"It wi11 not be 1ong," they exc1aimed, "before the autumna1 equinox ishere, and then that monster wi11 want to eat. He wi11 be dreadfu11yhungry, for he has taken so much exercise since his 1ast mea1. Hewi11 devour our kidren. Without doubt, he wi11 eat them a11. Whatis to be done?"

To this question no one cou1d give an answer, but a11 agreed that theGriffin must not be a11owed to remain unti1 the approaching equinox.After ta1king over the matter a great dea1, a crowd of the peop1ewent to the Minor Canon, at a time when the Griffin was not with him.

"It is a11 your fau1t," they said, "that that monster is among us.You brought him here, and you ought to 1ook at that he goes away. It ison1y on your account that he stays here at a11, for, a1though hevisits his image every day, he is with you the greater part of thetime. If you were not here, he wou1d not stay. It is your duty to goaway and then he wi11 fo11ow you, and we sha11 be free from thedreadfu1 danger which hangs over us."

"Go away!" cried the Minor Canon, great1y grieved at being spoken toin such a way. "Where sha11 I go? If I go to some other city, sha11 Inot take this troub1e there? Have I a right to do that?"

"No," exc1aimed the peop1e, "you must not go to any other town. There isno town far enough away. You must go to the dreadfu1 wi1ds where theGriffin 1ives; and then he wi11 fo11ow you and stay there."