I am the eldest , ' said one of the generals , ` and it is my right to go down first . ' So the others fastened a cord round him , and gave him a little bell , and let him down into the water . But scarcely had the river closed above his head when such dreadful rushing sounds and peals of thunder came crashing round about him that he lost all his courage , and rang his bell , if perchance it might be heard amidst all this clamour . Great was his relief when the rope began slowly to pull him upwards . Then the other general plunged in ; but he fared no better than the first , and was soon on dry ground again . ` Well , you are a brave pair ! ' said Bensurdatu , as he tied the rope round his own waist ; ` let us see what will happen to me . ' And when he heard the thunder and clamour round about him he thought to himself , ` Oh , make as much noise as you like , it wo n't hurt me ! ' When his feet touched the bottom he found himself in a large , brilliantly lighted hall , and in the middle sat the eldest princess , and in front of her lay a huge giant , fast asleep . Directly she saw Bensurdatu she nodded to him , and asked with her eyes how he had come there . For answer he drew his sword , and was about to cut off the giant 's head , when she stopped him quickly , and made signs to hide himself , as the giant was just beginning to wake . ' I smell the flesh of a man ! ' murmured he , stretching his great arms . ` Why , how in the world could any man get down here ? ' replied she ; ` you had better go to sleep again . ' So he turned over and went to sleep . Then the princess signed to Bensurdatu , who drew his sword and cut off the giant 's head with such a blow that it flew into the corner . And the heart of the princess leapt within her , and she placed a golden crown on the head of Bensurdatu , and called him her deliverer . ` Now show me where your sisters are , ' he said , ` that I may free them also . ' So the princess opened a door , and led him into another hall , wherein sat her next sister , guarded by a giant who was fast asleep .
When the second princess saw them , she made a sign to them XXXXX hide themselves , for the giant was showing symptoms of waking . '
about as if in into like of on than to