them to the court of King Arthur, as trophies of my victory."

Then leading them to the aforesaid room, he placed them round the table,
and set before them two quarters of beef, also bread and wine, so that
they feasted there very plentifully. Supper being ended, they searched
the Giants' coffers, where, finding a vast store of gold, Jack divided
it equally among them. They all returned him hearty thanks for their
treasure and miraculous deliverance. That night they went to their rest,
and in the morning they arose and departed, to their respective places
of abode, and Jack to the knight's house.

Jack mounted his horse, and by his direction he came to the knight's
house, where he was received with all demonstrations of joy, by the
knight and his lady, who, in respect to Jack, prepared a feast which
lasted for many days, inviting all the gentry in the adjacent parts. He
presented him with a ring of gold in which was engraven by curious art,
the picture of the Giant dragging a distressed knight and his fair lady
by the hair of the head.

Now, there were five aged gentlemen who were fathers to some of those
miserable captives whom Jack had set at liberty; who immediately paid
him their venerable respects. And the smiling bowl was passed round in
honour of the victorious conqueror, but during their mirth, a dark cloud
appeared, which daunted the assembly.

A messenger brought the dismal tidings of the approach of one
Thunderfold, a huge Giant with two heads; who, having heard of the death
of his kinsmen, the above-named Giants, was come in search of Jack, to
be revenged on him for their terrible downfall, and was within a mile of
the knight's seat, the people flying before him from their habitations.

When they had related this, Jack said, "Let him come, I am prepared with
a tool to pick his teeth, and you, gentlemen and ladies, walk forth into
the garden, and you shall be the joyful spectators of this monstrous
Giant's death."

To which they consented, wishing him good fortune in that great
enterprise.

The situation of the knight's house was in a small island encompassed
with a vast moat thirty feet deep, and twenty feet wide, over which lay
a drawbridge. Wherefore Jack employed two men to cut it on both sides,
and then dressing himself in his Coat of darkness, putting on his Shoes
of swiftness, he marched against the Giant, with his Sword of sharpness
ready drawn. When he came close up, the Giant could not see