This is a Borzoi Book

  Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

  First included in Everyman’s Library 1999

  Richard Doyle’s illustrations (1842) first published by Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1888

  Design and typography by Anikst Design assisted by Thanh Tung Uong, 1999

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American

  Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. Distributed by Random House, Inc., New York

  Five of Ernest H. Shepard’s illustrations from Dream Days by Kenneth Grahame are reprinted on the endpapers by permission of The Bodley Head, London.

  The sixth illustration is by S.C. Hulme Beaman.

  eISBN: 978-0-375-71227-2

  Series design by Barbara de Wilde and Carol Devine Carson

  v3.1

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  First Page

  About the Author

  Image Gallery

  nce upon a time there lived a little boy named Jack. Now Jack, though only the son of a poor farmer living in Cornwall, was very clever, for he not only fought and wrestled with all the youths within twenty miles round but he beat them likewise. Can it be wondered at that under these circumstances he should be his father’s hope and his mother’s joy and that the neighbours should look upon him with the greatest respect?

  It happened that at that time there lived in Cornwall an immense giant at least eighteen feet high, who was so ferocious and terrible the population for miles around were kept in a continual state of consternation. It was his custom to come down from the mountains every evening and tie about his waist as many sheep, oxen or pigs as he could find so that they hung about him like a bunch of candles, and then go back up again to supper. Jack, who had deeply considered the subject, determined to kill him, and so he set out one morning very early when the monster was asleep and dug an immense pit close to where he lay. This he covered over with sticks and rubbish to make it look like solid ground. He had no sooner com pleted it than the giant, who had awoken with the noise, got up, and when he saw Jack he began to walk towards him, roaring like thunder. ‘You saucy villain, you shall pay dearly for breaking my rest; I will boil you for my breakfast.’

  He had scarcely uttered these dreadful words and advanced one step farther when down he tumbled headlong into the pit and his fall shook the very mountain. ‘O ho, Mr Giant!’ said Jack, looking into the pit. ‘Is it possible that you have found your way to the bottom since? May I enquire as to the state of your appetite?’ The giant now tried to rise but Jack struck him a blow on the crown of the head with his pick-axe, which killed him at once.

  Jack then made haste back to rejoice his friends with the news of his exploit. When the Justices of Cornwall heard of this valiant action, they sent for Jack and declared that he should henceforth be called ‘Jack the Giant Killer’, and they also gave him a sword and a belt, upon which was written in letters of gold:

  This is the valiant Corninman

  Who slew the giant Cormaran

  he news of Jack’s exploit soon spread over the western part of England, and another giant, called Blunderbore, vowed to have his revenge on Jack, if it should ever be his fortune to get him into his power. This giant kept an enchanted castle in the midst of a lonely wood.

  About four months after the death of Cormaran, as Jack was taking a journey into Wales, he passed through this wood and as he was weary he sat down to rest beside a pleasant fountain, and there he fell into a deep sleep. The giant came to the fountain for water just at this time and found Jack there, and, as the lines on Jack’s belt showed who he was, the giant lifted him up and laid him gently upon his shoulder, to carry him to his castle. But as he passed through the thicket, the rustling of the leaves woke Jack, and he was sadly afraid when he found himself in the clutches of Blunderbore. Yet this was nothing to his fright soon after, for when they reached the castle he beheld the floor covered all over with the skulls and bones of men and women. The giant took him into a large room where lay the remains of persons who had been lately killed; and he told Jack, with a horrid grin, that men’s hearts, eaten with pepper and vinegar, were his nicest food; and also he gratified him with the intelligence that he intended making a most savoury meal on his heart.

  When he had refreshed Jack in this delightful (though novel) manner, he locked him into the room while he went to fetch another giant, who lived in the same wood, to enjoy a dinner off Jack’s flesh with him. While he was away, Jack heard dreadful screams, groans and cries from many parts of the castle, and soon after he heard a mournful voice repeat the following lines:

  Haste, valiant stranger, haste a way,

  Lest you become the giant’s prey.

  On his return he’ll bring another

  Still more savage than his brother:

  A horrid cruel monster, who,

  Before he kills, will torture you.

  Oh valiant stranger, haste away,

  Or you’ll become the giant’s prey.

  The warning gave poor Jack such a shock that he was ready to go mad. He ran to the window and, terrible to relate, there were the two giants coming along arm in arm. This window was right over the gates of the castle. ‘Now,’ thought Jack, ‘either my freedom or death is at hand.’ There just happened to be two strong cords in the room. Jack made a large noose with a slip-knot at the ends of both these, and as the giants were coming through the gates he threw the ropes over their heads. He then made the other ends fast to a beam in the ceiling and pulled with all his might till he had almost strangled them. When he saw that they were both quite black in the face he drew his sword and slid down the ropes. He then killed the giants and so saved himself from the cruel death they meant to put him to.

