第18章

Hisstrangedeath，whichnoonecouldexplain，madeagreatsensationthroughoutthecountry，andthefuneralhispeoplegavehimwasthemostsplendideverknown。Whenitwasover，IlianesummonedFet—Frunersbeforeher，andaddressedhimthus:

’Fet—Fruners！itisyouwhobroughtmeandhavesavedmylife，andobeyedmywishes。Itisyouwhogavemebackmystud;youwhokilledthegenius，andtheoldwitchhismother;youwhobroughtmetheholywater。Andyou，andnoneother，shallbemyhusband。’

’Yes，Iwillmarryyou，’saidtheyoungman，withavoicealmostassoftaswhenhewasaprincess。’ButknowthatinOURhouse，itwillbethecockwhosingsandnotthehen！’

[FromSeptContesRoumains，JulesBrunandLeoBachelin。]

THESTORYOFHALFMAN

Inacertaintowntherelivedajudgewhowasmarriedbuthadnochildren。Onedayhewasstandinglostinthoughtbeforehishouse，whenanoldmanpassedby。

’Whatisthematter，sir，saidhe，’youlooktroubled？’

’Oh，leavemealone，mygoodman！’

’Butwhatisit？’persistedtheother。

’Well，Iamsuccessfulinmyprofessionandapersonofimportance，butIcarenothingforitall，asIhavenochildren。’

Thentheoldmansaid，’Herearetwelveapples。Ifyourwifeeatsthem，shewillhavetwelvesons。’

Thejudgethankedhimjoyfullyashetooktheapples，andwenttoseekhiswife。’Eattheseapplesatonce，’hecried，’andyouwillhavetwelvesons。’

Soshesatdownandateelevenofthem，butjustasshewasinthemiddleofthetwelfthhersistercamein，andshegaveherthehalfthatwasleft。

Theelevensonscameintotheworld，strongandhandsomeboys;

butwhenthetwelfthwasborn，therewasonlyhalfofhim。

By—and—bytheyallgrewintomen，andonedaytheytoldtheirfatheritwashightimehefoundwivesforthem。’Ihaveabrother，’heanswered，’wholivesawayintheEast，andhehastwelvedaughters;goandmarrythem。’Sothetwelvesonssaddledtheirhorsesandrodefortwelvedays，tilltheymetanoldwoman。

’Goodgreetingtoyou，youngmen！’saidshe，’wehavewaitedlongforyou，youruncleandI。Thegirlshavebecomewomen，andaresought，inmarriagebymany，butIknewyouwouldcomeoneday，andIhavekeptthemforyou。Followmeintomyhouse。’

Andthetwelvebrothersfollowedhergladly，andtheirfather’sbrotherstoodatthedoor，andgavethemmeatanddrink。Butatnight，wheneveryonewasasleep，Halfmancreptsoftlytohisbrothers，andsaidtothem，’Listen，allofyou！Thismanisnouncleofours，butanogre。’

’Nonsense;ofcourseheisouruncle，’answeredthey。

’Well，thisverynightyouwillsee！’saidHalfman。Andhedidnotgotobed，buthidhimselfandwatched。

Nowinalittlewhilehesawthewifeoftheogrestealintotheroomontiptoeandspreadaredclothoverthebrothersandthengoandcoverherdaughterswithawhitecloth。Afterthatshelaydownandwassoonsnoringloudly。WhenHalfmanwasquitesureshewassoundasleep，hetooktheredclothfromhisbrothersandputitonthegirls，andlaidtheirwhiteclothoverhisbrothers。Nexthedrewtheirscarletcapsfromtheirheadsandexchangedthemfortheveilswhichtheogre’sdaughterswerewearing。Thiswashardlydonewhenheheardstepscomingalongthefloor，sohehidhimselfquicklyinthefoldsofacurtain。

