone. I dare not facethe King with his order disobeyed. "

A broad aisle was left open down the hall through the ranks of lordsand ladies. At the end of it was a tall gilt throne. And on thethrone, clad in purple and gold, John saw a figure sitting, pale andterrible. It was the King. John knew his cold, cruel face, althoughthe man had greatly altered in those weeks since the day of hunting inthe park. For now the King's hair was snow-white and his body was bentlike that of an old man. 

John fixed his eyes upon this figure and began to walk forwardsteadily. Beside him paced Brutus, looking up anxiously into the boy'sface. In his right hand John led the bear, walking upright. The wolfslunk behind, with lolling tongue. In his arms John still carried thekittens, and on his shoulder perched the raven, while Blanche trottedbehind him. 

It was indeed a strange sight. A hush came upon the hall, and everyone stared open-mouthed as they passed along. At last the Kinghimself, who was sitting with bent head, noticed the silence andglanced up. John, with his queer group, was now almost at the foot ofthe throne. The King started up with a cry of rage and surprise. Heglared at the lad and at the animals with blazing eyes. "What doesthis mean?" he shouted. 

But at that moment John himself gave a cry. He had seen a figure thathe knew, and, forgetting all else, he was hurrying towards it. At oneside of the throne stood the Hermit, pale and sad, with his hands tiedbehind his back and a rope about his neck. He was guarded on each sideby a man with a drawn sword. 

"My father!" cried John, throwing himself upon the good man's neckbefore the wondering guards could interfere. At the same time Brutusgave a loud bark of joy and leaped upon his master. 

"My dear son!" cried the Hermit, with tears in his eyes. "I thoughtnot to see you again!"

At the sound of his voice the cat gave a loud "Miaou!" and ran to him. The kittens squeaked and tried to climb his gown. The bear growledcontentedly and trotted to his side. The wolf leaped to him withfierce pleasure. The raven hopped to his feet with a scream of Joy, and the carrier pigeon, with a soft "Coo!" fluttered to his shoulder. To the watching men and women of that court it seemed a miracle. 

For a moment all was silent. Then the King found voice. "What doesthis mean?" he cried again. "How have this vagrant and his vile beastsfound entrance to my palace? It is the hour for execution, not formummery. Why is not the signal given?"

"O King, " said John timidly, "they let me in because I said that I cameto cure your son, if may be. "

"More sorcery!" howled the King, beside himself with rage. "Take himaway! Slay them all, --the old man, the boy, the animals! I havewaited too long already. Perhaps even now my son is dead!" He rose, trembling. 

But the Hermit's voice rang out now, loud and clear. "O King, " hecried, "enough talk of sorcery and magic. This boy has come to helpyour son, who sought to slay him. He has brought the animals whoselives you covet, to show you how much you may owe to them. Lo, thiscarrier pigeon bore my message bidding him to come, --not for my sake. For I told him nothing of the danger in which I lay. This noble dogguided him to the village by a path which only he could follow. Nowwith these other animals he hopes to amuse the Prince and awaken him tolife. There is no magic in this; only love, O King--the love which islacking in your sad and sullen kingdom. "

There was a murmur in the crowd, which swayed forward toward John andthe Hermit. For some seconds the King stood speechless, staring at theHermit and the group around him. Then, with a wave of his hand, hebade the guards stand back. He turned to a black-gowned man on hisright who had just entered the hall. "Does my son still live?" heasked in a choking voice. 

The doctor nodded gravely. "He still lives, Sire. But he is very low. He cannot survive many minutes. "

The King paled. "Let us hasten, " he said. "It is the last chance. Perhaps the boy has skill. " Then, turning to the little group ofpeople from the forest, he beckoned grimly. "Come with me, " he said. "Save my son's life, and you save your own. Otherwise I swear that youshall all die the most hideous and painful of deaths. "

Descending from the throne with tottering steps, for the King had growna feeble old man, he led the way from the great hall. Behind him camethe doctor and the Hermit. John followed, with the animals in his armsand close about his heels. 

So they came to the door of a room in one wing of the palace. 

XXII

THE PRINCE'S CHAMBER

At the door the King paused and turned back to the little company whichfollowed him. 

"You may enter, " he said, "and try your skill on the Prince, who isnear to death. If you cure him, I will give you whatsoever reward youmay demand. But see that you do not fail!" The King's voice was fullof menace. "Enter, in the name of whatever magic you use. "

"In the name of love we come, " said the Hermit gently; "and in the nameof love we shall do our best for your son, O King. Enter softly, John. You must do without me now. Leave our larger, clumsier friends outsidewith me. "

Softly John tiptoed over the sill, carrying the kittens in his arms, with the dove on his shoulder, and the white cat following behind. 

In the centre of the room was a couch, hung with a splendid canopy ofpurple and gold. Beneath a purple coverlet fringed with gold lay thePrince, white as the lace of the pillow on which his black curlsrested. His eyes were closed, and he looked still and lifeless. Thehand which lay outside on the purple velvet was as white andtransparent as the hand of a marble statue. 

On one side of his bed sat a doctor in a black velvet gown, and severalattendants stood about with long faces and tired eyes. On the otherside of the couch a little girl crouched on a low stool. She was apale, pretty little thing, younger than John, and her dress ofbrilliant red made her sad, dark eyes look all the more sorrowful asshe gazed at John wistfully. It was Clare, the Prince's only sister. 

