Page:Jack the giant-killer.pdf/10

10 "Well, said the giant, "What news, cousin Jack," "Dear uncle," said Jack, "heavy news."—"Pooh!" said the giant, "what heavy news can come to me? I am a giant with three heads, and can fight five hundred men, and make them fly before me." "Alas!" said Jack, "here is the king's son coming with two thousand men to kill you, and to destroy the castle and all that you have.

"Oh! cousin Jack," said the giant, "this is heavy news indeed; but I have a large cellar under ground, where I will hide myself, and you shall lock, bolt, and bar me in, and keep the keys till the king's son is gone."

Now when Jack had made the giant fast in the vault, he went back and fetched the prince to the castle, and they both made themselves merry with the wine and other dainties that were in the house; so that night they rested very pleasantly, while the poor giant Jay trembling and shaking with fear in the cellar under ground. Early in the morning Jack gave the king's son gold and silver out of the giant's treasure, and set him three miles forward on his journey.

He then went back to let his uncle out of the hole, who asked Jack what he should give him as a reward for saving his castle. "Why, good uncle," said Jack, "I desire nothing but the old coat and cap, with the old rusty sword and slippers, that are hanging at your bed's head." "Then said the giant, "you shall have them; and pray keep them for my sake, for they are things of great use. The coat will keep you invisible; the cap will give you knowledge; the sword cut through anything; and the shoes are of vast swiftness these may be useful to you in all times danger; so take them with all my heart." Jack gave many