My beauty was the Maid of the Alder! and she was giving me, spoiled of my only availing defence, into the hands of my awful foe.
The Ash bent his Gorgon-head, and entered the cave.

I could not stir.
He drew near me.

His ghoul-eyes and his ghastly face fascinated me.
He came stooping, with the hideous hand outstretched, like a beast of prey.

I had given myself up to a death of unfathomable horror, when, suddenly, and just as he was on the point of seizing me, the dull, heavy blow of an axe echoed through the wood, followed by others in quick repetition.

The Ash shuddered and groaned, withdrew the outstretched hand, retreated backwards to the mouth of the cave, then turned and disappeared amongst the trees.