44 TOM HICKATHRIFT.

open at your pleasure! Are you careless
of your life? Do not you care what you
do? But I will make you an example
for all rogues under the sun! Dost thou
not see how many thousand heads hang
upon yonder tree—heads of those who
have offended against my laws? But
thy head shall hang higher than all the
rest for an example!” But Tom made
him answer: ‘‘ A dishclout in your teeth
for your news, for you shall not find me
to be one of them.” ‘ No!” said the
giant, in astonishment and indignation ;
‘‘and what a fool you must be if you
come to fight with such a one as J am,
and bring never a weapon to defend .
yourself!” Quoth Tom, “I have a
weapon here that will make you know

you are a traitorly rogue.” This speech