So Tom went every day to Wisbeach a good twenty miles by the road. 'T
was a wearisome journey thought Tom and he soon found that the way kept
by the giant was nearer by half. Now Tom had got more strength than
ever, being well kept as he was and drinking so much strong ale as he
did. One day, then, as he was going to Wisbeach, without saying anything
to his master or any of his fellow servants, he resolved to take the
nearest road or to lose his life; as they say, to win horse or lose
saddle. Thus resolved, he took the near road, flinging open the gates
for his cart and horses to go through. At last the giant spied him, and
came up speedily, intending to take his beer for a prize.
He met Tom like a lion as though he would have swallowed him. "Who gave
you authority to come this way?" roared he. "I'll make you an example
for all rogues under the sun. See how many heads hang on yonder tree.
Yours shall hang higher than all the rest for a warning."
But Tom made him answer, "A fig in your teeth you shall not find me like
one of them, traitorly rogue that you are.
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