length he gave
his last penny to an old woman, and then turned to Jack. "How shall we
be able to get food for ourselves the rest of our journey?"

"Leave that to me, sir," replied Jack; "I will provide for my prince."

Night now came on, and the prince began to grow uneasy at thinking
where they should lodge.

"Sir," said Jack, "be of good heart; two miles farther lives a large
giant, whom I know well; he has three heads, and will fight five
hundred men, and make them fly before him."

"Alas!" cried the king's son, "we had better never have been born than
meet with such a monster."

"My lord, leave me to manage him, and wait here in quiet till I
return."

The prince now stayed 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?"

Jack made answer, and said, "No one but your poor cousin Jack."

"Well," said the giant, "what news, Cousin Jack?"

"Dear uncle," said Jack, "I have 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's 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 underground, 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 barred the giant fast in the vault, he went back
and fetched the prince to the castle; 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 lay trembling
and shaking with fear in the cellar underground. Early in the morning
Jack gave the king's son gold and silver out of the giant's treasure,
and accompanied him three miles forward on his journey. The prince
then sent Jack to let his uncle out of the hole, who asked him 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, which 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 g