Page:History of Jack the giant killer.pdf/8

 pulled with all his strength, until he had throttled them ; and then fastening the rope to the beam, turning towards the window, he beheld the two Giants to be black in their faces. Sliding down by the rope, he came close to their heads, where the helpless Giants could not defend themselves ; and drawing out his sword, slew them both, and delivered himself from their intended cruelty ; then taking out a bunch of keys, he unlocked the rooms, where, he found 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 husbondshusbands [sic].

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

Jack, 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. He took courage to knock at the gate, and to his great surprise, there came forth a monstrous Giant, having two heads ; yet he did not seem so fiery as the