Well, then, she perceived these brigands following on her track. Fortunately a peasant was passing with a wagon-load of straw.[4] She implored the peasant, ‘For the love of God, hide me in one of those large bundles of straw, and I will give you a peck of money.’
‘I would willingly hide you,’ he answered, ‘only I am afraid that these brigands would do me harm.’
‘Fear nothing, only hide me.’
He concealed her in a large sheaf; he placed it on the wagon; and he sat down upon it.
The brigands came up and called out to the peasant, ‘What are you carrying there?’
‘A load of straw, gentlemen.’
They searched through the straw, but they did not examine the large bundle on which the peasant was sitting. The brigands turned back.
The peasant came to the house of the miller, whose [[173]]daughter this was, and said to him, ‘Look, I bring your daughter back to you.’
On seeing that his daughter was naked the miller fainted away.
The girl dressed herself, and said to her father, ‘Do not be alarmed, father. Look you, those were no noblemen but brigands. I know,’ she added, ‘where they live.’