Then the light came in again, and in the middle of it I saw the Babyan-frau swinging from the roof, and about to drop into the hut.

She clung by both hands, and in her mouth was a great knife.

She dropped, and I ran forward to seize her as she dropped, and gripped her round the middle.

But she heard me come, and, seizing the knife, struck at me in the dark and missed me.

Then we struggled, and you know the rest.