` Look at it , then , ' said the first . ` Do you suppose I stuck it into my own chin for fun ? ' The two got so angry over the matter that each offered to fight the other there and then , but the third giant acted as peace-maker , and they again fell to their eating . While the quarrel was going on , Niels had loaded the gun again , and just as the second giant was about to put a nice tit-bit into his mouth , bang ! went the gun again , and the fork flew into a dozen pieces . This giant was even more furious than the first had been , and words were just coming to blows , when the third giant again interposed . ` Do n't be fools , ' he said to them ; ` what 's the good of beginning to fight among ourselves , when it is so necessary for the three of us to work together and get the upper hand over the king of this country . It will be a hard enough task as it is , but it will be altogether hopeless if we do n't stick together . Sit down again , and let us finish our meal ; I shall sit between you , and then neither of you can blame the other . ' Niels was too far away to hear their talk , but from their gestures he could guess what was happening , and thought it good fun . ` Thrice is lucky , ' said he to himself ; ` I 'll have another shot yet . ' This time it was the third giant 's fork that caught the bullet , and snapped in two . ` Well , ' said he , ` if I were as foolish as you two , I would also fly into a rage , but I begin to see what time of day it is , and I 'm going off this minute to see who it is that 's playing these tricks with us . ' So well had the giant made his observations , that though Niels climbed down the tree as fast as he could , so as to hide among the bushes , he had just got to the ground when the enemy was upon him . ` Stay where you are , ' said the giant , ` or I 'll put my foot on you , and there wo n't be much of you left after that . ' Niels gave in , and the giant carried him back to his comrades . ` You do n't deserve any mercy at our hands , ' said his captor ` but as you are such a good shot you may be of great use to us , so we shall spare your life , if you will do us a service . Not far from here there stands a castle , in which the king 's daughter lives ; we are at war with the king , and want to get the upper hand of him by carrying off the princess , but the castle is so well guarded that there is no getting into it . By our skill in magic we have cast sleep on every living thing in the castle , except a little black dog , and , as long as he is awake , we are no better off than before ; for , as soon as we begin to climb over the wall , the little dog will hear us , and its barking will waken all the others again . Having got you , we can place you where you will be able to shoot the dog before it begins to bark , and then no one can hinder us from getting the princess into our hands .
If you do XXXXX , we shall not only let you off , but reward you handsomely . '
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