Page:History of Jack and the giants (6).pdf/21

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which carried him faſter than the Giant could follow. At length Jack, to finiſh the work, took over the bridge, the Giant with full ſpeed purſuing after him with his iron club upon his ſhoulder, but coming to the middle of the draw bridge, when, with the weight of his body, and the moſt dreadful ſteps he took, it broke down, and he tumbled into the water, where he roll'd and wallow'd like a whale. Jack, ſtanding at the ſide of the moat, laughed at the Giant, and ſaid, you told me you would grind my bones to powder, here you have water enough, pray where is your mill? The Giant fretted and foamed to hear him ſcoff at that rate, and though he plunged from place to place in the moat, yet he could not get out to be revenged on his adverſary. Jack at length got a cart rope, and caſt it over the Giant's two heads with a ſlip knot, and by the help of horſes dragged him out again, with which he was near ſtrangled, and before he would let him looſe, he cut off both his heads with his ſword of ſharpneſs, in the full view of all the worthy aſſembly of Knights, Gentlemen, and Ladies, who gave a joyful ſhout when they for the Giant fairly diſpatched. Then, before he would either eat or drink, he ſent theſe heads alſo to King Arthur, which being done, Jack, with the Knights and Ladies, returned to their mirth and paſtime, which laſted many days.

How Jack came to the houſe of an old Hermit, and what diſcourſe happened between them.

AFTER ſome time ſpent in triumphant mirth and paſtime, Jack grew weary of riotous living, wherefore, taking leave of the noble Knights and Ladies, he ſet forward in ſeach of new adventures, through, many woods and groves he