The San Francisco call., 1898-12-04


 knew that 9 feast was preparing
 within the castle; and they were
 anxious to taste of the good
 things which they had seen All fred gather. While they had no idea of keeping their promises, they readily said that they would not only leI Alfred depart. they would help him upon his way and would fight off wild beasts, that they might not be killed and torn to pieces while they were on their way toward the sea.
 Well" said Alfred, II am sorry for your hard lot and 1 have prepared :. feast for you. Come in and enjoy it.
 The giants did not wait for Q second invitation. Those who were nearest the gate shouted to their comrades who were battling with wild beasts at distance. These halloed to other giants who were sleeping upon the rock-r1bbed hills and in caves where they lay de- vouring the carcasses of the bears and lions which had fallen before them in the hunt Their day of triumph had come. Many years before they had been shut out in the stony wilderness in which they had since ravened; and no person had ever offered them friend ship. Little they tn ught now of aught except the dainty feast which had been offered to them; but, notwithstanding that they were so superior to Alfred in strength they feared trick of magic for magic was not unknown in that desolate land-and this was the eXpla nation of their calls to each other. What a terrible horde they appeared to be to Alfred, who from the castle gate watched them as they gathered in a threatening phalanX.
 When they were all assembled even the wild beasts shrank in terror be- fore them and sought refuge in secret caves in the wilderness. The ground trembled beneath the hurrying feet of the giants; half famished they were; with faces that might have been used as types of War and Ferocity by a painter; with legs and arms as bulky and menacing as the huge limbs of the mountain pine upon which the winter winds make war in the mountain. Some carried huge stones in their hands to throw-such being the weap- ons with which they had often sue ceeded in bringing down lions; they seemed to be as huge as Atlas. the fla bled being who upholds the earth on his shoulders.
 Alfreds heart stood still as he gazed upon them, for he was really badly frightened; but there was no way for him to retreat He stood by the gate, holding his plumed hat in his hand and lowing low and humbly as the giants strOde toward him.
 Lead on," roared the greatest of all the giants to Alfred, his eyes glowing like the eyes of wild lion; lead on, and be quick about it-for the giant who waits forty years for dinner is likely to be hungry"
 Come" answered Alfred, mastering up the bravest voice that he could com mand-but that 0s so small that the giants laughed in derision.
 And now they are come to the door of the castle and there stands Claribel dressed in white, her head garlanded rT,n -1- a. more beautiful than any flower that ever grew in the Gardens of Enchant- ment in the Land of Love.
 "Ho, ho," said the leader Of the giants; this shall be my queen and the little man shall be my servant and wait upon us and feed us upon sweet peas and moonlight when we are hungry. Ho. ho, ho!'
 seizing the terrified Claribel, the giant placed her upon his shoulder and hurried on his way to the palace ban quet hall There he saw the chair whicl- Alfred had thrown his red-lined cloal. over.
 See" shouted the monster. while the lofty rafters of the castle rang with his horrible voice; see the throne upon which I olcce my queen"
 How the giants ate and drank, with their faces in the platters, snorting. growling-beast like-drinking a cask of wine at a draught! The riot lasted until all the food was gone. Then AL fred, looking in their wolfsh eyes knew that he had made a terrible mistake, the worst he could have possibly been guilty of-there was not enough to sat isfy their appetities. They cast about for more. Their anger blazed up threateningly.
 More. more" was the outcry made by them, ''mor1 or death!"
 T have no more" faltered out AL fred T thought that I had ennue,h.