As they entered the room the King made a sign to the doctor, who shookhis head sadly. The King crossed to the bed and bent down over hisson, touching the cold face. But it did not change. Neither the lipsnor eyelids trembled, and John could see no sign of life in that stillbody. How different, he thought suddenly, from the vigorous figurewhich had wrestled with him in the forest. How different that facefrom the one which had looked back at him triumphantly after the arrowhad struck the poor deer!

"He does not hear nor see, " said the King gloomily. "He scarcelybreathes. What will you do?"

John hesitated. He had made no plan; he hardly knew with what hope theHermit had summoned him and his pets thither. It seemed a hopelesstask. 

The King frowned at his daughter. "Why is this girl allowed here?" hesaid gruffly. "Leave the room. "

"Oh, Sire, " pleaded the little Princess, with tears in her eyes, "please let me stay! When my brother is so ill, surely my place is athis side. I will be quite still, indeed I will. Only do not send meaway!"

John looked at her and thought how like a gentle little animal she was, so timid, and with such large, beseeching eyes. John had never knownany little girls. Now he thought they would be very pleasant things tohave in an animal kingdom. 

"Please let her stay, King, " he said gently. "She can do no harm. "

"Very well. Let her stay, " said the King impatiently. "But what willyou do? What magic have you, boy?"

Suddenly John had an impulse. He stepped forward with the squirmingkittens and laid them on the velvet coverlet close by the Prince'smarble hand. The doctor arose with a cry of horror; the attendantsrushed forward. The little Princess drew a long breath. But the Kingraised his hand. 

"Let the boy alone, " he commanded. "Even this madness shall behumored. There is no hope now but in him. "

The kittens began to frisk and gambol about the velvet, and the oldcat, with a contented purr, jumped up beside them. She was tired, poorthing, and glad to find a soft bed. At that moment those who werewatching saw a change come upon the Prince's face. His eyelidsquivered. His lips moved slightly. The King raised his hands andtrembled. 

Then began a frolic upon that royal bed such as for ten years had notbeen seen in all the kingdom. Up and down, around and around, thekittens chased one another. They rolled over and over, kicking andbiting. They played with their mother's tail. They scampered over thestill body of the Prince himself, and one of them, coming to his hand, began to play with the white fingers, nibbling at them and licking themwith warm little pink tongue. 

And what happened? Slowly the Prince's eyes opened. For a moment theygazed blankly at the frolicking kittens. Then his lips graduallyparted, and the flicker of a tiny smile came upon them. The Kingclasped his hands over his eyes, and gave a cry of joy. The littlePrincess laid her head on the pillow beside her brother's and weptsilently. 

The kitten which was playing with the Prince's hand rolled over on itsback and began to kick at the royal fingers. A tiny red scratchappeared on the milky skin. At the same moment a bit of color cameinto the Prince's white lips and cheeks. He turned his head, andlifting his hand stroked the soft ball of fur. The little thingresponded immediately, arching its back and beginning to purr. Presently the Prince's other hand stole out from under the coverlet. He drew the kitten feebly to his face and rubbed his cheek against thesilky fur, and he smiled!

[Illustration: He stroked the soft ball of fur. ]

The doctor turned to the King. "He will live, " he said. "It must bemagic!"

"He lives! My son lives!" cried the King, bending over the Prince in atransport. 

The Prince opened his eyes and looked at him, and a change came uponhis face. The smile faded, and he closed his eyes wearily. 

"Your Majesty, " said John, speaking gently, "if you will allow me togive the Prince a healing draught which I myself have made fromlife-giving herbs, I think now he will sleep and waken refreshed. "

"Do as you will!" cried the King. "Whatever you wish shall be done inthe palace. Whatever you ask shall be given. "

With a word and a gentle touch John roused the Prince, who swallowedthe draught which the boy gave him. "Now let us leave him to sleep, "said John. 

But when they would have removed the cat and kittens, a cloud came overthe Prince's face, and his hand wandered feebly, as if craving thetouch of the silky fur. 

"We will leave them here, " said John. "They are what he needs. "

"Oh, let me stay too!" cried the little Princess, with shining eyes. 

And across the room she and John smiled at each other, as he nodded, saying, "Yes, O King, I pray that you will let the little maid stay. "

So they withdrew from the chamber, and left the Prince to dream withhis new friends sleeping about him, and the little sister with her headupon the pillow at his side. And all night long he slept like a babywith a smile upon his face. 

The Prince's cure had begun. 

XXIII

THE CURE

There was wonder and excitement in the palace, for the news of John'ssuccess had been told from mouth to mouth. The King ordered theHermit's chains to be removed, and he and his pupil were treated withutmost honor. But they refused all gifts which the monarch made them;and he was annoyed. 

In the morning John and the Hermit went once more to see their patient. They found him and the little Princess playing with the kittens, andboth looked up with a smile when the visitors entered. But at sight ofJohn the Prince's color faded and the smile died on his lips. Johnbore the white pigeon in his hands, and going to the bedside bent overthe Prince with a gay manner. 

"You are better?" he asked. 

The Prince's eyes looked into his wonderingly. 

"Why do you try to help me?" he asked. "Once I tried to kill you. "

The little Princess gasped. 

"I came to heal and help you if I could, " said John, laughing. "Ibrought my pets to cheer you. See, here is the dove of peace. Shebrought me the message which has saved your life. Will you not loveher as I do?"

He placed the bird on the Prince's breast, and with a gentle coo thecreature nestled there confidingly. Tears came to the Prince's eyes. 

