FIRESIDE STORIES. 5

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Here’s the right valiant Cornishman,
Who slew the Giant Cormelian.

The news of Jack’s victory, as might be expected, soon spread
over all the west of England; so that another giant, named
Thunderbore, hearing of it and entertaining a partiality for his
race, vowed to be revenged on the little hero, if ever it was his
fortune to light on him. This giant was the lord of an enchanted
castle situated in the midst of a lonely wood.

Now, Jack, about four months after his last exploit, walking
near this castle in his journey towards Wales, being weary, seated
himself near a pleasant fountain in the wood, “o’ercanopied with
lush woodbine,” and presently fell asleep. While he was en-
joying his repose, the giant, coming to the fountain for water, of
course discovered him, and recognized the hated individual by
the lines written on the belt. He immediately took Jack on his
shoulders, and carried him towards his enchanted castle.

Now, as they passed through a thicket, the rustling of the
boughs awakened Jack, who was uncomfortably surprised to find
himself in the clutches of the giant. His terror was not di-
minished when, on entering the castle, he saw the courtyard
strewed with human bones, the giant maliciously telling him his
own would ere long increase the hateful pile. After this
assurance, the cannibal locked poor Jack in an upper chamber,
leaving him there while he went to fetch another giant living in
the same wood, to keep him company in the anticipated de-
struction of their enemy. While he was gone, dreadful shrieks
and lamentations affrighted Jack, especially a voice which con-
tinually cried,