a crane. He declared his intention of going through these exercises
until he had used up the whole animal kingdom, and seemed delighted to
think that he could have a complete menagerie in one cage. In order that
he might pursue his amusement without interruption, the Giant put him,
with the cage, on the top of the tower; and when our friends left the
hollow mountain through the gap the Giant had made, the poor sorceress
was being changed from bird to beast, and from beast to fish or reptile,
as fast as the little demon was satisfied with her performance in any
one character; and he may be keeping up this amusing pastime yet, for
all I know.

When our party emerged into the open plain, it was night; but as the
stars were quite bright, Tur-il-i-ra, carrying his smaller friends, and
with his good club over his shoulder, took his way toward his castle.
They had not travelled far before daylight appeared, and very soon
afterward they saw in the distance what seemed to be a mighty army
coming toward them. As it drew nearer, they perceived the glittering
spears and the flags, and heard the sounds of drum and horn. This great
multitude was nothing more than two or three hundred thousand of the
inhabitants of the city of the mighty King, who were marching upon the
stronghold of Mahbracca.

During the Prince's hurried visit to the city, he had freely told the
few persons with whom he had conversed of the place of imprisonment of
the Princess; and after he had left, the story spread rapidly.

At last the excitement became so great that it ended in a grand revolt.
The Prime Minister was seized and imprisoned, and the palace was
searched; and when it was found that the Princess was indeed gone, the
whole city put full faith in the Prince's story, and all who could bear
arms, or play music, and could possibly leave home, formed themselves
into a great army, and started off for the cave of Mahbracca. They
travelled bravely until they neared the hollow mountain, and hoped soon
to destroy the wicked Mahbracca if they found that she was still alive,
as the Prince had reported.

As they approached the Giant, some of the vanguard recognized Trumkard,
and others remembered having seen the Prince before; and then when the
Princess raised her head, as the Giant gently held her on his arm,
thousands of the nearest of the army set up a great shout,--"The
Princess! the Princess!"

Then came a rush, in which the Giant might have had even hi