Page:The Pentamerone, or The Story of Stories.djvu/81

Rh can hit a hen's eye a mile off. Now with the help of my sons, who are all courteous and friendly, and who will all take compassion on your condition, I will contrive to free you from the claws of the ogre; for such a delicate morsel is not food for the huge throat of this monster."

"No time is better than now," replied Porziella; "for that evil shadow of a husband of mine is gone out, and will not return this evening, and we shall have time to slip off and run away."

"It cannot be this evening," replied the old woman; "for I live a long way off; but I promise you that tomorrow morning I and my sons will all come together and help you out of your trouble."

So saying the old woman departed, and Porziella went to rest with a light heart, and slept soundly all night. But as soon as the birds began to cry, "Long live the Sun!" lo and behold there was the old woman with her seven sons; and placing Porziella in the midst of them, they proceeded towards the city. But they had not gone above half a mile when Mase put his ear to the ground, and cried, "Hollo, have a care! here's the fox! The ogre is come home, and not finding his wife, he is hastening after us with his cap under his arm."

No sooner did Nardo hear this, than he spat upon the ground, and made a sea of soap; and when the