The Little Bedesman of Christ 185

gratitude, and strive always to give God
praise.”

And when the Saint ceased speaking, the
birds made such signs as they might, by
spreading their wings and opening their beaks,
to show their love and pleasure ; and when
he had blessed them with the sign of the
cross, they sprang up, and singing songs of
unspeakable sweetness, away they streamed in
a great cross to the four quarters of heaven.

One more story I must tell of the Saint
and the wild creatures.

On a time when St. Francis was dwelling
in the town of Agobio, there appeared in
that countryside a monstrous grey wolf,
which was so savage a man-eater that the
people were afraid to go abroad, even when
well armed. A pity it was to see folk in
such fear and danger; wherefore the Saint,
putting his whole trust in God, went out
with his companions so far as they dared go,
and thence onward all alone to the place
where the wolf lay.

The wild beast rushed out at him from his
lair with open mouth, but St. Francis waited
and made over him the sign of the most holy
cross, and called him to him, saying, “Come