"Good-evening, friends," he said. "We have been long in reaching your city. We are glad to be at the gates at last."
"Who are you?" asked the Captain gruffly, stepping forward and barring the way, while his companions gazed in amazement at the wolf and the bear who were huddled at John's side.
"I come on an errand to the King," said John. "Please guide me to him quickly, for it is an urgent matter."
"To the King!" sneered the Captain; and the warders echoed his laugh. "No one goes to the King in such company as you bring. You must know that. They are outlaws, all,—and you too, I dare say!"
"I know not. But I must see the King, and that quickly," said John.
"I come with these friends to heal the King's son, if I can."
"Ha! More sorcery!" interrupted the Captain. "No, you shall not enter here. The King allows no animals in his domain. How you have brought them so far I cannot guess!"
"Well, I bear this," said John, drawing out the silver talisman.
The men bent forward to look at it, then fell back, staring at one another with astonished faces.
"Who is he?" they whispered among themselves. "What shall we do?"
"Let me pass, good friends," begged John, looking up in their faces with his simple smile. "I will promise to do no harm. Among friends my friends are quite harmless. But tell me, I pray you, where I may find the good Hermit who healed the Prince's wound? I come at his bidding."