mong them. They will rush to eat them up greedily, and when you have
scattered the last crumb you must lose no time in throwing the hare to
them; as soon as the hare feels itself on the ground it will run away
as quickly as possible, and the wild beasts will turn to pursue it. In
this way you will be able to get through the wood unhurt.'

Iwanich thanked the old man for his counsel, dismounted from his
horse, and, taking the bag and the hare in his arms, he entered the
forest. He had hardly lost sight of his gaunt grey friend when he
heard growls and snarls in the thicket close to him, and before he had
time to think he found himself surrounded by the most dreadful-looking
creatures. On one side he saw the glittering eye of a cruel tiger, on
the other the gleaming teeth of a great she-wolf; here a huge bear
growled fiercely, and there a horrible snake coiled itself in the
grass at his feet.

But Iwanich did not forget the old man's advice, and quickly put his
hand into the bag and took out as many bread-crumbs as he could hold
in his hand at a time. He threw them to the beasts, but soon the bag
grew lighter and lighter, and the Prince began to feel a little
frightened. And now the last crumb was gone, and the hungry beasts
thronged round him, greedy for fresh prey. Then he seized the hare and
threw it to them.

No sooner did the little creature feel itself on the ground than it
lay back its ears and flew through the wood like an arrow from a bow,
closely pursued by the wild beasts, and the Prince was left alone. He
looked at his ring, and when he saw that it sparkled as brightly as
ever he went straight on through the forest.

He hadn't gone very far when he saw a most extraordinary looking man
coming towards him. He was not more than three feet high, his legs
were quite crooked, and all his body was covered with prickles like a
hedgehog. Two lions walked with him, fastened to his side by the two
ends of his long beard.

He stopped the Prince and asked him in a harsh voice: 'Are you the man
who has just fed my body-guard?'

Iwanich was so startled that he could hardly reply, but the little man
continued: 'I am most grateful to you for your kindness; what can I
give you as a reward?'

'All I ask,' replied Iwanich, 'is, that I should be allowed to go
through this wood in safety.'

'Most certainly,' answered the little man; 'and for greater security I
will give you one of my lions as a protector. But when you lea