And one more warning I give you . If anyone asks you whence you came , answer that you have come from behind you ; and if anyone asks you whither you are going , say that you are going before you . ' So Ian mounted the horse and set her face to the sea and her back to the shore , and she was off , away and away till she reached the church of Grianaig , and there , in a field of grass , beside a well of water , he leaped down from his saddle . ` Now , ' the horse said to him , ` draw your sword and cut off my head . ' But Ian answered : ` Poor thanks would that be for all the help I have had from you . ' ` It is the only way that I can free myself from the spells that were laid by the giants on me and the raven ; for I was a girl and he was a youth wooing me ! So have no fears , but do as I have said . ' Then Ian drew his sword as she bade him , and cut off her head , and went on his way without looking backwards . As he walked he saw a woman standing at her house door . She asked him whence he had come , and he answered as the raven had told him , that he came from behind . Next she inquired whither he was going , and this time he made reply that he was going on before him , but that he was thirsty and would like a drink . ` You are an impudent fellow , ' said the woman ; ` but you shall have a drink . ' And she gave him some milk , which was all she had till her husband came home . ` Where is your husband ? ' asked Ian , and the woman answered him : ` He is at the knight 's castle trying to fashion gold and silver into a cap for the youngest daughter , like unto the caps that her sisters wear , such as are not to be found in all this land . But , see , he is returning ; and now we shall hear how he has sped . ' At that the man entered the gate , and beholding a strange youth , he said to him : ` What is your trade , boy ? ' ' I am a smith , ' replied Ian . And the man answered : ` Good luck has befallen me , then , for you can help me to make a cap for the knight 's daughter . ' ` You can not make that cap , and you know it , ' said Ian .
` Well , I must try , ' replied the man , ` or I shall be hanged XXXXX a tree ; so it were a good deed to help me . ' '
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