g forth two more branches, each bigger and thicker than the first;
and the king's guards thereupon immediately seized the unlucky
woodcutter, and, without any more ado, sliced off both his ears.

"You are an awkward booby, and deserve your punishment," said Paul to
his brother. Saying this, he took his axe, walked slowly around the
tree, and, seeing a large root that projected from the soil, he chopped
it off with a single blow. At the same instant, two enormous new roots
broke from the ground; and, wonderful to relate, each one immediately
shot out a trunk, thickly covered with foliage.

"Seize this miserable fellow," shouted the furious king; "and, since he
did not profit by the example of his brother, shave off both _his_ ears,
close to his head!"

No sooner said than done. But now Thumbling, undismayed by this double
misfortune, stepped bravely forward to try his fortune.

"Drive this little abortion away," cried the king; "and if he resists,
chop off his ears. He will have the lesson all the same, and will spare
us the sight of his stupidity."

"Pardon, gracious Majesty!" interrupted Thumbling. "The king has passed
his word, and I have the right to a trial. It will be time enough to cut
off my ears when I fail."

"Away, then, to the trial," said the king, with a heavy sigh; "but be
careful that I don't have your nose cut off to boot."

Thumbling now drew his magic axe from the bottom of his stout leather
bag. It was almost as big as he was, and he had no little difficulty and
trouble in standing it up, with the handle leaning against the enchanted
tree. At last, however, all was accomplished; and stepping back a few
steps, he cried out, "Chop! chop!! chop!!!" And lo and behold! the axe
began to chop, hew, hack, now right, now left, and up and down! Trunk,
branches, roots, all were speedily cut to bits. In fact, it only took a
quarter of an hour, and yet there was such a heap, a monstrous heap of
wood, that the whole court had nothing else to burn for a whole year.

When the tree was entirely cut down and cleared away, Thumbling
approached the king, (who, in the mean time, had sent for the princess,
and caused her to sit down by his side, to see the wonderful thing,)
and, making them both a low bow, said:--

"Is your Majesty entirely satisfied with his faithful subject?"

"Yes, so far so good," answered the king; "but I must have my well, or
look out for your ears!"

All went then into the grand court-ya