250 JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK.

giant recovered sufficiently to walk slowly, or rather to reel,
after him: had he been sober, he must have overtaken Jack
instantly ; but, as he then was, Jack contrived to be first at
the top of the bean-stalk. The giant called after him in a voice
like thunder, and sometimes was very near him. ‘The moment

Jack got downthe bean-stalk, he
} called out for a hatchet; one was
~ brought him directly. Just at ‘that

instant the giant was beginning to

descend ; but Jack, with his hatchet,
7) cut the bean-stalk close off at the
root, which made the giant fall head-
long into the garden. ‘The fall kill-
ed him, thereby releasing the world
from a Larbarous enemy. Jack’s
mother was delighted when she saw the bean-stalk destroyed.
At this instant the fairy appeared : she first addressed Jack’s
mother, and explained every circumstance relating to the jour-
neys up the bean-stalk. The fairy charged Jack to be dutiful
to his mother, and to follow his father’s good example, which
was the only way to be happy. She then disappeared. Jack
heartily begged his mother’s pardon for all the sorrow and
afiliction he had caused her, promising most faithfully to be
very dutiful and obedient to her for the future.