When the sun got low, the King's son said, "Jack, since we have no
money, where can we lodge this night?"
But Jack replied, "Master, we'll do well enough, for I have an uncle
lives within two miles of this place; he is a huge and monstrous giant
with three heads; he'll fight five hundred men in armor, and make them
to fly before him."
"Alas!" quoth the Prince, "what shall we do there? He'll certainly
chop us up at a mouthful. Nay, we are scarce enough to fill one of his
hollow teeth!"
"It is no matter for that," quoth Jack; "I myself will go before and
prepare the way for you; therefore stop here and wait till I return."
Jack then rode away at full speed, and coming to the gate of the
castle, he knocked so loud that he made the neighboring hills resound.
The giant roared out at this like thunder, "Who's there?"
Jack answered, "None but your poor cousin Jack."
Quoth he, "What news with my poor cousin Jack?"
He replied, "Dear uncle, bad news, God willing!"
"Prithee," quoth the giant, "what bad news can come to me? I am a
giant with three heads, and besides thou knowest I can fight five
hundred men in armor, and make them fly like chaff before the wind."
"Oh, but," quoth Jack, "here's the King's son a-coming with a thousand
men in armor to kill you and destroy all that you have!"
"Oh, cousin Jack," said the giant, "this is bad news indeed! I will
immediately run and hide myself, and thou shalt lock, bolt, and bar
me in, and keep the keys until the Prince is gone.
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