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 , till even her thimble is wet with tears . ' And the raven hopped before him till they reached a large house , the door of which stood open . They entered and passed through one hall after the other , until they found the knight 's daughter , as the bird had said . ` What brought you here ? ' asked she . And Ian made answer : ` Why may I not go where you can go ? ' ' I was brought hither by a giant , ' replied she . ' I know that , ' said Ian ; ` but tell me where the giant is , that I may find him . '
` He is XXXXX the hunting hill , ' answered she ; ` and nought will bring him home save a shake of the iron chain which hangs outside the gate .
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