, and you are to set off at once."

"A hundred men, your Majesty! Pray, what do I want with a hundred men?
If I can kill seven at one blow, I needn't be afraid of two. I'll kill
them fast enough, never fear."

The tailor chose ten strong men, and told them to await him on the
border of the wood, while he went on quite alone. He could hear the
giants snoring for quite half an hour before he reached them, so he
knew in which direction to go.

He found the pair fast asleep under a tree, so he filled his pockets
with stones and climbed up into the branches over their heads. Then he
began to pelt one of the giants with the missiles, until after a few
minutes one of the men awoke. Giving the other a rough push, he cried:

"If you strike me like that again, I'll know the reason why."

"I didn't touch you," said the other giant crossly, and they were soon
fast asleep once more.

Then the tailor threw stones at the other man, and soon he awoke as
the first had done.

"What did you throw that at me for?" said he.

"You are dreaming," answered the other, "I didn't throw anything."

No sooner were they fast asleep again, than the little man began to
pelt them afresh.

Up they both sprang, and seizing each other, they began to fight in
real earnest. Not content with using their fists, they tore up huge
trees by the roots, and beat each other until very soon the pair lay
dead on the ground.

Down climbed the little tailor, and taking his sword in his hand he
plunged it into each giant, and then went back to the edge of the
forest where the ten men were waiting for him.

"They are as dead as two door nails," shouted the little man. "I don't
say that I had an easy task, for they tore up trees by their roots to
try to protect themselves with, but, of course, it was no good. What
were two giants to a man who has slain seven at one blow?"

But the men wouldn't believe it until they went into the forest and
saw the two dead bodies, lying each in a pool of blood, while the
ground was covered with uprooted trees.

Back they went to the King, but instead of handing over half his
kingdom, as he had promised, his Majesty told the little tailor that
there was still another brave deed for him to do before he got the
Princess for his bride.

"Just name it, then; I'm more than ready," was the man's reply.

"You are to kill the famous unicorn that is running wild in the forest
and doing so much damage. When this is done you shall