  Jack next took a great bunch of keys from the pocket of Blunderbore and went into the castle again. He made a strict search through all the rooms, and in one of them found three ladies tied up by the hair of their heads and almost starved to death. They told him that their husbands had been killed by the giants who had then condemned them to be starved because they would not eat the flesh of their dead husbands. ‘Ladies,’ said Jack, ‘I have put an end to the monster and his wicked brother and I give you this castle and all the riches it contains to make amends for the dreadful pains you have felt.’ He then very politely gave them the keys of the castle, and went further on his journey to Wales.

  s Jack had not taken any of the giant’s riches for himself and so had very little money of his own, he thought it best to travel as fast as he could. At length he lost his way, and, when night came on, he was in a lonely valley between two lofty mountains, where he walked about for some hours without seeing any dwelling-place, so he thought himself very lucky at last in finding a large and handsome house.

  He went boldly up to it and knocked loudly at the gate, when to his great surprise and terror there came forth a monstrous giant with two heads. He spoke to Jack very civilly, for he was a Welsh giant and all the mischief he did was by private and secret malice, under a show of friendship and kindness. Jack told him he was a traveller, upon which the monster made him welcome, and led him into a room where there was a good bed to pass the night in.

  Jack got into the bed quickly, but although he was so weary he could not get to sleep. Soon after this, he heard the giant walking backwards and forwards in the next room and muttering to himself:

  Though here you lodge with me this night,

  You shall not see the morning light;

  My club shall dash your brains out quite.

  ‘Say you so?’ thought Jack. ‘Are these the tricks you play upon travellers? But I hope to prove as cunning as you.’ Then, getting out of bed, he groped his way about the room and after much searching at last found a thick billet of wood. He laid it in his place in the bed and hid himself in a dark corner of the room. In the dead of night the giant came with his great club and struck many heavy blows on the bed in the very place where Jack had laid the billet, and then he went back again to his own room, thinking that he had broken all the bones in Jack’s body. Early in the morning Jack put a bold face on the matter and walked into the giant’s room to thank him for his lodging. The giant started when he saw him, and began to stammer out ‘Oh dear me? Is it you? Pray how did you sleep last night? Did you hear or see anything in the middle of the night?’ ‘Nothing worth speaking of,’ said Jack carelessly. ‘A rat, I believe, gave me three or four slaps with his tail and disturbed me a little, but I soon went to sleep again.’ The giant wondered more and more at this, yet he did not answer a word but went to bring two great bowls of hasty pudding for their breakfast.

  Jack wished to make the giant believe that he could eat as much as himself, so he contrived to button a leathern bag to himself and slipped the pudding into the bag while he seemed to be putting it into his mouth. When breakfast was over he said to the giant, ‘Now I will show you a fine trick. I can cure all wounds with a touch; I could cut off my head one minute, and the next put it again on my shoulders. You shall see an example.’

  He then took hold of a knife, ripped up the leathern bag, and all the hasty pudding tumbled out on the floor. ‘Ods splutter hur nails,’ cried the Welsh giant, who was ashamed to be outdone by such a little fellow as Jack. ‘Hur can do that hurself.’ So he snatched up the knife and plunged it into his stomach, and in a moment dropped dow n dead.

  s soon as Jack had thus tricked the Welsh monster he went further on his journey; and a few days after, he met with King Arthur’s only son, who had got his father’s leave to travel into Wales to deliver a beautiful lady from the power of a wicked magician, who held her in his enchantments. When Jack found that the young prince had no servants with him he begged leave to attend him; and the prince at once agreed to this and gave Jack many thanks for his kindness. The prince was a handsome, brave, polite young man and so good-natured that he gave money to everybody he met. At length he gave his last penny to an old woman and then, turning to Jack, said, ‘How shall we be able to get food for ourselves for the rest of our journey?’ ‘Leave that to me, sir,’ said Jack. ‘I will provide for my prince.’ Night now came on and the prince began to grow uneasy at thinking where they should lodge. ‘Sir,’ said Jack, ‘be of good cheer. Two miles further on there lives a large giant, whom I know well. He has three heads, and can fight five hundred men and make them fly before him.’ ‘Alas!’ replied the king’s son, ‘We had better never have been born than meet with such a monster.’ ‘My lord,’ said Jack, ‘leave me to manage him, and wait here in quiet till I return.’

  The prince now stayed behind while Jack rode on at full speed. When he came to the castle gate he gave a loud knock. The giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out ‘Who is there?’ and Jack made answer and said ‘No one but your poor cousin Jack.’ ‘Well,’ said the giant, ‘What news, cousin Jack?’ ‘Dear uncle,’ said Jack, ‘I have heavy news.’ ‘Pooh!’ said the giant, ‘what heavy news can come to me? I am a giant with three heads, and can fight five hundred men and make them fly before me.’ ‘Alas,’ said Jack, ‘here is the king’s son with two thousand men coming to kill you, and to destroy the castle and all that you have.’ ‘Oh cousin Jack,’ said the giant, ‘this is heavy news indeed! But I have a large cellar under ground, where I will hide myself, and you shall lock, bolt and bar me in and keep the keys till the king’s son is gone.’