Therewasonlyhalfofhim！

Theogresscameslowlyandgentlyalong，stretchingoutherhandsbeforeher，sothatshemightnotfallagainstanythingunawares，forshehadonlyatinylanternslungatherwaist，whichdidnotgivemuchlight。Andwhenshereachedtheplacewherethesisterswerelying，shestoopeddownandheldacorneroftheclothuptothelantern。Yes！itcertainlywasred！Still，tomakesurethattherewasnomistake，shepassedherhandslightlyovertheirheads，andfeltthecapsthatcoveredthem。Thenshewasquitecertainthebrotherslaysleepingbeforeher，andbegantokillthemonebyone。AndHalfmanwhisperedtohisbrothers，’Getupandrunforyourlives，astheogressiskillingherdaughters。’Thebrothersneedednosecondbidding，andinamomentwereoutofthehouse。

Bythistimetheogresshadslainallherdaughtersbutone，whoawokesuddenlyandsawwhathadhappened。’Mother，whatareyoudoing？’criedshe。’Doyouknowthatyouhavekilledmysisters？’

’Oh，woeisme！’wailedtheogress。’Halfmanhasoutwittedmeafterall！’Andsheturnedtowreakvengeanceonhim，butheandhisbrotherswerefaraway。

Theyrodealldaytilltheygottothetownwheretheirrealunclelived，andinquiredthewaytohishouse。

’Whyhaveyoubeensolongincoming？’askedhe，whentheyhadfoundhim。

’Oh，dearuncle，wewereverynearlynotcomingatall！’repliedthey。’WefellinwithanogresswhotookushomeandwouldhavekilledusifithadnotbeenforHalfman。Heknewwhatwasinhermindandsavedus，andhereweare。Nowgiveuseachadaughtertowife，andletusreturnwhencewecame。’

’Takethem！’saidtheuncle;’theeldestfortheeldest，thesecondforthesecond，andsoontotheyoungest。’

ButthewifeofHalfmanwastheprettiestofthemall，andtheotherbrotherswerejealousandsaidtoeachother:’What，ishewhoisonlyhalfamantogetthebest？Letusputhimtodeathandgivehiswifetooureldestbrother！’Andtheywaitedforachance。

Aftertheyhadallridden，incompanywiththeirbrides，forsomedistance，theyarrivedatabrook，andoneofthemasked，’Now，whowillgoandfetchwaterfromthebrook？’

’Halfmanistheyoungest，’saidtheelderbrother，’hemustgo。’

SoHalfmangotdownandfilledaskinwithwater，andtheydrewitupbyaropeanddrank。Whentheyhaddonedrinking，Halfman，whowasstandinginthemiddleofthestream，calledout:’Throwmetheropeanddrawmeup，forIcannotgetoutalone。’Andthebrothersthrewhimaropetodrawhimupthesteepbank;butwhenhewashalf—wayuptheycuttherope，andhefellbackintothestream。Thenthebrothersrodeawayasfastastheycould，withhisbride。

Halfmansankdownunderthewaterfromtheforceofthefall，butbeforehetouchedthebottomafishcameandsaidtohim，’Fearnothing，Halfman;Iwillhelpyou。’Andthefishguidedhimtoashallowplace，sothathescrambledout。Onthewayitsaidtohim，’Doyouunderstandwhatyourbrothers，whomyousavedfromdeath，havedonetoyou？’

’Yes;butwhatamItodo？’askedHalfman。

’Takeoneofmyscales，’saidthefish，’andwhenyoufindyourselfindanger，throwitinthefire。ThenIwillappearbeforeyou。’

’Thankyou，’saidHalfman，andwenthisway，whilethefishswambacktoitshome。

ThecountrywasstrangetoHalfman，andhewanderedaboutwithoutknowingwherehewasgoing，tillhesuddenlyfoundtheogressstandingbeforehim。’Ah，Halfman，haveIgotyouatlast？Youkilledmydaughtersandhelpedyourbrotherstoescape。WhatdoyouthinkIshalldowithyou？’

’Whateveryoulike！’saidHalfman。

’Comeintomyhouse，then，’saidtheogress，andhefollowedher。

’Lookhere！’shecalledtoherhusband，’IhavegotholdofHalfman。Iamgoingtoroasthim，sobequickandmakeupthefire！’

Sotheogrebroughtwood，andheapedituptilltheflamesroaredupthechimney。Thenheturnedtohiswifeandsaid:’Itisallready，letusputhimon！’

