Many strange things did Ian behold in that island , more than he had thought for . In a glen lay three heroes stretched on their backs , done to death by three spears that still stuck in their breasts . But he kept his counsel and spake nothing , only he pulled out the spears , and the men sat up and said : ` You are Ian the soldier 's son , and a spell is laid upon you to travel in our company , to the cave of the black fisherman . ' So together they went till they reached the cave , and one of the men entered , to see what should be found there . And he beheld a hag , horrible to look upon , seated on a rock , and before he could speak , she struck him with her club , and changed him into a stone ; and in like manner she dealt with the other three . At the last Ian entered . ` These men are under spells , ' said the witch , ` and alive they can never be till you have anointed them with the water which you must fetch from the island of Big Women . See that you do not tarry . ' And Ian turned away with a sinking heart , for he would fain have followed the youngest daughter of the knight of Grianaig . ` You did not obey my counsel , ' said the raven , hopping towards him , ` and so trouble has come upon you . But sleep now , and to-morrow you shall mount the horse which is in the giant 's stable , that can gallop over sea and land . When you reach the island of Big Women , sixteen boys will come to meet you , and will offer the horse food , and wish to take her saddle and bridle from her . But see that they touch her not , and give her food yourself , and yourself lead her into the stable , and shut the door . And be sure that for every turn of the lock given by the sixteen stable lads you give one . And now you shall break me off a piece of tobacco . ' The next morning Ian arose , and led the horse from the stable , without the door hurting him , and he rode across the sea to the island of the Big Women , where the sixteen stable lads met him , and each one offered to take his horse , and to feed her , and to put her into the stable . But Ian only answered : ' I myself will put her in and will see to her . ' And thus he did . And while he was rubbing her sides the horse said to him : ` Every kind of drink will they offer you , but see you take none , save whey and water only . ' And so it fell out ; and when the sixteen stable-boys saw that he would drink nothing , they drank it all themselves , and one by one lay stretched around the board .
Then Ian felt pleased in his heart XXXXX he had withstood their fair words , and he forgot the counsel that the horse had likewise given him saying : ` Beware lest you fall asleep , and let slip the chance of getting home again ' ; for while the lads were sleeping sweet music reached his ears , and he slept also .
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