The Orange Fairy Book

could run and shoot, and swim and dive better than any lad of his own age in the country. Besides, he knew how to sail about, and sing songs to the harp, and during

ied. There was great mourning throughout all the isles, and the boy and his father mourned her bitterly also; but bef

game. But not a bird was to be seen anywhere, till at length a blue falcon flew past him, and raising his bow he took aim at her. His eye was straight and his hand steady,

me to-day?’ asked his stepmo

ther of the blue falcon, which she held by the tip a

at you may always be cold, and wet and dirty, and that your shoes may ever have p

me back again, and your face shall be to the wind, from wheresoever it shall blow.’ Then he went away to seek the bird, as his stepmother bade him; and, looking home

arker it grew, and the small birds were seeking their nests, and at length Ian Direach could see no more, and he lay down under some bushe

e hoof of a sheep to give you, and with these you must be content

Mairtean the fox bade Ian Direach lie down as before, and sleep t

idding, nimbly and cheerfully, and, above all, to treat his birds kindly, for in this manner he may give you his falcon to feed and care for. And when this happens, wait till the gian

reach, ‘and I will be careful to follow it.’

ant, as someone knocked loud

k as a servant,’ a

ou do?’ asked t

and milk a cow, and also goats and sheep, if

e great need of such a

ever he had been, and at length he thought that he might even be trusted to feed the falcon. And the heart of Ian was glad,

visit them, but never could I go for fear of my falcon. Now I think I can

. But the rays of the sun pierced through the thickness of the cloth, and as they passed the doorpost she gave a spring, and the tip of one of her fe

bring me the White Sword of Light that is

ive?’ asked Ian. But

aste. There, as he hoped, he met his friend Gille Mairtean the fox, who bade him eat his

stretching before them, and the isle of Dhiurradh in the midst of it, the soul of Ian sank, and he turned to Gille Mairtean and asked why

omen of Dhiurradh. Tell them that you are skilled in brightening silver and gold, and in the end they will take you as servant, and if you are careful to please them they will

nt, and for six weeks he worked so hard that his seven mistresses said to each other: ‘Never has a servant had the s

he 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 a

you must first bring us the

house, and sat by the side of the sea, a

my words, Ian Direach,’ spoke the fox. ‘But

d sticks and made a fire and ate with Gille Mairtean the fox, and slep

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

that country gave into Ian Direach’s hands the care of his horses, and never before did their skins shine so brightl

nd when he had spoken, he led Ian Direach to the stable where stood the bay colt. And Ian rubbed her and fed her, and

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 back. But as they rode through the gate, which s

must first bring me the daught

ch down to the shore where Gil

it,’ spoke Gille Mairtean the fox; ‘but I will help you yet again. for a

to the cleft of a rock, high on to the land. Then, he commanded Ian Direach to go up to the king’s palace, sayin

t to hear it. And when they had heard, nought would please them except to go down to the shore and visit the ship, which by now was floating, for

or myself the harp that gives forth such music.’ And a boat was bro

t get back to it again. And the music sounded always sweeter, though they could never see whence it came, and sought it from one part of the ve

ent, and her face grew

e! What is this that you have d

o the Seven Big Women of Dhiurradh, in exchange for the White Sword of Light. This I must carry to the giant of the Five Heads and Five Necks and Five Humps, a

wife to you,’ ans

bide yet a while in a cave amongst the rocks, for they had business on land, and after a while they would return to her. Then they took a boat and rowed up to s

be Ian Direach, and left his hunting, and ran down to the hill to the stable. Hastily he led the bay colt from his stall, and put the

nd was well pleased, not knowing that it was Gille Mairtean the fox. And he bowed low, and besought her to do him

used and pointed to an iron c

u for many years,’ he said, ‘and at last you have

that he fell down unconscious. Quickly the fox took his own shape again, and galloped

h let the bay colt into the ship and the princess went after them, and they set sail for Dhiurradh. The win

ese rocks, and I will change myself into the colt, a

t of them fetched the White Sword of Light, and gave it into the hands of Ian Direach, who took off the golden saddle an

the eldest struck her side with a whip and the colt bounded forward. Over the moors she flew, and round and round the mountains, and still the Big Women clung to her and snorted with pleasure. At last she leapt high in the air, and came down on top of Monadh the high hill, where the crag is. And she rested her fore

cess, and the bay colt and the White Sword of Light, back to the land.’ And when the shore was

stead, he will give you the blue falcon.’ And Ian Direach did as the fox bade him, and set out for the giant’s castle. From afar the giant beheld the blaze of the White Sword of Light, and his heart rejoic

d to cut and slash with it. For a little while Gille Mairtean let the giant play with him in this manner; then he turned in the giant’s

th its back against your nose. Then mount the colt, and let the princess mount behind you, and ride thus to your father’s palace. But see that the back of the sword is ever a

s for ever. After that he married the princess, who was the best wife in all the islands of the West. Henceforth he was safe from harm, for had he not the bay colt

is herds, whenever hunger seized him, and that henceforth no arrow should be let fly at him or at any of his race. But Gille Mairtean the fo

e West Highlands.