The Story of Jack and the Giants | Page 7

on his
little foe. At last Jack ordered a cart-rope to be brought to him; he then
drew it over his great head, and by the help of a team of horses,
dragged him to the edge of the moat, where he cut off the monster's
head; and before he either ate or drank, he sent it to the court of King
Arthur. He then went back to the table with the company, and the rest
of the day was spent in mirth and good cheer.
[Illustration: His Head goeth to Court]

PART THE FOURTH.
[Illustration: The Lady of the Knight. Initial]
Courted and flattered as he was, yet after staying with the Knight and
his lady for some time, Jack grew weary of such an idle life, and set out
again in search of new adventures. He went over hills and dales without
meeting any, till he came to the foot of a very high mountain. Here he
knocked at the door of a small and lonely house, and an old man, with a
head as white as snow, let him in.
"Good father," said Jack, "can you lodge a traveller who has lost his
way?"
"Yes," said the hermit, "I can, if you will accept such fare as my poor
house affords."
Jack entered, and the old man set before him some bread and fruit for

his supper. When Jack had eaten as much as he chose, the hermit said,--
"My son, I know you are the famous conqueror of Giants; now, at the
top of this mountain is an enchanted Castle, kept by a Giant named
Galligantus, who, by the help of a vile Magician, gets many knights
and ladies into his Castle, where he changes them into the shape of
beasts. Above all, I lament the hard fate of a duke's daughter, whom
they seized as she was walking in her father's garden, and brought
hither through the air in a chariot drawn by two fiery dragons, and
turned her into the shape of a deer. Many knights have tried to destroy
the enchantment, and deliver her; yet none have been able to do it, by
reason of two fiery Griffins, who guard the gate of the Castle, and
destroy all who come nigh: but as you, my son, have an invisible coat,
you may pass by them without being seen; and on the gates of the
Castle you will find engraved by what means the enchantment may be
broken."
[Illustration: The Giant Galligantus]
Jack promised that, in the morning, at the risk of his life, he would
break the enchantment; and, after a sound sleep, he arose early, put on
his invisible coat, and got ready for the attempt. When he had climbed
to the top of the mountain, he saw the two fiery Griffins; but he passed
between them without the least fear of danger, for they could not see
him because of his invisible coat. On the Castle-gate hung a golden
trumpet, under which were these lines:--
"Whoever doth this Trumpet blow, Shall cause the Giant's overthrow!"
[Illustration: Jack passeth the Fiery Griffins]
[Illustration: Destruction of Galligantus]
As soon as Jack had read this, he seized the trumpet, and blew a shrill
blast, which made the gates fly open, and the very Castle itself tremble.
The Giant and the Conjuror now knew that their wicked course was at
an end, and they stood biting their thumbs, and shaking with fear. Jack,
with his sword of sharpness, soon killed the Giant; and the Magician

was then carried away by a whirlwind; and every knight and beautiful
lady, who had been changed into birds and beasts, returned to their
proper shapes. The Castle vanished away like smoke, and the head of
the Giant Galligantus was sent to King Arthur. The knights and ladies
rested that night at he old man's hermitage, and next day set out for the
Court.
[Illustration: Jack goeth with Company to Court]
Jack then went up to the King, and gave his majesty an account of all
his fierce battles. Jack's fame had spread through the whole country;
and, at the King's desire, the Duke gave him his daughter in marriage,
to the joy of all the kingdom. After this, the King gave Jack a large
estate, on which he and his lady lived the rest of their days in joy and
content.
[Illustration: Jack slaketh his Thirst at the end of his Labours]
Robson, Levey, and Franklyn, Great New Street, Fetter Lane.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of Jack and the Giants, by
Anonymous
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