DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
ground. Having knocked the clubs to pieces upon each other, they had torn trees from the ground and fought with them, until branches and stems lay scattered on all sides.
The little man walked around them a couple of times to see if they were really dead. He touched them with his foot, and at length he ventured to pluck the one by his long beard. Then he pulled out his sword and thrust it into the breast of the dead giant. When the other one had received the same treatment, the tailor sat down in the shade, wiped his forehead, and ate the rest of his bread-and-butter. He now returned to the palace and told the king that he had killed both giants. The entire court was greatly surprised, but the king said, "He has deserved the hundred gold pieces, and he shall have them."
"We all clearly see," observed a stout little general, "that a great and heroic spirit can dwell in a small body."
They went into the forest and found the dead monsters. "Look," exclaimed one of the courtiers, "how they have torn trees from the ground in the fearful struggle!"
"Wonderful, wonderful!" cried every one, looking admiringly at the little tailor, who drew himself up and looked proudly around.
"I should think," at length remarked one of the king's men, "that this brave man might also slay the unicorn which works havoc beyond the river."
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