had no sword. All he had in his hand was a
holly-stick.

When they came in sight of the Grey Castle they saw the Giant
come rushing out of the gate. He was clad all in iron and he
had a sword in one hand and a spear in the other. The four
youths spread themselves out so that they might be able to
close round the Giant. But for all his bigness the Giant was
quick enough. He struck one of them with his spear and
brought him down on his knees. He struck the other with his
sword and brought him down on his side. He struck the other
with his iron-covered hand and brought him down on his back.
And all that was left now was Feet-in-the-Ashes with his
holly-stick.

What could a youth with a holly-stick in his hand do against
a Giant that had a spear and a sword in his hands and was
besides that all covered with iron? Feet-in-the-Ashes turned
and ran. He ran towards the Castle and went round it. And
when he was at the east side the Giant was at the North and
when he was at the south the Giant was at the East. Round and
round the Castle they went and the Giant with his strength
and his quickness was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes.

Feet-in-the-Ashes wanted something to fling at him. He took
the stone out of his pocket--the round black stone. He held
it in his hand. He made three circles in the air with it. He
flung the stone. It struck the Giant on the breast and the
iron rang as the stone struck it. Down fell the Giant.
Feet-in-the-Ashes ran off to where his companions lay. Many
times he looked back but he did not see the Giant following
him. The three youths were lying in their wounds and in
their pain. Feet-in-the Ashes took out his pot of balsam and
rubbed them all over. Their wounds healed. First one stood up
and then the second stood up and then the third stood up and
the three were whole and well. "Where is the Giant?" each of
them asked.

"Lying where he fell," said Feet-in-the-Ashes.

"And who threw him down?" said the first of the youths.

"I threw him down with a cast of a stone," said
Feet-in-the-Ashes.

"Let us go and see," said the second of the youths. They went
towards the west side of the Grey Castle like men following a
bear who might turn on them. The Giant was lying still. "He
is dead," said one, "He is dead indeed," said another. "He is