The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-10-01
le Transformation Of
Bayal the POrcuplne.
CONTINUED from page .,


derne.. and wearinh the likeness Of a
great bcar-black and shaggy and stron
and muscular.
Bayay was pleased, and shook his
furry coat with great Joy.
ooh. hol" he cried; see what great
claws | hayel And these teeth. Now.
indeed, am Of some Importance In the
wildcrnessl"
At a log troi he mounted the low hills
md made for the mountains beyond.
The smaller animals scattered wildly
nj his approach, and II made his heart
glad 10 realize how terribly he was
feared.
His instinct led him 10 seek cave.
anr the mountains would have many
caves. lie was near them now.
"When | have found cave will
hide until evening cool. these rocks"
he thought; "then will 20 forth and
= hunt"
A glance showed him n jaguar crouch.
Ing beside his path. Had he still been
poscupine Bayal would have instant.
~ rolled himself into u ball. Even
jagaars avoided porupine quilts. But
he was bear now the jagiar, master!
40 he tnmpcd proudly on, with a
low growl.
The jaguar's tall lashed the ground.
lie waited until the black bear was
great cat launched its tawny body In
the air and settled hrmly upon the
bears launches, clinging stubbornly
Bayal whirled his great boly around
with a growl Of mingled surprise and
iagiar was not 10 be shaken on Fear
entered the soul of the black bear
which was the sol Of Bayal the porcu.
pine. lie wondered what he could do
10 escape what bear ought 10 do In
such terrible crisis. but he had not
been bear long enough TO know 30 he
turned coward and ran.
Dreadful pains strakcd through all
the vast bulk Of his b body, and then
ie stumbled on loose stone and fell,
rolling over and over. When he re.
gained his feet the jaguar stil clung 10
his flank -notionlcss cyilly intent up.
on his death.
With great strides the frantic bear
plunged forward. AZ last be saw dim
opening IN the face of the clf-the
mouth Of cavern. II did not seem
quite large enough for his body TO en-.
ter. But Bayal was desperate Sum.
noning las last strhJyth he dasaed
through the opening
As he did so he uttered cry that was
almost q scream. For although the hole
proved largc enough for his own car.
casss II was not big enough TO admit
the jaguar The brute stood up and
pccred within the cave, which showed
black In the shadow Of the cliiI, then
he skunk away and disappeared.
Bayal had found that the cavern WI.
dcned from its mouth. but as he stag.
gercd from the vaulted chamber beyond
his senses left him, and he swooncd and
fell lifeless upon the camp floor. When
lie awful consciousness OF his plight
came back Ia him he swooned with pain.
The suffering was at first too great
b TO admit Of thought, but in the midst
IL his agony he remembered Athlos,
and called upon her name. Again the
fairy responded, and gazcd sadly into
tile bears pleading eyes.
IL rong-to--wish--to be a bearl
said Bayal gaspng painfully the words.
Give unto me another form-good Ath.
los and quickly--or shall diel'
"Do you wish 10 be porcupine
again." she asked, looking upon her
foolish charge with tender sympathy
mo, mol" he cried, trying TO crawl
10 the fairy'S feet, and sobbing with
pain and longing; mot that, dear Ath.
los! But take away this shape of
bear, ! beseech you II Is too big, and
10 ungainly. And the bear has dread.
ful enemies TO MAIN and destroy him.
| would have form slender and fleet
a form fitted 10 prey not TO be preyed
upon. Transform me into a jackal, fair
Athlosl"
The fairy shrank back with disap.
pointed gesturei but she gave him his
wish and Bayal became jaekal, and
then Athlos vanished from hs sight.
TO the former porcupine his new
shape seemed perfect. Relieved from his
suffering, Bayal gave vent to a joyous
yelp and darted from the cavern, not
even remembering to be grateful to Ath.
ols for her favor in saving him from
death.
lie was lean and muscular and sped
with wonderful festness down the