Page:History of Jack and the giants (3).pdf/8

 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 fierce as the others had been, for he was a Welsh Giant, and what he did was by private and secret malice under the false shew of friendship, and Jack telling his Condition, he bid him welcome, shewing him a room with a bed in it, whereupon he might take his night's repose. Therefore Jack undressed himself, and as the Giant was walking away to another room, Jack heard him mutter these few words to himself.

Sayest thou so, quoth Jack, this is like one of your Welsh tricks, yet I hope to be cunning enough for you. Then getting out bed, he put a billet in his stead, and hid himself in the corner of the room and in the dead time of the night, the Welsh Giant came with his great knotty club, and struck several heavy blows upon the bed where Jack had laid the billet and then returned to his own chamber, supposing he had broken all the bones in his body.

In the morning Jack gave him hearty, thanks for his lodging. The Giant said to him, How have you rested? Did not you feel something in the night? Nothing, quoth Jack, but a rat which gave me three or four slaps with her tail. Soon after the Giant arose and went to breakfast with a bowel of hasty pudding containing near four gallons, giving Jack the like quantity; who being loth to let the Giant know he could not eat with him, got a large leather bag putting it very artfully under his great coat, into which