and afterward, to the best of his memory, had
copied his figure in stone. The Griffin had never known this, until,
hundreds of years afterward, he heard from a bird, from a wild
animal, or in some manner which it is not now easy to find out, that
there was a likeness of him on the old church in the distant town.
Now, this Griffin had no idea how he looked. He had never seen a
mirror, and the streams where he lived were so turbulent and violent
that a quiet piece of water, which would reflect the image of any
thing looking into it, could not be found. Being, as far as could be
ascertained, the very last of his race, he had never seen another
griffin. Therefore it was, that, when he heard of this stone image of
himself, he became very anxious to know what he looked like, and at
last he determined to go to the old church, and see for himself what
manner of being he was. So he started off from the dreadful wilds,
and flew on and on until he came to the countries inhabited by men,
where his appearance in the air created great consternation; but he
alighted nowhere, keeping up a steady flight until he reached the
suburbs of the town which had his image on its church. Here, late in
the afternoon, he alighted in a green meadow by the side of a brook,
and stretched himself on the grass to rest. His great wings were
tired, for he had not made such a long flight in a century, or more.

The news of his coming spread quickly over the town, and the people,
frightened nearly out of their wits by the arrival of so
extraordinary a visitor, fled into their houses, and shut themselves
up. The Griffin called loudly for some one to come to him, but the
more he called, the more afraid the people were to show themselves.
At length he saw two laborers hurrying to their homes through the
fields, and in a terrible voice he commanded them to stop. Not daring
to disobey, the men stood, trembling.

"What is the matter with you all?" cried the Griffin. "Is there not a
man in your town who is brave enough to speak to me?"

"I think," said one of the laborers, his voice shaking so that his
words could hardly be understood, "that--perhaps--the Minor
Canon--would come."

"Go, call him, then!" said the Griffin; "I want to see him."

The Minor Canon, who filled a subordinate position in the old church,
had just finished the afternoon services, and was coming out of a
side door, with three aged women who had formed the week-day
congregation. He was a