JACK AND THR BEAN-STALK, 243,

giant amused himself a long time with his hen; meanwhile
his wife went to bed. At length the giant fell asleep by the
fire-side, and snored like the roaring of a cannon. At day-
break, Jack finding the giant still .

asleep, and not likely to awaken soon,
crept softly out of his hiding-place,
seized the hen, and ran off with her.
He met with some difficulty in finding
his way out of the house, but at last
he reached the road with safety ; he
easily found the way to the bean-stalk,
and descended it better and quicker
than he expected. His mother was overjoyed to see hi
found her crying bitterly, and lamenting his hard fate, for she
concluded he had come to some shocking end through his
rashness, Jack was impatient to show his hen, and inform his
mother how valuable it was.“ And now, mother,” said Jack,
“1 have brought home that which will quickly make us rich ;
and I hope to make you some amends for the affliction I have
caused you through my idleness, extravagance, and folly.

‘The hen produced as many golden eggs as they desired ; they
sold them, and in a little time became possessed of as much
riches as they wanted, For some months Jack and his mother
lived very happily together; but he being very desirous of
travelling, recollecting the fairy’s commands, and fearing that if
he delayed, she would put her threats into execution, longed to
climb the bean-stalk, and pay the giant another visit, in order
to carry away some more of his treasures; for during the time
that Jack was in the giant’s mansion, whilst he lay concealed in
the oven, he learned from the conversation that took place
between the giant and his wife, that he possessed some wonder-

fal curiosities. Jack thought of his journey again and again,
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