Page:Wonder Tales from Tibet.djvu/92

62, tossed down the useless, empty pail and stamped her foot in a terrible rage.

"Have a care!" she shouted, and her high cracked voice trembled with anger. "Have a care how you meddle with me! My body is small, but my power is great! Give me a taste of your stew at once, or it will be the worse for you!"

Massang looked at her quietly and did not move. "I am not afraid of your power," said he. "So long as you taste not my food, you are no stronger than I."

"Indeed!" said the old woman, stamping her foot again. "Do you think in your pride you can match your strength with mine? Well, so be it; let us see which has the greater power. I will put you to three tests, after which, if you do not cry aloud for mercy, you may put me to the same. Come now, do you agree, or does your courage already begin to fail you?"

"Not in the least!" said Massang, getting up. "Let us have the tests at once."

The witch picked up her bundle, opened