THE OGRE AND THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
Some hunters set out with their camels. When they came to the hunting-ground they loosed their camels to let them graze, and hunted until the setting of the sun, and then came back to their camp. One day while one of them was going along he saw the marks of an ogre, each one three feet wide, and began to follow them. He proceeded and found the place where the ogre had lately made his lair. He returned and said to his companions:
"I've found the traces of an ogre. Come, let us seek him."
"No," they answered, "we will not go to seek him, because we are not stronger than he is."
"Grant me fourteen days," said the huntsman. "If I return, you shall see. If not, take back my camel with the game."
The next day he set out and began to follow the traces of the ogre. He walked for four days, when he discovered a cave, into which he entered. Within he found a beautiful woman, who said to him:
"What brings thee here, where thou wilt be devoured by this ogre?"
"But thou," answered the hunter, "what is thy story and how did the ogre bring thee here?"
"Three days ago he stole me," she replied. "I was betrothed to the son of my uncle, then the ogre took me. I have stayed in the cavern. He often brings me food. I stay here, and he does not kill me."
"Where does he enter," asked the hunter, "when he comes back here?"