And the knife was so sharp that it cut off the giant 's head with a blow . ` Now go and tell the daughter of the king of Grianaig ; but take heed lest you listen to her words , and promise to go no further , for she will seek to help you . Instead , seek the middle daughter , and when you have found her , you shall give me a piece of tobacco for reward . ' ` Well have you earned the half of all I have , ' answered Ian . But the raven shook his head . ` You know only what has passed , and nothing of what lies before . If you would not fail , wash yourself in clean water , and take balsam from a vessel on top of the door , and rub it over your body , and to-morrow you will be as strong as many men , and I will lead you to the dwelling of the middle one . ' Ian did as the raven bade him , and in spite of the eldest daughter 's entreaties , he set out to seek her next sister . He found her where she was seated sewing , her very thimble wet from the tears which she had shed . ` What brought you here ? ' asked the second sister . ` Why may I not go where you can go ? ' answered he ; ` and why are you weeping ? ' ` Because in one day I shall be married to the giant who is on the hunting hill . ' ` How can I get him home ? ' asked Ian . ` Nought will bring him but a shake of that iron chain which hangs outside the gate . But there is neither to leeward , nor to westward , nor in the four brown boundaries of the sea , any man that can hold battle with him , save Ian , the soldier 's son , and he is now but sixteen years of age . ' ` In the land whence I have come there are many men with the strength of Ian , ' said he . And he went outside and pulled at the chain , but he could not move it , and fell on his knees .
At that he rose XXXXX his feet , and gathering up his strength mightily , he seized the chain , and this time he shook it so that three links broke .
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