or eighty bullets
out of an iron tube, in less time than Giant Bounce could fire with the
same instrument, I thought to myself, "O! if he can do this, he can do
anything."

The giant then went into a large field, and, pointing a cannon into a
high sand-bank, fired off a complete stream of cannon balls, enough, I
should think, to bring down a house, if not a church, to the very
ground. In short, I was quite frightened at his invention; and all that
I hope now is, that no one will give him the least encouragement in his
horrid undertaking.

Having now related what may appear to you rather a wonderful story, I
must proceed to tell you the real names of the five giants, though it is
by no means unlikely that you have already guessed them. The five
giants, Flare, Roar, Blow, Bounce, and Rush, are, then, neither more
nor less than the five gigantic powers, Fire, Water, Wind, Gunpowder,
and Steam; and, though I may have related their adventures and
achievements somewhat fancifully, if you will examine them you will find
that they are strictly true. The influence of these giant powers in the
world has been very great; and as your attention is now drawn to the
subject, you will, perhaps, be disposed to think upon it more than you
have hitherto done, connected so closely as it is with the comfort, the
luxury, the knowledge, and indeed, also, with the happiness and misery
of mankind. Had I been disposed, I might have made my relation much more
wonderful; but I trust you have received from it, as it is, some
amusement, and that it has not been altogether without instruction. It
may be long before you again hear a true story of five giants; you will
therefore do well to try to turn this one to advantage, and to inquire
what it is, in each case, that gives force to the power. For you ought
to understand that, in and with all the powers of nature, although man
is allowed to make much use of them, and often to set them in operation;
yet there is a greater Hand than his, though all unseen, which alone can
control them. Whenever, then, we see either the water or the fire, or
hear the wind, let us remember that these are so many elements which
God has intrusted to the use of man, and that for an abuse of their
capacities we shall be held accountable.

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