"Never yet have I been hurt
by an animal," he said gently. "My body bears only the scars of human
hands. I am not afraid. But do you stay here, my son. You have not
yet quite learned the language of dumb things."

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

Soon their eyes became more used to the darkness of the cave, with
which the Hermit was already familiar. Presently out of the shadows in
a far corner they spied two red eyes glaring upon them. Behind the
eyes bulked a huge, apparently shapeless form. It half rose as they
drew near, and again they heard the growl of anger. But as the
creature 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 have
met them sometimes upon the highways, traveling with mountebanks. And
the men told me that they were very fierce and hard to tame. Be
careful, my father! Go not near, I beseech you!"

But the old man paid no heed to his words. Bending forward, he made a
strange sound in his throat, a soothing, cooing noise. The bear heard
it, and ceased to whine. They saw the ugly head rear up and look at
the Hermit wildly. Again he made the sound, and stooping without fear
brought his face close to the bear's great body. The animal did not
move.

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

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

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

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

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

When John returned he found the Hermit sitting on the floor of the
cave, 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 eyes
fixed upon the Hermit with a curious look of wonder and appeal. He
seemed unable to move, and the Hermit touched the beast quite
naturally, as if he were a great kitten. The bear stirred and turned
his eyes when John entered.

"Thanks, son," said the Hermit, taking the cup from the