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 to his feet, and
gathering up his strength mightily, he seized the chain, and this time
he shook it so that three links broke. And the second giant heard it on
the hunting hill, and lifted his head, thinking--

'It sounds like the noise of Ian, the soldier's son,' said he; 'but as
yet he is only sixteen years old. Still, I had better look to it.' And
home he came.

'Are you Ian, the soldier's son?' he asked, as he entered the castle.

'No, of a surety,' answered the youth, who had no wish that this giant
should know him either; 'but I will wrestle with you as if I were he.'

Then they seized each other by the shoulder, and the giant threw him on
his two knees. 'You are the stronger,' cried Ian; 'but I am not beaten
yet.' And rising to his feet, he threw his arms round the giant.

Backwards and forwards they swayed, and first one was uppermost and then
the other; but at length Ian worked his leg round the giant's and threw
him to the ground. Then he called to the raven, and the raven came
flapping towards him, and said: 'Put your hand under my right wing,
and you will find there a knife sharp enough to take off his head.' And
sharp indeed it was, for with a single blow, the giant's head rolled
from his body.

'Now wash yourself with warm water, and rub yourself over with oil of
balsam, and to-morrow you will be as strong as many men. But beware of
the words of the knight's daughter, for she is cunning, and will try
to keep you at her side. So farewell; but first give me a piece of
tobacco.'

'That I will gladly,' answered Ian breaking off a large bit.

He washed and rubbed himself that night, as the raven had told him, and
the next morning he entered the chamber where the knight's daughter was
sitting.

'Abide here with me,' she said, 'and be my husband. There is silver and
gold in plenty in the castle.' But he took no heed, and went on his
way till he reached the castle where the knight's youngest daughter was
sewing in the hall. And tears dropped from her eyes on to her thimble.

'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.'

'I know full well,' said he.

'Are you Ian, the soldier's son?' asked she again. And again he
answered:

'Yes, I am; but tell me, why ar