’Whatisthehurry，mygoodogre？’askedHalfman。’Youhavemeinyourpower，andIcannotescape。Iamsothinnow，Ishallhardlymakeonemouthful。Betterfattenmeup;youwillenjoymemuchmore。’

’Thatisaverysensibleremark，’repliedtheogre;’butwhatfattensyouquickest？’

’Butter，meat，andredwine，’answeredHalfman。

’Verygood;wewilllockyouintothisroom，andhereyoushallstaytillyouarereadyforeating。’

SoHalfmanwaslockedintotheroom，andtheogreandhiswifebroughthimhisfood。Attheendofthreemonthshesaidtohisgaolers:’NowIhavegotquitefat;takemeout，andkillme。’

’Getout，then！’saidtheogre。

’But，’wentonHalfman，’youandyourwifehadbettergotoinviteyourfriendstothefeast，andyourdaughtercanstayinthehouseandlookafterme！’

’Yes，thatisagoodidea，’answeredthey。

’Youhadbetterbringthewoodinhere，’continuedHalfman，’andIwillsplititupsmall，sothattheremaybenodelayincookingme。’

SotheogressgaveHalfmanapileofwoodandanaxe，andthensetoutwithherhusband，leavingHalfmanandherdaughterbusyinthehouse。

Afterhehadchoppedforalittlewhilehecalledtothegirl，’Comeandhelpme，orelseIshan’thaveitallreadywhenyourmothergetsback。’

’Allright，’saidshe，andheldabilletofwoodforhimtochop。

Butheraisedhisaxeandcutoffherhead，andranawaylikethewind。By—and—bytheogreandhiswifereturnedandfoundtheirdaughterlyingwithoutherhead，andtheybegantocryandsob，saying，’ThisisHalfman’swork，whydidwelistentohim？’ButHalfmanwasfaraway。

Whenheescapedfromthehouseheranonstraightbeforehimforsometime，lookingforasafeshelter，asheknewthattheogre’slegsweremuchlongerthanhis，andthatitwashisonlychance。

Atlasthesawanirontowerwhichheclimbedup。Soontheogreappeared，lookingrightandleftlesthispreyshouldbeshelteringbehindarockortree，buthedidnotknowHalfmanwassoneartillheheardhisvoicecalling，’Comeup！comeup！youwillfindmehere！’

’ButhowcanIcomeup？’saidtheogre，’Iseenodoor，andI

couldnotpossiblyclimbthattower。’

’Oh，thereisnodoor，’repliedHalfman。

’Thenhowdidyouclimbup？’

’Afishcarriedmeonhisback。’

’AndwhatamItodo？’

’Youmustgoandfetchallyourrelations，andtellthemtobringplentyofsticks;thenyoumustlightafire，andletitburntillthetowerbecomesredhot。Afterthatyoucaneasilythrowitdown。’

’Verygood，’saidtheogre，andhewentroundtoeveryrelationhehad，andtoldthemtocollectwoodandbringittothetowerwhereHalfmanwas。Themendidastheywereordered，andsoonthetowerwasglowinglikecoral，butwhentheyflungthemselvesagainstittooverthrowit，theycaughtthemselvesonfireandwereburnttodeath。AndoverheadsatHalfman，laughingheartily。Buttheogre’swifewasstillalive，forshehadtakennopartinkindlingthefire。

’Oh，’sheshriekedwithrage，’youhavekilledmydaughtersandmyhusband，andallthemenbelongingtome;howcanIgetatyoutoavengemyself？’

’Oh，thatiseasyenough，’saidHalfman。’Iwillletdownarope，andifyoutieittightlyroundyou，Iwilldrawitup。’

’Allright，’returnedtheogress，fasteningtheropewhichHalfmanletdown。’Nowpullmeup。’

’Areyousureitissecure？’

’Yes，quitesure。’

’Don’tbeafraid。’

’Oh，Iamnotafraidatall！’

SoHalfmanslowlydrewherup，andwhenshewasnearthetopheletgotherope，andshefelldownandbrokeherneck。ThenHalfmanheavedagreatsighandsaid，’Thatwashardwork;theropehashurtmyhandsbadly，butnowIamridofherforever。’

