nd yielded up his life; while the noble Knight and his Lady
were joyful at their deliverance. They heartily thanked Jack for what
he had done, and invited him to their house to refresh himself.

"No," said Jack, "I cannot be at ease till I find out this monster's
dwelling."

The Knight, hearing this, grew sad, 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
to overthrow this wicked brother, it would be heart-breaking to me and
my lady; so let me persuade you to go with us, and desist from any
farther pursuit."

"Nay," said Jack, "even if there were twenty, I would shed the last
drop of my blood before one of them should escape me. When I have done
this task, I will return and visit you."

Jack had not rode a mile and a half before he came in sight of the
mouth of the cavern; and nigh the entrance of it he beheld the other
Giant sitting on a huge rock, with a knotted iron club in his hand,
waiting for his brother. His eyes flashed like flames of fire, his
face was grim, and his cheeks seemed like two flitches of bacon; the
bristles of his beard were as thick rods of iron wire; and his locks
of hair hung down like curling snakes. Jack alighted from his horse,
and turned him into a thicket; then he put on his invisible coat, and
drew a little nearer, to behold this figure; and said softly, "O
monster, are you there! it will not be long before I shall take you
fast by the beard."

[Illustration: The Giant's Brother awaiteth his return]

The Giant, all this while, could not see him, by reason of his
invisible coat: then Jack came quite close to him, and struck a blow
at his head with his sword of sharpness; but, missing his aim, only
cut off his nose, whilst the Giant roared like loud claps of thunder.
And though he rolled his glaring eyes round on every side, he could
not see who had given him the blow; yet he took up his iron club, and
began to lay about him like one that was mad.

"Nay," said Jack, "if this is the case, I will kill you at once."
So he slipped nimbly behind him, and jumping upon the rocky seat
as the Giant rose from it, he thrust his sword up to the hilt in
his body. After a hideous howling, the Giant dropped down dead.

When Jack had thus killed these two monsters, he searched their cave
for treasure. He p