[Illustration:  Jack delivereth the Lady from the Enchanter]

She returned with the Prince to the court of King Arthur, where they were received with welcome; and the valiant Jack was made one of the Knights of the Round Table.

[Illustration:  Jack is dubbed a Knight by King Arthur]

PART THE THIRD.

[Illustration:  He is accourted by Ladies. Initial]

Jack resolved not to live in idleness for the future, but to do what services he could for the honour of the king and the nation.  He therefore humbly besought King Arthur to furnish him with a horse and money, that he might travel in search of new and strange exploits.  “For,” said he to the King, “there are many Giants yet among the mountains of Wales, and they oppress the people:  therefore, if it please you, Sire, to favour my designs, I will soon rid your kingdom of these Giants and monsters.”

When the King heard this offer, and thought of the cruel deeds of these bloodthirsty Giants and savage monsters, he gave Jack every thing proper for such a journey.

[Illustration:  He discovereth a Giant above the Trees]

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.

“No,” said Jack, “I cannot be at ease till I find out this monster’s dwelling.”

The Knight, hearing this, grew sad, and replied, “Noble stranger, it is too much to run a second hazard.  This monster lived in a den under yonder mountain, with a brother of his, more fierce and cruel than himself:  therefore, if you should go thither and perish in the attempt to overthrow this wicked brother, it would be heart-breaking to me and my lady; so let me persuade you to go with us, and desist from any farther pursuit.”