like two Jarms[FN#27] falling over his shoulder-blades and the
nails of his hands were like the claws of a lion.[FN#28] When we
saw this frightful giant, we were like to faint and every moment
increased our fear and terror; and we became as dead men for
excess of horror and affright.--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn
of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Forty-seventh Night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sindbad the
Seaman continued:--When we saw this frightful giant we were
struck with exceeding terror and horror. And after trampling upon
the earth, he sat awhile on the bench; then he arose and coming
to us seized me by the arm choosing me out from among my comrades
the merchants. He took me up in his hand and turning me over felt
me, as a butcher feeleth a sheep he is about to slaughter, and I
but a little mouthful in his hands; but finding me lean and
fleshless for stress of toil and trouble and weariness, let me go
and took up another, whom in like manner he turned over and felt
and let go; nor did he cease to feel and turn over the rest of
us, one after another, till he came to the master of the ship.
Now he was a sturdy, stout, broad-shouldered wight, fat and in
full vigour; so he pleased the giant, who seized him, as a
butcher seizeth a beast, and throwing him down, set his foot on
his neck and brake it; after which he fetched a long spit and
thrusting it up his backside, brought it forth of the crown of
his head. Then, lighting a fierce fire, he set over it the spit
with the Rais thereon, and turned it over the coals, till the
flesh was roasted, when he took the spit off the fire and set it
like a Kabab-stick before him. Then he tare the body, limb from