shining blade; and he did so. But one day, when the Seven Big Women were
out of the way, he bethought him that the moment had come for him to
carry off the sword, and, replacing it in its sheath, he hoisted it on
his shoulder. But just as he was passing through the door the tip of the
sheath touched it, and the door gave a loud shriek. And the Big Women
heard it, and came running back, and took the sword from him, and said:

'If it is our sword you want, you must first bring us the bay colt of
the King of Erin.'

Humbled and ashamed, Ian Direach left the house, and sat by the side of
the sea, and soon Gille Mairtean the fox came to him.

'Plainly I see that you have taken no heed to my words, Ian Direach,'
spoke the fox. 'But eat first, and yet once more will I help you.'

At these words the heart returned again to Ian Direach, and he gathered
sticks and made a fire and ate with Gille Mairtean the fox, and slept on
the sand. At dawn next morning Gille Mairtean said to Ian Direach:

'I will change myself into a ship, and will bear you across the seas to
Erin, to the land where dwells the king. And you shall offer yourself
to serve in his stable, and to tend his horses, till at length so well
content is he, that he gives you the bay colt to wash and brush. But
when you run away with her see that nought except the soles of her hoofs
touch anything within the palace gates, or it will go ill with you.'

After he had thus counselled Ian Direach, the fox changed himself into a
ship, and set sail for Erin. And the king of that country gave into Ian
Direach's hands the care of his horses, and never before did their skins
shine so brightly or was their pace so swift. And the king was well
pleased, and at the end of a month he sent for Ian and said to him:

'You have given me faithful service, and now I will entrust you with the
most precious thing that my kingdom holds.' And when he had spoken, he
led Ian Direach to the stable where stood the bay colt. And Ian rubbed
her and fed her, and galloped with her all round the country, till he
could leave one wind behind him and catch the other which was in front.

'I am going away to hunt,' said the king one morning while he was
watching Ian tend the bay colt in her stable. 'The deer have come down
from the hill, and it is time for me to give them chase.' Then he went
away; and when he was no longer in sight, Ian Direach led the bay colt
out of the stable, and sprang on her bac