But the Wizard advanced and pounded upon it with his fist, saying in a loud voice, "Open!" At once there rose above the great wall a row of immense heads, all of which looked down at them as if to see who was intruding.

The size of these heads was astonishing, and our friends at once realized that they belonged to giants who were standing within the city.

All had thick, bushy hair and whiskers, on some the hair being white and on others black or red or yellow, while the hair of a few was just turning gray, showing that the giants were of all ages.

However fierce the heads might seem, the eyes were mild in expression, as if the creatures had been long subdued, and their faces expressed patience rather than ferocity.
"What's wanted ?" asked one old giant in a low, grumbling voice.
"We are strangers, and we wish to enter the city," replied the Wizard.
"Do you come in war or peace ?" asked another.
"In peace, of course," retorted the Wizard, and he added impatiently, "Do we look like an army of conquest ?" "No," said the first giant who had spoken, "you look like innocent tramps; but you never can tell by appearances.

Wait here until we report to our masters.