They sent a message back to the king that they were going forth to battle, and, in three days, would bring to him, as a trophy, the head of Kruge, the chief giant. The dwarfs now consulted as to a plan of action. It was agreed that they should, in a body, march upon the stronghold of Kruge, surprise him while asleep, and tie him down, fast and firm, with a great number of small cords. Then they would cut off his head. If Kruge was killed, or submitted to them, the remaining giants were as good as conquered, for they all depended upon Kruge. The kobolds sharpened their little swords that had only been used for cutting twigs, and strings. They made bows and arrows, and gathered sharp sticks, and armed themselves with brooms, and hoes, and spades, and reaping-hooks. They organized companies, and drilled, and marched, and counter-marched all night long; and enjoyed it immensely. They slept soundly the next day; and by night, they were ready for action. They marched gaily forth in four bands of a hundred each. The first band was assigned to Bron. He did not approve of the expedition any more than at first, and his heart was sad, for he thought his tribe was marching to certain death. But, as they were determined to fight, he resolved to go with them, and do his best. It was better to die with them than to live alone. Kruge lived a long distance from the castle, and, as the dwarfs had to rest most of the day, it was late in the second night when they drew near the great cave where the giant dwelt. Fortune favored them, for Kruge lay outside of the cave stretched upon the ground fast asleep. He did not hear the delicate footfalls of the tiny creatures who had come to him with such evil intent, and they could easily tie him down without awaking him. But the dwarfs saw that their small cords would avail nothing when the giant did awake. He would snap them in a minute. And the probability was that as soon as they commenced sawing at his throat to cut his head off he would wake up. What would become of them then? He could crush half a dozen of them with one hand. His size too, was appalling! They had forgotten he was so _very_ big when they sent the king word they would cut off his head. While they whispered these things to each other, and became more frightened every moment, Bron tried to rally them into some sort of order, and some show of courage.