in discovering one of Huggermugger's fishing-lines tied up and lying
not far from him. This he unrolled, and having fastened one end of it
to a nail which he managed just to reach, he let the other end drop
(it was as large as a small rope) and easily let himself down to the
floor. He then made for the door, but that was fastened. Jacky,
however, was determined to see what could be done, so he pulled out
his jackknife, and commenced cutting into the corner of the door at
the bottom, where it was a good deal worn, as if it had been gnawed by
the rats. He thought that by cutting a little now and then, and hiding
himself when the giant should make his appearance, in time he might
make an opening large enough for him to squeeze himself through. Now
Huggermugger was by this time awake, and heard the noise which Jacky
made with his knife.

"Wife," says he, waking her up--she was dreaming about her beautiful
shell--"wife, there are those eternal rats again, gnawing, gnawing at
that door; we must set the trap for them to-night."

Little Jacket heard the giant's great voice, and was very much
astonished that he spoke English. He thought that giants spoke nothing
but "chow-chow-whangalorum-hallaballoo with a-ruffle-bull-bagger!"
This made him hope that Huggermugger would not eat him. So he grew
very hopeful, and determined to persevere. He kept at his work, but as
softly as he could. But Huggermugger heard the noise again, or fancied
he heard it, and this time came to see if he could not kill the rat
that gnawed so steadily and so fearlessly. Little Jacket heard him
coming, and rushed to hide himself. The nearest place of retreat was
one of the giant's great boots, which lay on the floor, opening like a
cave before him. Into this he rushed. He had hardly got into it before
Huggermugger entered.