hur's son only desired of his father to furnish
him with a certain sum of money, that he might go and seek his fortune
in Wales, where a beautiful lady lived, whom he heard was possessed with
seven evil spirits; but the King, his father, advised him utterly
against it, yet he would not be persuaded of it; so he granted what he
requested, which was one horse loaded with money, and another for
himself to ride on. Thus he went forth without any attendants.

Now, after several days' travel, he came to a market town in Wales,
where he beheld a large concourse of people gathered together; the
King's son demanded the reason of it, and was told that they had
arrested a corpse for many large sums of money which the deceased owed
when he died. The King's son replied, "It is a pity that creditors
should be so cruel; go bury the dead, and let his creditors come to my
lodging, and their debts shall be discharged." Accordingly, they came in
great numbers, so that he left himself moneyless.

Now, Jack the Giant Killer being there and seeing the generosity of the
King's son, he was taken with him, and desired to be his servant; it was
agreed upon the next morning, when riding out at the town-end, the
King's son turning to Jack, said, "I cannot tell how I will subsist in
my intended journey."

"For that," quoth Jack, "take you no care; let me alone, I warrant you
we will not starve."

Now Jack, having a spell in his pocket, which served at noon for a
refreshment, when done they had not one penny left betwixt them. The
afternoon they spent in travel and discourse till the sun began to grow
low, at which time the King's son said, "Jack, since we have no money,
where can we think to lodge this night?"

Jack replied, "We'll do well enough, for I have an uncle living within
two miles of this; he is a monstrous Giant with three heads; he will
fight five hundred men in armour, and make them to fly before him."

"Alas!" saith the King's son, "what shall we do there; he will certainly
chop us both up at one mouthful!"

"It is no matter for that," quoth Jack; "I will go before and prepare
the way for you; tarry here."

He waits, and Jack rides full speed. When he came to the castle, he
knocked with such a force that he made all the neighbouring hills to
resound. The Giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out, "Who's
there?"

Jack answered, "None but your own cousin Jack. Dear uncle, heavy news,
God wot."

"Prithee, what heavy news