Next day, when the six little people appeared before him, John looked at
them sternly, and made no return to their salutations, but said to them
shortly--

"Yes, or No?"

They answered, with one voice, "No." He then ordered his servant to
summon twenty-four more of the principal persons, with their wives and
children. When they came they were in all five hundred men, women, and
children. John ordered them forthwith to go and fetch pick-axes, spades,
and bars, which they did in a second.

He now led them out to a rock in one of the fields, and ordered them to
fall to work at blasting, hewing, and dragging stones. They toiled
patiently, and made as if it were only sport to them.

From morning till night their task-master made them labour without
ceasing, standing over them constantly to prevent them resting. Still
their obstinacy was inflexible, and at the end of some weeks his pity
for them was so great that he was obliged to give over.

He now thought of a new species of punishment for them. He ordered them
to appear before him next morning, each provided with a new whip. They
obeyed, and John commanded them to lash one another, and he stood
looking on while they did it, as grim and cruel as an Eastern tyrant.
Still the little people cut and slashed themselves and mocked at John,
and refused to comply with his wishes. This he did for three or four
days.