Page:History of Thomas Hickathrift (1).pdf/17

17 This news was spread all up and down the country how Tom Hickathrift had killed the Giant, and well was he that could run or go to see the Giant and the cave; then all the folks made bonfires for joy; and Tom was better a respected man than before.

Tom took possession of the giant’s cave by consent of the whole company, and every one said he was deserved twice as much more; Tom pulled down the cave, built him a fine house where the cave stood; and the ground that the giant kept by force and strength, some of which he gave to the poor for their common, the rest he made pastures of and divided the most part into tillige, to maintain him and and his mother Jane Hickathrift.

Tom’s fame was spread both far and near through the country; and it was no longer Tom but Mr. Hickathrift; so that he was now the chiefest man among them; for the people feared Tom’s anger as much as they did the giant before Tom kept men and