dark and the three that were fair). They would not acknowledge their
fear. They said, "We are only waiting to lay some wily plan to
capture the Ogre."

[Illustration: THE PRINCESS.]

After several days Ethelried reached the place on foot. "See him,"
laughed one of the brothers that was dark to one that was fair. "He
comes afoot; no prancing steed, no waving plumes, no trusty sword;
little and lorn, he is not fit to be called a brother to princes."

But Ethelried heeded not their taunts. He dashed across the drawbridge,
and, opening his scissors, cried:

"Giant scissors, rise in power!
Grant me my heart's desire this hour!"

The crowds on the other side held their breath as the Ogre rushed out,
brandishing a club as big as a church steeple. Then Whack! Bang! The
blows of the scissors, warding off the blows of the mighty club, could
be heard for miles around.

At last Ethelried became so exhausted that he could scarcely raise his
hand, and it was plain to be seen that the scissors could not do battle
much longer. By this time a great many people, attracted by the terrific
noise, had come running up to the moat. The news had spread far and
wide that Ethelried was in danger; so every one whom he had ever served
dropped whatever he was doing, and ran to the scene of the battle. The
peasant was there, and the shepherd, and the lords and beggars and
high-born dames, all those whom Ethelried had ever befriended.