“That child will escape us at this rate,” sobbed one of the Votaresses. “The child is stronger than we are. Hadn’t we better ask the Fiery Dragon to help us?”
“Don’t disgrace yourselves, my sisters,” said another Votaress. “Surely we can get the better of a feeble infant by ourselves.”
So said the Fairy, but she did not know that Primrose in his simplicity was stronger than all the evil and all the cunning in Mount Kitesh.
“We will send the She-bear to kill the child for us,” suggested a Votaress. “Dumb animals do not fear the Cross.” And she flew off at once to the bears’ den.
There lay the She-bear, a-playing with her cub.
“Run along, Bruineen, down that path. There is a child coming up the path. Wait for him and kill him, Bruineen dear,” said the Votaress.
“I can’t leave my cub,” answered Bruineen.
“I’ll amuse him for you,” said the Votaress, and straightway began to play with the little bear.
Bruineen went away down the path, and there was Primrose already in sight.
The great She-bear rose up on her hind-legs, stretched out her front paws, and so went forwards towards Primrose to kill him.