ihat his troublesome enemy was growing weak-
er, both because he struggled and kicked with
less violence, and because the thunder of his big
voice subsided into a grumble. The truth was,
that, unless the Giant touched Mother Earth as
often as once in five minutes, not only his over-
grown strength, but the very breath of his life,
would depart from him. Hercules had guessed
this secret; and it may be well for us all to
remember it, in case we should ever have to
fight a battle with a fellow like Antssus. For
these earth-born creatures are only difficult
to conquer on their own ground, but may
easily be managed if we can contrive to lift
them into a loftier and purer region. So
it proved with the poor Giant, whom I am
really a little sorry for, notwithstanding his
uncivil way of treating strangers who came
to visit him.
When his strength and breath were quite
gone, Hercules gave his huge body a toss, and
flung it about a mile off, where it fell heavily,
and lay with no more motion than a sand hill.
It was too late for the Giant's Mother Earth to
help him now; and I should not wonder if his
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