SoHalfmancamedownfromthetower，andwenton，tillhegottoadesertplace，andashewasverytired，helaydowntosleep。

Whileitwasstilldark，anogresspassedby，andshewokehimandsaid，’Halfman，to—morrowyourbrotheristomarryyourwife。’

’Oh，howcanIstopit？’askedhe。’Willyouhelpme？’

’Yes，Iwill，’repliedtheogress。

’Thankyou，thankyou！’criedHalfman，kissingherontheforehead。’Mywifeisdearertomethananythingelseintheworld，anditisnotmybrother’sfaultthatIamnotdeadlongago。’

’Verywell，Iwillridyouofhim，’saidtheogress，’butonlyononecondition。Ifaboyisborntoyou，youmustgivehimtome！’

’Oh，anything，’answeredHalfman，’aslongasyoudelivermefrommybrother，andgetmemywife。’

’Mountonmyback，then，andinaquarterofanhourweshallbethere。’

Theogresswasasgoodasherword，andinafewminutestheyarrivedattheoutskirtsofthetownwhereHalfmanandhisbrotherslived。Hereshelefthim，whileshewentintothetownitself，andfoundtheweddingguestsjustleavingthebrother’shouse。Unnoticedbyanyone，theogresscreptintoacurtain，changingherselfintoascorpion，andwhenthebrotherwasgoingtogetintobed，shestunghimbehindtheear，sothathefelldeadwherehestood。ThenshereturnedtoHalfmanandtoldhimtogoandclaimhisbride。Hejumpeduphastilyfromhisseat，andtooktheroadtohisfather’shouse。Ashedrewnearheheardsoundsofweepingandlamentations，andhesaidtoamanhemet:’Whatisthematter？’

’Thejudge’seldestsonwasmarriedyesterday，anddiedsuddenlybeforenight。’

’Well，’thoughtHalfman，’myconscienceisclearanyway，foritisquiteplainhecovetedmywife，andthatiswhyhetriedtodrownme。’Hewentatoncetohisfather’sroom，andfoundhimsittingintearsonthefloor。’Dearfather，’saidHalfman，’areyounotgladtoseeme？Youweepformybrother，butIamyoursontoo，andhestolemybridefrommeandtriedtodrownmeinthebrook。Ifheisdead，Iatleastamalive。’

’No，no，hewasbetterthanyou！’moanedthefather。

’Why，dearfather？’

’Hetoldmeyouhadbehavedveryill，’saidhe。

’Well，callmybrothers，’answeredHalfman，’asIhaveastorytotellthem。’Sothefathercalledthemallintohispresence。

ThenHalfmanbegan:’Afterweweretwelvedays’journeyfromhome，wemetanogress，whogaveusgreetingandsaid，"Whyhaveyoubeensolongcoming？Thedaughtersofyourunclehavewaitedforyouinvain，"andshebadeusfollowhertothehouse，saying，"Nowthereneedbenomoredelay;youcanmarryyourcousinsassoonasyouplease，andtakethemwithyoutoyourownhome。"ButIwarnedmybrothersthatthemanwasnotouruncle，butanogre。

’Whenwelaydowntosleep，shespreadaredclothoverus，andcoveredherdaughterswithawhiteone;butIchangedthecloths，andwhentheogresscamebackinthemiddleofthenight，andlookedatthecloths，shemistookherowndaughtersformybrothers，andkilledthemonebyone，allbuttheyoungest。ThenIwokemybrothers，andweallstolesoftlyfromthehouse，andwerodelikethewindtoourrealuncle。

’Andwhenhesawus，hebadeuswelcome，andmarriedustohistwelvedaughters，theeldesttotheeldest，andsoontome，whosebridewastheyoungestofallandalsotheprettiest。Andmybrotherswerefilledwithenvy，andleftmetodrowninabrook，butIwassavedbyafishwhoshowedmehowtogetout。

Now，youareajudge！Whodidwell，andwhodidevil——Iormybrothers？’

