She  had  often  heard  him  speak  of  this  sling,  as  his  most  valu- able treasure;  this  she  stole  the  night  they  parted ;  it  was  missed before  she  got  out  of  his  dominions,  and  she  was  pursued  by  no less  than  six  of  the  king's  body  guards :  however,  she  used  the sling  herself  with  such  effect  that  she  hit  the  first  of  them  (for one  was  more  active  in  the  pursuit  than  the  rest)  where  David did  Goliath,  and  killed  him  on  the  spot. His  companions  were so  alarmed  at  his  fall  that  they  retired,  and  left  the  countess  to pursue  her  journey  unmolested.  She  took  with  her,  I  should have  informed  you  before,  her  favourite  son,  to  whom  she  bequeathed the  sling;  and  thus  it  has,  without  interruption,  descended from  father  to  son  till  it  came  into  my  possession.

- Chapter 13