"And then she would have torn her mother to pieces for carrying her off!--Some say the princess has two white leopardesses," she continued: "I know only one--with spots.

Everybody knows HER! If the princess hear of a baby, she sends her immediately to suck its blood, and then it either dies or grows up an idiot.

I would have gone away with my baby, but the princess was from home, and I thought I might wait until I was a little stronger.

But she must have taken the beast with her, and been on her way home when I left, and come across my track.

I heard the SNIFF-SNUFF of the leopardess behind me, and ran;--oh, how I ran!--But my darling will not die! There is no mark on her!" "Where are you taking her ?" "Where no one ever tells!" "Why is the princess so cruel ?" "There is an old prophecy that a child will be the death of her.