millstones, and as he walked he shouted: 'Ho! blunder- head! by
what right do you come to our country and kill our people? Come!
make two of me.' As the prince was despicable in his eyes, he
tossed aside his club and rushed to grip him with his hands. He
caught him by the collar, tucked him under his arm and set off
with him to Taram-taq. But the prince drew the dagger of Timus
and thrust it upwards through the giant's armpit, for its full
length. This made Chil-maq drop him and try to pick up his club;
but when he stooped the mighty sword shore him through at the
waist.

When news of his champion's death reached Taram-taq he put
himself at the head of an army of his negroes and led them forth.
Many fell before the magic sword, and the prince laboured on in
spite of weakness and fatigue till he was almost worn out. In a
moment of respite from attack he struck his fire-steel and burned
a hair of the king-lion; and he had just succeeded in this when
the negroes charged again and all but took him prisoner.
Suddenly from behind the distant veil of the desert appeared an
army of lions led by their king. 'What brings these scourges of
heaven here?' cried the negroes. They came roaring up, and put
fresh life into the prince. He fought on, and when he struck on
a belt the wearer fell in two, and when on a head he cleft to the
waist. Then the ten thousand mighty lions joined the fray and
tore in pieces man and horse.

Taram-taq was left alone; he would have retired into his fort,
but the prince shouted: 'Whither away, accursed one? Are you
fleeing before me?' At these defiant words the chief shouted
back, 'Welcome, man! Come here and I will soften you to wax