Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 26, 1915.djvu/213

Rh two cubits and a half. They are very numerous. They have their kingdoms and their countries. They have their families, and herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, and round the lake there swarm many kinds of birds. Once a year there is a fight between the birds and these Pitikos. The wise men among the latter know the day in the year when the battle is to take place. Shortly before the day comes they take their families, their cattle, their flocks, and hide them under the ground, and then they arm themselves with swords and lances, with bows and arrows, with spears and clubs, and they prepare for the fight. The sky gets darkened with the multitude of birds that are coming to attack these dwarfs with their claws and their beaks. On both sides many are slain before the sun sets. From the day after there is again peace in the land. The survivors bring their women and children, their cattle and their flocks, from the hiding places, and the birds withdraw. Once upon a time it happened that a big and burly man, who had left Constantinople on board a merchant ship, came to grief not far from that place. The ship foundered, and he was able to save himself by swimming until he reached that land. Arrived there, he was greatly astonished to behold these dwarfs and their ways and their habits. They greatly rejoiced in seeing such a big man, as they had never seen any before. They felt confident that he would help them in their battle, and save them from the slaughter by the wild birds. When he saw them rejoicing he asked them the cause of it, and they told him that they had never seen a man so big as he was, and that they felt that he would now help them in their great battle. He reassured them, and he promised to fight the birds for them. So he armed himself, for the day was fast approaching. He went forth with the army of the dwarfs that had gathered ready for the fray. When he saw the multitude of birds that darkened the sky his heart well-nigh sank, but he picked up courage and fought valiantly, and helped the dwarfs to drive off their enemies victoriously. The man did not stop long among these people, and after a time he found the road which led him out of their country to the country of other human beings. On reaching Constantinople he told his friends what had happened to him."