Jack now took these four treasures and went on JACK THE
his way. GIANT
He travelled over high hills and moors, and came “KILLER
into a forest whence he heard cries issue. He
went in their direction, and saw a giant dragging
along a knight and his lady by the hair of their
heads. Jack alighted off his horse, tied him to an
oak-tree, then he put on his invisible cloak, under
which he carried the sword of sharpness.
When he came up to the giant he made several
strokes at him, but could not reach his body, but
wounded his legs in many places; and he con-
tinued hacking till he had cut through the leg
bones, and then down tumbled the giant, when he
at once ran his sword of sharpness into his body
and killed him.
The knight and his lady thanked Jack for their
deliverance, and invited him to their castle.
‘No,’ said Jack, ‘I cannot be satisfied until I have
found out the habitation of this monster.’
So he remounted his horse and rode away, and in
time came to a mountain. When he drew near
he saw bones lying about, and knew that he was
close to the dwelling of a giant. So he put on his
invisible cloak, and ascended the mountain till he
reached a cave, at the door of which sat a giant,
who was saying: ‘I wonder where my brother
can be. He promised to bring a good fat knight
and a plump lady for our day’s meal.’
The giant was a hideous monster, with eyes as
fierce as those of a wild boar; he had shaggy
cheeks and a long beard, the hairs of which were
like wire.
Jack walked up to him, and aimed a blow with
his sword, which cut off the giant’s nose. He
jumped up, yelling, and looked about him, but
could not see his adversary. Jack now sprang on
the giant’s seat, and aimed at his back, and pierced
him through, so that he uttered a groan ae died.
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