often burdensome to the Minor
Canon; but, on the other hand, he could not deny that he derived a
great deal of benefit and instruction from it. The Griffin had lived
for hundreds of years, and had seen much; and he told the Minor Canon
many wonderful things.

"It is like reading an old book," said the young clergyman to
himself; "but how many books I would have had to read before I would
have found out what the Griffin has told me about the earth, the air,
the water, about minerals, and metals, and growing things, and all
the wonders of the world!"

Thus the summer went on, and drew toward its close. And now the
people of the town began to be very much troubled again.

"It will not be long," they said, "before the autumnal equinox is
here, and then that monster will want to eat. He will be dreadfully
hungry, for he has taken so much exercise since his last meal. He
will devour our children. Without doubt, he will eat them all. What
is to be done?"

To this question no one could give an answer, but all agreed that the
Griffin must not be allowed to remain until the approaching equinox.
After talking over the matter a great deal, a crowd of the people
went to the Minor Canon, at a time when the Griffin was not with him.

"It is all your fault," they said, "that that monster is among us.
You brought him here, and you ought to see that he goes away. It is
only on your account that he stays here at all, for, although he
visits his image every day, he is with you the greater part of the
time. If you were not here, he would not stay. It is your duty to go
away and then he will follow you, and we shall be free from the
dreadful danger which hangs over us."

"Go away!" cried the Minor Canon, greatly grieved at being spoken to
in such a way. "Where shall I go? If I go to some other town, shall I
not take this trouble there? Have I a right to do that?"

"No," said the people, "you must not go to any other town. There is
no town far enough away. You must go to the dreadful wilds where the
Griffin lives; and then he will follow you and stay there."

They did not say whether or not they expected the Minor Canon to stay
there also, and he did not ask them any thing about it. He bowed his
head, and went into his house, to think. The more he thought, the
more clear it became to his mind that it was his duty to go away, and
thus free the town from the presence of the Griffin.

That evening he packed a leathern bag full of brea