152 HOP-0-MY-THUMB.

of the richest men in the kingdom. As for the Ogre, he fell
in his sleep from the corner of the rock where Hop-o’-my-
thumb and his brothers had left him, to the ground, and
bruised himself so much from head to foot, that he could not
stir: so he was forced to stretch himself out at full length, and
wait for some one to come and help him.

Now a good many faggot-makers passed near the place where
the Ogre lay ; and, when they heard him groan, they went up
to ask him what was the matter. But the Ogre had eaten
such a great number of children in his life-time, that he had
grown so very big and fat that these men could not even have
carried one of his legs ; so they were forced to Jeave him there.
At last night came on, and then a large serpent came out of a

 

wood just by, and stung him,so that he died in great pain.
Before this time Hop-o'-my-thumb had become the king’s
favourite; and as soon as ever he heard of the Ogre’s death, he
told his majesty all that the good-natured Ogress had done to
save the lives of himself and brothers. The king was so much
pleased at what he heard, that he asked Hop-o'-my-thumb if