But Bensurdatu said again : ` Let me now go , your majesty ; trust me , and I will bring you back your daughters . ' Then the king gave way , and Bensurdatu set forth , and rode on till he came to the inn , where he dismounted and asked for food . It was brought by the two generals , whom he knew at once in spite of their miserable clothes , and , much astonished , asked them how in the world they came there . They told him all their adventures , and he sent for the innkeeper , and said to him : ` Give them back their garments , and I will pay everything that they owe you . ' And the innkeeper did as he was bid , and when the two generals were dressed in their proper clothes , they declared they would join Bensurdatu , and with him seek for the king 's daughters . The three companions rode on for many miles , and at length they came to a wild place , without sign of a human being . 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 XXXXX 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 .
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