One day a youth started off from his native village, resolved
never to come back till he had done some great deed that would
make his name famous. But adventures did not seem very plentiful
just then, and he wandered about for a long time without meeting
either with fierce giants or distressed damsels. At last he saw
in the distance a wild mountain, half covered with a dense
forest, and thinking that this promised well at once took the
road that led to it. The difficulties he met with--huge rocks to
be climbed, deep rivers to be crossed, and thorny tracts to be
avoided--only served to make his heart beat quicker, for he was
really brave all through, and not merely when he could not help
himself, like a great many people. But in spite of all his
efforts he could not find his way out of the forest, and he began
to think he should have to pass the night there. Once more he
strained his eyes to see if there was no place in which he could
take shelter, and this time he caught sight of a small chapel in
a little clearing. He hastened quickly towards it, and curling
himself up in a warm corner soon fell asleep.

Not a sound was heard through the whole forest for some hours,
but at midnight there suddenly arose such a clamour that the
young man, tired as he was, started broad awake in an instant.
Peeping cautiously between the wooden pillars of the chapel, he
saw a troop of hideous cats, dancing furiously, making the night
horrible with their yells. The full moon lighted up the weird
scene, and the young warrior gazed with astonishment, taking
great care to keep still, lest he should be discovered. After
some time he thought that in the midst of all their shrieks he
could make out the words, 'Do not tell Schippeitaro! Keep it