When John appeared in the courtyard ready for his performance, dressed in the familiar colors of long ago, he could not help chuckling to think how things had changed with him.  Instead of Cecco and the Giant, by his side waddled the great bear on his hind legs; while Brutus walked sedately on his other side, and the gaunt wolf stalked behind.

The park was thronged with people, soldiers and citizens and peasants from the country, jostling one another for a sight of John and his pets,—­and whispering among themselves with an excitement which John could not understand.  For after all he was going to give a simple little show of tumbling such as they must have seen many times.  “It is the animals,” he thought.  “It must be the animals that they are so eager to see.”

John walked along, smiling into the faces which met his kindly, and the brown spot on his eyelid gave him the mischievous look which always made folk laugh.  It was amid a ripple of good-natured laughter that he and his pets made their way to the platform which had been erected in front of the palace.  Here on a high seat sat the King, and beside him the Prince, with a flush of pleasure on his thin cheeks.  Gaily dressed lords and ladies stood about the throne.  But somewhat apart and surrounded by his pets sat the Hermit in his gray robe, with folded arms.  His hood was pulled over his face so that John could not see how grave he was.  Two armed men stood behind him, but by his side, with her hand on his shoulder, was the little Princess.  John smiled at her, when he bowed low to the people on the platform.  And the little maid answered with a flash of affection; but her face was very pale, and her hand trembled on the Hermit’s shoulder.

John led forward his animals and they began their tricks.  The Hermit saw the Prince start when Bruin appeared.  Evidently he recognized the animal which he had once tried to kill.  Merrily John urged the clumsy fellow to dance, and every one laughed heartily at the sight.  Only the King sat grim and sullen.

[Illustration:  John urged the clumsy fellow to dance.]

Then John put a plumed hat on the bear’s head, took his arm, and the two strutted about the platform like a pair of dandies.  The audience burst into roars of mirth.  Even the Hermit’s sides were shaking, and the little Princess rocked to and fro with merriment.

Straight up to the Prince marched the twain, and at John’s command the bear bowed and held out his hand politely.

“He salutes you, his brother,” said John to the Prince.  “He begs you to be friends with him always.”

The Prince bowed in return, with a bright flush in his cheeks.  “I salute you, brother,” he replied.  “Never again will I hunt you or any animal, wherever I may be.”

From the foremost of the crowd who heard these words came a loud “Hurrah!” and caps were tossed in the air.  Evidently the Prince’s sentiment was popular in the city.