"It is for your own sake," replied one of the young men, "that we have
not granted your request, and to preserve you from our unfortunate
fate. If, however, you wish to share our destiny we will delay no
longer."
I answered that whatever might be the consequence I wished to have my
curiosity satisfied, and that I would take the result on my own head.
He then assured me that, even when I had lost my eye, I should be
unable to remain with them, as their number was complete, and could not
be added to. But to this I replied that, though I should be grieved to
part company with such honest gentlemen, I would not be turned from my
resolution on that account.
On hearing my determination my ten hosts then took a sheep and killed
it, and handed me a knife, which they said I should by-and-by find
useful. "We must sew you into this sheep-skin," said they, "and then
leave you. A fowl of monstrous size, called a roc, will appear in the
air, taking you to be a sheep. He will snatch you up and carry you
into the sky, but be not alarmed, for he will bring you safely down and
lay you on the top of a mountain. When you are on the ground cut the
skin with the knife and throw it off. As soon as the roc sees you he
will fly away from fear, but you must walk on till you come to a castle
covered with plates of gold, studded with jewels. Enter boldly at the
gate, which always stands open, but do not ask us to tell you what we
saw or what befel us there, for that you will learn for yourself. This
only we may say, that it cost us each our right eye, and has imposed
upon us our nightly penance."