"You are very good, " he said. "I tried to kill your pets in theforest. "

"O brother!" cried the little maid, clasping her hands with a sob. "How could you!"

"Let us forget that, " said John brightly. "Let us be friends. Youwill get well and learn to love the animals for their own sake. "

"Oh, yes!" said the little girl. "I never saw any before, but how canone help loving these dear little pets, --and the lovely bird?" Shestroked the white feathers tenderly. 

But the Prince covered his face with his hands and seemed to beweeping. "I cannot forget!" he said brokenly. 

John felt very uncomfortable. "If only I could make him laugh, now!"he thought. Then an idea came to him, --a funny idea which made hiseyelids quiver and the brown spot wink. 

With a twist of his body he suddenly stood upon his head at the foot ofthe Prince's couch, and, waving his feet in the air, began to walkabout the chamber on his hands. The Prince uncovered his eyes andgazed in astonishment at such antics. 

Presently John regained his feet, and kissing his hand began to turnsomersaults vigorously all about the apartment. The little Princessclapped her hands and began to laugh. The Prince watched him, fascinated. Presently, as John's high spirits broke out into fullerpranks and gyrations, the Prince's lips quivered. He began to grin. 

"Oh, you are a tumbler, " he said. "I am glad you have come here! Doit again. "

So John did it again; and this time the Prince, watching him, echoedthe gay laugh of the little Princess. "It is as good as a play, " hesaid, feebly wiping the tears of merriment from his cheeks. "I wish Icould do it myself!"

[Illustration: I wish I could do it myself!]

"You must get well first, " said John, laughing. 

"I will try, " said the Prince, with a new spirit in his tone. And fromthat moment he began to grow stronger. 

Now came days when the palace was much happier than it had been foryears. The presence of the animals was in itself a joy to the King'speople, long starved for the lack of pets. And John's sunny face andquaint smile were reflected on all about him. There is nothing socatching as good humor, and John started an epidemic which spreadthrough the palace, and indeed through the whole city. No one knew howit happened. But before long the flaxen-haired boy was the pet of thewhole town. Not only was he welcome always in the Prince's chamber, but every door at which he knocked opened gladly to him, and he was athome wherever he went. 

Only the King held aloof. He had grown strangely grim and sullen sincehis son's cure was assured. The King was jealous. 

What with the animals to play with and John's tumbling, the Prince wascontinually in gales of laughter, and every day he grew plumper andmore rosy. Sometimes it was Brutus who amused him; often the cat andkittens, his first friends. The raven became a great favorite afterhis introduction to the Prince, which happened in this wise. 

John had delayed to bring the bird into the royal chamber, he was somischievous. But one day when the Prince seemed very merry, Johnslipped out and fetched the black fellow on his shoulder. On beinginvited to do so, the raven hopped gravely to the foot of the bed, where he perched, eyeing the Prince with little round eyes and headcocked knowingly. 

Presently the bird gave a queer screech, and began to imitate John'sown laughter so exactly that the Prince shook with mirth. At this theraven stood upon one leg gravely, and began to sidle along thefootboard of the bed. Presently he spied some fruit carved on thewooden uprights, and making a dart began to peck at the pears andpeaches. Then, discovering his mistake, once more he began to chuckle, this time so heartily that he seemed ready to have a fit. And as helistened the Prince's mouth widened and he burst into roars of laughter. 

"Hush, you foolish bird!" said John reprovingly. "Be not so noisy in aPrince's chamber. It is not good manners!" and he threw hishandkerchief over the raven's head. 

But the Prince protested. "Let him do his pleasure, " he said, laughing. "I have not seen anything so funny for many a day. I shallteach him many tricks. "

So the raven stayed with the Prince, and learned many tricks. And thecarrier pigeon stayed. And the others stayed, --all but the wolf, whowould never leave John, --making themselves quite at home on thePrince's velvet couch. And the little Princess played with them, enjoying the happiest hours of her life. 

One only of the animals the Prince had not seen. The Hermit and Johnagreed that until he was stronger he must not see the bear whom he hadonce tried to kill. For they knew that now it would make the Princesad and ashamed to remember that day in the forest. Such a change hadcome upon the young man! He was no longer hard and cruel, but tenderand affectionate. 

The King felt the change, and it made him angry. 

XXIV

THE KING

Daily, as the Prince grew stronger, he became more and more devoted tothe animals, to John and the good Hermit. He could scarcely bear themout of his sight. When they were with him his face lighted withsmiles, and he seemed to blossom as a flower does in sunshine. Only inthe presence of the King he grew silent and sad once more. The lightpassed from his eyes as he looked at the grim old man. A visit fromthe King was almost enough to undo the good effects of a whole day ofhappiness. 

The King knew this, and it made him furious. He did not see that itwas his own fault; that it was the badness in him which made the Princeshrink. He thought it was the doing of some one else. He grew to hatethe Hermit and John and the animals, of whom his son and daughter wereso fond. In his heart he cared little for any one. He had never lovedthe Princess Clare, and the Prince was dear only because one day hewould be king. Yet Robert hated to see them love any one else. 

The King was resolved to put an end to this state of things as soon asmight be. But he dared not do anything yet for fear of causing his sonto fall ill again. He sat and brooded and planned in his wicked heartwhat he would do when the Prince should be well once more. And for himthe time went slowly which others found so happy. 

