Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/385

Rh Rasalu then saw that the remaining giant was a woman, and remembering the second direction of the fakir he put back the arrow which he had already fitted to his bow. He called out, "Stand, woman, I am King Rasalu, and you cannot escape me."

But the giantess replied, "You may indeed capture me, O King, but take notice that in this very country which you have invaded your head shall be smitten from your body."

She then disappeared within a mighty cavern just as Rasalu, urging his horse, made a leap over a great chasm in order to reach her.

The Rájá dismounted, but by this time the giantess was a long way within the mountain. Then he engraved his likeness on the face of the rock inside the entrance of the cave, which he closed by rolling a great stone over its mouth. Escape for her was impossible, and there she remains to this day. At times she endeavors to get out, but as soon as she catches sight of King Rasalu's likeness on the rock she rushes back, filled with dismay, and her roaring fills the villages around with dread.