Page:History of Jack and the giants (1).pdf/10

 money, where can we think to lodge this night? Jack replied, master, well do well enough: for I have an uncle lives within two little miles of this: he's a huge and monstrous giant with three heads; he'll fight five hundred men in armour, and make them to fly before him. Alas! quoth the king's son, what shall we do there? he'll certainly chop us both up at one mouthful! nay, we are scarce enough to fill one of his hollow teeth. It is no matter for that quoth Jack, myself will go before, and prepare the way for you; therefore tarry here and wait my return.

He waits, and Jack rides full speed, when coming to the gate of the castle, he knocked with such a force, that he reads all the neighbouring hills to resound. The giant with a voice like thunder roared out who's there? He answered, none but your poor cousin Jack. Quoth he, what news with my poor cousin Jack? He replied, dear uncle, heavy news, God wot. Prithee, what heavy news can come to me? I am a giant with three heads, and besides thou knowest I can fight five hundred men in armour, and make them fly like chaff before the wind. Oh! but quoth Jack, here is the king's son coming with a thousand men in armour to kill you, and so to destroy all that you have. Oh! cousin Jack, this is heavy news indeed; I have a large vault under the ground, where I will immediately hide myself, and thou shalt lock, bolt and bar me in, and keep the keys until the king's son is gone.

Now Jack having secured the giant, he soon returned and fetched his master, and were both heartily mercy with the wine, and other dainties which were in the house; so that night they rested in very pleasant lodgings, while the poor uncle the giant lay trembling under ground.

Early in the morning Jack furnished his master with a fresh supply of gold and silver, and