d and meat, and
early the next morning he set out on his journey to the dreadful
wilds. It was a long, weary, and doleful journey, especially after he
had gone beyond the habitations of men, but the Minor Canon kept on
bravely, and never faltered. The way was longer than he had expected,
and his provisions soon grew so scanty that he was obliged to eat but
a little every day, but he kept up his courage, and pressed on, and,
after many days of toilsome travel, he reached the dreadful wilds.

When the Griffin found that the Minor Canon had left the town he
seemed sorry, but showed no disposition to go and look for him. After
a few days had passed, he became much annoyed, and asked some of the
people where the Minor Canon had gone. But, although the citizens had
been so anxious that the young clergyman should go to the dreadful
wilds, thinking that the Griffin would immediately follow him, they
were now afraid to mention the Minor Canon's destination, for the
monster seemed angry already, and, if he should suspect their trick
he would, doubtless, become very much enraged. So every one said he
did not know, and the Griffin wandered about disconsolate. One
morning he looked into the Minor Canon's school-house, which was
always empty now, and thought that it was a shame that every thing
should suffer on account of the young man's absence.

"It does not matter so much about the church," he said, "for nobody
went there; but it is a pity about the school. I think I will teach
it myself until he returns."

It was the hour for opening the school, and the Griffin went inside
and pulled the rope which rang the school-bell. Some of the children
who heard the bell ran in to see what was the matter, supposing it to
be a joke of one of their companions; but when they saw the Griffin
they stood astonished, and scared.

"Go tell the other scholars," said the monster, "that school is about
to open, and that if they are not all here in ten minutes, I shall
come after them."

In seven minutes every scholar was in place.

Never was seen such an orderly school. Not a boy or girl moved, or
uttered a whisper. The Griffin climbed into the master's seat, his
wide wings spread on each side of him, because he could not lean back
in his chair while they stuck out behind, and his great tail coiled
around, in front of the desk, the barbed end sticking up, ready to
tap any boy or girl who might misbehave. The Griffin now addressed
the scholars,