’So she went in and he shut the door; and the others did not know where was she gone, and they were looking for her in every place.  And they came to where the bull was; and they began looking at him and touching him, and just by chance one of them touched a bell, and the door opened, and there was the young lady inside.  And they took her out, and brought her into the house; and she was sitting on the window-seat looking out at the river.  And they pushed her over, and she fell into the water and was swept away.

’As to Stepney St. George, he was looking for her everywhere, but he could not find her.  And one day he saw a poor travelling woman trying to cross the river, and she fell into it.  And he thought it might be that way his own young lady was lost.

’And that put it in his mind to build a bridge across the river, and he got all the men that could be got, and they set to work.  And they had a good bit of it made before night.  But in the night all they had made of it was swept away.  And the next day they were building again, and they sat up to watch it that night.  But all the same it was all gone before morning, and they did not see anyone near it.

’The third night, Stepney St. George himself sat up to watch.  And at last he saw a great black eagle, and it came flying towards the bridge; and, when it saw him, it called out:  “What are you doing building this bridge to be in my way?  I swept it away the last two nights, and I’ll sweep it away again now.”  “If you do, I’ll get satisfaction from you,” said Stepney.  “You will have to find me for that,” she said.  “And my name is Mother Longfield, and my house is at the other end of the world.”  And with that she went away; and Stepney followed everywhere looking for her; and at last he came to a house, and an old witch came out, and she told him her name was Mother Longfield.  “And I’ve got you here now in my power,” she said, “and you will have to do all the work I will give you to do.”

’So she brought him out then to a stable; and she gave him a fork, and bade him clear out all the dung and litter that was in it.  So he began the work; but for every forkful he would throw out, two would come in its place, so that at last there was no room for him in the stable, and he had to go outside.

’A young girl came up to him then, and she asked what was the matter.  And he told her all that had happened; and she said, “I will help you.”  So she took out a little fork, and she went into the stable; and it wasn’t long before she had it sweet and clean, that you could eat your dinner off the floor.

’He went back then to the house, and the witch was at the door, and she asked how did he get on.  “Very well,” he said.  “I have the whole stable cleaned out, sweet and clean.”  She looked very sharp at him then; and she said:  “Take care did Lanka Pera help you?” But he let on not to hear her, and made no answer.