The giant was in a great rage, and rushed at Theseus to kill him. But Theseus drew his sword and a terrible battle followed. At last the big giant was down on the floor and Theseus said, “Now you shall wait on me and wash my feet. Get up and obey me.”
The giant arose and did what Theseus told him to do, but that did not save him, for Theseus hurled him from the rock into the sea. And all the other robbers laughed and clapped their hands for joy.
THE ADVENTURES OF THESEUS
Part Two
In which our hero proves himself a wrestler and a swordsman.
After Theseus had killed the giant robber, he traveled to another village where he thought he would rest awhile. He had hardly entered the place when a band of soldiers arrested him and said, “You are a prisoner.”
“What have I done to be treated this way?” asked Theseus. The soldiers told him that every stranger in the village had to wrestle with the king before he could leave it. If he threw the king he could go free, but if the king threw him he would be put to death. No one had as yet escaped with his life.
“Very well,” said Theseus, “lead me to the king’s garden where I may wrestle with him.” But when he saw the king he knew he had found a mighty antagonist. The king was of great height with broad shoulders and muscles that stood out like ropes around his body.
Then they began to wrestle. The king tried to crush Theseus with his great arms, but the young man slipped through every time, and was so agile that the king could not hold him at all. Finally the king made a great leap at his enemy, but Theseus jumped aside and threw the king with his foot. He fell so heavily that he lay with back broken. After that all passengers could go through that village in safety, for there was no king to stop them.