202 GLOOSCAP AND OTHER STORIES

laugh, he sent for him. But when Jack ap- peared before him so ugly and stupid-looking, the king was so digusted that he declared then and there that Jack should not marry the prin- cess.

But of course it must not be known abroad that the king had broken his promise—s0 he planned to kill Jack, and to put someone else in his place. J ack was seized and thrown into a den with wild animals. The animals leaped upon him to devour him, but Jack threw down his magical belt, which quickly wound itself about them, binding their legs fast to their bodies—while J ack sat down quietly to see what would happen next.

Meantime the word was passed about that a suitor had won the hand of the princess, and that the marriage would be celebrated that very evening. All went merrily until the ceremony was about to begin. Then something strange happened. The bridegroom began to dance and jump about like a madman. He leaped into the air, tearing at his face and clothes, and then fled from the room. The terrified princess screamed, and ran about, calling:

“He is mad! The bridegroom is mad!”

Another bridegroom was now sent forward by the king, but as soon as he took his place beside the princess to be married, he too began jump- ing about like a madman, just as the other had