In the above-described warfare , if a Pygmy chanced to pluck out a crane 's tail feather , it proved a very great feather in his cap . Once or twice , if you will believe me , a little man was made chief ruler of the nation for no other merit in the world than bringing home such a feather . But I have now said enough to let you see what a gallant little people these were , and how happily they and their forefathers , for nobody knows how many generations , had lived with the immeasurable Giant Antaeus . In the remaining part of the story , I shall tell you of a far more astonishing battle than any that was fought between the Pygmies and the cranes . One day the mighty Antaeus was lolling at full length among his little friends . His pine-tree walking stick lay on the ground , close by his side . His head was in one part of the kingdom , and his feet extended across the boundaries of another part ; and he was taking whatever comfort he could get , while the Pygmies scrambled over him , and peeped into his cavernous mouth , and played among his hair . Sometimes , for a minute or two , the Giant dropped asleep , and snored like the rush of a whirlwind . During one of these little bits of slumber , a Pygmy chanced to climb upon his shoulder , and took a view around the horizon , as from the summit of a hill ; and he beheld something , a long way off , which made him rub the bright specks of his eyes , and look sharper than before . At first he mistook it for a mountain , and wondered how it had grown up so suddenly out of the earth . But soon he saw the mountain move . As it came nearer and nearer , what should it turn out to be but a human shape , not so big as Antaeus , it is true , although a very enormous figure , in comparison with Pygmies , and a vast deal bigger than the men we see nowadays . When the Pygmy was quite satisfied that his eyes had not deceived him , he scampered , as fast as his legs would carry him , to the Giant 's ear , and stooping over its cavity , shouted lustily into it : `` Halloo , brother Antaeus ! Get up this minute , and take your pine-tree walking stick in your hand . Here comes another Giant to have a tussle with you . '' `` Poh , poh ! '' grumbled Antaeus , only half awake . `` None of your nonsense , my little fellow ! Do n't you see I 'm sleepy ? There is not a Giant on earth for whom I would take the trouble to get up . ''
But the Pygmy looked again , and now perceived XXXXX the stranger was coming directly towards the prostrate form of Antaeus .
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