Atondido Stories
myself.”
As he said this, Longshanks stretched out and out until his
head was lost in the clouds. He took two or three strides,
reached his comrade, set him on his shoulder, and brought him
to the prince.
The new man was heavily built and round as a barrel.
“Who are you?” the prince asked. “And what can you do?”
“I am called Girth,” the man said. “I can widen myself.”
“Let me see you do it,” the prince said.
“Very well, master,” said Girth, beginning to puff out, “I will.
But take care! Ride off into the forest as fast as you can!”
The prince did not understand the warning, but he saw that
Longshanks was in full flight, so he spurred his horse and gal-
loped after him.
It was just as well he did, for in another moment Girth would
have crushed both him and his horse, so fast did he spread out,
so huge did he become. In a short time he filled the whole plain
until it looked as though a mountain had fallen upon it.
When the plain was entirely covered, he stopped expanding,
heaved a deep breath that shook the forest trees, and returned to
his natural size.
“You made me run for my life!” the prince said. “I tell you I
don’t meet a fellow like you every day! By all means join me.”
They went across the plain and as they neared the rocks they
met a man whose eyes were bandaged with a handkerchief.
“Master,” said Longshanks, “there is my other comrade. Take
him into your service, too, and I can tell you you won’t regret
the bread he eats.”
“Who are you?” the prince asked. “And why do you keep
your eyes bandaged? You can’t see where you’re going.”
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