Thereupon the nurse asked permission that her [[73]]own daughter might accompany them, as the way was long, the distance very great and her heart would be sore at the parting. Permission was granted, and the little company embarked.
At evening, when the bride-to-be asked for food, the nurse made answer: “Fearing that harm might come to thee from eating of the ship’s rations, I prepared such food as is best for one who journeys, for the first time, upon the sea.” So saying, she cut off some slices of salted sausage, which she had prepared especially for an evil purpose, and gave them to the girl.
In about half an hour the maiden became very thirsty. “O, mother,” she asked of the nurse, “give me some water, I pray!”
To this the woman made reply: “It is not well that you should have water now.” And, although the same request was spoken frequently, no water was permitted to come near the maiden.
As the night wore on, her thirst became more violent; until, at last, she was maddened with it and cried: “Give me water or let me die!”
Then the evil woman said: “My girl, if you will let me take out one of your eyes, you shall have water; but, otherwise, you shall have none.”
To which, after this cruel reply had been repeated many times, the sufferer made answer: “It is possible [[74]]to live with only one eye; but impossible to live without water. Take thy desire and give unto me mine!”
The woman, overjoyed, made haste to remove one of the eyes; after which she permitted her charge a slight draught of water. But this could not long appease such thirst as had been created by the salted sausage. Again the poor girl moaned: “Verily, mother, I am thirsty!” To which was made no answer.
As the hours wore on and the suffering grew past all endurance, the woman said again: “Verily, girl, if you will give me the other eye, I will give you as much water as you can wish.”
What could the poor girl do? Beside herself with thirst and maddened with pain, she hesitated but a little; then, losing all self-control, sobbed: “Alas! what evil is come upon me! I am powerless in your hands. Do unto me whatever you will, only permit me to quench this thirst, which devours my throat and causes my tongue to swell.”