with two heads, having heard of the death of his JACK THE
brethren, was coming full of fury, and with great ss
strides; to take revenge. This news put a stop to ie
all mirth, and a shudder ran through the company.

Jack, nothing daunted, drew his sword of sharp-

ness, and said, ‘Let him come! Let the guests
assemble on the battlements of the castle and see

how I will deal with this fellow.’

To this they all agreed.

Now round the castle was a moat that was

very deep, and was crossed by a drawbridge to

the gates. Jack ordered this drawbridge to be

lowered, and set some men to saw the beams

nearly through. Then, putting on his invisible

cloak, and taking his sword, he went against the

giant, who was turning his noses—for he had two

—in every direction, and was snuffing the breeze

and saying—

‘Fee-fo-fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman.
Whether he be alive, or whether he be dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread.’

When Jack heard this he said: ‘You must catch
me first.’

“Where are you?’ asked the giant looking about.
Then Jack threw off his cloak of invisibility, and
put on his shoes of swiftness and ran. The giant
came pounding after him, making the earth shake
under his tramp. Jack made him run after him
three times round the castle, that the guests
might have a good sight of the monster. Then,
with a sudden dart, he crossed the drawbridge
and ran inat the gate. The giant at once pursued
him; but no sooner was he in the middle of the
bridge, than the beams that had been nearly sawn
through gave way, and he fell headlong into the
moat.

jack then ordered a strong rope to be brought

191