They espied the Ogre , who went at one step from mountain to mountain , and over rivers as easily as the narrowest kennels . Little Thumb , seeing a hollow rock near the place where they were , made his brothers hide themselves in it , and crowded into it himself , minding always what would become of the Ogre . The Ogre , who found himself much tired with his long and fruitless journey -LRB- for these boots of seven leagues greatly fatigued the wearer -RRB- , had a great mind to rest himself , and , by chance , went to sit down upon the rock where the little boys had hid themselves . As it was impossible he could be more weary than he was , he fell asleep , and , after reposing himself some time , began to snore so frightfully that the poor children were no less afraid of him than when he held up his great knife and was going to cut their throats . Little Thumb was not so much frightened as his brothers , and told them that they should run away immediately toward home while the Ogre was asleep so soundly , and that they should not be in any pain about him . They took his advice , and got home presently . Little Thumb came up to the Ogre , pulled off his boots gently and put them on his own legs . The boots were very long and large , but , as they were fairies , they had the gift of becoming big and little , according to the legs of those who wore them ; so that they fitted his feet and legs as well as if they had been made on purpose for him . He went immediately to the Ogre 's house , where he saw his wife crying bitterly for the loss of the Ogre 's murdered daughters . `` Your husband , '' said Little Thumb , `` is in very great danger , being taken by a gang of thieves , who have sworn to kill him if he does not give them all his gold and silver . The very moment they held their daggers at his throat he perceived me , and desired me to come and tell you the condition he is in , and that you should give me whatsoever he has of value , without retaining any one thing ; for otherwise they will kill him without mercy ; and , as his case is very pressing , he desired me to make use -LRB- you see I have them on -RRB- of his boots , that I might make the more haste and to show you that I do not impose upon you . '' The good woman , being sadly frightened , gave him all she had : for this Ogre was a very good husband , though he used to eat up little children . Little Thumb , having thus got all the Ogre 's money , came home to his father 's house , where he was received with abundance of joy . There are many people who do not agree in this circumstance , and pretend that Little Thumb never robbed the Ogre at all , and that he only thought he might very justly , and with a safe conscience , take off his boots of seven leagues , because he made no other use of them but to run after little children . These folks affirm that they are very well assured of this , and the more as having drunk and eaten often at the fagot-maker 's house . They aver that when Little Thumb had taken off the Ogre 's boots he went to Court , where he was informed that they were very much in pain about a certain army , which was two hundred leagues off , and the success of a battle . He went , say they , to the King , and told him that , if he desired it , he would bring him news from the army before night . The King promised him a great sum of money upon that condition . Little Thumb was as good as his word , and returned that very same night with the news ; and , this first expedition causing him to be known , he got whatever he pleased , for the King paid him very well for carrying his orders to the army . After having for some time carried on the business of a messenger , and gained thereby great wealth , he went home to his father , where it was impossible to express the joy they were all in at his return .
He made the whole family very easy , bought places for his father and brothers , and , XXXXX that means , settled them very handsomely in the world , and , in the meantime , made his court to perfection .
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