J. F. Campbell Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 3

THE RIDER OF GRIANAIG,
5
time she used to get the better, and two times she used
not."
They seized each other, and they had hard hugs,
and the giant put Iain on liis knee.
" I see," said Iain, " that thou art the stronger."
" It is known that I am," said the giant.
They went before each other again. They were
tmsting and hauling each other. Iain struck a foot on
the giant in the ankle, and he jiut him on the thews of
his back under him on the ground. He wished that
the raven were at him.
The stumpy black raven came, and he fell upon the
giant about the face and about the ears with his claws
and with his wings until he blinded him, and he
deafened liim.
" Hast thou got a nail of arms that will take the
head off the monster ? "
" I have not."
" Put thy hand under my right wing, and thou
wilt find a small sharp knife which I have for gather-
ing briar-buds, and take the head off him."
He put his hand under the raven's right wing and
he found the knife, and he took the head off the giant.
"iN'ow Iain thou shalt go in where is the big
daughter of the knight of Grianaig, and she will be
asking thee to return and not to go farther; but do
not thou give heed, but go on, and thou wilt reach the
middle daughter; and thou shalt give me a quid of
tobacco."
" I will give that to thee indeed ; well hast thou
earned it. Thou shalt have half of all I have."
" I will not. There's many a long day to Bealtain."
" The fortune will not let me be here tiU Bealtain."
" Thou hast knowledge of what has passed, but thou
hast no knowledge of what is before thee ; get warm