The Giant’s time had come. Silently, swiftly he rose, and towered above the hills that had sheltered him. With a sweep of his mighty arm he flung out his cloak and cast it like a grey wall between the Prince and the Princess. Deftly he caught Prince Radiance in its folds, and before the Prince could make the least effort to free himself, the Giant raised his Cloak high in air, and set it spinning about his head like an enormous revolving cloud. Larger it grew, flying faster and faster the while, and at every turn its stifling folds settled closer about the captive Prince.
The hoarse laughter of the Giant roared in his ears like thunder. Half choked, the Prince beat back the Cloak from his face, and struggled violently to escape. But round and round spun the Cloak as the Giant whirled his powerful arm, and Prince Radiance only exhausted himself against its tightening clasp, in vain.
The Giant’s dull eyes began to glitter for he knew that none could resist his evil Cloak for very long. Safe hidden within the hollow between the Hills of Ash, Flying Soot peered out upon them, and near him hovered the cruel Earth Fairy, ready to dart out and seize the treasure that she coveted as soon as the Giant’s victory was gained. Princess White Flame, stricken with grief and dismay at the sudden disappearance of the Prince, quivered alone and helpless where the Earth Fairy held her in thrall.
Gladly the Prince would have drawn his sword to slash his way through the Giant’s great Cloak, but he could not free his arms sufficiently to do so. Thus he seemed entirely without a weapon that he could use in his own defense, and he was about to give himself up for lost, when suddenly he remembered the Grey Pouch at his side. He remembered also the words of the giver, “It will help you out of many a danger—out of many a difficulty.”
“May it not be that it will help me now?” murmured the Prince faintly, “Ah, if it does not, then all hope of escape is gone.”
By a great effort he slipped his hand down to his side. With shaking fingers he undid the clasp of his Pouch and reached for the glowing coal that lay within. He drew it forth, and felt, as he did so that it was on fire with magic. He pressed it against the Giant’s Cloak. Immediately a hole appeared in its folds, which widened rapidly. The air rushed in, reviving the Prince with its freshness and giving him zeal and new courage. So well did he use his weapon then, that presently he had before him a great opening in the thick folds through which he could pass with ease.
The Cloak in the Giant’s hands was still whirling at tremendous speed. Prince Radiance, looking out through the opening saw the Seven Hills of Ash and the Wide Grey Plain spinning dizzily round and round far beneath him. Yet he was not afraid. He prepared himself to leap from the opening that he had made, when suddenly the Giant hurled his Cloak violently forward. Instantly the Prince was thrown through the air with such force that he was driven far out of reach or sight of his enemies. His scarlet mantle spread itself about him like great wings that bore him swiftly on and on, until at last it settled slowly and allowed him to alight in a place of safety.
The Giant, unaware that Prince Radiance was no longer in his power, gave his huge Cloak an abrupt twist. Immediately it shrunk to its former size, and he threw it down into the hollow between the Seven Hills. Then he turned to the Earth Fairy triumphantly.
