A Fairy Story. 69

All that an eagle could do, he did, but as the
giants wore the invisible cap he could not see
them. He could only hear their great voices.

He knew however that the giants were proud of
their great size and strength, and liked, above all
things, to be seen.

He was sure that they would not wear the cap
in battle, and he did not lose hope.

One day they carefully placed it under a large
stone on the mountain side below them.

The keen eye of the eagle was watching.

He flew fearlessly to the spot as soon as the
giants had left it.

He lifted the stone in his great talons, and was
soon flying away with the cap to the fairy glen.

The giants saw him, and knew at once what he
was doing. j

They began a fierce attack upon him.

The air was filled with flying arrows and sharp
~ rocks. Drops of blood fell on the mountain side,
and many feathers fluttered down, but the brave
eagle was soon out of their reach.

He did not stop until the cap was safe in the
fairy queen’s lap.

There was great rejoicing among the fairies that
day.

They had a feast in the eagle’s honor, and healed
his wounds with fairy magic.

On the mountain side, wherever the blood and