Page:History of Jack and the giants (2).pdf/4



N thoſe days the mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge monſtrous Giant, of 27 feet in height, and about three yards in compaſs, of a fierce and grim countenance, to the terror of all the neighbouring towns and villages. His habitation was in a cave in the midſt of all the mount, neither would he ſuffer any living creature to inhabit near him. His feeding was upon other mens cattle, which often became hiſ prey; for whenever he had occaſion for food, he would wade over the main land, where he would furniſh himſelf with whatever he could find. For the people at his approach would forſake their habitations. Then would he ſeize upon the cows and oxen, of which he would think nothing to carry over his back half a dozen at a time: and as for ſheep and hogs he would tie them round his waiſt like a bunch of bandeliers. This he had for many years practiſe in Cornwall, which was much impoveriſhed by him.

But one day Jack coming to the town Hall, when the magiſtrates were ſitting in conſultation about the Giant; he aſked them what reward they would give to any perſon that would deſtroy him? They anſwered, he ſhould have all the Giant's treaſure in recompenſe. Quoth Jack, then I myſelf will undertake the work.

having undertaken this taſk, he furniſhed himſelf with a horn, a ſhovel, and a pick-ax, and over to the mount he goes, in the beginning of a dark winter evening, where he fell to work, and before morning had digged a pit forty feet deep, and almoſt as broad, and covered the ſame over with long ſticks and ſtraw, then ſhewing a little of the mould upon it, ſo that appeared like plain ground.