Of all this the Prince and John guessed nothing. For the King seemedto them no more gruff and grum than usual. All the wishes of thestrangers were regarded, and they were treated like distinguishedguests in the palace. But the Hermit kept his eyes open. And oneother was not blind to the King's hatred. Clare, the little Princesswho had never been loved by her father, knew the meaning of the blacklooks which he sometimes cast upon the two forest-comers, and her heartwas uneasy, for she loved them both. 

The Prince grew so much better that he could walk about. One day hewas lying upon his couch in a balcony overlooking the royal park. TheHermit sat close by, reading aloud from the book which he was teachingthe Prince to love, as he had taught John. The little Princess bentover her embroidery frame at the foot of the couch, and John himself, on the floor at her feet, was playing with Brutus. The other animalsand birds were straying about the balcony, or lay cuddled in thePrince's lap. John thought how like this scene was to the AnimalKingdom in the woods; yet how unlike. And he glanced from the Princeto the Princess with a smile of content. It seemed hardly possiblethat this was the land where no pets were allowed; where hunting wasthe favorite sport of the King and his son!

Suddenly, in a pause of the reading, the Prince put out his hand. 

"Friends, " he said, "you have taught me many things in these weeks thatyou have dwelt under this roof. You have cured me; you have made melaugh. I have been thinking much of late how it is that where you comefolk are happy. Your faces make the world smile. How different frommy father and me! We have always made every one weep. There has beensomething wrong, I know not what. No one loves us, --not even Clarehere. "

"O brother!" protested the little maid, "I have always loved you. Butnever so dearly as now, when you have grown so kind. "

John spoke gently. "You will change all this when you are king, " hesaid. 

The Prince shook his head. "No, they will never love me as they doyou. I would fain be different, but I can never be like you, John. You should be king, not I. "

John laughed. "And what would become of the Animal Kingdom then?" hesaid. "My father and I have been talking together. We must soon goback to our woods and our little friends there. "

"Oh, you must not go!" gasped the Prince, turning pale. "You mustnever leave me! I can never again be alone with the King!"

He looked so terror-stricken that the Hermit and John were silent forpity. 

"I have been thinking, " went on the Prince gravely, "that when I amking, if that time ever comes, --and they say that it must, since thereis no other son of our house, --I shall need much help, for I am weakand not wise. You, good father, I would have you for my counselor. And you, "--he laid his arm affectionately on John's shoulder, --"youshall be my brother and share the throne with me. "

"Nay, thrones cannot be shared thus, " said the Hermit, looking at bothboys with some agitation. "You are a king's son. But we are of thewoods, my Prince. I at least have other work to do. As John says, there is the Animal Kingdom--what is to become of that?"

"Why, there will be no need for you to go to find it, " answered thePrince eagerly. "When I am king all shall be changed. This shall bethe Animal Kingdom. There shall be no more hunting or killing here. There shall be pets, --more than in any other land. For I have seen howunhappy are folk who live without them. "

"Now God be praised!" cried the good Hermit, with tears in his eyes. 

And John embraced the Prince heartily, while the little Princessclapped her hands and cried with shining eyes, "Oh! we shall all livetogether forever and ever, as happily as if this were the lovely forestwhich is John's home. "

"Nay, " said the Hermit gravely, "I cannot live here. I must go back tomy woods. I have vowed never again to live away from my ForestKingdom. But you, John, have taken no vow. Will you stay here withthe Prince, or will you go back with me? Make now your choice. "

John looked wistfully at the Prince and Princess, for he loved themwell. He looked at the animals who crowded around him and seemed to belistening to his words. He knew how eager they were to be back in theforest. He looked at the Hermit. 

"Oh, stay!" cried the Prince. "Stay and be my brother, and I will makeyou rich and powerful. "

"Oh, stay!" begged the little Princess. "Stay and be my brother, too!"

But John shook his head. "I cannot stay, " he said. "If my dear fatherwill have me for his pupil still, I will go back with him. For thoughit is pleasant here, I love best the life of the woods and the freedomof the forest. And I long to learn what no one in this kingdom canteach me: the art of healing and helping, as did that good John whosename I bear. "

The Hermit's face beamed like May sunshine, but he said nothing. 

"Then I will go to the forest with you!" cried the Prince. "I will notstay here. I do not want to be king. I too would be free and happy inthe Kingdom of the Forest. "

"And I will go also!" said the Princess. 

"Hush!" said the Hermit gravely. "That may not be. Your duty lieshere. When you are king, my Prince, you can make your kingdom into ahappy place. Then, little Princess, you will be proud of it and ofhim. Your duty is to the kingdom where you were born, and to thepeople of it, whom you can make happier and better. But perhaps, someday when I am gone to a still fairer kingdom, John will be able to helpyou, as another John once helped another King. "

At this moment there was a noise at the window which led to thebalcony, and the King stepped out to them. How long he had beenstanding inside, how much of their talk he had heard, no one knew. 

The Princess flushed; but the Prince turned pale as he greeted hisfather respectfully. John and the Hermit exchanged glances. They werenot afraid for themselves, but they dreaded the King's wrath for hisson and daughter, who had threatened to run away. 

The King stood for a moment, looking at the group with a frown. Then apeculiar smile twisted his lips. 

"Ah!" he said, "I have intruded, it seems, upon a council of State. Ifear that I interrupt your plans, my son. But I trust that you andthese noble visitors will pardon my desire to learn the state of yourhealth. You must not be over-excited. " He waved his hand toward theHermit and John, then bowed low to each of the animals in turn, withbitter mockery. 

The Princess trembled, for she saw how angry the King was. 

