“It is a pity that creditors should be so cruel. Go, bury the dead, and let the creditors come to my lodgings, and their debts shall be discharged.”
Accordingly they came, and in such great numbers that before night he had almost left himself penniless. Now Jack the Giant Killer being there, and seeing the generosity of the king’s son, desired to be his servant. It being agreed on, the next morning they set forward. As they were riding out of the town’s end, an old woman cried out—
“He has owed me twopence seven years, pray, sir, pay me as well as the rest.”
The king’s son put his hand in his pocket and gave it her, it being the last money he had, then, turning to Jack, he said—
“Take no thought nor heed. Let me alone, and I warrant you we will never want.”
Now Jack had a small spell in his pocket, the which served for a refreshment, after which they had but one penny left between them. They spent the forenoon in travel and familiar discourse, until the sun grew low, when the king’s son said—
“Jack, since we have got no money where can we lodge to-night?”
Jack replied—
“Master, we will do well enough, for I have an uncle who lives within two miles of this place. He is a huge and monstrous giant, having three heads. He will beat five hundred men in armour, and make them fly before him.”