“They had a long wearisome march across a rocky plain and up a steep hill.  Then there was a river to cross, and on the other side a stretch of desert land, where the hot sun beat upon their heads, and where it must have been hard to keep up the rapid pace at which they marched.  But they pressed on, and woe to him who stumbled and fell! for not a soldier was allowed to stop an instant to help his fallen comrade.  The whole army swept on and over him, and there was no straggling from the close ranks or resting for one instant till the day’s journey was accomplished.

“The last stage of the journey was through a dreary wood.  Here they were exposed to many unseen dangers.  Beasts of prey sprang out upon and devoured them.  A big bird swooped down and carried aloft some poor wretch whose fate it was to fill the hungry maw of a baby bird.  And many an unfortunate, getting entangled in a soft gray curtain of silk that hung across the path, struggled vainly to extricate himself, till the hairy monster which had woven the snare crept out of his den and cracked his bones and sucked the last drop of his blood.

“It was night when, weary and dusty, the army reached the borders of the wood.  But they forgot both their fatigue and their losses by the way when they saw before them in the middle of a green meadow, its dome glittering in the light of the setting sun, the pretty, prosperous city they had braved all these dangers to rob.

“They rested that night, but were on the march soon after sunrise.  A few rushed forward to surprise the sentinels on guard, while the main body of the army advanced more slowly, in solid phalanx, their brave coats-of-mail catching the early rays of the sun.

“Meanwhile the peaceful inhabitants, all unconscious of coming disaster, pursued their usual occupations—­waiting on the queen-mother, milking the kine, building houses, cleaning the streets.  Then came the alarm:  ‘The foe is at the gate!’ and you should have seen of what brave stuff the little folks were made; how each one left his occupation or dropped his implement of labor, and from palace, hall, and hut, ran out to defend the beloved city.  Only the queen’s body-guard remained and a few of the nurses left in charge of the babies.

“And it was wonderful to mark how their courage gave them strength.  Their assailants were of a taller, stronger race than they; but the little folks had the advantage in numbers, were quiet and light in their movements, and possessed a double portion of the bravery good patriots feel in the defence of the commonwealth.

“They threw themselves face to face and limb to limb upon their assailants.  With their living bodies they raised a wall across the track of the army, and, as they came once and again, and yet again, they drove them back.  Hundreds were slain at every onslaught, but hundreds instantly filled their places.  There were plenty of single combats.  One would throw himself upon his antagonist and cling