"We have no secrets, my friends and I, " said the Prince with dignity. "We have nothing to conceal of which we are ashamed. "

The King looked at him quickly, as if suspecting that his words meantsome reproach. But he only said, "That is well. " Then his mannerchanged. He tried to appear merry and genial. "And now, my son, " hesaid, "since you are so much better, I wish to plan a festival in yourhonor, to celebrate your cure. "

The little Princess looked at him quickly. She suspected sometreachery. But the Prince seemed pleased. 

"For me?" he said. "A festival in which these friends may share--thesefriends who saved my life?"

"Ay, " answered the King, bowing to the group once more with a peculiarsmile. "Surely, it shall be also in honor of these friends to whom weare so grateful. " The Hermit and John bowed. The King went onsuavely: "We will have a pageant, with music and games and singing. But chiefly the people clamor to see our young friend do the wonderfultricks of which they have heard. I myself would fain see what you, myson, have found so amusing. My lad, "--he turned to John with a strangetone in his voice, --"you shall dance and tumble and put your animalsthrough their paces, for the applause of my people. I command you toappear before us this day week and do your sprightliest. It is notoften that we have the honor of entertaining a mountebank at court. "

He spoke the word "mountebank" sneeringly, and John flushed. Butseeing the Hermit sitting with downcast eyes, he merely answered:--

"I shall obey your Majesty's commands. "

"Then that is settled, " said the King, with a grunt of satisfaction. "And you, "--he turned to the Prince, --"you will then be strong enoughto sit at my side on the throne. It is well. "

He quite ignored the little daughter who with a pale face shrank in onecorner. With one last glance at the group, the King swept from thebalcony. 

"A fete!" said the Prince, clapping his hands. "A grand fete in yourhonor, my kind friends. That will be rare sport! John, you shall makethe whole city laugh, even as you have cured me. "

"I shall do my best, " answered John. "Yes, I will teach some of mylittle friends new tricks for that fete. " And he laughed as he thoughthow the Prince and Princess would stare when they saw Bruin dance. 

John and the Prince left the balcony arm in arm, to talk over the plansfor the fete. But the Hermit still sat with bent brows, thinking. 

"Why did he call John a mountebank?" he asked himself. "He hates us. He is planning some mischief, I believe. It is time we were back inour Animal Kingdom. "

He looked up. The Princess was touching his arm and her face was verypale. "Father, " she said, for so the royal children loved to call thegood old man. "Father, there is mischief in the air. Oh! do be onyour guard. For I think it would break my heart if anything shouldhappen to you or to dear John. "

The Hermit stroked her hair gently. "Dear child, " he said, "we willtake care of him, you and I and the animals. "

XXV

THE FETE

The day for the festival came at last. The Prince was now quite strongand well, and had taken a joyous part in the preparations. The palacewas decorated with flowers; bands were playing, fountains splashing inthe courtyard; banquets were spread at all hours for any one who wouldpartake. The palace was merrier than it had been for years; and thecentre of all the joy, the core of the day's happiness, was John. Hispraise was on every one's lips. His name, even more often than theyoung Prince's whose health they were celebrating, was spoken in loveand tenderness. 

But all this John did not seem to know. He only saw that every one wasvery kind; that the world might be a very happy place to live in, iflove ruled the kingdoms of it. And he made ready for his share in themerrymaking with a light heart. It was great fun to play at being amountebank once more for the people who loved him! Yet he was notsorry that the next day he and the Hermit were going back to thekingdom in the forest. He was longing for the peace and quiet of thewoods, and the little wild friends who awaited them there. 

The King he never saw. That monarch seemed anxious to keep out of hisway as far as possible. John did not know that he and the Hermit werebeing carefully watched by the King's spies, and that they were reallyprisoners in the palace. For they were treated honorably, and the Kingsent word that John must ask for whatever he wished to make hisperformance a success. 

John asked for little. Upon one thing, however, he had set his heart. He had made for that occasion a tumbler's suit of green silk, withtrunks of cloth-of-gold--just such a suit as Gigi had worn when he wasone of the mountebank company. But the boy who pranced gaily about thepalace in this gorgeous attire was a very different fellow from thesad-eyed little Gigi. John was tall and sturdy and full of life. Hiseyes sparkled with fun and good humor, and looked at the world franklyas if expecting kindness from every one. So much had five years oflove and humanity done for the little wanderer. 

When John appeared in the courtyard ready for his performance, dressedin the familiar colors of long ago, he could not help chuckling tothink how things had changed with him. Instead of Cecco and the Giant, by his side waddled the great bear on his hind legs; while Brutuswalked sedately on his other side, and the gaunt wolf stalked behind. 

The park was thronged with people, soldiers and citizens and peasantsfrom the country, jostling one another for a sight of John and hispets, --and whispering among themselves with an excitement which Johncould not understand. For after all he was going to give a simplelittle show of tumbling such as they must have seen many times. "It isthe animals, " he thought. "It must be the animals that they are soeager to see. "

John walked along, smiling into the faces which met his kindly, and thebrown spot on his eyelid gave him the mischievous look which alwaysmade folk laugh. It was amid a ripple of good-natured laughter that heand his pets made their way to the platform which had been erected infront of the palace. Here on a high seat sat the King, and beside himthe Prince, with a flush of pleasure on his thin cheeks. Gaily dressedlords and ladies stood about the throne. But somewhat apart andsurrounded by his pets sat the Hermit in his gray robe, with foldedarms. His hood was pulled over his face so that John could not see howgrave he was. Two armed men stood behind him, but by his side, withher hand on his shoulder, was the little Princess. John smiled at her, when he bowed low to the people on the platform. And the little maidanswered with a flash of affection; but her face was very pale, and herhand trembled on the Hermit's shoulder. 

