Page:History of Jack and the giants (4).pdf/3

 himſelf fool'd, truged away leaving Jack in a fit of laughter.

N thoſe days the monſtrous of Cornwall was kept by a Huge and 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 a Mount, neither would he ſuffer any leaving creature to inhabit near him; His feeding was upon other mens cattle, which often became his prey: for whenſoever he had occaſion for food, he would wade over to 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 ſeize upon their cows and oxen, of which he would make nothing to carry over on his back half a dozen at a time: and as for the Sheep and hogs, he would tye then round his waiſt like a bunch of bandeliers. This he for many years had practiſed in Cornwall, which was much impoveriſhed by him.

But one day Jack coming to the Town-Hall, when the Magiſtrates were fitting in conſternation about the Giant; he aſked them what reward they would give to any perſon that would deſtroy him? They anſwered. He ſhall have all the treaſure in recompence. Quoth Jack, then I myſelf will undertake the work.

Ack having undertaken this talk, he furniſhed himſelf with a horn, a ſhovel, and a pick-ax, and over to the Mount he goes, in the beginning