and your threats! I come determined to force the VALEN-
brazen gates of your castle and to set free your TINE AND
prisoners.’ ORSON
With these words he put spurs to his steed, and
aimed his trusty spear at the giant’s head. The first
thrust made the giant bleed, and he, in his turn,
aimed a desperate blow atthe knight. This happily
missed, and left Valentine an opportunity of attack-
ing the giant with his sword, which he did with the
greatest courage, aiming blow after blow, first on
one side, then on another, with the utmost agility
and skill. But at last the giant, mad with pain and
rage, saw that his adversary was beginning to flag,
and found opportunity to deal him a tremendous
blow with his mace, which laid both horse and
rider senseless on the ground. He now grinned a
hideous grin, and, stooping down, he was about
-to aim a second blow, exclaiming, ‘Now, caitiff,
breathe thy last.’ But before he could raise his
arm to strike, two tremendous blows descended
upon his own head, and the monster fell groaning
to the earth. These blows came from the knotty
club of Orson, who, seeing his friend’s danger, ran
up just in time to save him. The giant was dead;
and, with Orson’s care and attention, Valentine
soon began to recover.
They now began to search the giant’s castle,
both to set free his captives and to find the dwarf
who would give the promised explanation. As
they went through the gloomy apartments and
dungeons, they found the bones of many murdered
knights who had been overcome by the giant, and
at last, in a little dim cell lighted by one small
window, they found a lady lying on the ground
and bathed in tears. At their entrance she lifted
up her eyes and begged for mercy. Valentine
gently raised her, and assured her that they were
come to succour her, that the giant was killed,
and that the castle-gates were thrown open. They
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