appiness 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.

The lad, laughing softly to himself, hid inside the temple as before,
and so quiet was the spot that he fell asleep. At midnight he was
aroused by the same wild shrieks he had heard the night before. He rose
and looked out at the temple door.

Through the darkness, into the moonlight, came the troop of Phantom
Cats. This time they were led by a fierce, black Tomcat. As they came
nearer they chanted with unearthly screeches:--

"Whisper not to Shippeitaro
That the Phantom Cats are near;
Whisper not to Shippeitaro,
Lest he soon appear!"

With that the great Tomcat caught sight of the cage and, uttering a
fearful yowl, sprang upon it, With one blow of his claws he tore open
the lid, when, instead of the dainty morsel he expected, out jumped
Shippeitaro!

The dog sprang upon the Tomcat, and caugh