Thereupon Jack took leave of the King, the Prince, and all the
Knights of the Round Table, and set off. He went along over hills and
mountains, until he came to a large forest, through which his road
lay. On a sudden he heard piercing shrieks. He forced his way through
the trees, and saw a huge Giant, thirty-five feet high, dragging along
by the hair of their heads a Knight and his beautiful Lady, one in
each hand, with as much ease as if they had been a pair of gloves.
Jack shed tears at such a sight, and alighting from his horse, and
tying him to an oak, put on his invisible coat, under which he carried
his sword of sharpness.

[Illustration: Jack slayeth the Giant,
and delivereth a Knight and his Lady]

When he came up to the Giant, he made many strokes at him, but could
not reach his body, on account of his great height. Still, he wounded
his ankles in many places: at last, putting both hands to his sword,
and aiming with all his might, he cut off both the Giant's legs below
the garter; so that his body tumbled to the ground.

[Illustration: Jack setteth his foot on the Giant's neck. _Initial_]

Jack then set one foot upon his neck, and cried out, "Thou cruel
wretch! behold I give thee the just reward of thy crimes." And so
plunging his sword into the Giant's body, the monster gave a loud
groan and yielded up his life; while the noble Knight and his Lady
were joyful at their deliverance. They heartily thanked Jack for what
he had done, and invited him to their house to refresh himself.