part was unknown to her, became badly
tangled. The trees were thicker and creeping vines intertwined between
them. She had to turn this way and that to get through at all, and
finally she came to a place where a network of vines and branches
effectually barred her farther progress.

Zella was dismayed, at first, when she encountered this obstacle, but
setting down her pails she made an endeavor to push the branches aside.
At her touch they parted as if by magic, breaking asunder like dried
twigs, and she found she could pass freely. At another place a great
log had fallen across her way, but the little girl lifted it easily and
cast it aside, although six ordinary men could scarcely have moved it.

The child was somewhat worried at this evidence of a strength she had
heretofore been ignorant that she possessed. In order to satisfy
herself that it was no delusion, she tested her new-found power in many
ways, finding that nothing was too big nor too heavy for her to lift.
And, naturally enough, the girl gained courage from these experiments
and became confident that she could protect herself in any emergency.
When, presently, a wild boar ran toward her, grunting horribly and
threatening her with its great tusks, she did not climb a tree to
escape, as she had always done before on meeting such creatures, but
stood still and faced the boar. When it had come quite close and Zella
saw that it could not injure her--a fact that astonished both the beast
and the girl--she suddenly reached down and seizing it by one ear threw
the great beast far off amongst the trees, where it fell headlong to
the earth, grunting louder than ever with surprise and fear.

The girl laughed merrily at this incident and, picking up her pails,
resumed her journey through the forest. It is not recorded whether the
wild boar told his adventure to the other beasts or they had happened
to witness his defeat, but certain it is that Zella was not again
molested. A brown bear watched her pass without making any movement in
her direction and a great puma--a beast much dreaded by all men--crept
out of her path as she approached, and disappeared among the trees.

Thus everything favored the girl's journey and she made such good speed
that by noon she emerged from the forest's edge and found she was quite
near to the bridge of boats that led to Coregos. This she crossed
safely and without meeting any of the rude warriors she so greatly
feared, and five minut