Strona 218 z 626

Thereupon the old woman led her behind a large cask, which quite

hid her from view. 'Keep as still as a mouse,' she said; 'do not

move or speak, or it will be all over with you. Tonight, when the

robbers are all asleep, we will flee together. I have long been

waiting for an opportunity to escape.'

The words were hardly out of her mouth when the godless crew

returned, dragging another young girl along with them. They were

all drunk, and paid no heed to her cries and lamentations. They

gave her wine to drink, three glasses full, one of white wine,

one of red, and one of yellow, and with that her heart gave way

and she died. Then they tore off her dainty clothing, laid her on

a table, and cut her beautiful body into pieces, and sprinkled

salt upon it.