Accordingly , all the fighting men of the nation took their weapons , and went boldly up to Hercules , who still lay fast asleep , little dreaming of the harm which the Pygmies meant to do him . A body of twenty thousand archers marched in front , with their little bows all ready , and the arrows on the string . The same number were ordered to clamber upon Hercules , some with spades to dig his eyes out , and others with bundles of hay , and all manner of rubbish with which they intended to plug up his mouth and nostrils , so that he might perish for lack of breath . These last , however , could by no means perform their appointed duty ; inasmuch as the enemy 's breath rushed out of his nose in an obstreperous hurricane and whirlwind , which blew the Pygmies away as fast as they came nigh . It was found necessary , therefore , to hit upon some other method of carrying on the war . After holding a council , the captains ordered their troops to collect sticks , straws , dry weeds , and whatever combustible stuff they could find , and make a pile of it , heaping it high around the head of Hercules . As a great many thousand Pygmies were employed in this task , they soon brought together several bushels of inflammatory matter , and raised so tall a heap , that , mounting on its summit , they were quite upon a level with the sleeper 's face . The archers , meanwhile , were stationed within bow shot , with orders to let fly at Hercules the instant that he stirred . Everything being in readiness , a torch was applied to the pile , which immediately burst into flames , and soon waxed hot enough to roast the enemy , had he but chosen to lie still . A Pygmy , you know , though so very small , might set the world on fire , just as easily as a Giant could ; so that this was certainly the very best way of dealing with their foe , provided they could have kept him quiet while the conflagration was going forward . But no sooner did Hercules begin to be scorched , than up he started , with his hair in a red blaze . `` What 's all this ? '' he cried , bewildered with sleep , and staring about him as if he expected to see another Giant . At that moment the twenty thousand archers twanged their bowstrings , and the arrows came whizzing , like so many winged mosquitoes , right into the face of Hercules . But I doubt whether more than half a dozen of them punctured the skin , which was remarkably tough , as you know the skin of a hero has good need to be . `` Villain ! '' shouted all the Pygmies at once . `` You have killed the Giant Antaeus , our great brother , and the ally of our nation . We declare bloody war against you , and will slay you on the spot . '' Surprised at the shrill piping of so many little voices , Hercules , after putting out the conflagration of his hair , gazed all round about , but could see nothing .
XXXXX last , however , looking narrowly on the ground , he espied the innumerable assemblage of Pygmies at his feet .
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