asked the young man again . And the overlooker answered : ` To reach the daughters of the knight of Grianaig you must get into this basket , and be drawn by a rope up the face of this rock . ' ` Oh , that is easily done , ' said the eldest brother , jumping into the basket , which at once began to move -- up , and up , and up -- till he had gone about half-way , when a fat black raven flew at him and pecked him till he was nearly blind , so that he was forced to go back the way he had come . After that the second brother got into the creel ; but he fared no better , for the raven flew upon him , and he returned as his brother had done . ` Now it is my turn , ' said Ian . But when he was halfway up the raven set upon him also . ` Quick ! quick ! ' cried Ian to the men who held the rope . ` Quick ! quick ! or I shall be blinded ! ' And the men pulled with all their might , and in another moment Ian was on top , and the raven behind him . ` Will you give me a piece of tobacco ? ' asked the raven , who was now quite quiet . ` You rascal ! Am I to give you tobacco for trying to peck my eyes out ? ' answered Ian . ` That was part of my duty , ' replied the raven ; ` but give it to me , and I will prove a good friend to you . ' So Ian broke off a piece of tobacco and gave it to him .
The raven hid it under his wing , and then went on ; ` Now I will take you to the house of the big giant , where the knight 's daughter sits sewing , sewing , XXXXX even her thimble is wet with tears . '
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