Page:History of Jack and the giants (1).pdf/7

 three fair ladies, tied by the hair of their heads, almost starved to death, who told Jack that their husbands were slain by the giant, and that they were kept many days without food, in order to force them to feed upon the flesh of their husbands, which they could not, though they should be starved to death.

Sweet ladies, quoth Jack. I have destroyed this monster and his brutish brother, by which I have obtainded your liberties. This said, he presented them with the keys of the castle, and so proceeded on his journey to Wales.

ACK having but very little money, thought it prudent to make the best of his way by travelling as fast as he could; but losing his road, was benighted, and could not get a place of entertainment, until he came to a valley placed between two hills, where stood a large house in a lonesome place, and by reason of his present condition, he took courage to knock at the gate, and to his surprise there came, forth a monstrous giant having two heads, yet he did not seem so fiery as the others had been for he was a Welch giant, and what he did was by private and secret malice, under the false show of friendship; Jack telling his condition, he bid him welcome, showing him a room and a bed in it, whereupon he might take this nights repose—Therefore Jack undressed himself, and as the giant was walking to another apartment. Jack heard him mutter to himself these words:—

Say'st thou so, quoth Jack, that is like one of