’Isthisstorytrue？’saidthefather，turningtohissons。

’Itistrue，myfather，’answeredthey。’ItisevenasHalfmanhassaid，andthegirlbelongstohim。’

ThenthejudgeembracedHalfmanandsaidtohim:’Youhavedonewell，myson。Takeyourbride，andmayyoubothlivelongandhappilytogether！’

AttheendoftheyearHalfman’swifehadason，andnotlongaftershecameonedayhastilyintotheroom。andfoundherhusbandweeping。’Whatisthematter？’sheasked。

’Thematter？’saidhe。

’Yes，whyareyouweeping？’

’Because，’repliedHalfman，’thebabyisnotreallyours，butbelongstoanogress。’

’Areyoumad？’criedthewife。’Whatdoyoumeanbytalkinglikethat？’

’Ipromised，’saidHalfman，’whensheundertooktokillmybrotherandtogiveyoutome，thatthefirstsonwehadshouldbehers。’

’Andwillshetakehimfromusnow？’saidthepoorwoman。

’No，notquiteyet，’repliedHalfman;’whenheisbigger。’

’Andisshetohaveallourchildren？’askedshe。

’No，onlythisone，’returnedHalfman。

Daybydaytheboygrewbigger，andonedayashewasplayinginthestreetwiththeotherchildren，theogresscameby。’Gotoyourfather，’shesaid，’andrepeatthisspeechtohim:"Iwantmyforfeit;whenamItohaveit？"’

’Allright，’repliedthechild，butwhenhewenthomeforgotallaboutit。Thenextdaytheogresscameagain，andaskedtheboywhatanswerthefatherhadgiven。’Iforgotallaboutit，’saidhe。

’Well，putthisringonyourfinger，andthenyouwon’tforget。’

’Verywell，’repliedtheboy，andwenthome。

Thenextmorning，ashewasatbreakfast，hismothersaidtohim，’Child，wheredidyougetthatring？’

’Awomangaveittomeyesterday，andshetoldme，father，totellyouthatshewantedherforfeit，andwhenwasshetohaveit？’

Thenhisfatherburstintotearsandsaid，’Ifshecomesagainyoumustsaytoherthatyourparentsbidhertakeherforfeitatonce，anddepart。’

Atthistheybothbegantoweepafresh，andhismotherkissedhim，andputonhisnewclothesandsaid，’Ifthewomanbidsyoutofollowher，youmustgo，’buttheboydidnotheedhergrief，hewassopleasedwithhisnewclothes。Andwhenhewentout，hesaidtohisplay—fellows，’LookhowsmartIam;Iamgoingawaywithmyaunttoforeignlands。’

Atthatmomenttheogresscameupandaskedhim，’Didyougivemymessagetoyourfatherandmother？’

’Yes，dearaunt，Idid。’

’Andwhatdidtheysay？’

’Takeitawayatonce！’

Soshetookhim。

Butwhendinner—timecame，andtheboydidnotreturn，hisfatherandmotherknewthathewouldnevercomeback，andtheysatdownandweptallday。AtlastHalfmanroseupandsaidtohiswife，’Becomforted;wewillwaitayear，andthenIwillgototheogressandseetheboy，andhowheiscaredfor。’

’Yes，thatwillbethebest，’saidshe。

Theyearpassedaway，thenHalfmansaddledhishorse，androdetotheplacewheretheogresshadfoundhimsleeping。Shewasnotthere，butnotknowingwhattodonext，hegotoffhishorseandwaited。Aboutmidnightshesuddenlystoodbeforehim。

’Halfman，whydidyoucomehere？’saidshe。

’IhaveaquestionIwanttoaskyou。’

’Well，askit;butIknowquitewellwhatitis。YourwifewishesyoutoaskwhetherIshallcarryoffyoursecondsonasI

didthefirst。’

’Yes，thatisit，’repliedHalfman。Thenheseizedherhandandsaid，’Oh，letmeseemyson，andhowhelooks，andwhatheisdoing。’

