`` It 's a mercy , '' he said , `` that they did n't root up the tree on which I was perched , or I should have had to jump like a squirrel on to another , which , nimble though I am , would have been no easy job . '' He drew his sword and gave each of the giants a very fine thrust or two on the breast , and then went to the horsemen and said : `` The deed is done , I 've put an end to the two of them ; but I assure you it has been no easy matter , for they even tore up trees in their struggle to defend themselves ; but all that 's of no use against one who slays seven men at a blow . '' `` Were n't you wounded ? '' asked the horsemen . `` No fear , '' answered the tailor ; `` they have n't touched a hair of my head . '' But the horsemen would n't believe him till they rode into the wood and found the giants weltering in their blood , and the trees lying around , torn up by the roots . The little tailor now demanded the promised reward from the King , but he repented his promise , and pondered once more how he could rid himself of the hero . `` Before you obtain the hand of my daughter and half my kingdom , '' he said to him , `` you must do another deed of valor . A unicorn is running about loose in the wood , and doing much mischief ; you must first catch it . '' `` I 'm even less afraid of one unicorn than of two giants ; seven at a blow , that 's my motto . '' He took a piece of cord and an axe with him , went out to the wood , and again told the men who had been sent with him to remain outside . He had n't to search long , for the unicorn soon passed by , and , on perceiving the tailor , dashed straight at him as though it were going to spike him on the spot . `` Gently , gently , '' said he , `` not so fast , my friend '' ; and standing still he waited till the beast was quite near , when he sprang lightly behind a tree ; the unicorn ran with all its force against the tree , and rammed its horn so firmly into the trunk that it had no strength left to pull it out again , and was thus successfully captured . `` Now I 've caught my bird , '' said the tailor , and he came out from behind the tree , placed the cord round its neck first , then struck the horn out of the tree with his axe , and when everything was in order led the beast before the King . Still the King did n't want to give him the promised reward and made a third demand . The tailor was to catch a wild boar for him that did a great deal of harm in the wood ; and he might have the huntsmen to help him . `` Willingly , '' said the tailor ; `` that 's mere child 's play . '' But he did n't take the huntsmen into the wood with him , and they were well enough pleased to remain behind , for the wild boar had often received them in a manner which did not make them desire its further acquaintance . As soon as the boar perceived the tailor it ran at him with foaming mouth and gleaming teeth , and tried to knock him down ; but our alert little friend ran into a chapel that stood near , and got out of the window again with a jump . The boar pursued him into the church , but the tailor skipped round to the door , and closed it securely .
So the raging beast was caught , XXXXX it was far too heavy and unwieldy to spring out of the window .
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