had not been so cruel, this would never have HOP.O’-MY-
happened !’ THUMB
‘It is all the fault of those imps of boys,’ roared
the giant; ‘they stole my daughters’ crowns and
put their nightcaps on my daughters’ heads. I
will follow them and punish them. Go fetch me
my seven-league boots.

The woman obeyed, and the ogre, having put on
his seven-league boots, sallied forth and strode
over the country in search of the children.

But Hop-o’-my-Thumb was on the watch, perched
at the top of a poplar-tree, and when he saw the
giant stalking over mountains, and crossing rivers
at a single step, he descended, and said to his
brothers: ‘ Let us hide in this hole under a rock.’
He had observed the cavity before, and when his
brothers were all inside it, he covered it with
stones and boughs, and then hid himself under a
dock-leaf, for he was sure the giant would not
find so small a being as himself.

The ogre, who had been striding about in all
directions, was now tired with his journey, and
felt inclined to rest. It so chanced that he lay
down close by the very spot where the seven
children were concealed. As he was much ex-
hausted by going about the country search-
' ing for the boys, and in every direction but the
right one, he soon fell asleep, and began to snore
so loud that the little fugitives were terribly
frightened.

But Hop-o’-my-Thumb drew his brothers gently
out of the hollow, and bade them make haste
home while the giant slept, and not trouble them-
selves about him.

When they were gone, Hop-o’-my-Thumb crept
quietly to the ogre, and gently drew off his boots
and put them on his own legs. The seven-league
boots were fairy boots, and would adapt them-
selves to any size of foot, consequently they suited

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