`` What in the world , my little fellow , '' ejaculated Hercules , `` may you be ? '' `` I am your enemy , '' answered the valiant Pygmy , in his mightiest squeak . `` You have slain the enormous Antaeus , our brother by the mother 's side , and for ages the faithful ally of our illustrious nation . We are determined to put you to death ; and for my own part , I challenge you to instant battle , on equal ground . '' Hercules was so tickled with the Pygmy 's big words and warlike gestures , that he burst into a great explosion of laughter , and almost dropped the poor little mite of a creature off the palm of his hand , through the ecstasy and convulsion of his merriment . `` Upon my word , '' cried he , `` I thought I had seen wonders before to-day -- hydras with nine heads , stags with golden horns , six-legged men , three-headed dogs , giants with furnaces in their stomachs , and nobody knows what besides . But here , on the palm of my hand , stands a wonder that outdoes them all ! Your body , my little friend , is about the size of an ordinary man 's finger . Pray , how big may your soul be ? '' `` As big as your own ! '' said the Pygmy . Hercules was touched with the little man 's dauntless courage , and could not help acknowledging such a brotherhood with him as one hero feels for another . `` My good little people , '' said he , making a low obeisance to the grand nation , `` not for all the world would I do an intentional injury to such brave fellows as you ! Your hearts seem to me so exceedingly great , that , upon my honor , I marvel how your small bodies can contain them . I sue for peace , and , as a condition of it , will take five strides , and be out of your kingdom at the sixth . Good-bye . I shall pick my steps carefully , for fear of treading upon some fifty of you , without knowing it . Ha , ha , ha ! Ho , ho , ho ! For once , Hercules acknowledges himself vanquished . ''
Some writers say , XXXXX Hercules gathered up the whole race of Pygmies in his lion 's skin , and carried them home to Greece , for the children of King Eurystheus to play with .
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