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

For three days Gigi lay on the pallet of the good Hermit, near to
death. And for three days the great dog lay on guard by his side. The
Hermit went softly to and fro, taking tender care of the boy and giving
him 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, and
said prayers; this seemed to give him strength for his work and hope
for its result. So that when he rose, his face would be bright and
happy.

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. He
awoke with a long sigh, and for the first time since he lay down on the
Hermit's pallet he looked around him with interest. At first he did
not know where he was.

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

Gigi's eyes wandered to the door, which stood open. On the sill the
cat and her kittens were playing. Outside he could catch a glimpse of
various animals frisking about the dooryard. Birds sang merrily in the
trees overhead and in the bushes just outside the window. The raven
hopped into the doorway and stood looking saucily at Gigi, with head on
one side. It was all so peaceful, so quiet, so different from anything
which Gigi had known, that he thought it must be a dream. He sighed
again, and turned over, stretching out his arm. In doing so he touched
the hairy neck of Brutus, who was still sleeping by his bed. Instantly
the dog sprang up and began to lick the boy's face. At the same
moment, with a pious gesture, the Hermit also rose and came toward the
cot, smiling kindly.

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

Gigi stared up at him contentedly. "Who are you?" he asked. He had
never been taught manners, and he could no longer hide his curiosity.