“Whisper not to Shippeitaro That the Phantom Cats are near; Whisper not to Shippeitaro, Lest he soon appear!” The soldier lad crouched low behind the door, for brave as he was he did not wish these fearful creatures to see him. But soon, with a chorus of wild yells, the Phantom Cats disappeared as quickly as they had come, and all was quiet as before. Then the soldier lad lay down and went to sleep again, nor did he waken till the sun peered into the temple and told him that it was morning. He quickly found his way out of the forest and walked on until he came to the cottage of a peasant. As he approached he heard sounds of bitter weeping. A beautiful young maiden met him at the door, and her eyes were red with crying. She greeted him kindly. “May I have some food?” said he. “Enter and welcome,” she replied. “My parents are just having breakfast. You may join them, for no one passes our door hungry.” Thanking her the lad entered, and her parents greeted him courteously but sadly, and shared their breakfast with him. He ate heartily, and, when he was finished, rose to go. “Thank you many times for this good meal, kind friends,” said he, “and may happiness be yours.” “Happiness can never again be ours!” answered the old man, weeping. “You are in trouble, then,” said the lad. “Tell me about it; perhaps I can help you in some way.” “Alas!” replied the old man, “There is within yonder forest a ruined temple. It is the abode of horrors too terrible for words. Each year a demon, whom no one has ever seen, demands that the people of this land give him a beautiful maiden to devour. She is placed in a cage and carried to the temple just at sunset. This year it is my daughter's turn to be offered to the fiend!” And the old man buried his face in his hands and groaned. The soldier lad paused to think for a moment, then he said:-- “It is terrible, indeed! But do not despair. I think I know a way to help you. Who is Shippeitaro?” “Shippeitaro is a beautiful dog, owned by our lord, the prince,” answered the old man. “That is just the thing!” cried the lad. “Only keep your daughter closely at home. Do not let her out of your sight. Trust me and she shall be saved.” Then the soldier lad hurried away, and found the castle of the prince. He begged that he might borrow Shippeitaro just for one night. “You may take him upon the condition that you bring him back safely,” said the prince. “To-morrow he shall return in safety,” answered the lad. Taking Shippeitaro with him, he hurried to the peasant's cottage, and, when evening was come, he placed the dog in the cage which was to have carried the maiden. The bearers then took the cage to the ruined temple, and, placing it on the ground, ran away as fast as their legs would carry them.