This giant was the
lord of an enchanted castle situated in the midst of a lonesome wood.
Now Jack, about four months afterwards, walking near this wood in his
journey to Wales, being weary, seated himself near a pleasant fountain
and fell fast asleep. While he was sleeping, the giant, coming there
for water, discovered him, and knew him to be the far-famed Jack the
Giant-killer by the lines written on the belt. Without ado, he took
Jack on his shoulders and carried him towards his castle. Now, as they
passed through a thicket, the rustling of the boughs awakened Jack,
who was strangely surprised to find himself in the clutches of the
giant. His terror was only begun, for, on entering the castle, he saw
the ground strewed with human bones, and the giant told him his own
would ere long be among them. After this the giant locked poor Jack in
an immense chamber, leaving him there while he went to fetch another
giant, his brother, living in the same wood, who might share in the
meal on Jack.
After waiting some time Jack, on going to the window beheld afar
off the two giants coming towards the castle. "Now," quoth Jack to
himself, "my death or my deliverance is at hand."
Now, there were strong cords in a corner of the room in which Jack
was, and two of these he took, and made a strong noose at the end; and
while the giants were unlocking the iron gate of the castle he threw
the ropes over each of their heads.
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