He seemed to have no wish to come down And learn what all these strange
doings 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. Brutus
bounded to meet John, but the boy was too excited to give him the usual
caress.

"Father!" he cried, "have you heard or seen nothing? There are
strangers in the forest, wicked strangers who hunt our friends the
beasts. 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 into
the hut; but I feared nothing. Your clothes are torn. Your face is
bloody. Who has been hurting you, my son?"

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

"Huntsmen!" cried the Hermit. "Send Brutus into the hut." John drove
the dog inside, and some of the house-pets with him. Already the