  Now when Jack had made the giant fast in the vault, he went back and fetched the prince to the castle, and they both made themselves good and merry with the wine and other dainties that were in the house. So that night they rested very pleasantly; while the poor giant lay trembling and shaking with fear in the cellar under ground.

  Early in the morning Jack gave the king’s son gold and silver out of the giant’s treasure and sent him three miles forward on his journey. The prince then sent Jack back to let the giant out of the hole. The giant asked Jack what he should give him as a reward for saving his castle. ‘Why good uncle,’ said Jack, ‘I desire nothing but the old coat and cap, with the rusty old sword and slippers, which are hanging at your bed’s head.’ ‘Then,’ said the giant, ‘you shall have them; and pray keep them for my sake, for they are things of great use. The coat will keep you invisible, the cap will give you knowledge, the sword will cut through anything, and the shoes are of a vast swiftness. All of these may be useful to you in times of danger, so take them with all my heart.’ Jack gave the giant many thanks and then set off to return to the prince.

  hen he had caught up with the king’s son they soon arrived at the dwelling of the beautiful lady who was under the power of a wicked magician. She received the prince very politely and made a noble feast for him. When it was ended she rose and, wiping her mouth with a fine handkerchief, said, ‘My lord, you must submit to the custom of my palace. Tomorrow morning I command you to tell me on whom to bestow this handkerchief, or lose your head.’ She then went out of the room. The young prince went to bed very mournful; Jack, however, put on his cap of knowledge, which told him that the lady was forced, by power of enchantment, to meet the wicked magician every night in the middle of the forest. He now put on his coat of darkness and his shoes of swiftness and was there before her. When the lady came she gave the handkerchief to the magician. Jack with his sword of sharpness at one blow cut off his head; the enchantment was then ended and the lady was restored to her former virtue and goodness. She was married to the prince on the next day, and soon after went back with her royal husband and a great company to the court of King Arthur, where they were received with loud and joyful welcome. And the valiant hero Jack, for the many great exploits he had done for the good of his country, was made one of the Knights of the Round Table.

  s Jack had been so fortunate in all his adventures, he resolved not to be idle in the future, but still to do what services he could for the honour of the king and nation. He therefore humbly begged his Majesty 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 still living in the remote parts of Wales, to the great terror and distress of your Majesty’s subjects. Therefore if it pleases you, sire, to favour me in my design, I will soon rid your kingdom of these giants and monsters in human shape.’

  Now when the king heard this offer and began to think of the cruel deeds of these most bloodthirsty and savage monsters, he gave Jack everything proper for such a journey. After this Jack took leave of the king and queen and all the knights, and set off, taking with him his cap of knowledge, his sword of sharpness, his shoes of swiftness and his invisible coat, the better to perform the great exploits that might fall in his way.

  He went over hills and wild mountains, and on the third day he came to a large forest where, all of a sudden, he heard very dreadful cries. He forced his way through the trees, and saw a monstrous giant, dragging along by the hair of their heads a handsome knight and his beautiful lady. Their tears and cries melted the heart of honest Jack; he alighted from his horse and, tying him to a tree, put on his coat of darkness under which he carried his sword of sharpness. When he came up to the giant, he made several strokes at him with it but could not reach his body on account of the enormous height of the terrible creature. But he wounded his legs in several places; and at last, putting both hands to his sword and aiming with all his might, he sliced off both his legs, a little below the knee. The trunk of the giant’s body tumbling to the ground made not only the trees shake, but the earth itself tremble with its weight.

  The knight and his lady thanked Jack most cordially for saving them from the fate that was in store for them and concluded by inviting him to return with them to their castle. But Jack, who remembered his promise to the king, and thirsted most ardently for some fresh adventures, was forced to decline. Therefore, after first cutting off the giant’s head and sending it to court, he mounted his horse and pursued his journey.

  ack had not rode above a mile and a quarter when he came in sight of a cavern, near the entrance of which he beheld a giant sitting on a huge block of timber, with a great knotted club in his hand. His eyes appeared like terrible flames of fire, his countenance was grim and ugly, and his cheeks resembled two flitches of bacon; the bristles of his beard appeared like thick rods of iron wire, and his locks of hair were like curling snakes and terrible hissing adders.

  Jack alighted from his horse and, putting on his coat of darkness, approached somewhat nearer and said, ‘Oh you wicked old monster! It will not be long before I hold you fast by the beard.’ The giant all the while could not see his foe by reason of his invisible coat; so, coming up close to him, Jack struck a blow at his head with his sword of sharpness, but missing something of his aim he only cut off the giant’s nose. The monster instantly roared out like a clap of thunder. Though he rolled his glaring eyes on every side, he could not see from whence the blow came, that had done him so much mischief, yet taking up his iron club, he began to lay about him like one that was mad with pain and fury.

 

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