He went on and came to a wood where a shepherd was struggling with a fierce-looking wolf. The contest seemed to interest him. He sat down quietly on a stone and awaited results.
The struggle was long and furious, but the man at last overpowered the beast, and the wolf fell mortally wounded. While the shepherd was recovering from his exertions he heard a strange refrain. Loony John was yelling:
"Let a thousand come! Let a thousand come!"
The shepherd rose to his feet, furious.
"You young rascal! Say, rather, 'May the Imp seize him!'"
At once Loony John took up the new refrain and went on his way crying:
"May the Imp seize him! May the Imp seize him!"
Presently he met a funeral procession, but he still continued his cry.
"Will you hush?" said one in the procession. "If you must go yelling along the road, cry out, 'May the Lord protect him!'"