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。