krane was named Djokhrane. He
was a Roman of old times, who lived at T'kout at the period of the Romans.
One of his countrymen rose against them, and they fought. This Roman had
the advantage, until a bird of the kind called jays came to the assistance
of Djokhrane, and pecked the Roman in the eyes until he saved his
adversary. From that time forth he remained a friend to Djokhrane. The
latter said to his children:

"As long as you live, never eat this bird. If you meet anyone who brings
one of these birds to eat, buy it and set it free." To this day when anyone
brings a jay to one of his descendants, he buys it for silver and gives it
liberty. This story is true, and is not a lie.

THE OGRE AND THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

Some hunters set out with their camels. When they came to the
hunting-ground they loosed their camels to let them graze, and hunted until
the setting of the sun, and then came back to their camp. One day while one
of them was going along he saw the marks of an ogre, each one three feet
wide, and began to follow them. He proceeded and found the place where the
ogre had lately made his lair. He returned and said to his companions:

"I've found the traces of an ogre. Come, let us seek him."

"No," they answered, "we will not go to seek him, because we are not
stronger than he is."

"Grant me fourteen days," said the huntsman. "If I return, you shall see.
If not, take back my camel with the game."

The next day he set out and began to follow the traces of the ogre. He
walked for four days, when he discovered a cave, into which he entered.
Within he found a beautiful woman, who said to him:

"What brings thee here, where thou wilt be devoured by this ogre?"

"But thou," answered the hunter, "what is thy story and how did the ogre
bring thee here?"

"Three days ago he stole me," she replied. "I was betrothed to the son of
my uncle, then the ogre took me. I have stayed in the cavern. He often
brings me food. I stay here, and he does not kill me."

"Where does he enter," asked the hunter, "when he comes back here?"

"This is the way," she answered. The hunter went in to the middle of the
cave, loaded his gun, and waited. At sunset the ogre arrived. The hunter
took aim and fired, hitting the ogre between the eyes as he was sitting
down. Approaching him he saw that he had brought with him two men to cook
and eat them. In the morning he employed the day in collecting the hidden
silver, took what he cou