It was getting dark , and fearing to be lost on this desolate spot they pushed on their horses , and at last saw a light in the window of a tiny hut . ` Who comes there ? ' asked a voice , as they knocked at the door . ` Oh ! have pity on us , and give us a night 's shelter , ' replied Bensurdatu ; ` we are three tired travellers who have lost our way . ' Then the door was opened by a very old woman , who stood back , and beckoned them to enter . ` Whence do you come , and whither do you go ? ' said she . ` Ah , good woman , we have a heavy task before us , ' answered Bensurdatu , ` we are bound to carry the king 's daughters back to the palace ! ' ` Oh , unhappy creatures , ' cried she , ` you know not what you are doing ! The king 's daughters were covered by a thick cloud , and no one knows where they may now be . ' ` Oh , tell us , if you know , my good woman , ' entreated Bensurdatu , ` for with them lies all our happiness . ' ` Even if I were to tell you , ' answered she , ` you could not rescue them . To do that you would have to go to the very bottom of a deep river , and though certainly you would find the king 's daughters there , yet the two eldest are guarded by two giants , and the youngest is watched by a serpent with seven heads . ' The two generals , who stood by listening , were filled with terror at her words , and wished to return immediately ; but Bensurdatu stood firm , and said : ` Now we have got so far we must carry the thing through . Tell us where the river is , so that we may get there as soon as possible . ' And the old woman told them , and gave them some cheese , wine , and bread , so that they should not set forth starving ; and when they had eaten and drunk they laid themselves down to sleep . The sun had only just risen above the hills next morning before they all woke , and , taking leave of the wise woman who had helped them , they rode on till they came to the river . ' I am the eldest , ' said one of the generals , ` and it is my right to go down first . ' So the others fastened a cord round him , and gave him a little bell , and let him down into the water .
But scarcely had the river closed above his head when such dreadful rushing sounds and peals of thunder came crashing round about him XXXXX he lost all his courage , and rang his bell , if perchance it might be heard amidst all this clamour .
So To as at before by if in of that