John led forward his animals and they began their tricks. The Hermitsaw the Prince start when Bruin appeared. Evidently he recognized theanimal which he had once tried to kill. Merrily John urged the clumsyfellow to dance, and every one laughed heartily at the sight. Only theKing sat grim and sullen. 

[Illustration: John urged the clumsy fellow to dance. ]

Then John put a plumed hat on the bear's head, took his arm, and thetwo strutted about the platform like a pair of dandies. The audienceburst into roars of mirth. Even the Hermit's sides were shaking, andthe little Princess rocked to and fro with merriment. 

Straight up to the Prince marched the twain, and at John's command thebear bowed and held out his hand politely. 

"He salutes you, his brother, " said John to the Prince. "He begs youto be friends with him always. "

The Prince bowed in return, with a bright flush in his cheeks. "Isalute you, brother, " he replied. "Never again will I hunt you or anyanimal, wherever I may be. "

From the foremost of the crowd who heard these words came a loud"Hurrah!" and caps were tossed in the air. Evidently the Prince'ssentiment was popular in the city. 

"Tut, tut!" said the King, "we will see about that!" He bit his lipand bent a frown upon the group before him. The Hermit saw him whispera word into the ear of one of his courtiers, who bowed and disappeared. 

Now John put Brutus and the wolf through their tricks, which werewonderful indeed; for the dog was very intelligent, and had learned allthat the best educated dog nowadays can do, and more beside. Then thewolf's leaping was a thing to wonder at, he was so lithe and strong. Over Brutus he leaped, over John's head, over the bear, over Johnstanding on the bear's broad back. 

At the end the Prince applauded heartily, and calling up the dog andthe wolf, placed a golden collar about the neck of each. 

"Good friends, " said the Prince, "you helped to save my life, you andyour brothers, and your masters. I give you these. But them I nevercan repay if I live to be as old as Noah, who was the first to gatherpets about him. I hope that in time there may be many pets throughoutthe kingdom. "

He glanced timidly at the King. 

"Hurrah!" shouted the people. "Long live the Prince. Long live Johnand his animals! Hurrah! Hurrah!"

"No more of this!" The King made a gesture, and the shouting stopped, changing into sullen murmurs. The King was not popular, it seemed. "Let the performance proceed!" he commanded. "I do not like theseinterruptions. "

Once more the Hermit saw him whisper to a servant, who went awayquickly on some mysterious errand. 

Now, with a happy face, John himself stepped forward and showed hisskill and strength and grace. He turned somersaults backward andforward; he stood upon his head and danced upon his hands. He did allthe old tricks which he had learned of the tumblers, and more of hisown invention, till the people shouted rapturously, "Bravo! Bravo!Hurrah for our John!"

With his eye on the Prince, John began to caper at his merriest. Hedanced high, leaping like a grasshopper, and seeming to bound likethistledown. All the while his eyes twinkled, and the people laughedwith delight. 

"Bravo! John, bravo!" shouted the Prince, clapping his hands. "Comehere and let me decorate you, my friend. " And as John bowed before himthe Prince placed upon his bosom a beautiful star of diamonds thatgleamed and sparkled like a cobweb full of dew. 

"Hurrah! Hurrah! Long life to John! John! John!" shouted thepeople, as if they loved the name. 

And the Hermit saw that the King turned pale and shook with wrath atthe sound. The next moment he grasped the arms of his chair and staredinto the crowd eagerly. 

Suddenly he arose, and, waving his sceptre, commanded silence. Johnbowed and turned to the King, waiting to hear his pleasure. Butinstead of the speech which every one expected, they saw the Kinggazing down into the crowd before him, and on his lips was a malicioussmile. But he looked very old and sick, and he tottered as he held tothe arm of his throne. 

XXVI

THE TALISMAN

John turned his head to see at what the King was staring. There was amovement in the crowd. Men were being elbowed forward. A noise ofharsh voices arose, and to the platform crowded three figures in ragsand tatters. 

They forced their way directly in front of the platform, and stoodstaring up. John stepped forward to see what it meant, and in a momentfell back with a cry of dismay. He was looking into the eyes of Cecco, Tonio and the Giant!

"Hi! Master Gigi!" cried Tonio's hateful voice; "so here we find yousetting up as a tumbler on your own account. Your Majesty, " he cried, appealing to the King, who was listening with a wicked grin on hisface, "this is our boy. We own him. He ran away, but he belongs tous. Give him to us again!"

The little Princess screamed and clung to the Hermit's arm; but he satmotionless, watching. The people began to murmur and jostle the threestrangers. But the King raised his hand, and they listened to him. 

"We will hear these men, " he said. Then, turning to John, he addedsmoothly, "And after that, sirrah, you shall answer for yourself. "

The Hermit rose and took a step forward, still holding the littlePrincess by the hand. Brutus broke away from the page who held him, and crouched growling at John's side. 

Then Tonio raised his voice, and cried louder, pointing at John withhis skinny hand. "He is our boy, " he said. "We taught him his trade;let him deny it. Now he is robbing us of our fair dues. He is arunaway. Give him back to us!"

Still John stared at him, too dazed to answer. But the Hermit tookanother step forward, and said sternly:--

"He is your boy, you say. How did you come by him?"

