The two youths could but wonder at these when they were brought.
The Captain ordered that the fetters be presented to them.
But their hands were already full. What could they do with them? Where could they put them?
The Captain signified to them that he would ornament their feet with the fetters. To this they consented.
So the fetters were put on the feet of each of them, like necklaces or rings, but when the young giants saw a blacksmith bring a hammer and rivet the fetters, they began to be distrustful and presently greatly agitated. They tried to walk, but they could not move.
Our historian thus describes their fury when they saw that they were helplessly bound:
"Nevertheless when they saw the trick which had been played on them they began to be enraged, and to foam like bulls, crying out to the devil to help them." We do not see why our Knight should have taken this view of the case; we would think that two human beings who had been so treacherously deceived, might have been regarded as appealing to the Deity of justice.
"The hands of the other two giants were bound," says the original narrative, "but it was with great difficulty; then the Captain sent them back on shore, with nine of his men to conduct them, and to bring the wife of one of those who had remained in irons, because he regretted her greatly." This last touch gives us a very favorable view of this young giant.
But on being conducted away, one of the two giants who were to be liberated, untied his hands and escaped. As soon as he found that he was free, his feet were picked up nimbly indeed. He flew, as it were, his long strides leaving his late captors far behind him. He had no heart to trust Europeans again. He rushed to his native town, but he found only the women there, who must have been greatly alarmed; the men had gone to hunt.
He rushed after the hunters to tell them how his companions had been betrayed.