518 NURSERY RHYMES.

 

Do what you can to get away,

Or you’ll become the giant’s prey;
He’s gone to fetch his brother, who
Will kill and likewise torture you.

This warning, and the hideous tone in which it was delivered,
almost distracted poor Jack, who, going to the window and
opening a casement, beheld afar off the two giants approaching
towards the castle. “Now,” quoth Jack to himself, “my death
or my deliverance is at hand.” The event proved that his
anticipations were well founded, for the giants of those days,
however powerful, were at best very stupid fellows, and readily
conquered by stratagem, were it of the humblest kind. There
happened to be strong cords in the room in which Jack was
confined, two of which he took, and made a strong noose at the
end of each; and while the giant was unlocking the iron gate of
the castle, he threw the ropes over each of their heads, and then,
before the giants knew what he was about, he drew the other
ends across a beam, and, pulling with all his might, throttled
them till they were black in the face. Then, sliding down the
rope, he came to their heads, and as they could not defend
themselves, easily dispatched them with his sword. This business
so adroitly accomplished, Jack released the fair prisoners in the
castle, delivered the keys to them, and, like a true knight-errant,
continued his journey without condescending to improve the
condition of his purse.

This plan, however honourable, was not without its disadvan-
tages, and owitrg to his slender stock of money, he was obliged
to make the best of his way by travelling as hard as he could,