Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 7, 1896.djvu/182

156 went in, and again took a little from each heap and loaded his donkey and went home.

On the third day he went back again, but this time took all from one heap; and when the ogres saw their loss they said: "We must set a watch to catch the thief," and left one of their number inside.

On the fourth day he went again and hid, to see the ogres go in and out; and when they came out he counted them, and there were only 39; but when he counted them backwards there were 40, and he said to himself: "It is all right," and went into the cave. The ogre was there watching for him, and fell upon him and slew him, and cutting him into 40 pieces, put a piece on each heap. When the other ogres came, their brother ran to meet them, and said : "I've caught the thief," and showed them the 40 pieces. "But didn't you ask his name first, and what village he lives in?" said they, and fell into a rage with him.

They resolved to dress up as Jews and to go round the villages selling rings and bracelets. It so chanced that one came to the old man's village and to his house. The eldest daughter heard him crying: "Rings to sell, bracelets to sell," and ran down. One bracelet pleased her very much; but she had no money to buy it with. So she went and brought the biggest diamond of all, and offered it in payment. Then the ogre knew who the thief was, and marked the door with paint, and went back and told the others.

Then they resolved that he should sew them up in bales, and pretend he was a merchant and go to seek shelter at that house. This was done. He came to the house, and begged to be allowed to leave his merchandise in the courtyard, and lie there himself that night. The three girls agreed, and took him upstairs and prepared dinner for him. The eldest cooked, the second served, the youngest kept the oven alight. They gave him a splendid dinner and lots of good wine, so that he grew drunk and fell asleep. The youngest daughter was keeping up a big fire in the