nd set off, taking with
him his cap of knowledge, his sword of sharpness, his shoes of
swiftness, and his invisible coat, the better to perform the great
exploits that might fall in his way. He went along over hills and
mountains, and on the third day he came to a wide forest. He had
hardly entered it when on a sudden he heard dreadful shrieks and
cries, and, forcing his way through the trees, saw a monstrous giant
dragging along by the hair of their heads a handsome knight and a
beautiful lady. Their tears and cries melted the heart of honest Jack;
he alighted from his horse, and, tying him to an oak-tree, put on his
invisible coat, under which he carried his sword of sharpness.

When he came up to the giant he made several strokes at him, but could
not reach his body on account of the enormous height of the terrible
creature; but he wounded his thighs in several places, and at length,
putting both hands to his sword, and aiming with all his might, he cut
off both the giant's legs just below the garter; and the trunk of his
body, tumbling to the ground, made not only the trees shake, but the
earth itself tremble with the force of his fall. Then Jack, setting
his foot upon his neck, exclaimed, "Thou barbarous and savage wretch,
behold, I come to execute upon thee the just reward for all thy
crimes," and instantly plunged his sword into the giant's body. The
huge monster gave a groan, and yielded up his life into the hands of
the victorious Jack the Giant-killer, while the noble knight and the
virtuous lady were both joyful spectators of his sudden death. They
not only returned Jack hearty thanks for their deliverance, but also
invited him to their house, to refresh himself after his dreadful
encounter, as likewise to receive a reward for his good services.

"No," said Jack, "I cannot be at ease till I find out the den that was
the monster's habitation."

The knight, on hearing this, grew very sorrowful, and replied: "Noble
stranger, it is too much to run a second hazard; this monster lived in
a den under yonder mountain, with a brother of his, more fierce and
cruel than himself; therefore, if you should go thither, and perish in
the attempt, it would be a heart-breaking thing to me and my lady; so
let me persuade you to go back with us, and desist from any further
pursuit."

"Nay," answered Jack, "if there be another, even if there were twenty,
I would shed the last drop of blood in my body before one of them
shoul