Jack on his shoulders and carried him towards his castle. Now, as they
passed through a thicket, the rustling of the boughs awakened Jack,
who was strangely surprised to find himself in the clutches of the
giant. His terror was only begun, for, on entering the castle, he saw
the ground strewed with human bones, and the giant told him his own
would ere long be among them. After this the giant locked poor Jack in
an immense chamber, leaving him there while he went to fetch another
giant, his brother, living in the same wood, who might share in the
meal on Jack.

After waiting some time Jack, on going to the window beheld afar off
the two giants coming towards the castle. "Now," quoth Jack to
himself, "my death or my deliverance is at hand." Now, there were
strong cords in a corner of the room in which Jack was, and two of
these he took, and made a strong noose at the end; and while the
giants were unlocking the iron gate of the castle he threw the ropes
over each of their heads. Then he drew the other ends across a beam,
and pulled with all his might, so that he throttled them. Then, when
he saw they were black in the face, he slid down the rope, and drawing
his sword, slew them both. Then, taking the giant's keys, and
unlocking the rooms, he found three fair ladies tied by the hair of
their heads, almost starved to death. "Sweet ladies," quoth Jack, "I
have destroyed this monster and his brutish brother, and obtained your
liberties." This said he presented them with the keys, and so
proceeded on his journey to Wales.

Jack made the best of his way by travelling as fast as he could, but
lost his road, and was benighted, and could find any habitation until,
coming into a narrow valley, he found a large house, and in order to
get shelter took courage to knock at the gate. But what was his