Theogresswassilent，butstuckherstaffhardintheearth，andtheearthopened，andtheboyappearedandsaid，’Dearfather，haveyoucometoo？’Andhisfatherclaspedhiminhisarms，andbegantocry。Buttheboystruggledtobefree，saying’Dearfather，putmedown。Ihavegotanewmother，whoisbetterthantheoldone;andanewfather，whoisbetterthanyou。’

Thenhisfathersathimdownandsaid，’Goinpeace，myboy，butlistenfirsttome。Tellyourfathertheogreandyourmothertheogress，thatnevermoreshalltheyhaveanychildrenofmine。’

’Allright，’repliedtheboy，andcalled’Mother！’

’Whatisit？’

’Youarenevertotakeawayanymoreofmyfatherandmother’schildren！’

’NowthatIhavegotyou，Idon’twantanymore，’answeredshe。

Thentheboyturnedtohisfatherandsaid，’Goinpeace，dearfather，andgivemymothergreetingandtellhernottobeanxiousanymore，forshecankeepallherchildren。’

AndHalfmanmountedhishorseandrodehome，andtoldhiswifeallhehadseen，andthemessagesentbyMohammed——MohammedthesonofHalfman，thesonofthejudge。

[MarchenundGedichteausderStadtTripolis。HansvonStumme。]

THEPRINCEWHOWANTEDTOSEETHEWORLD

Therewasonceakingwhohadonlyoneson，andthisyoungmantormentedhisfatherfrommorningtillnighttoallowhimtotravelinfarcountries。Foralongtimethekingrefusedtogivehimleave;butatlast，weariedout，hegrantedpermission，andorderedhistreasurertoproducealargesumofmoneyfortheprince’sexpenses。Theyouthwasoverjoyedatthethoughtthathewasreallygoingtoseetheworld，andaftertenderlyembracinghisfatherhesetforth。

Herodeonforsomeweekswithoutmeetingwithanyadventures;

butonenightwhenhewasrestingataninn，hecameacrossanothertraveller，withwhomhefellintoconversation，inthecourseofwhichthestrangerinquiredifheneverplayedcards。

Theyoungmanrepliedthathewasveryfondofdoingso。Cardswerebrought，andinaveryshorttimetheprincehadlosteverypennyhepossessedtohisnewacquaintance。Whentherewasabsolutelynothingleftatthebottomofthebag，thestrangerproposedthattheyshouldhavejustonemoregame，andthatiftheprincewonheshouldhavethemoneyrestoredtohim，butincasehelost，shouldremainintheinnforthreeyears，andbesidesthatshouldbehisservantforanotherthree。Theprinceagreedtothoseterms，played，andlost;sothestrangertookroomsforhim，andfurnishedhimwithbreadandwatereverydayforthreeyears。

Theprincelamentedhislot，butitwasnouse;andattheendofthreeyearshewasreleasedandhadtogotothehouseofthestranger，whowasreallythekingofaneighbouringcountry，andbehisservant。Beforehehadgoneveryfarhemetawomancarryingachild，whichwascryingfromhunger。Theprincetookitfromher，andfeditwithhislastcrustofbreadandlastdropofwater，andthengaveitbacktoitsmother。Thewomanthankedhimgratefully，andsaid:

’Listen，mylord。Youmustwalkstraightontillyounoticeaverystrongscent，whichcomesfromagardenbythesideoftheroad。Goinandhideyourselfclosetoatank，wherethreedoveswillcometobathe。Asthelastonefliespastyou，catchholdofitsrobeoffeathers，andrefusetogiveitbacktillthedovehaspromisedyouthreethings。’

Theyoungmandidashewastold，andeverythinghappenedasthewomanhadsaid。Hetooktherobeoffeathersfromthedove，whogavehiminexchangeforitaring，acollar，andoneofitsownplumes，saying:’Whenyouareinanytrouble，cry"Cometomyaid，Odove！"Iamthedaughterofthekingyouaregoingtoserve，whohatesyourfatherandmadeyougambleinordertocauseyourruin。’

Thustheprincewentonhisway，andincourseoftimehearrivedattheking’spalace。Assoonashismasterknewhewasthere，theyoungmanwassentforintohispresence，andthreebagswerehandedtohimwiththesewords:

