On the fifth night of our flight, we had lain down to rest on the edge of a cliff, which overlooked a deep hollow place, surrounded by trees; when we saw lights advancing through the wood, and I immediately advised the lion to fly with all speed. “No,” he replied, “I will be hunted no longer; if I must die, it shall be here!” We descried armed men approaching, carrying torches; and in the midst there rode a young man of beautiful countenance and majestic stature, and, by his side, a large, noble-looking dog. When the party had reached the hollow; they stopped, kindled a fire, seated themselves around it and began to eat. The young man had dismounted, and was standing at a little distance, leaning against the stem of a tree, when suddenly the dog uttered a sharp bark; and the men alarmed, rose up hastily, and followed the animal, who had evidently got scent of our track. With one mighty bound, the lion sprung from the overhanging rock, alighting on his feet, just opposite to the young man, who was no other than the son of the king. The king’s son drew back for a moment, and raised a sharp sword, putting himself in an attitude of defence. But the lion laid himself down in front of him, stretched his paws out on the earth, and looked up into the face of the prince, as much as to say, Let us be friends. At that moment the attendants returned, and would have attacked the lion with sword and lance, but the prince forbade, saying, “You shall do him no hurt, he has placed himself under my protection.” He advanced fearlessly, laying his hand upon the noble animal’s head. “Let us bind him at least,” cried one. “It is unnecessary,” replied the prince, as he seated himself on the ground near the lion: “he will follow me, I am sure, of his own accord.” And so he did.
The king’s son laid himself down to rest, and slept peacefully; the lion resting near him, while the attendants passed the night in anxious and fearful watching around them. As soon as the prince awoke in the morning, the whole party prepared for their return to the city; the lion following willingly with Ossian, the faithful dog, side by side.
Then I pressed forth from my hiding-place; and, as I could not bear to be separated from the lion, I hastened to join him, much to the astonishment of all present. “Lo! here is another follower,” said the prince; “he also shall receive protection.”
We traversed the forest, and before noon reached the capital city. News of the wonderful affair went before us, so that young and old crowded from all quarters to see the remarkable animals pass. When we arrived at the palace, the prince commanded comfortable dwellings to be prepared for us on each side of the principal gate; but every night the lion had to lie at the door of the royal sleeping chamber, in order to keep guard there. Besides these favors, we were well supplied with food, and daily received proofs of our lord’s attachment.
It was not long before we both had an opportunity of rendering him a good service for all his kindness. Some wicked men had plotted together to murder the prince, and had hidden themselves in a thicket, intending to lie in wait for him, when he should pass by on his daily walk. I happened to spy these wretches in their hiding-place; and, suspecting them of evil intentions, I told the lion, who agreed with me in opinion; and we both went and concealed ourselves, very near the spot where I had seen the villains. As soon as the prince approached, they started out with lifted daggers; but, just as they thought themselves sure of their victim, out broke the lion from the bushes, crushing them in his way. With one spring he seized the foremost by the throat, then tore down the next; and before the third could recover from his terror, he had caught him by the breast, and shaken him so violently, that he fell breathless and insensible to the ground. The guards hastened to the spot and secured the villains, who received the punishment of their crime that very day. From that time, the prince regarded us with more favor than ever, and never went out without us for his attendants.
Thus we led a quiet, honorable life for some years; but at last the period of our separation arrived. The king engaged in a war, and the prince commanded his army which we accompanied to the field. When passing through towns I rode upon the baggage wagons, but when traveling in the country I scampered along over the fields. Lion fought bravely by the side of his lord, and I rendered considerable service as a spy. But one day, when I was out at a distance, the prince and his attendants fell into an ambuscade of the enemy. He defended himself bravely; and the lion broke through the opposing ranks, tearing down whoever came in his way. The enemy were soon overpowered and put to flight, when, from behind a tree, an arrow, aimed at the lion, pierced his heart: he sunk down at the feet of his master, giving him a loving look, and died. The prince was nearly inconsolable for the loss of the noble animal, and had him interred with honors, and a marble pillar erected to mark his grave.
I also grieved much for my generous companion and protector, and looked quite forlorn and unhappy. One day, therefore, the kind prince said to me, “Good Fox, since thou hast lost thy friend, I think thy liberty would be acceptable to thee.” I made signs that I would prefer to go. “Well,” said he, “go. I thank thee for thy fidelity, and will command my subjects to refrain from doing thee any harm.” And, in order to secure my safety, he had a king’s crown marked upon my haunches, which you may yet see plainly. Afterwards I departed, and sought out my place of birth, where I have lived ever since in undisturbed tranquillity.