After some hours , he was awakened by a sudden noise , and sat up and looked about him . The moon was shining brightly above his head , and close by stood two headless dwarfs , talking angrily . At the sight of Hans the little dwarfs cried out : ` It is he ! It is he ! ' and one of them stepping nearer exclaimed , ` Ah , my old friend ! it is a lucky chance that has brought us here . My bones still ache from my fall down the steps of the tower . I dare say you have not forgotten that night ! Now it is the turn of your bones . Hi ! comrades , make haste ! make haste ! ' Like a swarm of midges , a host of tiny headless creatures seemed to spring straight out of the ground , and every one was armed with a club . Although they were so small , yet there were such numbers of them and they struck so hard that even a strong man could do nothing against them . Hans thought his last hour was come , when just as the fight was at the hottest another little dwarf arrived on the scene . ` Hold , comrades ! ' he shouted , turning to the attacking party . ` This man once did me a service , and I am his debtor . When I was in his power he granted me my life . And even if he did throw you downstairs , well , a warm bath soon cured your bruises , so you must just forgive him and go quietly home . '
The headless dwarfs listened XXXXX his words and disappeared as suddenly as they had come .
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