battles, sieges, and the means
to conquer or surprise a foe. He was above the common sports of
children, but hardly any one could equal him at wrestling; or, if he
met with a match for himself in strength, his skill and address always
made him the victor.

In those days there lived on St. Michael's Mount, of Cornwall, which
rises out of the sea at some distance from the main-land, a huge
giant. He was eighteen feet high and three yards round, and his fierce
and savage looks were the terror of all his neighbors. He dwelt in a
gloomy cavern on the very top of the mountain, and used to wade over
to the main-land in search of his prey. When he came near, the people
left their houses; and after he had glutted his appetite upon their
cattle he would throw half a dozen oxen upon his back, and tie three
times as many sheep and hogs round his waist, and so march back to his
own abode.

[Illustration: "I will broil you for my breakfast"]

The giant had done this for many years, and the coast of Cornwall was
greatly hurt by his thefts, when Jack boldly resolved to destroy him.
He therefore took a horn, a shovel, a pickaxe, and a dark lantern, and
early in a long winter's evening he swam to the Mount. There he fell
to work at once, and before morning he had dug a pit twenty-two feet
deep and almost as many broad. He covered it over with sticks and
straw, and strewed some of the earth over them, to make it look just
like solid ground. He then put his horn to his mouth, and blew such a
loud and long tantivy that the giant awoke and came towards Jack,
roaring like thunder: "You saucy villain, you shall pay dearly for
breaking my rest; I will broil you for my breakfast." He had scarcely
spoken these words when he came advancing one step farther; but then
he tumbled headlong into the pit, and his fall shook the very
mountain.

"Oho, Mr. Giant!" said Jack, looking into the pit, "have you found
your way so soon to the bottom? How is your appetite now? Will nothing
serve you for breakfast this cold morning but broiling poor Jack?"

The giant now tried to rise, but Jack struck him a blow on the crown
of the head with his pickaxe, which killed him at once. Jack then made
haste back to rejoice his friends with the news of the giant's death.
When the justices of Cornwall heard of this valiant action, they sent
for Jack, and declared that he should always be called Jack the
Giant-killer; and they also gave him a sword and belt, upon w