He loosed his huge grey Cloak from his neck, dragged it from his shoulders, and gathered its collar firmly in his hand. Then he crouched down once more behind the hill nearest to the approaching travelers. So like to the ashes in color was the Giant’s great body that he was almost indistinguishable, as with eyes glued to the opening in the side of the hill, he awaited the moment when the Prince should arrive. Prince Radiance gave heed only to the Princess. With his gaze fixed upon her flashing light, he followed its guidance across the Wide Grey Plain. As he sped on and on, he kept ever before him the hope that by some means he might be able to bridge the distance between them. So, before he realized it, he had reached the Seven Hills of Ash, and the danger that lurked behind them. 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.”