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LABOULAYE’S PAI RY ARO 0K
was thrown them by an invisible hand, and when the furi¬
ous giant reached the shore the ship was receding rapidly
at full sail, leaving behind it a long furrow of shinmg foam.
Giants do not like the water. This fact is certified to
by old Homer, who knew Polyphemus; and the same obser¬
vation will be found in all natural histories worthy of the
name. Finette’s master resembled Polyphemus. He roared
with rage when he saw his slaves about to escape him. He
ran hesitatingly along the shore; he flung huge masses of
rock after the vessel, which happily fell by the side of it
and only made great black holes in the water; and, finally,
mad with anger, he plunged head foremost into the sea
and began to swim after the ship with frightful speed. At
each stroke he advanced forty feet, blowing like a whale,
and like a whale cleaving the waves. By degrees he gained
on his enemies; one more effort would bring him within
reach of the rudder, and already he was stretching out his
arm to seize it, when Finette threw the second silver bullet
into the sea and cried, in tears,
“Silver bullet, bright and pliant,
Save us from this frightful giant.”
Suddenly from the midst of the foam darted forth a
gigantic swordfish, with a sword at least twenty feet in
length. It rushed straight toward the giant, who scarcely
had time to dive, chased him under the water, pursued him
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