’Takethiswheat，thismillet，andthisbarley，andsowthematonce，sothatImayhaveloavesofthemallto—morrow。’

Theprincestoodspeechlessatthiscommand，butthekingdidnotcondescendtogiveanyfurtherexplanation，andwhenhewasdismissedtheyoungmanflewtotheroomwhichhadbeensetasideforhim，andpullingouthisfeather，hecried:’Dove，dove！bequickandcome。’

’Whatisit？’saidthedove，flyinginthroughtheopenwindow，andtheprincetoldherofthetaskbeforehim，andofhisdespairatbeingunabletoaccomplishit。’Fearnothing;itwillbeallright，’repliedthedove，assheflewawayagain。

Thenextmorningwhentheprinceawokehesawthethreeloavesstandingbesidehisbed。Hejumpedupanddressed，andhewasscarcelyreadywhenapagearrivedwiththemessagethathewastogoatonceintotheking’schamber。Takingtheloavesinhisarmhefollowedtheboy，and，bowinglow，laidthemdownbeforetheking。Themonarchlookedattheloavesforamomentwithoutspeaking，thenhesaid:

’Good。Themanwhocandothiscanalsofindtheringwhichmyeldestdaughterdroppedintothesea。’

Theprincehastenedbacktohisroomandsummonedthedove，andwhensheheardthisnewcommandshesaid:’Nowlisten。

To—morrowtakeaknifeandabasinandgodowntotheshoreandgetintoaboatyouwillfindthere。’

Theyoungmandidnotknowwhathewastodowhenhewasintheboatorwherehewastogo，butasthedovehadcometohisrescuebefore，hewasreadytoobeyherblindly。

Whenhereachedtheboathefoundthedoveperchedononeofthemasts，andatasignalfromherheputtosea;thewindwasbehindthemandtheysoonlostsightofland。Thedovethenspokeforthefirsttimeandsaid，’Takethatknifeandcutoffmyhead，butbecarefulthatnotasingledropofbloodfallstotheground。Afterwardsyoumustthrowitintothesea。’

Wonderingatthisstrangeorder，theprincepickeduphisknifeandseveredthedove’sheadfromherbodyatonestroke。A

littlewhileafteradoverosefromthewaterwitharinginitsbeak，andlayingitintheprince’shand，dabbleditselfwiththebloodthatwasinthebasin，whenitsheadbecamethatofabeautifulgirl。Anothermomentandithadvanishedcompletely，andtheprincetooktheringandmadehiswaybacktothepalace。

Thekingstaredwithsurpriseatthesightofthering，buthethoughtofanotherwayofgettingridoftheyoungmanwhichwassurereventhantheothertwo。

’Thiseveningyouwillmountmycoltandridehimtothefield，andbreakhiminproperly。’

Theprincereceivedthiscommandassilentlyashehadreceivedtherest，butnosoonerwasheinhisroomthanhecalledforthedove，whosaid:’Attendtome。Myfatherlongstoseeyoudead，andthinkshewillkillyoubythismeans。Hehimselfisthecolt，mymotheristhesaddle，mytwosistersarethestirrups，andIamthebridle。Donotforgettotakeagoodclub，tohelpyouindealingwithsuchacrew。’

Sotheprincemountedthecolt，andgavehimsuchabeatingthatwhenhecametothepalacetoannouncethattheanimalwasnowsomeekthatitcouldberiddenbythesmallestchild，hefoundthekingsobruisedthathehadtobewrappedinclothsdippedinvinegar，themotherwastoostifftomove，andseveralofthedaughters’ribswerebroken。Theyoungest，however，wasquiteunharmed。Thatnightshecametotheprinceandwhisperedtohim:

’Nowthattheyareallintoomuchpaintomove，wehadbetterseizeourchanceandrunaway。Gotothestableandsaddletheleanesthorseyoucanfindthere。’Buttheprincewasfoolishenoughtochoosethefattest:andwhentheyhadstartedandtheprincesssawwhathehaddone，shewasverysorry，forthoughthishorseranlikethewind，theotherflashedlikethought。

However，itwasdangeroustogoback，andtheyrodeonasfastasthehorsewouldgo。