"We bought him for a gold piece, " they said in chorus. "That was yearsago. For ten years he traveled with us. And then he ran away. Hislife is ours; let him deny it if he can!"

John stood silent, horrified at the fate which seemed to confront him. For in those days children who were bought and sold in this cruel waywere the slaves of the masters who had purchased them. 

The Prince had fallen back, pale and trembling. But the King now spokeagain, gazing with malicious eyes upon the two wood-folk whom he hated. 

"What have you to say for yourselves?" he asked. "You who do not denythat you are a runaway; you, old man, who stole the lad and must bepunished most severely therefor, have you any reason why I should notgive the one of you up to these mountebanks, his lawful masters, andthe other of you to punishment and death? Speak!" The King's voicewas harsh and cruel. His eyes glittered fiercely. 

Still John was silent. 

"Seize him!" commanded the King. "Seize them both! Off with them toprison!"

The guards stepped forward, unwillingly enough. But at that momentJohn drew himself up. His eyes flashed; he grasped in both hands thestaff over which he had made the wolf leap, and braced himself fordefense. 

"They shall not take me!" he cried. "I will not go with them. I willdie sooner. To me, my brothers!" and he gave a shrill, peculiar cry bywhich he and the Hermit were wont to call their pets. 

[Illustration: To me, my brothers!]

Instantly the Hermit ranged himself at John's side. At the same momentBrutus placed himself, barking and growling, before the twain. Breaking from the leash by which he was held, the wolf came leapingtowards them, and stood bristling beside the dog, showing his terriblefangs. With a savage growl Bruin burst his chain and came lumbering tothe defense of his friends, and the three devoted animals made a stoutand terrible wall about them. But this was not all. From the cornerswhere they were crouched came running the other, gentler pets. Herescampered the cat and her kittens, mewing pitifully. Across theplatform hopped the raven. The carrier pigeon fluttered to theHermit's shoulder. And from the trees all roundabout came winging, with a call answering to John's, a flock of birds who had followed himfrom the forest, and who had been hidden in the forbidden trees of theKing's park until this very hour. They fluttered like a cloud aboutthe heads of the pair, so that one could scarcely see them. 

Every one stood amazed; even the King sank back in his seat, stupefied. The guards fell back with lowered weapons. The crowd was silent, staring open-mouthed. Then a murmur arose, and words passed from manto man. 

"A miracle! It is a miracle! They must be God's saints!"

But Tonio was not long silent. "Tricks! Tricks!" he cried. "Gigi hasbecome an animal-trainer. But he is our boy still. Give him to us!"

"Seize them!" repeated the King in a choking voice. 

Once more the guards made a rush forward. But the animals leaped upand stood at bay so fiercely that they dared not come nearer. TheHermit raised his hand, and there was sudden silence. He faced theKing and spoke sternly. 

"O King, " he said, "you see that they will never take us alive. Insight of all these people will you add more deaths to your record?"The murmur of the crowd grew louder. "Nay, all has not yet been said, "he went on. "Listen, O King. You judge too quickly. There is notproof enough of the lad's ownership. "

"Not enough?" snarled the King. "I say there is enough and to spare. Can this boy dispute the words of these men?"

John now looked at the Hermit eagerly. His heart beat with hope ofsomething, he knew not what. 

The King sneered. "You see!" he cried triumphantly. 

But once more the Hermit held up his hand. "Will you not questionthese fellows further?" he asked. "Dare you hear more, O King?"

"Dare I!" blustered the King, "and why not, pray? If there be more tosay, tell it, " he commanded the mountebanks. 

"Ay, " they answered eagerly, "we can indeed prove that the boy is ours. "

"Tell how you came by him, " interrupted the Hermit, in a tone not to bedisobeyed. 

Tonio answered sullenly:--

"We have told already. We bought him for a gold piece, of a fishermanon a distant coast. He had found the babe, nearly dead with cold andhunger, floating in a basket on the sea. It was a castaway, afoundling; no one wanted it. We took it away with us, and had hardwork to make it live. "

"Is that all?" asked the Hermit. "Was there nothing to prove that thisis the same child?" He said this in a loud voice so that every onecould hear. 

"Proof!" cried Tonio, shaking his fist at John fiercely. "Who canmistake him in that suit, the very one we gave him? Look at his mop ofyellow tow and his eye with the brown spot over it. No one who hasseen it could forget that spot. Ay, there is still another way toprove him ours. I see the gleam of silver around his neck. He stillwears the chain and the bit of silver which he dares not remove, because there is magic in it, they say. It was on his neck when thefisherman found him. Look, and see if we do not say truth!"

John still stood motionless, looking in the Hermit's face. But atthese last words the old man stepped behind him and drew the silvertalisman from the boy's breast, laying it out on his green silk bosom, where it glittered for all to see. 

Cecco and Tonio and the Giant gave a cry of triumph. But from thecrowd behind them rose a murmur of different meaning. Men began tocrowd forward eagerly. 

"Yes, look!" cried the Hermit, pointing at the medal. "The Cross ofthe good man John, the friend of King Cyril! Which of you does notknow and love it?"

The murmur of the crowd swelled into a shout, --"Who is he? Who is thelad? We will know!"

"Who but John, " answered the Hermit, with kindling eyes. "Who butJohn, the good man's son, --my brother's son. I know, for I christenedthe child, and I saw the King hang this Cross about the baby's neck, aCross like the one he had given John himself. This is the child whodisappeared fourteen years ago. The King sent him away to be killed. But the servant to whom the task fell was less cruel. The child wasset adrift on the ocean, and escaped as you have heard. Will you lethim be lost again?"

