of.  A giant lived a great many miles off:  this man was altogether as wicked as your father was good; he was in his heart envious, covetous, and cruel; but he had the art of concealing those vices.  He was poor, and wished to enrich himself at any rate.  Hearing your father spoken of, he formed the design of becoming acquainted with him, hoping to ingratiate himself into your father’s favour.  He removed quickly into your neighbourhood, caused to be reported that he was a gentleman who had just lost all he possessed by an earth-quake, and found it difficult to escape with his life; his wife was with him.  Your father gave credit to his story, and pitied him, gave him handsome apartments in his own house, and caused him and his wife to be treated like visitors of consequence, little imagining that the giant was meditating a horrid return for all his favours.

“Things went on in this way for some time, the giant becoming daily more impatient to put his plan into execution; at last a favourable opportunity presented itself.  Your father’s house was at some distance from the seashore, but with a glass the coast could be seen distinctly.  The giant was one day using the telescope; the wind was very high; he saw a fleet of ships in distress off the rocks; he hastened to your father, mentioned the circumstance, and eagerly requested he would send all the servants he could spare to relieve the sufferers.  Every one was instantly despatched, except the porter and your nurse; the giant then joined your father in the study, and appeared to be delighted—­he really was so.  Your father recommended a favourite book, and was handing it down:  the giant took the opportunity, and stabbed him; he instantly fell down dead.  The giant left the body, found the porter and nurse, and presently despatched them; being determined to have no living witnesses of his crimes.  You were then only three months old; your mother had you in her arms in a remote part of the house, and was ignorant of what was going on; she went into the study, but how was she shocked, on discovering your father a corpse, and weltering in his blood! she was stupefied with horror and grief, and was motionless.  The giant, who was seeking her, found her in that state, and hastened to serve her and you as he had done her husband, but she fell at his feet, and in a pathetic manner besought him to spare your life and hers.

“Remorse, for a moment, seemed to touch the barbarian’s heart:  he granted your lives; but first he made her take a most solemn oath, never to inform you who your father was, or to answer any questions concerning him:  assuring her that if she did, he would certainly discover her, and put both of you to death in the most cruel manner.  Your mother took you in her arms, and fled as quickly as possible; she was scarcely gone when the giant repented that he had suffered her to escape.  He would have pursued her instantly; but he had to provide for his own safety; as it was necessary he should