&

138 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL,

beetle knew were the giants; and, as they ap-
proached, they rubbed their sleepy eyes, and
stretched their long legs with many a yawn
that reverberated among the hills like claps of
thunder.

“Here we are, master,” said the giants as
they halted before the little gray man. ‘ What
wouldst thou with us?”

“Wake up, ye great sleepy heads, and listen
to me,” said the little gray man sternly, as an
unusually loud yawn was heard.

“We try, master,” answered one of the
giants, “but we sleep soundly, and it is not
easy to shake off sleep at so short a notice.”

The little gray man continued in a milder
tone :—

“The rover’s little maid is imprisoned in
yonder cranberry bog, and must be rescued
this night.”

“There let her stay,” answered one of the
giants roughly; “it will be a lesson for her.
We have heard of her plottings against the
hunter’s little maid. There let her stay, I say.”

“What!” cried the little gray man in the
imperious tone that always subdued the giants,
“wouldst thou rebel against my authority?”