twanged their bowstrings, and the arrows came
whizzing, like so many winged mosquitoes, right
into the face of Hercules. But I doubt whether
more than half a dozen of them punctured the
skin, which was remarkably tough, as you know
the skin of a hero has good need to be.

"Villain!" shouted all the Pygmies at once.
"You have killed the Giant Antaeus, our great
brother, and the ally of our nation. We declare
bloody war against you, and will slay you on the
spot."

Surprised at the shrill piping of so many little
voices, Hercules, after putting out the conflagra-
tion of his hair, gazed all round about, but
could see nothing. At last, however, looking
narrowly on the ground, he espied the innumer-
able assemblage of Pygmies at his feet. He
stooped down, and taking up the nearest one be-
tween his thumb and finger, set him on the palm
of his left hand, and held him at a proper dis-
tance for examination. It chanced to be the
very identical Pygmy who had spoken from
the top of the toadstool, and had offered him-
self as a champion to meet Hercules in single
combat.

[[104]]

p103 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p104w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p105

v?