Page 88 [88]
LABOULAYE S FAIRY BOOK
Graceful was adroit and agile. Anger redoubled his
strength; in a moment he was outside. Then he secured
his dagger in his belt, changed the powder in the pan of his
musket, and, placing himself behind a tree, awaited the
enemy with firmness.
Suddenly a frightful ery was heard, and an animal, with
tusks like those of the wild boar, rushed on him with pro¬
digious bounds. Graceful took aim and fired. The bullet
hit the mark and the animal fell back howling, but instantly
sprang forward anew. "Load your musket again! Make
haste!” cried Fido, springing courageously in the face of the
monster and seizing his throat with his teeth.
The wolf had only to shake his head to fling the poor dog
to the ground. He would have swallowed him at one
mouthful had not Fido glided from his jaws, leaving one
of his ears behind. It was Graceful’s turn to save his com¬
panion;. he boldly advanced and fired his second shot,
taking aim at the shoulder. The wolf fell; but, rising,
with a last effort he threw himself on the hunter, who fell
under him. On receiving this terrible shock, Graceful
thought himself lost; but without losing courage, and
calling the good fairies to his aid, he seized his dagger and
thrust it into the heart of the animal, which, ready to devour
his enemy, straightened his limbs and died.
Graceful rose, covered with blood and froth, and seated
himself, trembling, upon a fallen tree. Fido crept painfully
62