determined, got out of the copper, and seized the harp, The harp was enchanted by a fairy:  it called out loudly:  “Master! master!” The giant awoke, stood up, and tried to pursue Jack; but he had drank so much, that he could hardly stand.  Poor Jack ran as fast as he could.  In a little time the giant recovered sufficiently to walk slowly, or rather, to reel after him.  Had he been sober, he must have overtaken Jack instantly; but, as he then was, Jack contrived to be first at the top of the bean-stalk.  The giant called after him in a voice like thunder, and sometimes was very near him.  The moment Jack got down the bean-stalk he called out for a hatchet; one was brought him directly; just at that instant, the giant was beginning to descend; but Jack, with his hatchet, cut the bean-stalk close off at the root, which made the giant fall headlong into the garden:  the fall killed him, thereby releasing the world from a barbarous enemy.  Jack’s mother was delighted when she saw the bean-stalk destroyed.  At this instant the fairy appeared:  she first addressed Jack’s mother and explained every circumstance relating to the journeys up the bean-stalk.  The fairy charged Jack to be dutiful to his mother, and to follow his father’s good example, which was the only way to be happy.  She then disappeared.  Jack heartily begged his mother’s pardon for all the sorrow and affliction he had caused her, promising most faithfully to be very dutiful and obedient to her for the future.

CHAPTER XVIII

JACK THE GIANT KILLER

In the reign of the famous King Arthur, there lived near the Land’s End of England, in the county of Cornwall, a worthy farmer, who had an only son named Jack.  Jack was a boy of a bold temper; he took pleasure in hearing or reading stories of wizards, conjurers, giants, and fairies, and used to listen eagerly while his father talked of the great deeds of the brave knights of King Arthur’s Round Table.  When Jack was sent to take care of the sheep and oxen in the fields, he used to amuse himself with planning battles, sieges, and the means to conquer or surprise a foe.  He was above the common sports of children; but hardly any one could equal him at wrestling; or, if he met with a match for himself in strength, his skill and address always made him the victor.  In those days there lived on St. Michael’s Mount of Cornwall, which rises out of the sea at some distance from the main land, a huge giant.  He was eighteen feet high, and three yards round; and his fierce and savage looks were the terror of all his neighbours.  He dwelt in a gloomy cavern on the very top of the mountain, and used to wade over to the main land in search of his prey.  When he came near, the people left their houses; and after he had glutted his appetite upon their cattle, he would throw half-a-dozen oxen upon his back, and tie three times as many sheep and hogs round his waist, and so march back to his own abode.  The giant had