Now Jack was sure this hen was that of which the fairy had spoken.

By-and-by the Giant put the hen down on the floor, and soon after went
fast asleep, snoring so loud that it sounded like thunder.

Directly Jack perceived that the Giant was fast asleep, he pushed open
the door of the wardrobe and crept out; very softly he stole across the
room, and, picking up the hen, made haste to quit the apartment. He knew
the way to the kitchen, the door of which he found was left ajar; he
opened it, shut and locked it after him, and flew back to the Beanstalk,
which he descended as fast as his feet would move.

When his mother saw him enter the house she wept for joy, for she had
feared that the fairies had carried him away, or that the Giant had
found him. But Jack put the brown hen down before her, and told her how
he had been in the Giant's castle, and all his adventures. She was very
glad to see the hen, which would make them rich once more.

THE MONEY BAGS.

Jack made another journey up the Beanstalk to the Giant's castle one
day while his mother had gone to market; but first he dyed his hair and
disguised himself. The old woman did not know him again, and dragged him
in as she had done before, to help her to do the work; but she heard her
husband coming, and hid him in the wardrobe, not thinking that it was
the same boy who had stolen the hen. She bade him stay quite still
there, or the Giant would eat him.

Then the Giant came in saying:

'Fe, fa, fi-fo-fum, I smell the breath of an Englishman. Let him be
alive or let him be dead, I'll grind his bones to make my bread.'

'Nonsense!' said the wife, 'it is only a roasted bullock that I thought
would be a tit-bit for your supper; sit down and I will bring it up
at once.' The Giant sat down, and soon his wife brought up a roasted
bullock on a large dish, and they began their supper. Jack was amazed to
see them pick the bones of the bullock as if it had been a lark. As soon
as they had finished their meal, the Giantess rose and said:

'Now, my dear, with your leave I am going up to my room to finish the
story I am reading. If you want me call for me.'

'First,' answered the Giant, 'bring me my money bags, that I may count
my golden pieces before I sleep.' The Giantess obeyed. She went and soon
returned with two large bags over her shoulders, which she put down by
her husband.

'There,' she said; 'that is all that is left of the knight's money. When
you have