He himself hid carefully under the bed and waited . The Man-eater came in late , very tired with his long walk , and flung himself on the bed , placing his sword with its shining blade by his side . Scarcely had he lain down than the mosquitos began to buzz about and bite him , and he rolled from side to side trying to catch them , which he never could do , though they always seemed to be close to his nose . He was so busy over the mosquitos that he did not hear Ciccu steal softly out , or see him catch up the sword . But the horse heard and stood ready at the door , and as Ciccu came flying down the stairs and jumped on his back he sped away like the wind , and never stopped till they arrived at the king 's palace . The king had suffered much pain in his absence , thinking that if the Man-eater ate Ciccu , it would be all his fault . And he was so overjoyed to have him safe that he almost forgot the sword which he had sent him to bring . But the two brothers did not love Ciccu any better because he had succeeded when they hoped he would have failed , and one day they spoke to the king . ` It is all very well for Ciccu to have got possession of the sword , but it would have been far more to your majesty 's honour if he had captured the Man-eater himself . ' The king thought upon these words , and at last he said to Ciccu , ` Ciccu , I shall never rest until you bring me back the Man-eater himself . You may have any help you like , but somehow or other you must manage to do it . ' Ciccu felt very much cast , down at these words , and went to the stable to ask advice of his friend the horse . ` Fear nothing , ' said the horse ; ` just say you want me and fifty pieces of gold . ' Ciccu did as he was bid , and the two set out together . When they reached the country of the Man-eater , Ciccu made all the church bells toll and a proclamation to be made . ` Ciccu , the servant of the king , is dead . ' The Man-eater soon heard what everyone was saying , and was glad in his heart , for he thought , ` Well , it is good news that the thief who stole my sword is dead . ' But Ciccu bought an axe and a saw , and cut down a pine tree in the nearest wood , and began to hew it into planks . ` What are you doing in my wood ? ' asked the Maneater , coming up .
` Noble lord , ' answered Ciccu , ' I am making a coffin XXXXX the body of Ciccu , who is dead . '
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