42 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [1.

 

enormous as his body, which, though stupendous in
size, was not unwieldy, and betokened the possession
of vast strength. In truth, his arms, which were bare,
showed one mass of muscle, and his legs were equally
powerful. His black hair clustered in curls over his
head, on which he wore a small white ‘wide-awake,’
which gave him rather a ridiculous appearance ; his
forehead was low and receding, his eyes large and
staring, his nose came forth like a small hill out of his
face, and when he smiled, his large mouth disclosed a
set of teeth which might well have frightened any-
body who did not know that since the days of steam,
railways, and vote by ballot, giants have given up
being cannibals, and only eat beef, mutton, pork, and
such like things, after the fashion of ordinary mortals.
Around the car of the Giant ran a number of young
men on either side, lightly clad and armed with short
spears, whilst behind there followed a motley crowd of
horse and foot, among whom dirt and coal-dust were
the distinguishing characteristics.

The two Princesses, when they saw this procession
advancing towards them, turned aside out of the road
and sat down upon a rock at a short distance off ; but
as soon as the Giant’s car came opposite to them, he
shouted out in a mighty voice the order to halt.

‘What ho!’ cried he, when this had been done,
‘What ho! whom have we here! damsels wandering
alone through our country, and damsels, if we may
judge by their appearance, of no mean birth. Draw
near, my children, draw near, and tell us whence ye
come, and what ye seek in our kingdom ?’

As he spoke, the Giant cast a look upon the