“The road goes through the great forest, in which the man-eaters live,” she answered, “and more than that, I dare not tell you.” And then he heard her wings quiver, as she flew away.

By daybreak the drummer arose, buckled on his drum, and went without fear straight into the forest. After he had walked for a while without seeing any giants, he thought to himself, “I must waken up the sluggards,” and he hung his drum before him, and beat such a reveille that the birds flew out of the trees with loud cries. It was not long before a giant who had been lying sleeping among the grass, rose up, and was as tall as a fir-tree.

“Wretch!” cried he; “what art thou drumming here for, and wakening me out of my best sleep?”

“I am drumming,” he replied, “because I want to show the way to many thousands who are following me.”

“What do they want in my forest?” demanded the giant.