alfman was far away.

When he escaped from the house he ran on straight before him for some
time, looking for a safe shelter, as he knew that the ogre's legs were
much longer than his, and that it was his only chance. At last he saw
an iron tower which he climbed up. Soon the ogre appeared, looking right
and left lest his prey should be sheltering behind a rock or tree, but
he did not know Halfman was so near till he heard his voice calling,
'Come up! come up! you will find me here!'

'But how can I come up?' said the ogre, 'I see no door, and I could not
possibly climb that tower.'

'Oh, there is no door,' replied Halfman.

'Then how did you climb up?'

'A fish carried me on his back.'

'And what am I to do?'

'You must go and fetch all your relations, and tell them to bring plenty
of sticks; then you must light a fire, and let it burn till the tower
becomes red hot. After that you can easily throw it down.'

'Very good,' said the ogre, and he went round to every relation he had,
and told them to collect wood and bring it to the tower where Halfman
was. The men did as they were ordered, and soon the tower was glowing
like coral, but when they flung themselves against it to overthrow it,
they caught themselves on fire and were burnt to death. And overhead sat
Halfman, laughing heartily. But the ogre's wife was still alive, for she
had taken no part in kindling the fire.

'Oh,' she shrieked with rage, 'you have killed my daughters and my
husband, and all the men belonging to me; how can I get at you to avenge
myself?'

'Oh, that is easy enough,' said Halfman. 'I will let down a rope, and if
you tie it tightly round you, I will draw it up.'

'All right,' returned the ogress, fastening the rope which Halfman let
down. 'Now pull me up.'

'Are you sure it is secure?'

'Yes, quite sure.'

'Don't be afraid.'

'Oh, I am not afraid at all!'

So Halfman slowly drew her up, and when she was near the top he let go
the rope, and she fell down and broke her neck. Then Halfman heaved a
great sigh and said, 'That was hard work; the rope has hurt my hands
badly, but now I am rid of her for ever.'

So Halfman came down from the tower, and went on, till he got to a
desert place, and as he was very tired, he lay down to sleep. While
it was still dark, an ogress passed by, and she woke him and said,
'Halfman, to-morrow your brother is to marry your wife.'

'Oh, how can I stop it?' asked he. 'Will you help me?'

'Ye