nd raised a fine white
marble monument over his grave, with the following epitaph:

"Here lies Tom Thumb, King Arthur's knight,
Who died by a spider's cruel bite.
He was well known in Arthur's Court,
Where he afforded gallant sport;
He rode at tilt and tournament,
And on a mouse a-hunting went.
Alive he filled the Court with mirth;
His death to sorrow soon gave birth.
Wipe, wipe your eyes, and shake your head
And cry--Alas! Tom Thumb is dead!"

* * * * *

JACK THE GIANT-KILLER

ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS

When good King Arthur reigned, there lived near the Land's End of
England, in the county of Cornwall, a farmer who had one only son
called Jack. He was brisk and of ready, lively wit, so that nobody or
nothing could worst him.

In those days the Mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge giant named
Cormoran. He was eighteen feet in height, and about three yards round
the waist, of a fierce and grim countenance, the terror of all the
neighboring towns and villages. He lived in a cave in the midst of
the Mount, and whenever he wanted food he would wade over to the
mainland, where he would furnish himself with whatever came in his
way. Everybody at his approach ran out of their houses, while he
seized on their cattle, making nothing of carrying half-a-dozen oxen
on his back at a time; and as for their sheep and hogs, he would tie
them round his waist like a bunch of tallow-dips. He had done this
for many years, so that all Cornwall was in despair.

One day Jack happened to be at the town hall when the magistrates were
sitting in council about the giant. He asked, "What reward will be
given to the man who kills Cormoran?" "The giant's treasure," they
said, "will be the reward." Quoth Jack, "Then let me undertake it."

So he got a horn, shovel, and pickaxe, and went over to the Mount in
the beginning of a dark winter's evening, when he fell to work, and
before morning had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep, and nearly as
broad, covering it over with long sticks and straw. Then he strewed a
little mold over it, so that it appeared like plain ground. Jack then
placed himself on the opposite side of the pit, farthest from the
giant's lodging, and, just at the break of day, he put the horn to
his mouth, and blew. This noise roused the giant, who rushed from his
cave, crying: "You incorrigible villain, are you come here to disturb
my rest? You shall pay dearly for thi