“Enter and welcome,” she replied. “My parents are just having breakfast. You may join them, for no one passes our door hungry.”
Thanking her the lad entered, and her parents greeted him courteously but sadly, and shared their breakfast with him. He ate heartily, and, when he was finished, rose to go.
“Thank you many times for this good meal, kind friends,” said he, “and may happiness be yours.”
“Happiness can never again be ours!” answered the old man, weeping.
“You are in trouble, then,” said the lad. “Tell me about it; perhaps I can help you in some way.”
“Alas!” replied the old man, “There is within yonder forest a ruined temple. It is the abode of horrors too terrible for words. Each year a demon, whom no one has ever seen, demands that the people of this land give him a beautiful maiden to devour. She is placed in a cage and carried to the temple just at sunset. This year it is my daughter's turn to be offered to the fiend!” And the old man buried his face in his hands and groaned.
The soldier lad paused to think for a moment, then he said:—
“It is terrible, indeed! But do not despair. I think I know a way to help you. Who is Shippeitaro?”
“Shippeitaro is a beautiful dog, owned by our lord, the prince,” answered the old man.
“That is just the thing!” cried the lad. “Only keep your daughter closely at home. Do not let her out of your sight. Trust me and she shall be saved.”