Page:The Floating Prince - Frank R Stockton.djvu/186

Rh Gantalor and his army began to think that they had got themselves into a bad fix. It was impossible to get over those walls (there was no entrance-way) while the giant was hurling stone after stone in that style, and all their stores, and provisions, and spare arms were outside, in the camp.

The giant amused himself in this way for quite a long time, but at last, while turning round, and reaching back for a big stone, he saw a man on horseback riding toward him as fast as he could come. As soon as the man reached him, he handed Derido a big bag, filled with the pieces that were left of the Princess's dresses.

The moment the giant saw the pieces in the bag, he sprang to his feet, jerked out of his pocket a great white handkerchief, as big as the mainsail of a ship, and sticking his sword into it, he waved it round his head, shouting at the top of his voice:

"I surrender! I surrender!"

Gantalor and his men stood up in amazement at the strange sight of the giant surrendering just when he had the best of them; but they were still more amazed when Derido stepped over the wall, right into their midst, and shouted to the king, while still frantically waving his white flag over his head:

"Go home, Gantalor, and marry your princess! Give her my love, and tell her to teach you the value of a peaceful life. If there are any battles to be fought, let me know, and I'll do your fighting for you. As for you, soldiers, you can have my provisions; I shan't need them. I'm going home. The war's over."

With these words, he jumped over the walls, and strode off home as fast as he could go, his white flag still fluttering over his shoulder.

Gantalor looked after him for a few minutes, and then he said: