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this huge monster of nature, who followed Jack with all his might, but could not overtake him, by reason of his shoes of swiftness, which carried him faster than the Giant could follow. At length Jack to finish the work, took over the bridge, the Gaint with full speed pursuing after him with his iron club upon his shoulder; but coming to the middle of the draw-bridge, when with the weight of his body, and the most dreadful steps that he took, it broke down, and he tumbled into the water, where he rolled and wallowed like a whale: Jack standing at the side of the moat laughed at the Giant, and said, You told me you would grind my bones to powder, here you have water enough, pray where is your mill? The Giant fretted and frowned to hear him scoff at that rate, and though he plunged from place to place in the moat, yet he could not get out to be reveng'd on his adversary. Jack at length took a cart rope and cast it over the Giant's two heads, with a slip knot, and by the help of a team of horses, dragged him out again, with which he was near strangled, and before he would let him loose he cut off both his heads with his sword of sharpness, in the view of all the worthy assembly of knights, ladies, and gentlemen, who gave a joyful shout when they saw the Giant fairly dispatched. Then before he would either eat or drink he sent these heads also, after the others to the court of king Arthur; which being done, then Jack with the knights and ladies, returned to their mirth and pastime which lasted many days.
CHAP. XIV.
How Jack came to the house of an old Hermit, and what discourse passed between them.
AFTER some time spent in triumphant mirth and pastime, Jack grew weary of riotous living, wherefore taking leave of the noble knights and
