He had hardly lost sight of his gaunt grey friend when he heard growls and snarls in the thicket close to him , and before he had time to think he found himself surrounded by the most dreadful-looking creatures . On one side he saw the glittering eye of a cruel tiger , on the other the gleaming teeth of a great she-wolf ; here a huge bear growled fiercely , and there a horrible snake coiled itself in the grass at his feet . But Iwanich did not forget the old man 's advice , and quickly put his hand into the bag and took out as many bread-crumbs as he could hold in his hand at a time . He threw them to the beasts , but soon the bag grew lighter and lighter , and the Prince began to feel a little frightened . And now the last crumb was gone , and the hungry beasts thronged round him , greedy for fresh prey . Then he seized the hare and threw it to them . No sooner did the little creature feel itself on the ground than it lay back its ears and flew through the wood like an arrow from a bow , closely pursued by the wild beasts , and the Prince was left alone . He looked at his ring , and when he saw that it sparkled as brightly as ever he went straight on through the forest . He had n't gone very far when he saw a most extraordinary looking man coming towards him . He was not more than three feet high , his legs were quite crooked , and all his body was covered with prickles like a hedgehog . Two lions walked with him , fastened to his side by the two ends of his long beard . He stopped the Prince and asked him in a harsh voice : ` Are you the man who has just fed my body-guard ? ' Iwanich was so startled that he could hardly reply , but the little man continued : ' I am most grateful to you for your kindness ; what can I give you as a reward ? ' ` All I ask , ' replied Iwanich , ` is , that I should be allowed to go through this wood in safety . ' ` Most certainly , ' answered the little man ; ` and for greater security I will give you one of my lions as a protector . But when you leave this wood and come near a palace which does not belong to my domain , let the lion go , in order that he may not fall into the hands of an enemy and be killed . ' With these words he loosened the lion from his beard and bade the beast guard the youth carefully . With this new protector Iwanich wandered on through the forest , and though he came upon a great many more wolves , hyenas , leopards , and other wild beasts , they always kept at a respectful distance when they saw what sort of an escort the Prince had with him . Iwanich hurried through the wood as quickly as his legs would carry him , but , nevertheless , hour after hour went by and not a trace of a green field or a human habitation met his eyes . At length , towards evening , the mass of trees grew more transparent , and through the interlaced branches a wide plain was visible .
At the exit of the wood the lion stood still , and the Prince took leave of him , having first thanked him warmly XXXXX his kind protection .
With as at for in into like near than that