were fathers to some of those captives who had been freed by Jack from
the dungeon. These old men pressed round him with tears of joy, and
returned him thanks. One day the bowl went round merrily, and every
one drank to the health and long life of the gallant hero. The hall
resounded with peals of laughter and joyful cries.

[Illustration: A pale Herald interrupteth the Feast]

But, lo! to the midst, a herald, pale and breathless with haste and
terror, rushed in, and told the company, that Thundel, a Giant with an
immense head, having heard of the death of his two kinsmen, was come
to take revenge on Jack, and that he was now near the house, and the
country-people all flying before him.

At this dismal news, the very boldest of the guests trembled; but Jack
drew his sword, and said, "Let him come; I have a tool to pick his
teeth with. Pray, ladies and gentlemen, walk into the garden, and you
shall joyfully behold the Giant's defeat and death."

The knight's castle was surrounded by a moat, thirty feet deep and
twenty wide, over which lay a drawbridge. Jack set men to work, to cut
the bridge on both sides, near the middle; and then dressing himself
in his invisible coat, went against the Giant with his sword of
sharpness. As he came close to him, though the Giant could not see
him, yet he cried out,--

"_Fie! foh! fum!
I smell the blood of an Englishman;
Be he alive or be he dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread._"