But again he left the prize unclaimed , and so it happened on the third day , when it seemed as if all the people in the kingdom were gathered to see the race , for they were filled with curiosity to know who the winner could be . ` If he will not come of his own free will , he must be brought , ' said the king , and the messengers who had seen the face of the victor were sent to seek him in every street of the town . This took many days , and when at last they found the young man in the weaver 's cottage , he was so dirty and ugly and had such a strange appearance , that they declared he could not be the winner they had been searching for , but a wicked robber who had murdered ever so many people , but had always managed to escape . ` Yes , it must be the robber , ' said the king , when the fisher 's son was led into his presence ; ` build a gallows at once and hang him in the sight of all my subjects , that they may behold him suffer the punishment of his crimes . ' So the gallows was built upon a high platform , and the fisher 's son mounted the steps up to it , and turned at the top to make the speech that was expected from every doomed man , innocent or guilt . As he spoke he happened to raise his arm , and the king 's daughter , who was there at her father 's side , saw the name which she had written under it . With a shriek she sprang from her seat , and the eyes of the spectators were turned towards her . ` Stop ! stop ! ' she cried , hardly knowing what she said . ` If that man is hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die also . ' And running up to where the fisher 's son was standing , she took him by the hand , saying , ` Father , this is no robber or murderer , but the victor in the three races , and he loosed the spells that were laid upon me . ' Then , without waiting for a reply , she conducted him into the palace , and he bathed in a marble bath , and all the dirt that the fairies had put upon him disappeared like magic , and when he had dressed himself in the fine garments the princess had sent to him , he looked a match for any king 's daughter in Erin . He went down into the great hall where she was awaiting him , and they had much to tell each other but little time to tell it in , for the king her father , and the princes who were visiting him , and all the people of the kingdom were still in their places expecting her return . ` How did you find me out ? ' she whispered as they went down the passage . ` The birds in the box told me , ' answered he , but he could say no more , as they stepped out into the open space that was crowded with people . There the princes stopped . ' O kings ! ' she said , turning towards them , ` if one of you were killed to-day , the rest would fly ; but this man put his trust in me , and had his head cut off three times .
Because he has done this , I will marry him rather than one of you , who have come hither to wed me , for many kings here sought to free me XXXXX the spells , but none could do it save Ian the fisher 's son . '
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