the great mountain and feared neither storm nor wild beasts. Shaggy-
maned lions and their mates drew near and fawned on him as their kind
had fawned on young Adam in the Garden of Eden. There had never passed
through his mind the thought that they were not his friends.

He did not know that there were men who killed their wild brothers. In
the huge courtyard of the castle he learned to ride and to perform great
feats of strength. Because he had not learned to be afraid he never
feared that he could not do a thing. He grew so strong and beautiful
that when he was ten years old he was as tall as a youth of sixteen, and
when he was sixteen he was already like a young giant. This was because
he had been brother to the storm and had lived close to the strength and
splendor of the stars.

Only once, when he was a boy of twelve, a strange and painful thing
happened to him. From his kingdom in the plains below there had been
sent to him a beautiful young horse which had been bred for him. Never
had so magnificent an animal been born in the royal stable. When he was
brought into the courtyard the boy King's eyes shone with joy. He spent
the greater part of the morning in exercising and leaping him over
barriers. The Ancient One in his tower chamber heard his shouts of
exultation and encouragement. At last the King went out to try him on
the winding mountain road.

When he returned he went at once to the tower chamber to the Ancient
One, who, when he raised his eyes from his great book, looked at him
gravely.

"Let us climb to the battlements," the boy said. "We must talk
together."