a cart rope to be brought to him.  He then drew it over his two heads, and by the help of a team of horses, dragged him to the edge of the moat, where he cut off the monster’s heads; and before he either eat or drank, he sent them both to the court of King Arthur.  He then went back to the table with the company, and the rest of the day was spent in mirth and good cheer.  After staying with the knight for some time, Jack grew weary of such an idle life, and set out again in search of new adventures.  He went over the hills and dales without meeting any, till he came to the foot of a very high mountain.  Here he knocked at the door of a small and lonely house; and an old man, with a head as white as snow, let him in.  “Good father” said Jack, “can you lodge a traveller who has lost his way?” “Yes,” said the hermit, “I can, if you will accept such fare as my poor house affords.”  Jack entered, and the old man set before him some bread and fruit for his supper.  When Jack had eaten as much as he chose, the hermit said, “My son, I know you are the famous conqueror of giants; now, on the top of this mountain is an enchanted castle, kept by a giant named Galligantus, who, by the help of a vile magician, gets many knights into his castle, where he changes them into the shape of beasts.  Above all I lament the hard fate of a duke’s daughter, whom they seized as she was walking in her father’s garden, and brought hither through the air in a chariot drawn by two fiery dragons, and turned her into the shape of a deer.  Many knights have tried to destroy the enchantment, and deliver her; yet none have been able to do it, by reason of two fiery griffins who guard the gate of the castle, and destroy all who come nigh.  But as you, my son, have an invisible coat, you may pass by them without being seen; and on the gates of the castle, you will find engraved, by what means the enchantment may be broken.”

Jack promised, that in the morning, at the risk of his life he would break the enchantment:  and after a sound sleep he arose early, put on his invisible coat, and got ready for the attempt.  When he had climbed to the top of the mountain, he saw the two fiery griffins; but he passed between them without the least fear of danger; for they could not see him because of his invisible coat.  On the castle gate he found a golden trumpet, under which were written these lines: 

  “Whoever can this trumpet blow,
   Shall cause the giant’s overthrow.”

As soon as Jack had read this, he seized the trumpet, and blew a shrill blast which made the gates fly open and the very castle itself tremble.  The giant and the conjurer now knew that their wicked course was at an end, and they stood biting their thumbs and shaking with fear.  Jack, with his sword of sharpness, soon killed the giant.  The magician was then carried away by a whirlwind and every knight and beautiful lady, who had been changed into birds and beasts, returned to their proper shapes.