ng himself in the clutches of the Giant, was
strangely surprised; for, at the entering within the first walls of the
castle, he beheld the ground all covered with bones and skulls of dead
men, the Giant telling Jack that his bones would enlarge the number that
he saw. This said, he brought him into a large parlour, where he beheld
the bloody quarters of some who were lately slain, and in the next room
were many hearts and livers, which the Giant, in order to terrify Jack,
told him--"That men's hearts and livers were the choicest of his diet,
for he commonly ate them with pepper and vinegar, and he did not
question but his heart would make him a dainty bit." This said, he locks
up poor Jack in an upper room, while he went to fetch another Giant
living in the same wood, that he might partake in the destruction of
poor Jack.

Now, while he was gone, dreadful shrieks and cries affrighted poor Jack,
especially a voice which continually cried--

"Do what you can to get away,
Or you'll become the Giant's prey;
He's gone to fetch his brother, who
Will kill and likewise torture you."

This dreadful noise so amazed poor Jack, he was ready to run distracted;
seeing from the window afar off the two Giants coming, "Now," quoth Jack
to himself, "my death or deliverance is at hand."

There were strong cords in the room by him, of which he takes two, at
the end of which he makes a noose, and, while the Giant was unlocking
the gate, he threw the ropes over each of the heads, and drawing the
other end across the beam, he pulled with all his strength until he had
throttled them; and then fastening the rope to the beam, turning towards
the window he beheld the two Giants to be black in their faces. Sliding
down by the rope, he came close to their heads, where the helpless
Giants could not defend themselves; and, drawing out his sword, slew
them both, and delivered himself from their intended cruelty; then
taking out a bunch of keys, he unlocked the rooms, where he found three
fair ladies tied by the hair of their heads, almost starved to death,
who told Jack that their husbands were slain by the Giant, and that they
were kept many days without food, in order to force them to feed upon
the flesh of their husbands.

"Sweet ladies," quoth Jack, "I have destroyed this monster and his
brutish brother, by which I have obtained your liberties." This said, he
presented them with the keys of the castle, and so proceeded on his
journe