"No! No!" roared the crowd. "He shall not go! He shall not go!" Andthey seized the three mountebanks and hustled them away. 

With a shout the King's own guards rushed forward to help in thismatter. There was a cry at the back of the platform. The King hadfallen in a fit. But few at the moment were thinking of him. Thepeople were throwing up their caps and dancing joyously. 

"John! John!" they shouted. "We knew the silver Cross which the holyJohn always wore when he went about doing good to us. Oh, we remembernow! We shall never again forget! John! Hurrah for his son John!"

John himself stood bewildered, and the animals around him shivered andlooked surprised. They were not used to such tumults. Suddenly Johnfelt his hand clasped softly. The little Princess was at his side, looking up in his face and smiling through tears. "Dear John!" shesaid. "Now you are safe. Now you will be our brother indeed!"

"Yes, he is safe, " said the Hermit, embracing the boy tenderly. "MyJohn! My brother's son! Oh, how I have longed to tell you and claimyou for my nephew! But I vowed that I would wait until you had provedyourself worthy of him, worthy of the name by which I christened you. And you are worthy, O my dear John, even to wear the silver Cross!"

"I do not understand yet, " said John. "Who am I? And why do thepeople shout my name and seem to love me so much?"

"You are the son of John, the holy friend of the people, " answered theHermit. 

"But you, my father, --for so I must call you still, " said John; "whoare you, and how came you to be living in the forest?"

"I was but a humble servant of God, " said the Hermit. "But when KingCyril died, and my brother and you were gone, there was not happinessfor me in the city of sorrow. I became an exile. I fled to the forestwith the hunted animals who were my brother's friends. And there Imade a home for them, a kingdom of my own, with Brutus for my primeminister. And there, after many years, you came to find me, my dearson! It was a miracle!"

Now the Prince came forward and laid his hand timidly on John'sshoulder. "John, " he said, "now you know how less than ever you havereason to love the rulers of this land. But oh, John! I beg you toforgive us. Be my brother, John; and if you can forget, let me be yourfriend!"

"My brother and friend!" cried John; and the two hugged each otheraffectionately, while Brutus leaped up and licked the face first ofone, then of the other, and the other animals frisked joyously. 

"Hurrah! Hurrah!" shouted the people, "They are like good King Cyriland his friend the holy John. Let it be so! Let it be so! Hurrah!Hurrah!"

CONCLUSION

And so it turned out to be. For soon the old King died, worn out bywicked passions, and Prince Hugh became King. Then began a new orderof things. The land was now a happy kingdom, full of love and peace. Like his uncle, the new monarch became known as the Good King. In hisrealm was never hunting or cruel sport. The houses of his subjectswere full of pets. And the palace itself was a perfect menagerie, sothat John called it "The Ark. " There were hundreds of new four-footedfriends in the park and palace; and hundreds of two-footed friends inthe trees and dovecotes. To and fro they went between the city and theforest. For all ways were safe now to wandering creatures. A highroadwas made connecting the King's city with the Hermit's wood. And thepath to the door of the hut was worn smooth. For this soon became afavorite place of pilgrimage. 

There in the Forest Kingdom lived the good Hermit and John his nephew, with their circle of pets. And these also went back and forth betweenthe forest and the city. For John was the Prince's dear friend andcompanion, and spent many weeks of the year in the palace with the twowhom he loved. His pets were as eagerly welcomed there as he. Brutushad his own rug by the young King's fireplace. The wolf made afaithful guardian of the palace gate, while John was inside. Bruinwandered about the halls at his pleasure. The cat purred contentedlyon the brocade furniture, with ever-new kittens frisking about her. The raven often perched on the back of King Hugh's chair and made wisesounds. And while waiting to carry a message to the Hermit in theforest, the carrier pigeon loved to nestle in the arms of the youngPrincess, who grew prettier and prettier every day. 

To the Kingdom in the Forest came folk from everywhere. The quiet ofthe Hermit's retreat was often broken. But nevertheless the old manwas happy. For he saw his boy fast growing into the man he had hopedhim to be, the copy of his father, beloved John. With the silver Crosson his bosom, the strange, merry smile ever on his face, and a kindword always on his lips, John ministered to all who needed him; and hewent far and wide to find them. He was always happy, whatever he mightbe doing; alone with the Hermit and his animal friends; helping thetroubled and the ailing; wandering with Brutus and the wolf through thestill lonely parts of the wood; studying the never-failing wonders ofthe Kingdom in the Forest. But he was happiest of all, perhaps, whenthe King and Princess came to visit him, as they loved to do, --withoutservants or followers, with only an animal or two. For this countrywas the safest and most peaceful in the world. 

[Illustration: King and Princess came to visit him. ]

Then they would all dress in simple green and brown and go out into theforest to ramble and to become acquainted with the wild creatures. There they met the old friends of the wood who had not gone with theothers on that famous pilgrimage. And the deer, the fox, the squirrel, the rabbits, and the birds were always glad to see them. 

Here John could teach the young King to tumble and turn somersaults tohis heart's delight, without any one to say, "How undignified!" Forwhatever the friendly beasts and birds thought of these antics, theynever spoke critically of the matter. 

Here also John taught the Princess the secret lore of the forest, sothat she became almost as wise and skillful as he. But no one couldsay, "How unladylike!" For she grew sweeter and dearer every day. 

And the good old Hermit watched them always with loving eyes.