Page:Jack the giant-killer.pdf/5

5 The news of Jack's exploit was soon spread over the western parts of England; and another giant, called Old Blunderbore, vowed to have his revenge on Jack, if it should ever be his fortune to get him into his power.

This giant kept an enchanted castle in the midst of a lonely wood. Now, about four months after the death of Cormoran, as Jack was taking a journey to Wales, he passed through this wood; and as he was very weary, he sat down to rest by the side of a pleasant fountain, and there he fell into a deep sleep.

The giant came to the fountain for water just at this time, and found Jack there; and as the lines on Jack's belt showed who he was, the giant lifted him up, and laid him gently upon his shoulder to carry him to his castle. But as he passed through the thicket, the rustling of the leaves waked Jack; and he was sadly afraid when he found himself in the clutches of Blunderbore. Yet this was nothing to his fright when he reached the castle, for the floor was covered all over with the skulls and bones of men and women.

The giant took him into a large room where there lay the hearts and limbs of persons that had been lately killed; and he told Jack, with a horrid grin, that men's hearts, eaten with pepper and vinegar, were his nicest food; and also, that he should make a dainty meal on his heart. When he said this, he locked Jack up in that room, while he went to fetch another giant who lived in the same wood, to enjoy a dinner of Jack's flesh with him.

While he was away, Jack heard dreadful shrieks, groans, and cries, from many parts of the castle; and soon after he heard a mournful voice repeat these lines: