tiful tale, and requesting that she
would give him some victuals and drink, and also a night's lodging.

She told him (what he knew before very well) about her husband's being a
powerful and cruel giant; and also that she one night admitted a poor,
hungry, friendless boy, who was half-dead with travelling; that the
little ungrateful fellow had stolen one of the giant's treasures, and
ever since that her husband had used her very cruelly, and continually
upbraided her with being the cause of his loss. But at last she
consented and took him into the kitchen, where, after he had done
eating and drinking, she laid him in an old lumber closet. The giant
returned at the usual time, and walked in so heavily that the house was
shaken to the foundation. He seated himself by the fire, and soon after
exclaimed, "Wife, I smell fresh meat."

The wife replied, "It was the crows which had brought a piece of raw
meat, and left it on the top of the house."

The giant was very ill-tempered and impatient, continually crying for
his supper, like little Tom Tucker, and complaining of the loss of his
wonderful hen, which we verily believe he would have eaten, disregarding
the treasures which she produced. Jack therefore rejoiced that he had
not only got possession of the hen, but had in all probability saved her
precious life.

The giant's wife at last set supper on the table, and when he had eaten
till he was satisfied, he said to her--"I must have something to amuse
me, either my bags of money or my harp." Jack, as before, peeped out of
his hiding-place, and presently his wife brought two bags into the room,
one filled with gold and the other with silver.

They were both placed before the giant, who began reprimanding his wife
for staying so long. She replied, trembling with fear, that the bags
were so heavy that she could scarcely lift them, and adding that she had
nearly fainted owing to their weight.

The giant took his bags, and began to count their contents. First the
bag which contained the silver was emptied, and the contents placed on
the table. Jack viewed the glittering heaps with delight, and most
heartily wished the contents in his own possession. The giant (little
thinking he was so narrowly watched) reckoned the silver over several
times; and, having satisfied himself that all was safe, put it into the
bag again, which he made very secure.

The other bag was opened next, and the gold pieces placed on the table.
If Jac