"Spare the _north_, then," said Harold, pointing. "You must not aim any weapons against the north." "The north is safe," repeated Red Rex. "I agree not to point weapon or aim force against the north section of your city." "Then all Kisington is saved!" cried Harold. "Already, before now, Your Majesty has promised to spare the _east_,--for the sake of Gerda's garden; the _west_,--for the children's school, in the name of your Hope. Now you promise to spare the _north_. The south only remains,--and that is _here_, Your Majesty, outside the walls!" Red Rex grinned sheepishly. "Harold," he said. "You have outwitted me, and outplayed me. Kisington is indeed safe from me. I have no choice now but to raise the siege and go my way home. And to tell you the truth, I shall not be sorry to spare the town. Since visiting, even so briefly, within your walls, seeing the kind-faced people, the goodly buildings, and especially the noble library, I have conceived an affection for the place. I am glad of an excuse not to destroy it. If it were possible, indeed, I would that I might see the interior of that house of books. I would fain know more of the Chronicles of Kisington." "Why may it not be, Your Majesty?" said Harold. "We will say nothing of this night's adventure. Come to-morrow with a flag of truce and be our guest, even as I have been yours. I will show you our library. Maybe you will hear another tale, even in that noble home of books.--But first you must hear to my second condition." "True; I forgot that," said Red Rex gravely. "What is your second demand, Harold?" "It is this," said Harold with a twinkle in his eye. "Your Majesty tells a tale so well, I fain would hear another. To-morrow you shall tell me a tale. I make that my second condition." Red Rex hesitated, hummed and hawed. "Needs must," he said at last. "Though I am no story-teller, I will think up some yarn from the tales I have heard in my travels, and that you shall hear, my boy. But surely, I need tell it to no others than yourself?" The Red King looked so miserable at the idea of talking to an audience that Harold laughed and said,--"Nay, Your Majesty. Let me have the treat to myself. I will come here as before, after school, hear the story, and then bring you back with me. The town will receive you as an honored guest, and we will make high carnival." "Agreed," said Red Rex. "Agreed," said Harold, and they shook hands formally. The Red King had one last word. "Harold," he said shamefacedly, "I am sorry about the pies. I am ashamed. I would give them back, if I could. I will pay for them roundly." "Your Majesty," said Harold graciously, "do not mention it!" Here follows the tale which the Red King told to Harold on the next day; a tale which he had heard in his wanderings in a New World far across the ocean to the west; a tale of the Red People--_Little Bear_. XVIII: LITTLE BEAR: AN OJIBWAY LEGEND