Page:Jack the giant-killer.pdf/9

9 hurself; so he snatched up the knife, plunged it into his own stomach, and in a moment dropped down dead.

As soon as Jack had thus tricked the Welsh monster, he went further on his journey; and a few days after he met with King Arthur's only son, who had got his father's leave to travel into Wales, to deliver a beautiful lady from the power of a wicked magician that held her in his enchantments. When Jack found that the young prince had no servants with him, he begged leave to attend him; and the prince at once agreed to this, and gave Jack many thanks for his kindness.

This prince was a handsome, polite, and brave knight, and so good natured that he gave money to every body he met. At length he gave his last penny to an old woman, and then turned to Jack, and said, "How are we to get food for ourselves the rest of the journey? "Leave that to me, sir," said Jack; "I will provide for my prince." Night came on now, and the prince began to grow uneasy at thinking where they should lodge. "Sir," said Jack, "be of good heart. Two miles further there lives a great giant, whom I know well; he has three heads, and will fight five hundred men, and make them fly before him."

"Alas!" replied the king's son, "we had better never have been born than meet with such a monster." "My lord," said Jack, "leave me to manage him, and wait here in quite till I return."

The prince now staid behind, while Jack rode on at full speed; and when he came to the gates of the castle he gave a loud knock. The giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out, "Who is there?" and Jack made answer, and said, "No one but your poor cousin Jack."